September Festivals

In Milwaukee, summer doesn’t end on August 31. Sure, school may be back in session and crisp autumn breezes are lurking just around the corner, but with only a few precious months of sunshine and t-shirt weather, we’re not going inside anytime soon. Festival season continues on into September, with weekends full of outdoor music, street vendors, and world-class film.

Enjoy!

 

 

Milwaukee Rally
Sept. 1 – 5
Milwaukee Harley-Davidson, 11310 W. Silver Spring Road
Hal’s Harley Davidson/Buell, 1925 S. Moorland Road in New Berlin
Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson, 139 N. Main St. in Thiensville
House of Harley-Davidson/Buell, 6221 W. Layton Ave.

Get your motor running and join in Milwaukee’s biggest bike rally, featuring four days of dealership parties, four vendor malls, poker runs, the new 2012 Harley-Davidson Model Preview, the H.O.G. Parade of Flags, Lite Bike Nite, live music and much more.

Wisconsin Highland Games
Sept. 2-4
Waukesha Expo Center
1000 Northview Road
Waukesha, WI 53188

The annual Scottish heritage festival features music and dance-filled Ceilidh, drummers and pipers, a marketplace, cultural area, the heavy athletics and much more. For all the Harry Potter fans out there, we have two words for you: Quidditch tournament.

 

Made in Milwaukee
Sept. 3, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Cathedral Square Park

This day-long festival in the heart of downtown celebrates all things Milwaukee. With live, local music, fashion, art, coffee and beer tastings, and a farmers market, there is something for everyone at MiM.

Tosa Fest
Sept 9 & 10
Hart Park
1299 N. 72nd St.
Wauwatosa, WI 53213

This free festival features plenty of activities, including a 5K run, a frisbee tournament, skateboard show and more fun offerings for the whole family.

Indian Summer Festival
Sept. 9 -11
Henry Maier Festival Park

The annual festival in celebration of American Indian features nationally-renown entertainers and performers, a spectacular fireworks display and  a Contest Pow Wow all weekend long. New attractions this year include a Native Film Festival, Tribal Farmers Market and a special parade on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Kettle Moraine Jazz Fest
Sept. 9 & 10
Riverside Park
West Bend, WI

The Jazz Fest features international jazz musicians and vocalists in a gorgeous outdoor setting. Be sure to check out the art marketplace featuring work from local and national artists, but international food and drink.

Paramount Blues Festival
Sept. 16 & 17
Lime Kiln Park
2020 S. Green Bay Rd.
Grafton, WI 53024

The 6th annual event features an impressive line-up of blues acts from around the country.

The 38th Annual Wine and Garden Festival
Sept. 17 & 18
Historic Downtown Cedarburg

This colorful weekend is loaded with the bounty of fall. A farmers market, “Arts on the Avenue,”Cedar Creek Winery’s award-winning wines, a Scarecrow Contest, Giant Pumpkin Regatta, live music, plus food and even a hayride.

Tomato Romp
Sept. 17
East North Avenue between Prospect and Oakland Avenues

Get down and dirty at the annual tomato romp! Start the day with shopping and imbibing at the East Side Green Market and 5th annual Bloody Mary competition, then get ready to romp with the rotten tomato fight at 4 p.m.

Bay View Bash
Sept. 17 , 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Between Potter and Clement on Kinnickinnic Ave. in Bay View.

Celebrate Milwaukee’s Bay View Neighborhood at The Bash! This 100% volunteer-run festival highlights the neighborhood’s culture with live music, dance, and plenty of food and drink.

Global Union
Sept. 17 & 18
Humboldt Park

Each year, Alverno Presents puts on an amazing two-day festival in the heart of Bay View, featuring amazing world music and lots of local flavor. You may not recognize the names on Global Union’s line-up, but trust us – these are groups to watch.

Rock the Green
Sept. 18
Veterans Park

Rock the Green is the new way to rock – the convergence of world-class live music, sustainability and giving back to local communities. This Near-Zero Waste Music Festival features The Fray, Ben Folds, Fitz and the Tantrums, Michelle Branch, Christina Perri and local favorite Evan Christian.

 

Milwaukee Film Festival
Sept. 22 – Oct. 2
Various locations

Eleven days of world-class film and amazing events, right in our own backyard. What more could you ask for?

Doors Open Milwaukee
Sept. 24 & 25
Various Locations

Historic Milwaukee, Inc. announces Doors Open Milwaukee, a free, two-day event that opens 100 historic buildings to the public. Explore Milwaukee’s historic past!