Summer’s At Its Peak With Lots of Outdoor Festivals

WMSE Backyard BBQ at Humboldt Park. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Contrary to the stormy weather on Tuesday, the forecast this weekend is expected to be mostly pleasant. Which is great, because there’s plenty to check out in Milwaukee over the next few days. The Milwaukee Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show is setting up shop at the Baird Center, and the Milwaukee County Zoo is hosting a lineup of live music and restaurants as part of its A La Carte at the Zoo event. Check out Mexican Fiesta down at the lakefront, and celebrate the 16th Annual WMSE Backyard BBQ at Humboldt Park.

August 19-23: Milwaukee Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show

The Midwest’s largest mineral and gem show is returning to the Baird Center and will feature vendors selling anything from museum-quality dinosaur bones to designer jewelry. Guests can shop an assortment of jewels and stones ranging in price from $1 to $100,000 and learn from industry professionals about mining and digging for fossils. Admission is $10 if you purchase tickets online, or $12 at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Milwaukee Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show’s website.

August 20-23: A La Carte at the Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo is celebrating its 40th year of A La Carte at the Zoo, a four-day event that brings live music, food and family-friendly activities to the zoo. Each day will feature a different lineup of music on five stages featuring local acts like Wonderful Bluffer and the Zach Pietrini Band, as well as national acts like Tank and the Bangas. Dozens of restaurants will be on site selling food and beverages, and guests can participate in zip line courses and virtual reality experiences, and attend educational talks and animal training demos. A La Carte at the Zoo will run from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 20-22 and from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 23. Tickets for Milwaukee County residents are $21 for adults and $18 for children ages 12 and under. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Milwaukee County Zoo website.

August 21-23: Serbian Days Festival

Celebrate Serbian food, music, history and more at Serbian Days, a weekend-long festival that will pop up at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. Each day will feature a different lineup of live music, with performances by bands like Sons of Sconnie and Rebel Grace, and guests can enjoy Milwaukee’s famous ASH Fish Fry on Friday. Serbian Days will also feature carnival rides and the fourth annual Serbian Days 5K Run & Walk. Serbian Days Festival is free to attend and will run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit the Serbian Days Festival website.

August 21: The 4th Annual Emmitt James Big Band BBQ

Join the Pabst Theater Group at the Turner Hall Ballroom for an evening of live music, food and local vendors as part of the 4th Annual Emmitt James Big Band BBQ. The evening will feature a headlining performance by Emmitt James & The Lemon Pepper Steppers, a 20-piece hip-hop-jazz band, and a portion of the money raised from admission will be donated to TBEY Arts Center, an educational organization based in Milwaukee. The show will begin at 8 p.m., and general admission is $10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Pabst Theater Group’s website.

August 21-23: Mexican Fiesta

Milwaukee’s lakefront will be filled with sights, smells and tastes of Mexico as Mexican Fiesta takes over the Henry Maier Festival Park. Guests can experience a vast lineup of Mexican musicians and dancers while enjoying traditional Mexican cuisine and exploring the country’s art and history at the Cultural Pavilion. Money raised at Mexican Fiesta helps support educational opportunities for Hispanic students in Wisconsin. Admission to Mexican Fiesta is $22, and you can purchase tickets online by visiting the event’s website.

August 22: WMSE Backyard BBQ

WMSE’s 16th Annual Backyard BBQ will once again bring a lineup of live music and vendors to Humboldt Park. Guests can catch performances by local acts like Known Moons and Field Report, as well as national acts like Superchunk and a DJ set by Sylvan Esso. The WMSE Backyard BBQ is free to attend and will run from noon to 8 p.m.