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 September 28 – October 4, 2026.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
WWE Monday Night RAW @ Fiserv Forum
“Don’t miss Monday Night Raw in Milwaukee! Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan, Penta, Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, Sol Ruca, Jacob Fatu, Je’Von Evans, and many more!”
Exhorder + Intoxicated, Force, Parasite @ X-Ray Arcade
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
The Linda Lindas + VIAL, Scorched Waves @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Every day around 4 p.m., The Linda Lindas put down their instruments and jumped in the pool. They used these aquatic moments as a reset during a week-long writing retreat in Palm Springs where phones were banned, the outside world was suspended, and four young people who’ve been making music since tweenhood were writing together in the same room for the first time. In the process, they figured out who they really are. Gotta Get Out, the third album from Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong, and Lucia and Mila de la Garza, is the sound of a band discovering itself.”
Bryson Tiller + Majid Jordan, Ty Dolla $ign, Austin Millz @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
“Bryson Tiller became one of the key breakout stars in 2010s contemporary R&B with the single ‘Don’t’ and a descriptively titled parent album, T R A P S O U L (2015), a moody if swaggering set of slow jams that neologized a subgenre the singer/rapper took to the mainstream with multi-platinum certifications and Grammy nominations.”
Foster The People + Goth Babe @ Landmark Credit Union Live
“Currently boasting close to 8 billion worldwide streams and almost 2.5 billion lifetime YouTube video views, Foster The People proved a worldwide sensation with their kaleidoscopic brand of dance-fueled pop music. Formed in Los Angeles in 2009 with multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Mark Foster at the helm, the band exploded with their 2010 debut single, ‘Pumped Up Kicks,’ which topped Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart before spending eight consecutive weeks at #3 on the overall Hot 100 and rising to the upper reaches of charts around the world.”
J.R. Wesley + Jake Manzi, Sludge Hawking @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Freya Skye + Alex Sampson @ Landmark Credit Union Live
“Freya Skye is a singer, songwriter, performer, and actress who has quickly emerged as one of the most compelling young voices of her generation. Freya has amassed over 2.8 billion streams worldwide, built a rapidly growing global fanbase and sold-out shows around the world. Freya is known for her honesty and emotional clarity as a songwriter. She takes an active role in shaping her career, penning songs drawn directly from her own experiences and creating music that feels personal and relatable. Her writing invites listeners into her world, forming a connection that feels intimate and genuine.”
The Challenged + Mural Hall, Calvatia @ Bremen Cafe
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival @ Oriental Theatre (through October 4)
“This October, the Muslim Women’s Coalition presents the 11th Annual Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival returning to Milwaukee Film’s historic Oriental Theatre. Running from October 1 through 4, the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival (MMFF) stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling through film by promoting understanding, honoring diverse experiences, and giving voice to stories not often seen. MMFF celebrates the vibrant tapestry of Islamic culture and commemorates the shared human spirit that binds us all together, redefining how we see each other as well as the world.”
Sorry Ghost + Kevin Walkman, Alley Eyes @ X-Ray Arcade
“Meet Sorry Ghost—a potent blend of optimism and frustration, loud and soft edges, encouragement and rejection. Childhood best friends brought together in the swampy lands of Louisiana, Matt and Dan moved to Los Angeles and added the dynamic Tate Silver and Sean Duong to complete the package. Dan is the spice to Matt’s sizzle, the goof to his swagger. Tate brings the midwestern charm and highfalutin theater training, while Sean brings the youthful energy and zest for life that only he can. This unlikely crew is setting out to blend the alt rock/indie vibes that made Matt the smooth operator he is today, the pop punk sounds that soothed Dan’s teen angst, the easy going groove of Tate’s jazzed-filled youth, and the soft boy emo anthems of Sean’s adolescence.”
Creature Fear @ Avalon Atmospheric Theater
“In a small Wisconsin lake town, a poverty-stricken felon contracts Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease after ingesting diseased venison. As his descent into madness intensifies, he targets a Chicago musician and a mysterious singer, whose dream of recording an album together is threatened by the felon’s violent unraveling.”
Lounj Acts: Allison Mahal @ Jackalope Lounj / Wicked Hop
damsel. + The Fever Dreams, J.R. Wesley @ MKeUltra
Reverend Meantooth @ Ope! Brewing Co.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
Milwaukee Oktoberfest @ Henry Maier Festival Park (through October 4)
“Milwaukee Oktoberfest is raising the stein a little higher in 2026. Following a record-setting year, Swarmm Events and Kegel’s Inn will expand the Milwaukee Oktoberfest footprint at Henry Maier Festival Park, celebrating German food, beer, music, and culture from October 2 through October 4, 2026. Last year marked the debut of Oktoberfest at Henry Maier Festival Park where attendees enjoyed more than 4,500 sausages, nearly 1,800 pretzels, thousands of liters of beer, and created countless memories. Building on the success of its inaugural year, this year’s expanded event introduces new attractions inspired by Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest. Additions include expanded entertainment areas, additional seating, and a larger footprint designed to give attendees even more space to gather, relax, and celebrate.”
