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 June 22-28, 2026, brought to you by Wynk.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Nick Shoulders + Jack Studer @ Falcon Hall
The timeless, tireless, and tremendously talented Nick Shoulders is breathing new life into traditional southern music with his outstanding voice (as well as his distinct yodel and top-notch whistling), guitar picking, and fiddling. About nine months removed from the release of his latest album, Refugia Blues, Shoulders returns to Milwaukee—a city that’s thankfully been on his tour itinerary regularly in recent years—to perform at Falcon Hall.
Brandy Clark + Alyssia Dominguez @ The Argo
“Grammy, CMA and Americana Award-winner, Brandy Clark is one of her generation’s most esteemed songwriters and musicians. In the midst of a landmark year, Clark won Best Americana Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards and Song of the Year at the 2024 Americana Honors & Awards with her acclaimed song ‘Dear Insecurity,’ featuring 11x Grammy-winner Brandi Carlile. The track is from Clark’s self-titled album, which was produced by Carlile and features her most personal songwriting to date.”
An Evening With Ann Patchett @ The Pabst Theater
Youth Energy + TWIN, Josh Evert, Wavefiler @ Cactus Club
Mazu + Exitstatements, Dead Buddhas @ X-Ray Arcade
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Tommy Stinson @ Cactus Club
It isn’t very often that a founding member of The Replacements plays an intimate show at a beloved Bay View club. But it’s happening tonight! Don’t miss your opportunity to see Tommy Stinson performing at Cactus Club. Tickets and square footage are limited, so act fast.
Chill On The Hill: Wisconsin Space Program @ Humboldt Park
Wisconsin Space Program is a new-ish Milwaukee psych-rock outfit featuring former and current members of The Delta Routine, Antler House, Yum Yum Cult, and Supertentacles. Since releasing the Sun In Your Hands LP in 2025, Wisconsin Space Program has become a fixture at local venues through a steady diet of live outings, and the band is currently enjoying a busy 2026.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Milwaukee Night Market @ Wisconsin Avenue, between 2nd and Vel R. Phillips
“The Milwaukee Night Market is a free, outdoor event showcasing a variety of local vendors, performers, and artists. The Milwaukee Night Market transforms the heart of downtown into an exciting fusion of all the city has to offer. Tonight’s theme: Western Night. Western Night will feature live music by local country and bluegrass performers and line dancing instruction for attendees to be part of the entertainment.”
Summer Sideshow: Gold Steps + Outpacer, Barely Civil, Alley Eyes, Fakeout @ The Cooperage
“A night of fun and music to run alongside the Summerfest Tech festival. Milwaukee’s own Gold Step’s, Outpacer, Barely Civil, Alley Eyes and Fakeout will bring the entertainment while Taco Moto provides the food and the vibes provided by you. This one is free to Summerfest Tech attendees/badge holders. Doors at 6, Music at 7, party forever.”
PSL Milwaukee Queer Liberation Concert: Long Mama + Moldy Tates, DJ Femme Noir @ Cactus Club
The Fleshtones + New Duncan Imperials @ Shank Hall
Summer Sounds: Pat McCurdy @ Hubbard Park
Tosa Tonight @ Hart Park, Wauwatosa
Heart(beats) Of The City: 7000apart @ Red Arrow Park
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Summerfest: Weekend 2 @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through June 27)
Summerfest! The affordable local music festival with a little something for everyone that takes place in a lovely and well-appointed lakeshore park where you can eat and drink and relax and grumble about it for some reason! It continues! Some Weekend 2 highlights include Ed Sheeran, Post Malone, Common, Kim Gordon, The Mountain Goats, Lisa Loeb, 10,000 Maniacs, Hank Azaria And The EZ Street Band (!) and Little Feat. Find the full lineup—organized by date, time, and stage—HERE.
UltraBomb @ Shank Hall
“UltraBomb brings together three seasoned veterans of the punk rock scene: Greg Norton (Hüsker Dü) on bass and vocals, Derek O’Brien (Social Distortion, Agent Orange, Adolescents) on drums and vocals, and Ryan Smith (Soul Asylum) on guitar and vocals. With decades of punk history behind them, the trio delivers music that feels raw, urgent, and unmistakably current–driven not by nostalgia, but by the fire of experience.”
