A Weekend of Festivals and Parades

2024 PrideFest. Photo by Meg Strobel, official PrideFest Photographer.

Happy Pride Month! You know it’s summertime in Milwaukee when there are so many events and festivals happening this weekend that you have difficulties making plans. Well, we’re here to help with some suggestions. Check out Milwaukee PrideFest, which will bring dancing, drag queens, live music and more to the Henry Maier Festival Park grounds. The Rave will feature metal bands from all over the country as part of Milwaukee Metal Fest, and folks can celebrate both Scottish and Puerto Rican traditions at two separate festivals.

June 4-6: Milwaukee PrideFest

Wisconsin’s largest LGBTQIA+ festival returns for another year at the Henry Maier Festival Park, featuring a packed lineup of artists, DJs, drag queens and more. Each day will feature different Skyyline Main Stage headliners, such as the Ru Queens Drag Show and Brian Justin Crum. Get your groove on over at the Dance Pavilion, or head over to the Red Light District and participate in scheduled activities like Kinky Trivia and Karaoke with a Twist. PrideFest will run from 4 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, 3 p.m. to midnight on Friday and noon to midnight on Saturday. For more information, visit the PrideFest website.

June 5-7: Milwaukee Metal Fest

Fans of heavy music should head down to The Rave for a weekend filled with metal bands from all over the country. Each day will feature different headliners such as Killswitch Engage, Ministry, Acid Bath and more. If the three full days of metal simply isn’t enough, check out the pre-party on Thursday, which will feature solo appearances from members of bands like Hatebreed and Sanguisugabogg. Each day will kick off at noon. For a full lineup and to purchase tickets, visit The Rave’s website.

June 6: Milwaukee Highland Games

Milwaukee Highland Games, one of the city’s longest-running ethnic festivals, will bring traditional Scottish music, food and activities to Croatian Park. Guests can watch performances by bagpipe bands and Highland dancers while enjoying traditional eats like haggis and Scotch eggs. There will be an assortment of activities to participate in, such as archery and haggis taco eating contests, and guests can watch sheepdogs show off their skills on the soccer field. For more information, as well as a full schedule, visit the Milwaukee Highland Games website.

June 7: Fiesta Puerto Rico Festival & Parade

El Conquistador Latino Newspaper is celebrating National Puerto Rican Day by hosting the annual Fiesta Puerto Rico Festival & Parade at Humboldt Park. The festival, which aims to honor the spirit, pride and heritage of the Puerto Rican people, will feature traditional music and dance, food, beverages and more. This year’s parade, which will kick off at 11 a.m., will celebrate 250 years of Puerto Rican contributions to the United States, honoring the ways that Puerto Rican people have helped shape the history of this country. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to attend.

June 7: Milwaukee Pride Parade

PrideFest isn’t the only major event celebrating Wisconsin’s LGBTQIA+ pride this weekend. The Milwaukee Pride Parade will step off at 2 p.m. at the intersection of 2nd St. and Scott St., will travel north on 2nd St. to Seebooth St., and will last for around two hours. This year’s theme is “Together We Are Pride,” and guests can expect to see plenty of floats, dancers, drag queens and more.

June 7: Cafe Sopra Mare

The Villa Terrace’s Sopra Mare daytime concert series is back, bringing live music performances to the museum’s courtyard. This week’s free concert will feature traditional Brazilian choro group Toco Rio. During the concert, the museum and gardens will be free to access. Villa Terrace will also offer complimentary coffee and encourages guests to bring their own coffee if preferred. Sopra Mare will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.