Harvest Fair @ Wisconsin State Fair Park (through October 4)
“Look forward to fun activities for kids of all ages including scarecrow making, pumpkin bowling, amusement rides, and more while supplies last. Come hungry and ready to shop! Favorite locations, like The Micro (featuring 60+ craft beers!), are open during Harvest Fair. The Farmers Market features everything from fall decorations to flowers, food, and much more!”
Bright Eyes + Lullaby For The Working Class @ Turner Hall Ballroom
“Bright Eyes began in 1995 in an Omaha basement as a recording moniker for a then 15-year old Conor Oberst’s work with producer/multi-instrumentalist Mike Mogis. Mogis and composer/arranger/multi-instrumentalist Nate Walcott became fully fledged members in 2006. Over the last two-plus decades, as Bright Eyes has released one after another time capsule LPs—urgent dispatches from transcendent, fleeting eras of our collective lives—they’ve also simultaneously been assembling a robust, mature, narratively cohesive discography.”
Taking Back Sunday + Thrice, Saves The Day @ The Rave / Eagles Club
“Taking Back Sunday, who released their eighth studio album 152 in late 2023, often refer to themselves as the ‘luckiest guys you will meet.’ The new album, featuring 10 intensely vulnerable and absorbing new tracks was delivered with fresh ambition and a newfound purpose. It stands among the most genuinely reflective and emotionally pure efforts of Taking Back Sunday’s illustrious career. Starting out just hoping to release at least one album and go on tour, the band has since sold millions of albums, has multiple tracks with streams hitting the multiple hundred million mark, toured the world several times over, performed at all of the biggest festivals and are still always looking forward.”
Beet Street Preparty: Sex Scenes + Holly & The Nice Lions, Hair & Skin, Doubletruck, Plowshares @ Cactus Club
“How can I think at a time like this / When everything just makes me sick? / AHHHHHHHHHH!” Have truer words ever been sung/screamed about living in our modern times? Probably not. These particular words come courtesy of Sarah Turbo, lead vocalist for Milwaukee hardcore/punk outfit Sex Scenes. On “Want & Need,” the third track from Sex Scenes’ 2025 record Everything Makes Me Sick, Turbo not only delivers the record’s title but gives voice to its animating anger and frustration. Toss in songs about toxic relationships and the destined-for-the-landfill detritus of consumerism, and Everything Makes Me Sick resonates as a perfect “gestures broadly at everything” record.
Them Coulee Boys + Long Mama @ Vivarium
“Over the course of five albums, including 2019’s Die Happy (produced by Trampled By Turtles’ Dave Simonett) and 2025’s No Fun In The Chrysalis (produced by Grammy winner Brian Joseph), the band has garnered international attention and earned press in Americana UK, American Songwriter, Ditty TV, Folk Alley, and The Bluegrass Situation. The band has played support to Trampled By Turtles, Los Lobos, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Band Of Heathens.”
Kyle Gordon @ Falcon Hall
On Friday, the very same day his new album Kyle Gordon Is Everywhere, comes out, Kyle Gordon will take the stage at Falcon Hall to treat fans of music, comedy, and musical comedy to what’s sure to be an unforgettable performance. Will Barry Bergen make an appearance? Only time will tell. But yeah, he probably will.
Mt. Joy @ Landmark Credit Union Live
Little Big Town + Ashley Monroe @ Miller High Life Theatre
Alana Springsteen + Erin Kinsey @ The Rave / Eagles Club
KiNG MALA + Jayden Hammer @ The Argo
ADORNER (single release) @ Nashville North
Charming Disaster + Duo Mercury @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery
Zach Pietrini @ Ope! Brewing Co.
Girl In A Coma + Lunar Moth, Home Going @ MKeUltra
Friday Night Retro Dance Party: DJ Paul H @ Mad Planet
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
Beet Street Harvest Festival @ Cactus Club
“Beet Street is a one-day annual outdoor fall festival celebrating music, food, art, and community causes. The family-friendly celebration takes place in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood on the 2400 block of S. Wentworth Avenue between Cactus Club and Goodkind. On the first Saturday of October our quiet tree-lined street will transform into a bustling array of artists and small independent businesses, nonprofit/community organization tables, and all-ages activities. The block is bookended with local food trucks and a large stage showcasing local, national, and international musicians. This year W.I.T.C.H. and Automatic co-headline the daytime stage, with Zed Kenzo, Tyler Band, Line Dancing, and DJ Cozmiika supporting! The after party will include CFCF, han.irl<3, chase usa, Bbymutha, sero, Donzii, and DJ Queen Meabh.”
MKE Studio Tour @ various locations (also October 4)
“Take a peek behind the curtain and see where and how some of the area’s most talented artists create their pieces. The 8th annual MKE Studio Tour, hosted by Wisconsin Craft, returns Sat., Oct. 3 and Sun., Oct. 4, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The free, self-guided tour is an opportunity to meet nearly 50 artists at 16 different studio locations that stretch from Brown Deer and Fox Point to Milwaukee, Riverwest, Wauwatosa, Bay View, St. Francis, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, Greenfield and Oak Creek. The MKE Studio Tour showcases Wisconsin Craft members and their beautiful and unique hand-crafted art, including jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, metalwork, fiber, mixed media, painting, photography and sculpture.”