Centraal Bay View Classic Bike Race @ Cafe Centraal (Bay View)
“Bay View and the Neighborhood Association welcome the Tour of America’s Dairyland pro/am competitive bicycle racing series at the intersection of Kinnickinnic and Lincoln. The Centraal Cafe + Tappery Bay View Classic, brings some of the fastest professional bicycle racers (women and men) from across the nation alongside international riders from 15 different countries to participate in the largest multi-day road race series in the United States. An average of 500 racers per day participate in ToAD over its 11-day run. Other races occur annually in Shorewood, Downer Avenue, Wauwatosa and suburbs of Milwaukee.”
Julie Doiron + Carson McHone, Ellie Jackson @ Cactus Club
Lounj Acts: Maximiano @ The Wicked Hop
In Shining Armour + Day Breaker, Nothing Club, Crash House @ Falcon Nest
Cathedral Square Market @ Cathedral Square Park
Jazz In The Park: Driveway Thriftdwellers @ Cathedral Square Park
Edelweiss Concert Cruise Series: Boney Fingers @ Milwaukee River, 205 W. Highland Ave.
Neil Davis Trio @ The Estate (early show)
Andrew Trim Trio @ The Estate (late show)
Matt MF Tyner @ Ope! Brewing Co.
It’s Alive!: VLNTYN @ Milwaukee Public Market
Jazz At The Vine: Tim Whalen Trio @ Humboldt Park
Thursday Bike Nights: Valley Fox @ Harley-Davidson Museum Campus
Tunes@Noon: Tommy Odetto @ Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Esther Rose + Sam Gelband @ Cactus Club
“Esther Rose was on a long solo drive when she started writing the opening title track of Want, her stunning fifth album. At first, the words seemed almost like a joke, something to keep herself amused as the miles passed. ‘I want a puppy, but I don’t want a mess. I want to know where I’m going without GPS,’ she sang from behind the wheel. Soon, the idea snowballed into a list of desires that spanned existential, spiritual, and mundane; romantic to platonic to familial; at once wildly ambitious yet piercingly relatable; all set to a catchy melody that blends her pop instincts with country storytelling and the raw immediacy of a basement punk show. In other words, she was on her way to another classic Esther Rose song.”
Wisconsin Card Show @ Fiserv Forum (through June 28)
“Lake County Cards and SWARMM Events will bring the Wisconsin Card Show to Fiserv Forum June 26-28, marking the first time the popular event will be held at Milwaukee’s premier sports and entertainment destination. The Wisconsin Card Show will be the signature card collecting event in the Milwaukee area, featuring more than 300 tables filled with sports cards, trading card games and memorabilia. The weekend will include autograph sessions presented by WSC Sports, meet-and-greets, photo opportunities, kid zones, and everything from dollar boxes to six-figure collectible cards, offering something for collectors of all ages and experience levels.”
Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic @ Shorewood
“Shorewood will return to playing host for a day to the largest cycling event in the country, the 22nd Annual Shorewood Criterium Classic on Friday, June 26th, 2026! The Tour of America’s Dairyland features 11 days of competitive racing around Wisconsin and brings in riders from amateurs to professionals. This year our route has shifted, but that won’t stop the excitement and events throughout the day!”
Songs For Socialism: Joey Turbo + Cone Earth, Red Quean, Age Out @ Falcon Hall
Neptune + IfIHadAHiFi, Key Of Evil, Karl Paloucek @ MKeUltra
Nite + Panic Priest, BLOOD @ X-Ray Arcade
Sparrowhawk + Jinksie, Moon Rebels @ Sabbatic
Killer High Life + Super Brick, Disposable Thumbs, Courtesy Call @ Bremen Cafe
Casual Sex + Fake My Death, Bad Kitchen @ Quarters Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace
Paul Silbergleit Trio @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Deer District Summer Concert Series: Andrew David Weber @ The Deer Garden
Sounds Of Summer: King Solomon @ Bayshore (The Yard)
Summer Sounds: The Raelyn Nelson Band + Whitney & Stephen @ Cedar Creek Park, Cedarburg
Blade Rave @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Bummerfest 2026: Goth Barge + Dead Stars @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, JUNE 27
Café Hollander Otto Wenz Downer Classic Bike Race @ Café Hollander (East Side)
“Historic Downer Avenue is home to one of the most famous urban criterium courses in the country. Global in reach and extremely local in flavor, The Cafe Hollander Otto Wenz Downer Classic presented by ISCorp, promises to be one of the highlights of cycling in Wisconsin this summer. The full day of racing, Saturday, June 27, 2026, features a popular kids’ race, Dairyland Mile race as well as a full slate of racing all afternoon and evening. Food, beer, and family fun complement the twilight pro race that promises to bring pro teams and riders from around the world.”
