Family Friendly Festivals and Events Around Milwaukee

Shila said:  The Wisconsin State Fair draws more than a million visitors each year who revel in tradition and are drawn to exciting attractions like the the Giant Slide, Sky Glider, parades, live animals & more. It’s also a shopper’s paradise, with hundreds of vendors located in the Wisconsin Exposition Center. Thrill-seekers won’t want to miss the fair's amusement park, which features more than 50 rides + live music & food on-a-stick!

See website for full schedule

Shila said:  At Scottish Fest see spectacular bagpipe bands, sample authentic food, beautiful Highland dancing, heavy weight athletic throwing events, a parade of the Tartans, working sheepdogs in action & more! Scottish Fest is dedicated to sharing annual fest proceeds with local community charities.

9 am - 10 pm

Tosafest is a tradition of music, food, and family fun, to celebrate the historic village and community of Wauwatosa. The festival offers a camel and petting zoo for kids, as well as food and music for the whole family to enjoy. Proceeds from TosaFest support community projects in the areas of education, safety and neighborhood improvement.

Fri: 6 pm - 11:30 pm & Sat: 11 am - 11:30 pm

Shila said:  Maker Faire is a family-friendly events that welcome makers – tech enthusiasts, inventors, crafters, educators, tinkerers and hobbyists of all ages – to exhibit their work and share their knowledge and skills with other makers and with the community. Maker Faire showcases the “maker movement,” a growing global community of creative do-it-yourselfers. In collaboration with others, this event is also co-hosted by Brinn Children's Museum. Families will enjoy fun-filled & inspiring days.

Sat: 10 am - 7 pm, & Sun: 10 am - 5 pm

Shila said:  Families are welcome to enjoy a traditional powwow, cultural demonstrations, ceremonies, & dances which celebrate Wisconsin's First Nations.

Cost: free admission

Saturday 11 am – 10 and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm

Shila said:  Join V100.7 as they celebrate Wisconsin families with the V100.7 Family Affair Expo. Bring mom, dad, the kids, and the entire family to this free event! The KidZone features a bounce house, candy bar, face painting, coloring station, and more! Fairytale princesses & other favorite mascots will make appearances throughout the day. Free haircuts, performances & doorprizes, too! They'll have food for purchase.

Cost: free admission

10 am - 2 pm

Shila said:  Celebrate St. Patrick's Day early with CelticMKE! This family-friendly event has activities for everyone, including crafts for the wee ones, entertainment, live music, an appearance by Milwaukee Irish Fest mascots Paddy and Molly McFest, family activities and tours of our Ward Irish Music Archives, which is located upstairs. There is limited parking in the St. Bernard Parish Lot next door and street parking is available too.

Cost: $10 per family at the door. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

11 am - 2 pm

The Milwaukee County Zoo annual Boo at the Zoo event is a local tradition with fun promised for the whole family. Come see the giant pumpkin patch with hundreds of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns, as well as attractions like the haystack maze or ghost train ride. Although it's a little earlier than actual Halloween when this event takes place, costumes are welcome! Advance ticket purchase recommended.

6 pm - 9 pm

Kites Over Lake Michigan is one of the largest kite festivals in the Midwest with giant show kites, precision stunt kite teams, spectacular and colorful ground displays, and games for kids. See the daily schedule of events, including night flying, bonfires on the beach, & a fireworks finale after the sky lanterns release. Free shuttle service to & from the beach at designated downtown areas. There will be food and beverage vendors.

Sat: 11 am - 9:30 pm & Sun: 11 am - 5 pm

Shila said:  Cedarburg's popular flea market takes place four times each year, rain or shine. Around 650 vendors are represented with a varied selection of antiques, collectibles, crafts, fine arts, pottery, fresh produce, seasonal items, sports memorabilia, architectural/industrial items, flea market items and more, including a kids' area. This is a major fundraiser for the Cedarburg Fire Department.

6 am - 2 pm

Shila said:  This family-oriented festival is a favorite of many, drawing up to 100,000 people annually to toast the bold and delicious fruit in all its forms, and enjoy some of the most decadent homegrown strawberries in the area. Exclusive favorites include the “original” strawberry brat, strawberry chicken wrap, and strawberry shortcakes. See live music, art, hayrides, bounce houses, pony rides & exciting strawberry eating contests! One of the most popular events is the CedarQuacker 500, where hundreds of rubber ducks are launched into the creek in a race!

Sat: 10 am - 6 pm & Sun: 10 am - 5 pm

Shila said:  Cedarburg's annual festival includes a weekend's worth of fun winter activities: ice sculpting contest, snowball tournament, winter book sale, petting zoo, egg hunts, crafts, ice skating, sledding, parade, food (popular chili contest!), merchandise & more. Festivities will take place throughout the heart of Cedarburg on Washington Avenue. See site for the daily event schedule & event pricing.

Cost: free admission for most activities

Saturday, 8 am - 9 pm & Sunday 8 am - 4 pm

Lisa R said:  Escape the cold with some free play in The Big Backyard's large indoor playroom. Valentine's Day visitors will be treated to a complimentary Valentine's Day craft.

Age: most appropriate for children 0-8

Cost: included with admission, $8 for first child & $7 for siblings. Parents and infants are free.

9 am - 5 pm

Shila said:  The Brown's Lake Aquaducks are a Water Ski Show Team with State and National titles in Division II. The team performs these free shows for the Burlington community. You'll see everything from human-pyramids to barefooting, jumping, and Adagio Ski acts. The site offers plenty of bleacher seating. There is also a decent amount of grass seating available in front of the bleachers, if you prefer to bring your own lawn chair and/or blanket.

Generally, jr team at 5 pm, and main show at 6:30 pm. Check website for slight variations on timing

This event promises a showcase of local talent, local food, stiff competition, and fun for the whole family! Ideal for older children who appreciate music, this evening concert is a fun way to enjoy music with the community while also eating from an extensive list of food trucks.

10:30 am - 10 pm