Milwaukee is chock full of things to do, but only a handful of Milwaukee events are worthy of the lofty honor of “Record Recommended” (patent pending). Here are our recommendations for July 27 – August 2, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, JULY 27
Aimee Mann + Kimon Kirk @ The Pabst Theater
The Monday immediately following her appearance at Eaux Claires festival, Aimee Mann heads east from Eau Claire to take the stage at Milwaukee’s historic Pabst Theater as part of her “Bachelor No. 2 Album Tour.” Wise up and see this show!
Musical Mondays: Laura Rain And The Caesars @ Lake Park Summer Stage
“A proud product of the Motor City, hard-driving singer Laura Rain and her hot band pump out soul, R&B and funk originals worthy of the many greats hailing from Detroit, with fearless emotion and excitement.”
TUESDAY, JULY 28
Anthony Green @ The Argo
“Anthony Green is a renowned vocalist and songwriter best known as the frontman of Circa Survive and the original singer of Saosin. In addition to his band work, Green has built a prolific solo career, releasing acclaimed albums such as Avalon, Beautiful Things, Pixie Queen, and Boom. Done. that highlight his wide-ranging songwriting and distinctive voice outside the group format. He is also a member of The Sound of Animals Fighting as well as L.S. Dunes which features members of My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, and Thursday. With a catalog spanning two decades, Green remains one of the most recognizable and enduring figures in modern alternative music.”
Chill On The Hill: Sugo + Father Sky @ Humboldt Park
“JOIN US FOR AN INCREDIBLE NIGHT WITH SUGO AND FATHER SKY…PLUS, IT’S SUMMERWEEN! Check out the Pumpkin Pavilion tent! Food Trucks will be open starting at 5 p.m., music will start at 6:30 p.m.”
Lord Buffalo + Old Wolves, Cassini Echoes, The Paper Flames @ MKeUltra
Brotherkenzie + Dirt Buyer, Blacktop @ Cactus Club
Riverwalk Commons Concert Series: Bomber & Red @ Milwaukee Public Market
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
Summer Sounds: Trapper Schoepp @ Hubbard Park
Hubbard Park rules. The Shorewood beer garden and its accompanying lodge offer a wide range of beer, liquor, snacks, Friday fish frys, and even Sunday Lumberjack Brunch Buffets. In addition to the bounty of beverages and food available at this secluded site situated beside the Milwaukee River, Hubbard Park also has a weekly music series that runs for six weeks in the summer. That series, Summer Sounds, concludes for the year with a show from the one and only Trapper Schoepp.
Head Over Heels: A Tribute To Tears For Fears + Chrystal Gales @ Vivarium
“Head Over Heels is not just a tribute band; it’s a musical journey through the iconic soundscape of tears for fears, masterfully curated and led by the extraordinary talent of 3x grammy nominee Kevin Sucher. With every note, they pay homage to the legendary British duo and bring their timeless classics to life in a way that captivates audiences across the globe.”
Racine County Fair @ Racine County Fairgrounds, Union Grove (through August 2)
Washington Park Wednesdays: Orquestra Rumba + Orquestra Rumba Trio @ Washington Park Bandshell
Wonderful Wednesdays: Main Street Song & Dance Troupe @ Lake Park Summer Stage
Harvey Street + HOLLYY @ Cactus Club
Heart(beats) Of The City: MUVGRUV @ Red Arrow Park
THURSDAY, JULY 30
American Madness: A Documentary Film About Conspiracy Theories @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
Way back in the dark times of 2020, Milwaukee author Tea Krulos unleashed the book American Madness: The Story Of The Phantom Patriot And How Conspiracy Theories Hijacked American Consciousness. The book tells the fascinating story of Richard McCaslin, a man whose evil-thwarting alter ego, The Phantom Patriot, is only one aspect of his conspiracy-addled life. The Bohemian Grove, Alex Jones, crisis actors, QAnon, Donald Trump, and much more figure into the bizarre and ultimately tragic tale. The documentary film adaptation, directed by Eric Hayden and produced by Krulos and Kim Hayden, makes its Milwaukee premiere tonight at the Avalon. Prior to the 6:30 p.m. screening, Krulos will be at nearby Lion’s Tooth at 5 p.m. signing books and delivering some “author notes” on how the story has developed since 2020. A round of “conspiracy trivia” will go down at 5:30 p.m. The screening itself will be followed by a Q&A with Krulos and Eric and Kim Hayden.
ArtBlaze @ McKinley Beach
Milwaukee is absolutely loaded with summer festivals, fairs, music series, and more. In the “more” category is ArtBlaze, a FREE beach and beach-adjacent series featuring music, dance, yoga, family-friendly activities, food (including s’mores!) and a giant inflatable art installation from the giant inflatable art installation experts at FuzzPop Workshop. The series makes its return this week; subsequent shindigs are set for August 6 at South Shore Park, and August 20 back at McKinley Beach.
Stewart Copeland: Have I Said Too Much @ Vivarium
“Stewart Copeland, world famous drummer, founder of the most successful rock band of the 1980s, The Police, composer of film scores, video games and operas, multi Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, writer and film maker, is heading out on his first American spoken-word tour, to talk about it all in his usual funny, intelligent, sharp and unique way. An evening of conversation, with photos, videos and a Q&A.”