Black Husky Anniversary Bash @ Black Husky Brewing
“Sixteen years in the making and what a ride it’s been! From our humble beginnings in 2010 in northern Wisconsin to our Riverwest neighborhood in 2016. We’ve met so many incredible people along the way are so happy to call you all our friends.
Celebrate with us on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Beer! Bands! (Midnight Hound, Floor Model, Cutters.) Food Trucks! (Pedro’s, Roll MKE, Scardina’s.) Guest Bartenders!”
Strawberry Festival @ Downtown Historic District, Cedarburg (also June 28)
“Come experience the delightful charm of Historic Cedarburg, where you can indulge in all things strawberry, from mouthwatering strawberry shortcake to exquisite strawberry wine. Take a leisurely walk along the picturesque main street and uncover hidden gems at Art on the Avenue, showcasing the work of talented artists from Wisconsin and beyond. With a plethora of activities, including distinctive shopping, entertaining children’s activities, captivating demonstrations, exciting contests, delectable festival food, vibrant live music, and more. This free, family-friendly festival is not to be missed!”
Milwaukee Hardcore Presents: 10 4 $10 @ X-Ray Arcade
Devin Shaffer + Apolo Vermouth, John Larkin @ MKeUltra
Bryon Cherry & The Golden Glitch + Wax Cherubs, Ghost Kitchen @ Voyageur Book Shop
Midwest Emo Night vs. Pop Punk Revival @ Shank Hall
Twin Talk @ The Estate (early and late shows)
Current Sounds: Kevin Topel @ Lakefront Brewery
South Shore Farmers’ Market: Heirloom @ South Shore Park
Bummerfest 2026: Post Modern Sleaze @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, JUNE 28
WNBA Watch Party (Minnesota vs. Dallas): Genesis Renji @ Cactus Club
Milwaukee Record has partnered with Cactus Club and WYNK to bring you multi-faceted monthly WNBA watch parties. Once a month, we’re highlighting a specific game that will be shown (with sound on) at Cactus Club, both on the bar’s televisions and on a projector in the back room. There will be specials on WYNK and Pacifico (and you’ll get a ticket when purchasing either brand for a raffle that will be held after the third quarter). DJs will play music during commercial breaks. We’ve also lined up some halftime entertainment for you. Yep! Local musicians and comedians will treat hoopsters to a FREE performance that will take place between the second and third quarters of that month’s chosen game.
Black Country, New Road + Horsegirl @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“There are few contemporary bands who can do musical reinvention quite as consistently as Black Country, New Road. From their Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut For The First Time, which touched upon everything from jazz to post-rock via klezmer music, to the art-rock meets chamber pop follow up Ants From Up There (both top 5 charting albums). Then when singer Isaac Wood amicably left shortly after, they wrote an entire set of new songs to tour which ended up on Live At Bush Hall, an album The Guardian claimed was a ‘magical resurgence’ in a triumphant five-star review. Now, on studio album three, the band are once again building from the ground up in yet another miraculous musical transformation.”
Pride On Brady @ Brady Street
“After the overwhelming success of last year, Pride on Brady is back and bigger than ever on June 28. The street will once again come alive with music, performances, community organizations, and joyful celebration. Pride on Brady continues to grow as a welcoming, inclusive event that brings people together to celebrate Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community and allies.”
Estate Farewell Party & Open Jam: “Everyone, All At Once!” @ The Estate
Milwaukee Pride Metal Fest @ X-Ray Arcade
MKE Dumpling Fest @ Prairie Springs On Park
Café Hollander Tosa Village Classic Bike Race @ Café Hollander (Wauwatosa)
Bellends + Local Legends, Cloud Black @ Amorphic Beer
The Gig’s 25-Year Block Party @ The Gig
It’s Alive!: Carmen Nickerson & Kostia @ Lakefront Brewery
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