Cracker @ Shank Hall (noon show)
“Cracker has been described as a lot of things over the years: alt-rock, Americana, insurgent-country, and have even had the terms punk and classic-rock thrown at them. But more than anything Cracker are survivors. Co-founders David Lowery and Johnny Hickman have been at it for over a quarter of a century—amassing ten studio albums, multiple gold records, thousands of live performances, hit songs that are still in current radio rotation around the globe [‘Low,’ ‘Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now),’ ‘Euro-Trash Girl’ and ‘Get Off This,’ to name just a few], and a worldwide fan base—that despite the major sea-changes within the music industry—continues to grow each year.”
Blocktoberfest @ The Blocks Of Becher (69th and Becher in West Allis)
On Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., a variety of businesses near the corner of 69th and Becher in West Allis will host Blocktoberfest. The 6th annual block party and artisan market will offer a wide range of live music, homemade German cuisine (and other non-German eats), makers and other retail vendors, and “plenty of Oktoberfest beer!”
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert 40th Anniversary @ The Pabst Theater
“The magic dance continues. On the heels of a successful global tour to nearly 100 cities, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert returns in fall 2026 to visit more than 60 North America cities. An unforgettable night of fantasy, music, and nostalgia awaits, as fans celebrate the 40th anniversary of the movie’s 1986 release. Fans are invited to step into the magical world of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth in an exciting fusion of film and live music. Watch the cult classic on a stunning HD screen while a live band performs the full soundtrack in perfect sync with David Bowie’s legendary vocals.”
Jimmy Flemion (The Frogs) @ Irving Place Records (sold out)
“To celebrate the deluxe vinyl reissue of The Frogs’ My Daughter The Broad, join Jimmy Flemion for an intimate evening of songs and stories.”
Punk With Purpose: A Benefit For Fox Cities Tornado Relief @ X-Ray Arcade
Obscure Birds + Riverwest Aces @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
In This Moment + Hollywood Undead, I See Stars, Vana, Melrose Avenue @ The Rave / Eagles Club
The Wonderlands @ Ope! Brewing Co.
The Bismarck + Stomatopod, Future Living @ MKeUltra
Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon @ Baird Center (also October 4)
The New New: A Popular Music Dance Party @ Mad Planet
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Chance The Rapper: Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour + La Reezy @ Landmark Credit Union Live
“Born and raised in Chicago, Chance The Rapper made history in 2017 by becoming the first artist to win a Grammy for a streaming-only mixtape, earning three awards for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Album for his now-iconic Coloring Book. Notably, Chance has never signed a record deal, choosing instead to make his music available for free. Chance forever changed the course of music history with his groundbreaking mixtape Acid Rap, which remains a defining symbol of independent hip hop.”
Brady Street Pet Parade @ Brady Street
Attention, four-legged creatures and the two-legged creatures who love them: the beloved Brady Street Pet Parade returns to the bustling East Side street on Sunday. Dogs, cats, pigs, ferrets, rats, lizards, and humans are all welcome. The big event will take over a multi-block parcel of Brady Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendors, and oodles and oodles of adorable pets will be involved. Similar to years past, there will also be judged contests and a pet blessing.
Milwaukee Record Halftime Show: M545 + DJ Bee Zoo @ Cactus Club
The Pack is back…and so is the Milwaukee Record Halftime Show concert series at Cactus Club! We’ve assembled a stacked roster of 13 acts that will provide FREE all-ages entertainment at Cactus Club during halftime of Green Bay’s games. Get ready to see approximately 15-minute shows from the likes of Dialogues, They Want Blood, Wisconsin Space Program, Resurrectionists, 5 O’Clock Charlie, and many more. Our pals at Miller High Life have returned as a sponsor, meaning fans can enjoy bucket and single bottle specials on both “The Champagne Of Beers” and Miller Lite all game long. Last and certainly not least, Transfer Pizzeria Cafe will once again be coming by most games to drop off some complementary pizza (while supplies last).
Clint Black @ The Pabst Theater
“Clint Black burst onto the country scene in 1989 with a debut album so confident, so fully formed, it felt impossible it was a first record. Killin’ Time sent five singles to #1 and rewrote what was possible for a new artist in Nashville. What followed was a career defined not just by hits but by craft—a songwriter’s ear, a producer’s instinct, and a performer’s command of the stage. From sold-out arenas to intimate theater runs, Clint has spent nearly four decades doing it his way.”
Fabio Frizzi Performs FRIZZI2FULCI + Ethan McCarthy @ X-Ray Arcade
Starcrawler +Runner And Bobby @ The Argo
Radkey + Four Degrees Colder, Chapped Lips @ Cactus Club
Americana Matinee: Amy LaVere + Will Sexton, Jack Reed Trio @ The Cooperage
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