Best Summer Festivals Near Milwaukee & Lake Country (2026)
Looking for the best summer festivals in southeastern Wisconsin? We rounded up the top family-friendly summer festivals happening across Milwaukee, Waukesha County, Lake Country, Delafield, Oconomowoc, Mukwonago, Cedarburg, and surrounding areas from May through September 2026.
From carnival rides and live music to food festivals, fireworks, art fairs, parades, and community celebrations, this guide helps local families plan their summer weekends.
Whether you are searching for free summer festivals near Milwaukee, classic small-town festivals, or can’t-miss Wisconsin summer traditions like Summerfest, Irish Fest, and Wisconsin State Fair, you’ll find them all below.
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Quick Guide to 2026 Summer Festivals
May Festivals
- Maifest
- DelaSpring
- Burlington Jamboree
- East Troy Corn & Brat Roast
June Festivals
- Summerfest
- Polish Fest
- Hartland Hometown Celebration
- Strawberry Festival
July Festivals
- Bastille Days
- Delafield Block Party
- Waukesha County Fair
- Hartland Kids Day
August Festivals
- Wisconsin State Fair
- Irish Fest
- Mexican Fiesta
- Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts
September Festivals
- Fall Fest
- Maxwell Street Days
- Early Fall Community Festivals
Milwaukee Area Summer Festivals
Maifest in Germantown – is May 15, 16, and 17, 2026.
Festa Italiana in Milwaukee takes place July 10-12, 2026.
Pride Fest will return in 2026 on June 4-6, 2026.
Milwaukee Highland Games will take place on June 6, 2026 at a new location {Croatian Park} in Franklin.
Polish Fest will return in 2026 and be on June 12-14, 2026.
Juneteenth celebration on June 19th – annual parade is scheduled from 9-11 a.m. in Milwaukee on June 19, 2026.
Summerfest in Milwaukee is scheduled June 18-20, June 25-27 and July 2-4, 2026.
The Milwaukee Air and Water Show will return in 2026 on July 25-26, 2026.
Wisconsin State Fair is August 6 – August 16th, 2026.
Irish Fest is currently scheduled for August 13-16, 2026.
Milwaukee Zoo A la Carte , will return in 2026 and take place August 20-23.
Lake Country Summer Festivals
DelaSpring in downtown Delafield is Saturday, May 16, 2026. See you there!
Okauchee Lions Days 2026 will take place May 29 – May 31, 2026. See you there!
Hartland Hometown Celebration is taking place June 25-28, 2026.
Lake Country Art Festival will take place July 11, 2026.
Delafield Block Party will take place July 16, 17, and 18, 2026.
Hartland Kids Day is Wednesday, July 29th from 9-1 at Nixon Park. It is our 14th annual event.
Waukesha County Festivals
Falls Memorial Fest – Menomonee Falls takes place on May 23-25, 2026.
Summerfeste in Mukwonago is going on June 18-21, 2026.
Sussex Lions Daze will be July 10-12, 2026.
Menomonee Falls Lavender Fest will be July 18 in downtown Menomonee Falls.
The Waukesha County Fair will be July 15-19, 2026.
Dousman Derby Days is scheduled for July 24-26, 2026.
DandiLion Daze – Muskego will take place August 28-30, 2026.
Family-Friendly Festivals Worth Driving To
Burlington Jamboree – (previously Chocolate Fest) (Not happening in 2026).
East Troy Corn and Brat Roast Festival – Takes place May 22-25, 2026.
Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival is back on June 27 and 28, 2026. Cedarburg knows how to throw a festival!
Waterford Balloonfest takes place in Waterford. Look for their return in 2026.
Maifest in Germantown – is May 15, 16, and 17, 2026.
DelaSpring in downtown Delafield is Saturday, May 16, 2026. See you there!
Burlington Jamboree – (previously Chocolate Fest) takes place May 23-26, 2025. (Not happening in 2026).
Falls Memorial Fest – Menomonee Falls takes place on May 23-25, 2026.
East Troy Corn and Brat Roast Festival – Takes place May 22-25, 2026.
Okauchee Lions Days 2026 will take place May 29 – May 31, 2026.
Pride Fest will return in 2026 on June 4-6, 2026
Milwaukee Highland Games will take place on June 6, 2026 at a new location {Croatian Park} in Franklin.
Polish Fest will return in 2026 and be on June 12-14, 2026.
Summerfeste in Mukwonago is going on June 18-21, 2026.
