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
Hop Summer Nights
Downtown Milwaukee
Sunday, Aug. 10 | 4-6 p.m.
Joining the Hop Summer Nights event is as simple as hopping on board Milwaukee’s free-to-ride streetcar. Local favorite Pete’s Pops will once again bring their refreshing “hopsicles” to the party, available for free to all riders while supplies last. Local pianist JL Russell and his Smoothwalk jazz group will also treat riders to cool live jazz.
NOTE: While there are two M-Line streetcars in service on Sundays, only one will host Hop Summer Nights. To locate the correct streetcar, riders are encouraged to download the Transloc real-time app. This Sunday, look for an alert in the app notifying riders which streetcar features the free popsicles and jazz, and then use the real-time position of the car to hop on board. Riders can also be on the lookout for Hop Summer Nights decals in the windows of the featured streetcar.
In addition to the on-board event, The Hop MKE is running a “Ride. Chill. Win.” contest all month long. Every time you ride The Hop, scan the QR code on board to register your ride and be entered into a drawing for a limited-edition Hop Summer Nights T-shirt. The more you ride, the more chances you’ll have to win.
More free fun
ArtBlaze at McKinley Beach
McKinley Beach | 1750 N Lincoln Memorial Dr. | Milwaukee
Thursday, Aug. 7 | 4-9:30 p.m.
This free, all-ages event blends art, music, beach vibes and community fun at the newly renovated McKinley Beach. It features live music, DJ sets, a Silent Disco, interactive arts activities, DIY s’mores roasting, local vendors and more. You can also snap a selfie near “Threshold,” an art experience by FuzzPop Workshop and UW-Milwaukee Architecture students. This week’s music lineup features:
- 4 p.m. — Allison Mahal
- 5 p.m. — MkeMe Crew
- 6 p.m. — *aya
- 7 p.m. — Daync MKE
- 8:15 p.m. — Pulpa De Guayaba
TRUE Skool Summer Park Jam
Peck Pavilion | 929 N. Water St. | Milwaukee
August 8-9 | Noon-4 p.m. Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday
This event features an outdoor hip-hop festival with free, family-friendly fun all day. There will be breakin’ and graffiti battles, an open DJ demo area, live and community interactive art, Circulate MKE Market, community vendors and food trucks, a car show, health and wellness demonstrations, and main stage performances with legendary hip-hop duo EPMD with DJ Scratch.
Shakespeare in the Park
Kern Park | 3614 N. Humboldt Blvd. | Milwaukee
Saturday, Aug. 9 | 1-6:30 p.m.
Join Milwaukee’s Free Shakespeare in the Park for The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing: Puppet Edition, performed in totally rad summer beach party style. Enjoy live Renaissance music (with a twist) from Early Music Now, plus themed games, workshops and demos from The PLAY’s the Thing.
Falls Kids Festival
Village Park | N87W16749 Garfield Dr. | Menomonee Falls
Saturday, Aug. 9 | Noon-5 p.m.
A magical day of free activities, games and performances for all ages to enjoy together, this festival will have bounce houses, fire-truck tours, tote bags, live performances by an award-winning magician and area youth groups, and so much more. The Beer Garden will be transformed into a “root beer” garden, and numerous food trucks will be serving kids’ favorites. New this year: a Children’s Entrepreneur Market.
Free Outdoor Movies
Aug. 7-9
Various locations
- Thursday, Aug. 7: Deer District, Milwaukee — Encanto, 6 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 8: Village Park Pavilion, Elm Grove — The Wild Robot, 8:30 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 8: Lake Park, Milwaukee — Airplane!, 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 9: Konkel Park, Greenfield — Inside Out 2, 8 p.m.
Other fun ideas
Wisconsin State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair Park | 640 S. 84th St. | West Allis
July 31-Aug. 10
There’s only one weekend left of the Wisconsin State Fair, and it’s packed with plenty to see, try, and explore — especially for kids. Get a helpful rundown of what’s new for 2025, what’s free to enjoy, and a few things to know before you go.
Summer Sizzler Race
Milwaukee County Sports Complex | 6000 W. Ryan Rd. | Franklin
Saturday, Aug. 9 | 7-10 p.m.
This annual 5k/10k/15k features great swag for participants, chip timing with live results and awards, free photos and delicious treats at the finish line (including a FREE Kona Ice). There’s also a fun, untimed dash for ages 10 and under. Registration includes a mini bib, youth-sized shirt and a specifically crafted medal. If your child wants to run the kid’s dash and doesn’t want the swag, they are welcome to run on race day for free!