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.
Festivals times four
Third Ward Art Festival
Historic Third Ward | Milwaukee
Aug. 30-31
Free and open to the public, the Third Ward Art Festival will showcase the work of nearly 200 juried artists from around the country in a variety of media, including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, paintings, drawings, photography and more. You can also interact with the artists, take a “Start to Paint” on-site class, jump into the interactive kids’ art tent, listen to live music on two stages, and enjoy great food and drink options from vendors and local restaurants.
Basse’s Apple & Sunflower Fest (opening weekend)
Basse’s Taste of Country Farm
3190 County Road Q | Colgate
Aug. 30-Sept. 1 | 3-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Labor Day
The 6th Annual Apple & Sunflower Fest at Basse’s Taste of Country kicks off this weekend. Admission includes a quarter-peck bag of U-pick apples per person, sunflower and zinnia photo ops (pick-your-own flowers available at extra cost), a grain train ride to and from the sunflower and apple fields, a bubble bin, fun games (bag toss, Connect 4, spun chairs box maze) and food trucks. For the parents, there’s a beer garden within the sunflower patch where you can enjoy up to six local craft beers on tap and try the new wine slushies.
St. Francis Days
Milton Vretenar Memorial Park
4230 S Kirkwood Ave. | St Francis
Aug. 29-31
The 60th Annual St. Francis Days is a Labor Day Weekend festival with a parade, carnival rides and games, live music, a cornhole tournament, polka mass and a car show.
Oak Creek Lions Fest
American Legion Post 434
9327 S. Shepard Ave. | Oak Creek
Aug. 29-Sept. 1
Enjoy free admission and parking at this four-day festival, which features three live music venues, carnival rides, raffles, great food and drinks.
Come out and play
Wisconsin Highland Games
Waukesha County Expo
1000 Northview Rd. | Waukesha
Aug. 29-31 | 5-10 p.m. (Friday), 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Saturday), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Sunday)
A celebration of all things Scottish, Irish and Celtic with the mighty roar of the bagpipes, kilted athletes performing feats of strength, spinning and leaping Highland dancers, hands-on activities and sports, St. Andrew’s Pub, and much more. It starts with Friday’s opening ceremonies and party, and goes until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 p.m. Sunday. Just remember, the final events of the games end at 6 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Wheels on Main
Downtown West Bend
Sunday, Aug. 31 | 8:30 p.m.
Come enjoy the largest annual car, truck and motorcycle show in Washington County! More than 450 vehicles in 20 categories will be judged and awarded, including a “Best of Show” award. This free event includes recorded and live music, fun family activities, retail and service business vendors, food truck options and a beverage booth.
Straight from the storybook
Curious George at Discovery World (closing weekend)
500 N. Harbor Dr. | Milwaukee
Through Aug. 31 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This weekend is your last chance to catch Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! — a traveling exhibit at Discovery World that sparks a world of curiosity, adventure and hands-on fun.
Where the Wild Things Are
Oriental Theatre
2230 N. Farwell Ave. | Milwaukee
Aug. 30-31 | 4-6 p.m.
Milwaukee Film presents “It's Not Easy Being Green,” a series of family-friendly film selections all about finding your voice, transforming your difference into magic and accepting others. The series closes with Where the Wild Things Are, the visually breathtaking 2009 film about a young boy yearning for escape and adventure who runs away from home and sails to an island filled with creatures that take him in as their king.
Free Friday Night Flicks: The Princess Bride
Lake Park Summer Stage
2975 N. Lake Park Rd. | Milwaukee
Friday, Aug. 29 | 8-9:30 p.m.
Bring lawn chairs, blankets, drinks and snacks, and watch The Princess Bride, Rob Reiner’s 1987 film that has launched a thousand quotes and earned a place on countless favorite movie lists. The movie about pirates, revenge, love and rodents of unusual size begins at dusk, and popcorn will be provided.