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
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Mitchell Park Domes
Oct. 30 | 6-9 p.m.
Explore the Desert Dome and check out traditional ofrendas created by students from the surrounding community. The event also includes a mariachi band, cultural dancers, local food and art vendors, educational programming and hands-on art activities. There are more Día de los Muertos events happening around the area this weekend, so make sure to check out this list to find one near you.
Dance and play
Haunted Mini Golf
Henry Maier Festival Park
Oct. 29-31 | 4-11 p.m.
Bars & Rec is bringing its fan-favorite experience to Henry Maier Festival Park inside Aurora Pavilion, featuring haunted mini golf, creepy characters, spooky surprises, live DJs, food, drinks and plenty of reasons to come dressed for the occasion. No scare actors will be present before 7 p.m., making it the perfect time to bring the kids.
Kid Boogie Down Spooktacular Dance Party
The Argo | Whitefish Bay
Oct. 31 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wear your favorite Halloween costume and show off your best dance moves. Add some extra Halloween flair with free water tattoos, fluffy cotton candy from Sugar Spun, and beads and craft kits from Brush Box.
Sugar Skull!
Marcus Performing Arts Center
Oct. 30 | 7 p.m.
This touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of 12-year-old Vita Flores, who thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. But when a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos.
Festival fun
Harvest Fest / Halloween
Hart Park | Wauwatosa
Oct. 31 | Noon-5 p.m.
This family-friendly fall festival features trick-or-treating with community resource tables, a Halloween parade, live entertainment, food trucks, marketplace vendors, free books for kids and activities for all ages. A $15 Kids Zone wristband is also available for select premium activities.
Great Pumpkin Festival
Old Schoolhouse Park | Whitefish Bay
Oct. 28-31 | 6-9 p.m.
Count down to Halloween with night after night of glowing gourds, warm apple cider, adult beverages and delicious food from local vendors. Live music starts at 6 p.m. each night, and Saturday includes a 50/50 raffle.
Halloween Spooky Carnival and Resource Fair
Kosciuszko Community Center
Oct. 29 | 5-7:45 p.m.
This free, family-friendly event brings together Halloween fun and valuable community resources, offering residents an opportunity to connect with local organizations during an evening of seasonal activities. Put on your favorite costume to enjoy trick-or-treating, games, arts and crafts, music and a costume contest.
Tricks, treats and trains
Nightmare On Elm Street
Thiensville Village Park
Oct. 29 | 4-7 p.m.
Don’t be spooked by the name. This event perfect for kids includes trick-or-treating at local businesses from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a party in the park from 4 to 7 p.m. This year’s festivities features food trucks, beer garden, trunk or treat, a pumpkin hunt, costume cauldron with a free raffle and a live DJ.
Night of the Ghost Train
Ghost Train Bridge | Shorewood
Oct. 31 | 5-7 p.m.
See the Ghost Train lit especially for Halloween, and enjoy treats and activities with your community. You can bring your jack o’lantern to compete in the carved pumpkin contest, sip free hot cocoa, gather around fire pits with s’mores and stories, check out an aerial dance performance and visit the costume swap station to give a second life to your kids’ previous Halloween outfits.
Culture and community
China Lights: Last Weekend!
Boerner Botanical Gardens | Hales Corners
Through Nov. 1
It’s the ninth year for this annual illuminated event at Boerner Botanical Gardens, and the theme for 2026 is “Legends Come Alive!” Don’t miss your chance to journey through ancient Chinese traditions, enchanted oceans and fantasy realms brought to life in an experience featuring more than 40 handcrafted, lantern-inspired displays.
Community Free Day
Milwaukee Public Museum
Nov. 1 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
All visitors enjoy complimentary admission in honor of late Milwaukee philanthropist Isabel Bader’s 100th birthday to help the museum kick off Native American Heritage Month. Enjoy the sounds of drumming and singing, hands-on activities about Wisconsin tribes, storytimes featuring books by Indigenous authors and more.