Downtown Employee Appreciation Week hits a nice round number this year and will celebrate its 20th edition Aug. 18-22 with some favorites returning, as well as the addition of a couple events that should interest both two- and four-legged guests alike.
Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 has done a nice job growing the annual celebration from year to year, and the 2025 version carries the theme of “Homecoming Week.” Among the activities that downtown employees will find scattered throughout the neighborhood are familiar offerings like the Office Challenge Games and Bucks Basketball Shootout, the wildly popular World’s Largest Coffee Break, and lunch giveaways featuring 1,000 free items from local businesses.
The two new additions this year are a service industry night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Riverwalk Commons and a Yappy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of the new MKE Dog Park at 103 W. Clybourn St.
“Downtown Employee Appreciation Week highlights the perks of working in our vibrant urban center,” Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 CEO Matt Dorner said in a release. “We’re thrilled to mark the event’s 20-year milestone with new activations in our parks and public spaces, and more exciting giveaways. It’s certain to be a rewarding week, so make plans to join us.”
You can find the full schedule for Downtown Employee Appreciation Week below and get more information on this year’s event on the Milwaukee Downtown website.
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week 2025
Monday, Aug. 18
The Morning Jolt with Biggby Coffee
Red Arrow Park
8-9:30 a.m.
Kick off Downtown Employee Appreciation Week with a complimentary coffee from Biggby Coffee. The first 150 employees will receive a complimentary coffee and 50% off any other drink. Milwaukee Downtown mugs will also be given away to the first 25 employees.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration: Opening Ceremony
Red Arrow Park
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
After the ribbon-cutting, there will be Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union, the Bucks Basketball Shootout, music from the Rhythm Kings and a variety of lunch giveaways:
- Avli — 1,000 mini salads and zucchini pizzas
- Davians — 1,000 cookies
- Grassroots Salad Company — 1,000 juice samples
- Kroger — 1,000 ice cream treats
Service Industry Night sponsored by Visit Milwaukee
Riverwalk Commons
6-8:30 p.m.
It’s a night honoring servers, bartenders and hospitality superstars. Meet at the Riverwalk Commons bar, across the street from the Milwaukee Public Market, for a free beverage, while supplies last. Live music and food trucks will add to the fun!
Tuesday, Aug. 19
Moment of Movement with Embody Yoga
Cathedral Square Park
7-8 a.m.
Free yoga class with Embody Yoga. Register here.
World’s Largest Coffee Break
Catalano Square
9-10:30 a.m.
Enjoy free coffee and doughnuts from local vendors and live music in Catalano Square at this always-popular event presented by Healthpeak.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Cathedral Square Park
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Today’s installment will again feature Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union and the Bucks Basketball Shootout, with music by the Jon Hintz Duo and lunch giveaways:
- Cream City Concepts — 1,000 half wraps and pasta salad (sponsored by AARP)
- 600 EAST Café — 1,000 iced drinks
- KEI — 1,000 oranges
- Milwaukee Police Department — ice cream
Kayak Milwaukee’s Riverways
Milwaukee Kayak Company: Jerry’s Dock
4-7 p.m.
Milwaukee Kayak Company is offering discounted rentals for downtown employees and one guest. All single kayak and paddleboard rentals are $25 each. Kayaks launch at 4, 4:30 and 5 p.m. Pre-registration required. Visit milwaukeekayak.com to book.
I Work Downtown Happy Hour
Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen
4-6 p.m.
Enjoy a buy-one, get-one-free special.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Milwaukee’s (Un)official “Bring Your Dog to Work Day”
Various locations
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
In celebration of the opening of the MKE Dog Park, businesses who make their office pet-friendly for the day will get a special delivery of Fromm dog treats, while supplies last. Register your company here.
Moment of Movement with Girls Who Walk (With Dogs)
Riverwalk Commons
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Pre-registration not required.
The Morning Jolt with Fiddleheads Coffee
Fiddleheads Coffee (790 N. Water St.)
8-9:30 a.m.
The first 150 downtown employees will receive a free cup of coffee and 50% off any other drink. Milwaukee Downtown mugs will also be given away to the first 25 downtown employees.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Schlitz Park
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Stop by for more Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union and the Bucks Basketball Shootout, plus music from Roxie Beane and a new selection of free lunch items:
- Dawg City — 1,000 hot dogs
- Pop City — 1,000 bags of popcorn
- Milwaukee Downtown — 1,000 cookies
Yappy Hour sponsored by Fromm Family Foods
MKE Dog Park
4-7 p.m.
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m., you can celebrate the opening of downtown’s first dog park with your four-legged neighbors. Enjoy music by Frogwater and free Foxtown Brewery beer samples, plus food truck eats for purchase. Parking available across the street for $2. Register here.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Cathy Stadler Yoga
Pere Marquette Park
7-8 a.m.
Free yoga class with Cathy Stadler. Register here.
The Morning Jolt with Colectivo
U.S. Bank Center
8-9:30 a.m.
The first 150 downtown employees will receive a free cup of coffee. Milwaukee Downtown mugs will also be given away to the first 25 downtown employees.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Pere Marquette Park
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
As with the first three days, you’ll be able to take on the Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union and the Bucks Basketball Shootout while enjoying music from Ben Mulwana and a lunch-giveaway menu of:
- Cubanitas — 800 mini Cubano sandwiches
- Haven Cafe — 1,000 peach couscous salads
- Milwaukee County Historical Society — ice-cream social
PNC presents Tunes@Noon
Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
Noon-1 p.m.
Take a break from the workday and join high-energy seven-piece cover band Montage for some fun in the sun.
Kayak Milwaukee’s Riverways
Milwaukee Kayak Company: Jerry’s Dock
4-7 p.m.
Milwaukee Kayak Company is offering discounted rentals for downtown employees and one guest. All single kayak and paddleboard rentals are $25 each. Kayaks launch at 4, 4:30 and 5 p.m. Pre-registration required. Visit milwaukeekayak.com to book.
Moment for Meditation
Pere Marquette Park
5:15-6:15 p.m.
Enjoy a free meditation session with Jacqueline Janz of Mindfully at Work. Register here.
Friday, Aug. 22
Moment of Movement with Barre3
Baird Community Commons
7-8 a.m.
Enjoy a barre class with Barre3. Register here.
The Morning Jolt with Stone Creek Coffee
Stone Creek Coffee: Factory Cafe
8-9:30 a.m.
Kickstart your Friday with a free cup of joe from Stone Creek Coffee. The first 150 downtown employees will receive a complimentary coffee. Milwaukee Downtown mugs will also be given away to the first 25 downtown employees.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Zeidler Union Square
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
It’s the final day to try the Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union and the Bucks Basketball Shootout, plus music from Jorge Vallentine and more lunch giveaways:
- Milwaukee Brat House: 1,000 brats
- Milwaukee Downtown: 1,000 bags of chips
- DoubleTree by Hilton: 1,000 cookies
- Draft & Vessel: 200 cold brew coffees
Schlitz Park Beer Giveaway
The Tap Yard at Schlitz Park
4:30-6:30 p.m.
What better way to end the week than tipping one back with your friends and colleagues? The first 50 downtown employees will enjoy a free pint of beer.
