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.
Featured events
Lakefront Drone Show
McKinley Park & Beach
July 3 | 2-10:30 p.m.
This 45-minute drone show will be synced to music curated by Radio Milwaukee and feature visuals of local landmarks, patriotic symbols, and more. There will also be activity stations open from 3 to 7 p.m. at McKinley Park and McKinley Beach, including face painting, bounce houses and more. The drone show will start at 9:20 p.m.
Summerfest
Henry Maier Festival Park
July 2-4
The World’s Largest Music Festival enters its final weekend for 2026 with plenty more music and fun to be found across three days. Don’t miss the America 250 Block Party on July 4, featuring live music performances by Jelly Roll, Sam Barber, The Temper Trap, BoDeans, Soul Asylum, Joywave, Jonah Kagen and more.
More Fourth fun
$4 Zoo Admission
Milwaukee County Zoo
July 4 | 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
There’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than at the zoo, where admission is just $4 for all guests on the Fourth of July! And, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, explore the animals at the zoo that can be found across the country with our Sea to Shining Sea digital scavenger hunt. Please note that parking and regular attraction fees still apply.
Celebrate the Fourth @ Milwaukee County Parks
Various locations
July 4
Milwaukee’s community celebrations on the Fourth of July date back to 1911, and this year you can once again find parties all over the area featuring parades, picnics, games, talent contests, fireworks and more! Fireworks will start around 9:15 at various Milwaukee County Parks (full list here), and make sure to check out Milwaukee With Kids’ full rundown of all the fun waiting for you on the Fourth of July throughout the area.
Flying high
Raptor Saturday
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center | Bayside
July 4 | 1-2 p.m.
Meet the center’s resident male Bald Eagle, Glory, and learn about this national symbol as the center’s experts compare this species to other eagles around the world and to other charismatic raptors of Wisconsin. Enjoy a discussion about how far conservation efforts have come and what we can continue to do to help this species. You can also catch the center’s other Bald Eagle, Valkyrie, at 12:15 p.m. all three days of Summerfest at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park.
Flyover & Water Ski Show
Pewaukee Lake
July 4 | 7:30 a.m.-6:40 p.m.
The village of Pewaukee’s 150th anniversary combines with America’s 250th for a “Red, White & Blue Celebration” that goes all day. It starts at 7:30 a.m. with a wounded veteran adaptive ski event and continues with a bicycle decorating contest, downtown parade, rubber duck race and a show from the Pewaukee Lake Waterski Club before wrapping with a fighter-place flyover at 6:40 p.m.