Third Ward Moon Festival Reveals Lineup of Performances, Art, Wellness and More
Three-day celebration surrounding internationally touring ‘Museum of the Moon’ transforms Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward into an immersive cultural destination
Photo courtesy of Jim Plaisted
MILWAUKEE, WI — The Historic Third Ward Association today unveiled the lineup for the Third Ward Moon Festival. The three-day celebration is inspired by the Museum of the Moon installation, an internationally acclaimed touring exhibit rising over the Third Ward August 7-9.
Spanning Catalano Square and surrounding streets, the all-day festival will feature live music, dance, fashion, visual art, wellness experiences, family activities, and local food vendors — transforming the neighborhood into an immersive hotbed of creativity, culture, and community.
The festival is anchored by Museum of the Moon, an installation by UK artist Luke Jerram that has captivated more than 30 million people worldwide. The 23-foot illuminated sculpture, created using high-resolution NASA imagery and paired with a surrounding sound experience, brings a detailed and immersive representation of the moon into the heart of the neighborhood.
Highlights include concerts by Mama Digdown’s Brass Band and De La Buena; music by DJs Kenny Perez and Ku Mays; special performances by the Milwaukee Ballet and Skylight Music
Theatre; and more. Additionally, guests can enjoy moon-inspired fashion design, live chalk art, plein-air painting, wellness experiences, food trucks, and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
Daily lineups with times and locations will be available in the coming weeks. General hours for the festival are 5-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8; and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9.
Friday, August 7: Kick-Off Celebration
The festival opens with welcome remarks from local dignitaries, a special performance by Milwaukee’s own Hittaz Drum Line, and a medley of moon-themed songs from Skylight Music Theatre. DJ Kenny Perez, band Wisconsin Space Program, Edessa School of Fashion with the Florentine Opera, and local musician Dak DuBois will keep the energy flowing throughout opening night.
Saturday, August 8: Creativity & Culture Day
Saturday highlights the neighborhood’s creative roots through a full day of family-friendly programming. The day begins with Cosmic Kids Morning, featuring music from Radio Milwaukee’s DJ Dori Zori and glow-in-the-dark painting led by artists Neto Atkinson and Louie Brewer. Visitors can also experience live chalk art installations from local artists along Broadway.
Additional daytime performances include a mini-lesson and a pop-up performance by Milwaukee Ballet dancers, as well as music by Irish Fest performers Sarah Sheehan and Kevin Shortall. The evening kicks off with a set by DJ Ku Mays, a performance by Panadanza Dance Company, and an electrifying show by Milwaukee favorite, De La Buena.
Sunday, August 9: Mindfulness & Music
The festival concludes with experiences focused on wellness, reflection, and community from Good Land Massage, Brew City Blooms, The Botanical Collective, Mobile Mini Trucks, Bolt Babes Permanent Jewelry & Fine Line Tattoos, Honeybee Sage & Wellness, henna artist Priti Lala, tintypes by Margaret Muza and much more. Plus, plein-air painting by JK Art House will dot the park’s landscape.
Live performances throughout the day will include smooth jazz trumpet artist Nathan Mayfield and the Marcya Danielle Trio. The evening features the Will Carter Jazz Quartet, and local favorites Mama Digdown’s Brass Band closing the festival. The jazz performances are curated by Milwaukee’s own Fresh Coast Jazz Festival, in homage to the Third Ward’s former Summer Sizzle jazz festival.
The festival will also feature the Museum of the Moon soundtrack. This surround-sound composition, created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones, combines music and spoken word from interviews and original recordings from the 1969 Moon landings.
The Third Ward Moon Festival, presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Historic Third Ward Association, is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to explore the neighborhood’s galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and public spaces in addition to scheduled programming. The Third Ward Beer Garden will also be open for extended hours throughout the festival weekend.
Museum of the Moon – inspired by the moon’s ability to connect people across cultures and generations – will remain illuminated throughout the festival, offering opportunities for daytime exploration and evening viewing.
For more information, visit historicthirdward.org/third-ward-moon-festival.
The Third Ward Moon Festival is presented by the Historic Third Ward Association and Business Improvement District #2, and supported by Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC and the Third Ward Beer Garden.
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.
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