June 2011
Festival Guide
June 2-Sept. 22
Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.
Cathedral Square Park
414-271-1416
This weekly summer mainstay draws the Midwest's finest jazz musicians. Pack your own picnic basket or sample food and drinks from local vendors, and enjoy cool jazz in the summer heat.
Port Pirate Festival
June 3-5
Port Washington Lakefront
About 20 minutes north of Milwaukee, the Port Pirate Festival is a family-friendly event with simulated pirate invasions, a Thieves Marketplace, a Gruel Galley, a Buccaneer Bash, fireworks, children's activities, demonstrations, educational exhibits, a parade and live music.
Historic Mitchell Street Sun Fair
June 3-5
10th & Mitchell Streets
One of Milwaukee's most historic neighborhoods celebrates with a free street festival that includes live music, cultural performances, rides, family-friendly activities and a staggering selection of great ethnic food from area restaurants and food vendors.
Milwaukee Highland Games / Scottish Fest
June 4
Hart Park, 414-422-9235
Scottish Fest features a host of authentic entertainment from the Highlands, including bagpipe, drum and dance performances. Grab a meat pie, don your favorite kilt and join the festivities in the Parade of Tartans.
Miller Lite Ride for the Arts
June 5
Downtown Milwaukee
414-276-RIDE
Strap on your bike helmet and support the United Performing Arts Fund. Choose from a 5-, 12-, 25-, 50- or 75-mile ride that begins and ends at the Summerfest grounds. For the first time, the route will traverse the Hoan Bridge. Participants can enjoy food and entertainment at the finish line.
PrideFest
June 10-12
Henry Maier Festival Park
414-272-3378
Celebrating the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture and community, this three-day event features local LGBT-friendly merchants and food vendors, engaging performers and a pageant.
SummerStage
June 10-Aug. 27
Lapham Peak State Park
W329 N846 County Highway C, Delafield
www.summerstageofdelafield.org
Rock and classical music share the stage with Irish favorites and theater in a scenic setting. These summer events are fun for all ages.
Locust Street Festival
June 12
One of the city's long-running street parties kicks off with a Beer Run past stages of live music, crafts, food and, of course, beer in Milwaukee's hip Riverwest neighborhood (from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.)
Lakefront Festival of the Arts
June 17-19
Milwaukee Art Museum grounds
414-224-3856
Browse tents full of work from talented national artists while sampling food from local vendors. Stick around for live music before circling back to purchase that perfect piece to complete your living space.
Polish Fest
June 17-19
Henry Maier Festival Park
414-529-2140
Enjoy three days of authentic food, folk art, traditional dance and music performances. Dine on top-notch Polish sausages and other cultural fare, then kick up your heels to a rousing rendition of “Roll Out the Barrel.”
Juneteenth Day
June 19
Martin Luther King Drive between Burleigh & Center Streets
414-372-3770
Join in the festivities to commemorate the end of slavery at the annual Juneteenth Day celebration on Martin Luther King Drive. Enjoy local food and live entertainment.
Greek Fest
June 24-26
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Patrons to this Greek extravaganza can expect cultural performances and top traditional fare, including baklava and all the spicy lamb chops you can eat.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
June 25-26
Downtown Historic Cedarburg
262-377-3891
Listen to live bands while you sample all things strawberry, including schaum tortes and wine, and then stroll down Washington Avenue for the art fair. Join in the Berry Big 5K run/walk on Saturday morning, or enjoy a tractor-pulled hayride. There will be plenty of kids' activities and a Sunday morning strawberry pancake breakfast.
Summerfest
June 29-July 3 & July 5-10
Henry Maier Festival Park
414-273-2680
The “world's largest music festival” celebrates its 44th anniversary in 2011. In addition to local and national music acts, you can enjoy a nearly overwhelming variety of Milwaukee's best food vendors.
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