Lounj Acts: The Dirty Sweet + Liv Mueller @ The Wicked Hop
Robot Witch + Bellends @ Nashville North
Jazz In The Park: Ivy Ford Band @ Cathedral Square Park
Cathedral Square Market @ Cathedral Square Park
Daisychain + Whiskey And The Devil, Offtide, Zsynji @ Cactus Club
Mural Hall + Orange Colored Sky, Diane Selwyn, Casual Sex @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Sidecar + Ripley @ Falcon Hall
Dog Lady + Angel Louis, Apollo Vermouth, Lucky Bone/Eli Smith @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: Brewtown Beat @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
Thursday Bike Nights: Plain Grass Folk @ Harley-Davidson Museum Campus
Tunes@Noon: Open Tab Duo @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
FRIDAY, JULY 31
Diet Lite + Broken Demeanor, Courtesy @ MKeUltra
After bursting onto the scene post-pandemic, Diet Lite became one of the city’s most active and popular projects. In 2023, that rapid ascent to Milwaukee music prominence culminated with the release of Into The Pudding. Diet Lite spent the winter and spring of 2024 writing and workshopping new material in northern Wisconsin, then going to Jamdek in Chicago to record that output on analog tape. The final product is 2025’s 13-track Double Wide Yukon, Diet Lite’s best effort yet.
Jesse Garwood (record release) + Smoothtalkers, Ila Rose @ Falcon Hall
“Based in Milwaukee, Jesse Garwood is a prolific, self-taught songwriter and poet inspired by her own life experiences and by artists such as Taylor Swift, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Peach Pit.”
Bobfest @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
“A benefit for Mr. Bobs Under the Bridge. $10 cover or $5 with a clothing donation to Mr. Bobs. Quality Acts! Free Food! ‘Bob-tastic’ Prizes!”
John Stanford And Dan VanZeeland Present: What’s It All About? @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Starry Nights: BD Greer And The Gents @ Sharon Lynn Wilson Center For The Arts
Summer Sounds: Easy Honey + Oh Geeez Not Again @ Cedar Creek Park, Cedarburg
Friday Night Retro Mixtape @ Mad Planet
Free Friday Movie: Bridesmaids @ Lake Park Summer Stage
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
Black Arts Fest MKE @ Henry Maier Festival Park
“Black Arts Fest MKE 2026 theme is Unity & Community, highlighting togetherness and the people of Milwaukee. BAFMKE 2026 will include a celebration of Art, Education, Music, Entertainment, Poetry, Dance, Fashion, Literature, Heritage, Health, Wellness, Community, Cuisine, and Vendor Markets. The festival aims to educate and foster a sense of pride and togetherness in African ancestry. Join us for this inclusive, multi-generational experience and bring your family, friends, and community members to celebrate as one. Black Arts Fest MKE exists to celebrate the deep roots of African Heritage and the creativity of Black Cultural Arts.”
Wisconsin IPA Fest @ Third Space Brewing
“Try the best of the best IPAs (and many more styles) from breweries all over the state of Wisconsin and find out which beer is crowned the 2026 winner! We’ll announce which brewery will take home the title of Wisconsin’s Best IPA, as voted on by experts and peers in the industry! Attendees will get to cast their votes for the People’s Choice award. You don’t want to miss this—snag your tickets while you can!”
Burn Bright MKE Presents: 10 For $10 @ X-Ray Arcade
Who are the 10 bands playing this installment of 10 For $10? We’ll tell you! Tiny Voices, In Shining Armour, Overhand, Garden Home, Human Ant Farm, Endswell, Fake My Death, Superglue, I’ll Remember April, and Orange Colored Sky!
Cairo Jag + Resurrectionists, Mark Adams Son Of Bill, Stoneyard @ MKeUltra
Bikini Trill + Peppers And Pineapples @ The Argo
Junipour + Offtide, Golf Dolls @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
Current Sounds: Pete McDermott of Ladybird @ Lakefront Brewery
Devi McCallion + Bubblegum Octopus, i h8 it here, +*+be3e+*+ @ Cactus Club
South Shore Farmers’ Market: Frogwater @ South Shore Park
K-Pop!: DJ Seoul K @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
Jewish Food Festival @ Foxtown Station, Mequon (also August 3)
“Now in its eighth year, the Jewish Food Festival has become one of southeastern Wisconsin’s most anticipated summer events. Festival guests can enjoy freshly prepared Jewish favorites including towering pastrami sandwiches, corned beef, falafel, matzah ball soup, potato knishes, babka, rugelach, and more, all prepared under Glatt Kosher supervision. Beyond the food, visitors will find live music throughout both days, cooking demonstrations, an immersive Jewish Holiday Experience, children’s activities, challah braiding, inflatables, a petting zoo, foam party, artisan experiences, and interactive cultural exhibits designed for all ages.”
Swiss Army Wife + Barely Civil, Breakup Tour, Arizona The State @ Sugar Maple
ICE Out: A Benefit For Voces De La Frontera & Rapid Response Groups @ Falcon Hall
Matt Blair Clearings Quartet + Rick Ollman/Eli Smith @ Jazz Gallery Center For The Arts
Wisconsin Vintage Fest @ Harley-Davidson Museum
Cafe Sopra Mare: Corey Klunk (Jazz) @ Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
Current Sounds: Matt Froelich @ Lakefront Brewery
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