Mitten Fest Returns To Bay View

Vincent Van Great at 2019 Mitten Fest. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

There are plenty of fun ways to close out January and kick off February this weekend, including Milwaukee’s favorite outdoor winter music festival, Burnhearts.

You can find your new best friend at Pet Expo MKE, or celebrate the grand reopening of the Urban Ecology Center’s renovated Washington Park location at Winterfest. And if it’s still too cold for you to hang out outdoors, stay warm and cozy at the Engine House 19 Chili & Jambalaya Cookoff at Lakefront Brewery.

January 1: Snowflake Spectacular

There may not be much snow on the ground outdoors, but that’s not stopping Discovery World from transforming into a winter wonderland. The museum will be hosting a variety of scheduled events involving cold weather experiments, Winter Princesses, Snowmen Bobblehead Crafting and more. The museum is also celebrating the Year of the Snake for the Lunar New Year, and guests will have the opportunity to experience a snake presentation as well as a Chinese Lion Dance courtesy of the Shaolin Center. Snowflake Spectacular will begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $21 for children ages three through 17. Tickets are required and can be reserved on the Discovery World website.

February 1: Pet Expo MKE

The Alliance of Wisconsin Animal Rehoming Effort is putting on its 20th annual Pet Expo MKE event – a fundraiser benefiting Wisconsin’s homeless pet population. Hundreds of species will be hanging out at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center, where guests will have the opportunity to shop from pet-themed vendors as well as catch animal entertainment on two stages. And who knows – you might leave with your new best friend by your side. Due to the large crowds involved with this event, guests will not be permitted to bring pets of their own. Pet Expo MKE will run from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and children ages 12 and under can enter for free. For more information, visit the Wisconsin State Fair website.

February 1: Mitten Fest

Last year, Mitten Fest, Bay View’s premier outdoor winter music festival, took place at Boone & Crockett instead of its normal home outside of Burnhearts. This year, however, the festival has returned home and will once again bring live music, specialty beers and vendors to Bay View.

The festival will feature live performances from acts like Shontrail, Bug Moment and Fight Dice, and food vendors such as Hue Vietnamese Restaurant, Pallino Burger and Sweet Smoke BBQ will serve food and non-alcoholic drink options. Mitten Fest will also be accepting cash and credit donations for the Hunger Task Force. Mitten Fest will run from noon to 8 p.m. Dress warm, as the festival is almost entirely outdoors.

February 1: Winterfest 

The Urban Ecology Center is celebrating the official grand reopening of its Washington Park Branch with Winterfest – a free community gathering filled with winter-themed activities for the whole family. Following an opening ceremony, Winterfest will give guests the opportunity to participate in winter hikes, sledding, carriage rides and more. The Urban Ecology Center will provide a warm campfire and drinks and to help guests stay warm. Winterfest will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new Urban Ecology Center Washington Park location at 1859 N. 40th St. For more information, visit the Urban Ecology Center’s website.

February 1-2: re:Craft and Relic’s Winter Market

Over 160 booths selling home goods, beauty products, clothing and more will set up shop at the MKE County Sports Complex for re:Craft and Relic’s Winter Market. The market will also have food trucks on site, including Tots on the Street, and artists, including Jake Williams and Ali J, will provide live music throughout the day. General admission is $7 on Saturday and $5 on Sunday, but both days offer a Happy Hour admission fee of 1$ for those who show up after 3 p.m. re:Craft and Relic’s Winter Market will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the re:Craft & Relic website.

February 2: Engine House 19 Chili & Jambalaya Cookoff

Lakefront Brewery is teaming up with Engine House 19 Chili Mix and the Local 215 Milwaukee Firefighters Charitable Foundation team to host the annual chili and jambalaya cookoff that will benefit all firehouses participating in the event. Twelve different firehouses and local restaurants will enter their best chili or jambalaya, and guests will have unlimited tasting from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Winners will be announced at the end of the event. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased on the Tock website.