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 pick
Wisconsin State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair Park | 640 S. 84th St. | West Allis
July 31-Aug. 10
The Wisconsin State Fair begins Thursday, and it’s packed with agriculture exhibits, fair food and entertainment. Be sure to make your way to the historic, newly restored Dairy Building for Cream Puffs in three flavor varieties: original, chocolate and limited-edition Celebration Strawberry, created to mark the 20th anniversary of UScellular’s partnership with the fair.
Kids 5 and under get in free and can enjoy a variety of attractions, including Cirque at the Fair, K-9 Sports Arena, Family Variety Stage, Saz’s Racing Pigs, Discovery Barnyard, the Ag Village, Exploratory Park and more. Get all the details here.
Free fun
Sprecher Root Beer Bash
Heidelberg Park | 700 W. Lexington Blvd. | Glendale
Saturday, Aug. 2 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Experience the world’s largest root beer float festival, with fun and free activities for all ages. Highlights include free Sprecher Root Beer floats for all, live local music and performances (including Kid Boogie Down), a KidZone (face painting, games, inflatables and hands-on fun), local vendors and makers, delicious food and sweet treats for all ages, giveaways, a petting zoo and more.
Ozaukee County Fair
W67N866 Washington Ave. | Cedarburg
July 30-Aug. 3
One of the last free fairs in the Midwest, the Ozaukee County Fair has offered residents and visitors great traditional fair entertainment since 1859. Throughout the five days, you can catch live music, truck and tractor pulls, a full midway, fireworks, demolition derbies, horse shows, contests, 4-H, livestock exhibitions and judging, kids entertainment and more.
Sunday Family Fun Day
Northwestern Mutual Community Park | 639 E. Summerfest Pl. | Milwaukee
Sunday, Aug. 3 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Each Sunday Family Fun Day brings a new theme packed with hands-on activities, live entertainment, community partners and local food vendors. The theme for this month is STEM Exploration Day, with programming for science and tech lovers from Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, STEAM Milwaukee, UWM Planetarium, Club SciKidz and Hi, Tech.
Movies and movement
Flicks on the Field
American Family Field | 1 Brewers Way | Milwaukee
Friday, Aug. 1 | 5-11 p.m.
Enjoy exclusive access to the American Family Field outfield grass, where you can watch the Brewers away game against the Nationals on the centerfield scoreboard, followed by a free full-length screening of Inside Out 2. Each ticket includes parking, dinner, access to the UScellular Power Playground, raffles, games, activities and a visit from the Brewers mascots. Plus, play catch and run around on the same field as the big leaguers.
Dance Fest 2025
Peck Pavilion | 929 N. Water St. | Milwaukee
Saturday, Aug. 2 | 7:30 p.m.
Nō Studios is pleased to bring back Dance Fest, a combined performance featuring elite dance companies from throughout the country. This eclectic program showcases a variety of dance styles, including contemporary, street dance and traditional ballet. Enjoy performances by:
- Ailey II (New York): The next generation of dance, AILEY’s second company is renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the next generation with the creative vision of emerging choreographers.
- Water Street Dance Milwaukee: Dedicated to exploring diversity within their art, artists and audiences, the company is renowned for their athletic, innovative and entertaining performances.
- Madison Ballet: Wisconsin’s second-largest dance organization is under the direction of Ja’ Malik and is focused on building a better community through art.
- House of Jit (Detroit): Celebrating the legacy and energy of Motor City's street dance culture.
- Chicago Dance Crash: A physical theater dance company existing within the intersection of street dance and concert dance.
- Visceral Dance (Chicago): A contemporary dance company pushing boundaries through powerful choreography.
- Madd Rhythms: Chicago’s premier tap company, celebrated for their rhythm and innovation