Juneteenth celebration on June 19th – annual parade is scheduled from 9-11 a.m. in Milwaukee on June 19, 2026.
Hartland Hometown Celebration is taking place June 25-28, 2026.
Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival is back on June 27 and 28, 2026.
Summerfest in Milwaukee is scheduled June 18-20, June 25-27 and July 2-4, 2026.
Waterford Balloonfest takes place in Waterford. Look for their return in 2026.
See all of the July Fourth Festivals.
Summerfest in Milwaukee is scheduled June 18-20, June 25-27 and July 2-4, 2026.
Delafield Block Party will take place July 16, 17, and 18, 2026.
Lake Country Art Festival will take place July 11, 2026.
Sussex Lions Daze will be July 10-12, 2026.
Ashippun Fireman’s Picnic – July 11-12, 2025 TBD in 2026
Dominic Days Festival in Brookfield – July 16-19, 2026
Bastille Days will return to downtown Milwaukee and Cathedral Square Park July 9-12th, 2026! The FREE street festival will feature great food, music, entertainment, the return of the infamous Storm the Bastille Run/Walk, along with some fresh new twists to create an authentic French flavor
Menomonee Falls Lavender Fest will be July 18 in downtown Menomonee Falls.
Armenian Fest is currently scheduled for July 19, 2026.
The Milwaukee Air and Water Show will return in 2026 on July 25-26, 2026.
The Waukesha County Fair will be July 15-19, 2026. See you there!
Hartland Kids Day is Wednesday, July 29th from 9-1 at Nixon Park. It is our 14th annual event.
Dousman Derby Days is scheduled for July 24-26, 2026.
Milwaukee Brewfest is currently scheduled for July 25, 2026.
German Fest Milwaukee will take place July 24 – 26, 2026.
Wisconsin State Fair is August 6 – August 16th, 2026.
Riverfest in Watertown is not having live music this year…
Waukesha Bluesfest – Delafield
Waukesha BluesFest will be on hiatus for 2026. After 18 exciting years of national, regional and local blues-based American music, the Waukesha Rotary Club has decided to step back from their affiliation with the annual Waukesha BluesFest. “We’ve decided that we’re not going to move forward with BluesFest” committee chair Kip Rupple said, “That’s not to say that BluesFest may not come back in the future, but the Waukesha Rotary Club won’t be doing BluesFest for sure this year.” Rupple also noted, “It’s been a wonderful event. We’ve had 18 great years.”
Irish Fest is currently scheduled for August 13-16, 2026.
Milwaukee Zoo A la Carte , will return in 2026 and take place August 20-23.
Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts is scheduled for August 15 and 16, 2026.
Ixonia Town and Country Days is August 16-17, 2025. TBD in 2026
DandiLion Daze – Muskego will take place August 28-30, 2026.
Mexican Fiesta is currently scheduled for August 21-23, 2026.
Falls Festival of the Arts in Menomonee Falls is on August 22, 2026.
Wantable Fest in Walkers Point Milwaukee is TBD in 2026, but Oh so fun in 2024!
FALL FEST at St. Charles Parish returns in 2026 – September 11, 12, and 13!
See all of our Fall Festivals!
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Festivals in Wisconsin
What are the biggest summer festivals near Milwaukee?
Summerfest, Wisconsin State Fair, Irish Fest, Bastille Days, and Mexican Fiesta are among the largest summer festivals in southeastern Wisconsin.
What family-friendly festivals are near Waukesha County?
Families love Hartland Hometown Celebration, Delafield Block Party, Pewaukee Beach Party, Sussex Lions Daze, and the Waukesha County Fair.
What month has the most Wisconsin festivals?
July and August typically have the largest number of summer festivals in Wisconsin.
Are there free summer festivals near Milwaukee?
Yes! Many local festivals including Bastille Days, Hartland Kids Day, and community celebrations offer free admission or free activities.
Did we miss your favorite Summer festival?
Send us an email through the contact link below to have it added!
To see the complete list of family fun events, check out Lake Country Family Fun’s Event Calendar.
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77 Things to Do this Summer
Our Ultimate Summer Bucket List of 77 things to do in and around Lake Country in conjunction with our Free Summer Fun Guide. Sponsored by Positively Pewaukee.
Free Summer Fun
Find all the FREE fun things to do this summer with your family! Sponsored by Bridges Library Sytem - sign up for your local summer reading program!
