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.
Flowering fall
Basse’s Apple & Sunflower Fest
Basse’s Taste of Country | Colgate
Sept. 4-7
The annual event is back, inviting you to walk or ride the Grain Train out to the fields, where you can enjoy picking your own apples from the orchard (Honeycrisp and several other varieties are available), and spend some time wandering through the beautiful zinnias and 5-acre sunflower maze. Make sure to check out Milwaukee With Kids’ full fall festival guide here!
Sunflower Festival
Appleland Farm Market | Fredonia
Sept. 5-6
Point yourself toward Fredonia for the chance to walk the sunflower field. Entry is $5 per person, kids ages 2 and under are free, and every admission includes one complementary sunflower per person (additional sunflowers can be purchased as well). It’s also the first of two opportunities this year for U-Pick Honeycrisp apples, with no entry fee required! Enjoy other family-friendly festivities like a bounce house, craft fair, live music, corn maze, brats, burgers and more.
Fest together
Oktoberfest
Bavarian Bierhaus | Glendale
Sept. 4-Oct. 4
Every weekend from now through the first one in October, you can celebrate more than 60 years of Milwaukee’s original Oktoberfest with live music, beer, traditional German food and more. Admission is $5 on Fridays, $10 on Saturdays and free on Sundays (table reservations not included).
Third Ward Art Festival
Broadway | Historic Third Ward
Sept. 5-6
This free 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! Find a new piece of art, interact with the artists, and even take on-site painting classes.
Hands-on fun
Animal Encounters
Discovery World
Sept. 4-6
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon, you can get up close and personal with animal ambassadors like turtles and snakes from the Great Lakes Future exhibit. This is also the last weekend to experience the temporary Mobilab exhibit.
Open House
Milwaukee Fire Museum
Sept. 6 | Noon-3 p.m.
Step inside and experience the rich history of firefighting in Milwaukee. Explore updated exhibits and refreshed displays, browse newly added artifacts and memorabilia, take a closer look at historic fire apparatus and equipment, and read stories and history from Milwaukee’s firefighting past.
Game time
Wisconsin Highland Games
Waukesha County Expo
Sept. 4-6
Enjoy a weekend of Scottish celebrations, traditions and competitions — without leaving southeastern Wisconsin! This annual event includes piping, drumming, sheep and duck herding, longbow, battle-axe throw and even a haggis hurl. See it all while you snack on meat pies, sausage rolls and other Scottish favorites.
Milwaukee Milkmen Final Homestand
Ballpark Commons | Franklin
Sept. 4-7
This weekend marks the last home series of the regular season for the Milkmen, and they’re celebrating with a postgame drone show Friday night, a UFO-themed Area 414 Night on Saturday, free donuts for kids Sunday, and a back-to-school celebration Monday where kids eat free!
Lake Country DockHounds Weekend
WBC Park | Oconomowoc
Sept. 4-7
The DockHounds are celebrating Louie’s Birthday Fest this weekend as the team plays its last series of the regular season before starting their playoff run. The long holiday weekend will include giveaways, a fireworks show after Friday night’s game, inflatable fun on Saturday and the postgame Batter Up fan appreciation activity Sunday.
Pokémon Card & Collectible Show
Brookfield Square Mall
Sept. 5-6
This premier monthly collectible event is your chance to buy, sell and trade Pokémon cards from a wall-to-wall selection of vendors, plus Funko Pops, vintage toys and more. Admission is just $3, VIP early entry is $12, and kids under the age of 12 are free.
Summer movies
- Zocalo Food Park (Sept. 3): Grab a seat at one of the patio tables or settle into your own chair to enjoy Toy Story 5! Come early, pick up dinner and drinks from one of the local vendors, and enjoy a great night under the stars. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m., and no outside food or drinks are permitted.
- Veterans Park (Sept. 6) – Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to watch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which starts at dusk. Food and drink will be available for purchase at Gift of Wings, including popcorn for $1.