Every week, Milwaukee With Kids answers a simple question for families across the area: What are we going to do this weekend? From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered. For the full weekend list, make sure to visit the Milwaukee With Kids website.
Fourth of July
Fireworks, Parades & Drones
- Milwaukee: On July 3, the city is skipping traditional fireworks at McKinley Beach and debuting a 45-minute drone show synced to music. Expect visuals of local landmarks, patriotic symbols and more.
- Wauwatosa – The city’s annual parade along North Avenue steps off at 9 a.m. and is followed by a patriotic pup parade at Hart Park’s Muellner Building that starts at noon. The weekly Firefly Friday will also be held at Firefly Grove Park from 5-8 p.m., featuring food trucks, live music, a pop-up beer tent and a craft/sensory play area.
- New Berlin – This is one of the few places offering both options: fireworks July 4 followed by a drone show July 5.
- Oconomowoc: Most cities start parades in the morning, but Oconomowoc’s is at 5 p.m., making it an easy pick for families who want to sleep in, then head out for evening fun and fireworks over Fowler Lake.
- Pewaukee: After a lakeside parade, grab a spot on the beach for a full ski show on Pewaukee Lake at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks.
- Port Washington: The city’s Old Time Family Fourth includes a parade at 10 a.m., a patriotic pet costume march at noon (yes, there’s a costume contest!), music at the bandshell and more.
- South Milwaukee: Start the day with a call to colors and a kiddie parade, followed by classic kids’ races, bounce houses, face painting and free ice cream at noon in Grant Park
Unique Events
- Independence Day Weekend at Old World Wisconsin: Celebrate America’s birthday with two full days of old-fashioned fun. Enjoy historic baseball, a children’s parade, pie-eating contests, spelling bees, hands-on games, music, butter-churning and more.
- Cudahy’s Lambeau Leap Wall + LeRoy Butler Appearance: Kids can do their own Lambeau Leap thanks to a wall built by local students. Plus, meet Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler in person and score an autographed football.
- Zoo $4 on the 4th: Celebrate the Fourth of July with a wild twist, as admission to the Zoo is just $4 for everyone (parking and attraction fees still apply). Visit the red pandas, black and white colobus monkeys, and the Grand Cayman blue iguana for a festive red, white and blue animal-themed day.
Other top picks
Monarch Butterflies at Villa Terrace
Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum | 2220 N. Terrace Ave. | Milwaukee
Saturday, July 5 | 10 a.m.-Noon
Attend this hands-on monarch butterfly experience to learn how to raise butterflies with step-by-step guidance. Plus, explore live exhibits of eggs, larvae and caterpillars, and take part in a magical butterfly release in the Villa Garden.
Milwaukee Fire Museum Open House
1615 W. Oklahoma Ave. | Milwaukee
Sunday, July 6 | Noon-3 p.m.
Located in an old fire station, the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) Museum and Historical Society holds an Open House on the first Sunday of each month from now through December. Established in 1995, the museum houses an impressive collection of Milwaukee’s firefighting memorabilia. Highlights include the first MFD ambulance — a 1947 Cadillac — as well as two fire engines from the 1920s and 30s, built right in the MFD shops.
Bristol Renaissance Faire (opening weekend!)
Off I-94 at the Wisconsin-Illinois border
July 5-Sept. 1 (Saturdays, Sundays & Labor Day) | 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Step back in time to 1574 and experience a day of royal revelry at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, one of the most magical and immersive summer experiences for families. This 30-acre village is filled with entertainers, artisans, jousting knights, and whimsical characters, creating a one-of-a-kind day of play for kids and adults alike.