Harbor Fest Invites You To Celebrate Milwaukee’s Waterways

2023 Harbor Fest. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

And just like that, it’s officially Fall.

Between digging up your chili recipes and adjusting your fantasy football team’s lineup, there’s plenty to check out around the city this weekend. Bay View Gallery Night will transform southside businesses into miniature art galleries and live music venues. Harbor Fest will celebrate Milwaukee’s waterways with a variety of exhibits and activities, and Doors Open Milwaukee will once again let the public explore more than 100 locations throughout the city that they normally wouldn’t be able to.

September 25: Bay View Gallery Night

Businesses throughout the Bay View neighborhood will transform into miniature art galleries and music venues as part of Bay View Gallery Night. Starting at 5 p.m., swing by Bay View favorites like Cafe LuLu and Lion’s Tooth to catch a variety of live music acts, art on display, dog-friendly events and more. Bay View Gallery Night is free to attend and runs until 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted by each participant. For more information, including a full list of participating businesses, visit the Bay View Gallery Night website.

September 26-27: Doors Open Milwaukee

Ever wonder what goes on behind the walls of your favorite Milwaukee architecture? Doors Open Milwaukee is an annual celebration of our city’s history and buildings that opens up over 190 locations to the public. New this year, more than 30 of these locations are part of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. You can participate in many ways, including guided tours and an activity booklet that lets families play educational games as they explore. For a complete list of participating locations, visit the Historic Milwaukee website.

September 26-27: Milwaukee World Oddities Expo

Do you enjoy decorating your home with strange items? If so, then head down to the Milwaukee World Oddities Expo, where guests can shop all things weird. The traveling festival will bring vendors, tattoo artists, carnival performers and more to the Baird Center. Guests can not only pick up a taxidermied animal to take home with them but can learn how the process works at one of the expo’s labs. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the World Oddities Expo website.

September 27: Bean Plant Block Party 

Kickflips and chai lattes will both be delivered outside of Anodyne this weekend as part of the fifth annual Bean Plant Block Party. The annual party combines skateboarding and coffee, allowing skaters of all skill levels to hang out and skate on a variety of obstacles that will be set up outside of Anodyne’s Walker’s Point location. Guests can also shop a variety of vendors and food trucks while enjoying beer from Indeed Brewing Co. The event is free to attend and will run from noon to 5 p.m.

September 27-October 3: South Side Dining Week

Celebrate the diverse and fantastic restaurants on Milwaukee’s south side as part of South Side Dining Week, where restaurants like Braise and Anytime Arepa will be running specials throughout the week. Guests can get a sneak preview and try samples from participating restaurants at Zocalo Park from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The preview event is free to attend and will also feature live music from Funk Summit Bass Team, Klan 414 and Diet Lite. For a full list of participating restaurants, visit the South Side Dining Week website.

September 27: Harbor Fest

Celebrate Milwaukee’s relationship with water at the 10th annual Harbor Fest, an event that aims to shed light on Milwaukee’s waterways. The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will allow guests to explore UW-Milwaukee’s Freshwater Sciences building, take a boat tour, watch baby sturgeon be released into the harbor, explore water-themed art exhibits and much more. For more information, including a complete schedule, visit the Harbor District website.