Hartfest to Celebrate 30th Anniversary With Headliners the Gufs; The Lovemonkeys

WAUWATOSA, WISCONSIN, January 21, 2026—It’s a banner year for Wauwatosa’s signature community events, with HartFest turning 30 and TosaFest celebrating 50 years in 2026. HartFest is kicking off the celebration with a huge music lineup announcement: Beloved 90s band The Gufs will headline the festival in June.

The Gufs will take Hart Park’s Rotary Stage on Saturday, June 13. Longtime HartFest favorite The LoveMonkeys—who have announced that this will be their final year of performing—will headline on Friday, June 12.

In addition to stellar live music, HartFest will offer a top-notch food and beverage lineup. Some of Milwaukee’s most popular food trucks will be on hand, plus the 4th annual Bunzels’ BBQ Cookoff will give the area’s best grillmasters the chance to showcase their skills to the public.

And it all raises money for worthy local causes. Organizers estimate that HartFest has raised nearly half a million dollars for charity since the event debuted in 1996. Those funds have been donated to organizations such as the Tosa Community Food Pantry, Kids 2 Kids Toy Drive, Fishing Has No Boundaries, and many others.

“For three decades, HartFest has been more than just a party,” says Maria Panno, Executive Director of the Wauwatosa Business Improvement District. “It’s been our way to celebrate summer, support vital local causes, and have a great time doing it. We can’t wait to celebrate our 30th birthday with a 90s throwback dream concert—the Gufs.”

HartFest opens on Friday, June 12, with Brewtown Beat taking the stage at 5 pm and The LoveMonkeys at 7:30 pm. The festival continues on Saturday, June 13, with the Wauwatosa School of Music at 11 am, 5 Card Studs playing at 1:30 pm, JD Rankin & the Solomon Royals at 5:30 pm, and The Gufs on stage at 8 pm.

The Bunzel’s BBQ Cookoff takes place on Saturday, June 13, with some of the area’s
top barbecuers competing for cash prizes. Festival-goers will have a chance to sample the entries and vote to name a People’s Choice award winner in a ticketed event starting at 1 pm.

For more information, visit https://www.wauwatosavillage.org/hartfest.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.