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.
Top picks
German Fest
Henry Maier Festival Park | 200 N. Harbor Dr. | Milwaukee
July 25–27
Milwaukee’s German Fest brings Old World charm to the lakefront, complete with traditional music, food, costumes, and fun for all ages. The smell of brats and schnitzel fills the air, and polka music echoes through the festival grounds — it’s a full-on celebration of German heritage! Why families love it:
- Glockenspiel Clock show every few hours
- Dachshund Derby & Costume Contest (a must-see!)
- Children’s Activity Area with crafts, games & German language activities
- Live German dance performances & parades
- Mascots, interactive exhibits, and plenty of room to play
Pro tips: Kids under 12 get in free all weekend, and Friday admission is just $5 — a perfect opportunity for families to attend affordably.
ArtBlaze at the Beach
McKinley Beach | 1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. | Milwaukee
Thursday, July 24 | 4-9:30 p.m.
Designed to be a celebration of community, creativity, and connection, this event series features programming for all ages, from interactive art activities to waterside s’mores, and the return of the beloved Silent Disco with live DJs.
The centerpieces this year are massive inflatable art sculptures called HydroBlooms, created by FuzzPop Workshop and UWM architecture students. The Hydroblooms consist of 1,000 feet of colorful, looping inflatables stretching across the sand and into the water. Even cooler? They’ll respond to your movements with glowing pulses of light.
Free events
Outdoor Movies
Various locations
July 25-26
Bring your chairs, blankets, and stuffies, and cozy up to one of these outdoor movie venues:
- Davidson Park — Moana 2, 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 25
- Lake Park Milwaukee — Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 25
- Elm Grove Village Park Pavilion — The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26
South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade
Saturday, July 26 | 11 a.m.
South Milwaukee is known for hosting great parades, dating back to the early 1940s with the Spectacle of Music. More than 100 units will take to the streets, including marching bands, local political leaders, clowns, scouts, veterans groups, local businesses and everyone in between. The parade kicks off at 8th and Milwaukee avenues, heads west on Milwaukee to 16th Avenue, then turns north before ending at 16th and Manitoba avenues.
Explore the arts
Milwaukee Youth Idol
The Cooperage | 822 S. Water St. | Milwaukee
Sunday, July 27 | 2-5 p.m.
School of Rock Shorewood and Girls Rock MKE are teaming up to bring new youth music events and opportunities to the community. Their goal is to promote creativity and empowerment for young musicians. This year, they are hosting the first ever Milwaukee Youth Idol to show off the young voices in the community! Participants must be ages 8-18.
Chamber Music Festival at Villa Terrace
2220 N. Terrace Ave. | Milwaukee
July 25-27
Enjoy world-class musicians performing works by Mozart, Dvořák, Beethoven and more, all in an intimate, stunning setting overlooking Lake Michigan. Friday’s program is already sold out, but there are still tickets available for Saturday and Sunday.