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 pick
Streets Alive!
Milwaukee Public Museum
Oct. 17 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
For the final time at the museum’s current home, history will come to life in the Streets of Old Milwaukee, as docents dressed in period attire share stories about the city’s past. Families can also enjoy the Streets of Old Milwaukee decorated for Halloween, featuring vintage-inspired decorations and festive fall displays.
Tricks and treats
Boo at the Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoo
Oct. 16-17, 23-24
For one of Milwaukee’s biggest family Halloween traditions, the zoo offers trick-or-treating, pumpkin animal enrichment, live entertainment, pumpkin-carving demos, festive light displays and more. New for 2026: Saturdays now include a daytime Boo at the Zoo experience! And make sure to check out more of the best Halloween events around the Milwaukee area.
Haunted Halloween
Downer Avenue
Oct. 17 | 1-4 p.m.
Stroll along Historic Downer Avenue and enjoy trick-or-treating at more than 16 participating businesses, face painting, balloon creations, free chocolate chip cookies from Breadsmith, and warm apple cider from Sendik’s. Be sure to stop by Boswell Books for a spooky storytime at 2 p.m., then check out the pumpkins carved by local merchants and vote for your favorites at the Downer BID tent outside Nehring’s Sendik’s for a chance to win prizes.
Brews & Boos
New Berlin Activity & Rec Center
Oct. 17 | 4-9 p.m.
Enjoy trick-or-treating at stations hosted by 30 local businesses, a costume contest, live music, a beer garden, food trucks, Kid Zone activities (face painting, balloon animals, mini golf, craft) and Hocus Pocus showing at 7 p.m.
Trick-or-Treat
The Corners of Brookfield
Oct. 17 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Get your costumes and candy buckets ready for trick-or-treating at participating businesses, along with face painting, beats from Kid Boogie Down, a princess meet-and-greet, and more. Stop by Market Square first to pick up your map of participating locations.
Seasonal celebrations
Día de los Muertos Exhibition
Walker’s Point Center for the Arts
Oct. 16-Dec. 4
Celebrate the Day of the Dead by exploring artwork and learning more about this important Mexican cultural tradition. This year’s theme is “Embracing Community,” which explores family, memory, migration, and belonging through art and cultural traditions.
Community Fall Fest
Purple Door Ice Cream
Oct. 17 | 2-5 p.m.
Celebrate fall with an afternoon featuring neighborhood trick-or-treating from 3 to 3:30 p.m., as kids are invited to wear costumes and visit 12 participating businesses along 2nd Street. They also get a free mini ice cream cone at an event that includes face painting, sidewalk art, pumpkin decorating, music, kids’ activities and more!
Autumn Celebration
Urban Ecology Center | Washington Park
Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Celebrate the beauty of autumn with a family-friendly afternoon of nature, discovery and community as you explore the changing season through hands-on environmental activities and outdoor adventures.
Not-so-creepy critters
Halloween Haunts
Wehr Nature Center | Franklin
Oct. 15-17
After a pre-hike Story Stroll, follow a trail through an Enchanted Forest illuminated by more than 300 glowing jack-o’-lanterns. Meet costumed characters who bring the forest to life with entertaining skits during the 40-minute guided walk, then head indoors to enjoy Halloween crafts and activities.
Species Spooktacular
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center | Bayside
Oct. 18 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Come in costume to learn about some of nature’s spooky and misunderstood animals, meet live animal ambassadors, hike the trails, play games, make crafts and more. After visiting all of the stations, children will receive a sweet treat!