A Milwaukee Renaissance Fair

Aubrey Jannene fights a giant. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

Football season is upon us! While most readers probably have their Sunday plans figured out (go Packers), there are plenty of ways to fill in the rest of your weekend schedule.

Puerto Rican Festival is back and bigger than ever, featuring more food, bigger acts and more Puerto Rican pride. Silver City Fest will celebrate a neighborhood that’s been plagued by recent construction projects and Argren Faire is bringing the Renaissance to Milwaukee.

September 11-12: TosaFest 

TosaFest is celebrating its 50th year and will bring live music, beer, vendors and more to Wauwatosa Village. The festival will feature three stages packed with live music, and guests can sample beers from five different beer gardens. There’s fun for the whole family too – the Kid Zone will feature inflatables, carnival games, face painting and more. TosaFest will run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

September 11-13: Strummerfest MKE

Local bands will pay tribute to legendary rocker Joe Strummer while raising money for Milwaukee Public Schools’ music programs as part of Strummerfest MKE, a single-day music festival hosted at Club Garibaldi. Eight local bands, including Kilbourn, Static Unknown, Que So What and more, will be given 15 minutes each to perform their versions of Strummer songs. Strummerfest MKE will start at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

September 12: Silver City Fest

Culture, music, interactive art and more will come together in Silver City as part of a festival promoting the neighborhood’s local businesses and rich history. Recently, a major reconstruction project has put local businesses on National Avenue in a tough spot, so it’s more important than ever to get out there and celebrate the shops that help run Silver City. While the festival has traditionally taken place on National Avenue, it has moved to Pierce Street for 2026. The festival is free to attend and will run from noon to 5 p.m.

September 12: Argren Faire

Milwaukee’s version of the Renaissance Faire, dubbed Argren Faire, will once again return to the Riverwest neighborhood. The fair, which will feature artisan vendors, music, interactive events and more and promises to be even bigger than prior years. Be sure to dress up and participate in costume contests, beard contests and feats of strength. Argren Faire will take place on Locust St. outside of Black Husky from noon 8 p.m. and is free to attend.

September 12: Puerto Rican Festival

The 13th annual Puerto Rican Festival will return to the Henry Maier Festival Park and this year the festival is promising bigger headliners, more food and more Puerto Rican pride. The festival will feature performances by main stage headliners Michael Stuart, Dia, BLB and more, and guests can sample Puerto Rican bites from over a dozen food vendors. Folks from the Milwaukee County Zoo will be on site as part of the Wildlife Fun Kids Area, where families can learn about the Puerto Rican Parrot and other animals. Puerto Rican Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Puerto Rican Festival website.

September 12-13: IKEA Frank Mots International Kite Festival

Over 600 kites will fill the sky over Lake Michigan as part of the 47th annual IKEA Frank Mots International Kite Festival. Head over to Veterans Park where guests can experience giant kite displays, professional kite flying teams, family activities and more. Families can participate in free kite flying lessons, and be sure to get there early for the grand launch of 600 kites at noon. The festival is free to attend and will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

September 13: Make Art MKE

More than 175 artists and makers will gather at Mount Mary University for Make Art MKE, a long-running outdoor art event held each year on the Sunday after Labor Day. The event will feature fine art, handcrafted goods and other curated products from artists throughout the region and beyond. Visitors can browse the work, meet participating artists and enjoy the Mount Mary campus throughout the day. Make Art MKE will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2900 N. Menomonee River Pkwy. For more information, visit the Make Art MKE website.