Even though they’ve played just four games so far this season, the Green Bay Packers are already getting a bye week for some reason and it’s probably a tough pill for fans to swallow. We’ve just gotten used to the weekend ritual of watching the green and gold playing again and, frankly, many of us could use three hours of distraction from the nightmare of modern existence.
While a 14-day stretch between games isn’t ideal, it’s going to be okay. There’s a lot to take your mind off this period of Packerslessness on Sunday. If you need help figuring out some activities to get you through it, here are 25 ideas for things to do during Sunday’s Packers bye.
1. Watch another NFL game
Looks like Milwaukee gets to watch Broncos at Eagles, Cowboys at the Jets, Lions at Bengals, and New England at Buffalo. If any of that sounds appealing to you, tune in. For Green Bay’s sake, go Bengals, Jets, and Broncos!
2. See Adam Sandler at Fiserv Forum
You know what’s great? Adam Sandler. You know what else is great? Seeing Adam Sandler when he brings his “You’re My Best Friend Tour” to Milwaukee’s Fiserv Form on Sunday, October 5. If seeing Adam Sandler is cool, consider us Miles Davis. LET’S GO.
3. Milwaukee Oktoberfest at Henry Maier Festival Park
Swarmm Events is bringing Milwaukee Oktoberfest to the Summerfest grounds for the first time in the event’s 15-year history for three days of Germanic fun that includes live polka music, plenty of beer and food from Kegel’s Inn, and contests like a bratwurst eating competition and a Wiener Dog Beauty Pageant. The festivities wrap up Sunday, October 5. Prost!
4. Household projects
It’s not always fun, but it’s necessary. And when the Packers aren’t playing, you kind of don’t have an excuse to put some household projects off any longer. Our basement is cluttered as all hell and we’ve let our yard go to shit, so that should make for a fun weekend. Good luck with whatever your project(s) might be.
5. Get some hot ham and rolls
Take your time! With no game at noon (or at all), you can go to any bakery or grocery store you want to satisfy that hot ham craving.
6. The Beaches and Fightmaster at The Rave / Eagles Club
Just over a month after releasing its latest album, the excellent and single-laden No Hard Feelings, Canadian rock outfit The Beaches will swing through Milwaukee to play songs from that new effort (and possibly its two other records) at The Rave / Eagles Club. Fightmaster opens.
7. Check out a local show!
Seeing touring talent like Sandler and The Beaches is great, but there’s also a wealth of wonderful homegrown performers doing their thing this Sunday (and pretty much every other day for that matter). Some local stuff happening October 5 includes: Bowvee (record release) + Limber Brain, Human Ant Farm, Jasno @ Cactus Club, Rap J’s Limitless Release Show @ Anodyne Walker’s Point Roastery, The Swivels + Kismet @ Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, and Third Coast Blues Collective @ Ope! Brewing Co.
8. Get a bite somewhere
Revisit an old favorite, try a new place, or venture out to a neighborhood (or surrounding suburb) you don’t visit very often and grab a bite to eat.
9. Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival at Baird Center
The 15th annual Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival is a celebration of all things ink, as body illustration enthusiasts and renowned tattoo artists take over the Baird Center for three days of fun, connection, and tattoos. The convention wraps up Sunday, October 5.
10. Check out China Lights at Boerner Botanical Gardens
The ever-popular China Lights display has returned to Boerner Botanical Gardens from September 12 through November 2. The 2025 edition brings about a celebration of The Magical Forest.
11. Stop and smell the coffee
Milwaukee is blessed to have an abundance of cafes and coffee roasters serving up top-notch java. Pay one of them a visit and, instead of working or taking a meeting, take some you time to read a book, do a crossword, or have a nice conversation with a friend as you sip. And if you go to Anodyne, consider picking up a bag of their Milwaukee Record Blend.
12. Go to a movie
We’ve been busy, but we’re absolutely seeing One Battle After Another this weekend. There’s also The Rock’s new serious turn in The Smashing Machine, a new June Squibb joint (!!!), and some not-so-new releases you can still catch on the big screen (HIM, Weapons, and The Long Walk, for example).
13. Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival at Oriental Theatre
Speaking of movies, the city is currently hosting a full-fledged film festival. More info from the organizers:
“The Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival (MMFF) stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling through film by promoting understanding, empathy, and unity among all walks of life. MMFF celebrates the vibrant tapestry of Islamic culture and commemorates the shared human spirit that binds us all together, reinforcing the values of compassion, respect, and coexistence.”
The festival runs October 2-5!
14. Brady Street Pet Parade @ Brady Street
Attention, four-legged creatures and the two-legged creatures who love them: The beloved Brady Street Pet Parade will return to the bustling East Side street on Sunday, October 5. 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 4 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.
15. Drink local
As the country grapples with ever-present economic uncertainty and society continues to grow more insular and isolated by the nanosecond, area bars, breweries, and distilleries are really feeling the impact. So even though the Packers won’t be on TV and the Brewers aren’t playing Sunday, support your favorite local bar or head to your favorite area taproom for “a couple two-tree” for the good of your city (and as a little treat to yourself).
16. Buy our brandy
On the subject of drinking local…a year ago, we released our very own brandy! Yes, Great Lakes Distillery made us a small batch of “Milwaukee Record Brandy” featuring Wisconsin-grown grapes that have been aged for two years. It’s legitimately great. And they’re currently down to about two dozen bottles left in existence. This will be the only time the brandy will EVER be produced, so get one before it’s gone forever. For real. Bottles are only available at Great Lakes Distillery, so stock up while you can.
17. Watch the WNBA Finals
Following two thrilling rounds of postseason action, the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces have emerged from the field of playoff participants to reach the WNBA Finals. Game 2 will take place on Sunday afternoon. It will air on ABC, but if you need somewhere to watch it or wish to view with fellow WNBA faithful, we have you covered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAoWFG7GzLM
18. Make some chili
You have the time, so pop in some chili and make enough to have leftovers to last you into next week. We’re partial to this recipe for white chicken chili.
19. Check out a local independent book retailer
When is the last time you paid a visit to Lion’s Tooth, Boswell, or any of the city’s various other indie book retailers? It’s been too long! Change that this weekend. Not only is it fun and borderline therapeutic to browse shelves stocked with literature, buying something from one of these shops greatly helps them as Amazon continues to crush their industry.
20. Read
Once you buy a book from your preferred local retailer, read the thing. If you ask us, there’s no better time to start a new literary adventure than a Packers bye week.
21. Take a nice autumn stroll
The leaves are changing, the temps are dropping, daylight hours are shrinking, and winter is coming. Get a nice autumn stroll in which you still can.
22. Ode To Joy: Beethoven’s Ninth at Bradley Symphony Center
No, we’re not talking about the ninth installment of a Beethoven film franchise. We’re, of course, referring to the work of famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven, which will be performed by Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on October 3-5. Sunday’s finale is a 2:30 p.m. matinee.
23. Go to The Domes
The Domes rule and should be visited a few times a year. Moreover, we’re only about two weeks into the latest seasonal Show Dome theme, “Mythical Menagerie.” Have a beer while you’re there!
24. Buy tickets to Monday’s “Roast Of Milwaukee” event
Sunday is the last FULL day you’re able to buy advance tickets to this annual Milwaukee Record comedy event. If you know you’re going, why not save yourself about $4 and some time in line and just buy your tickets in advance?
25. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Okay, we’ve officially run out of steam and have resorted to shameless plugs of our own stuff. Sorry! But we’d still love it if you signed up. Thanks!