Mike Bechner
Rhythm & Booms.
Madison plays host to thousands of events every year, and some of them are regular occurrences, from Rhythm & Booms every July, to Isthmus' own Beer & Cheese festival each January.
Here's a sampling of such happenings with dates confirmed by press time. Details are subject to change. For up-to-date information, check the Isthmus Guide online at TheDailyPage.com, and each week in Isthmus.
September 2011
Taste of Madison: 9/3-4, Capitol Square
Wisconsin Quilt Expo: 9/8-10, Alliant Energy Center
Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon: 9/11, Monona Terrace and around Dane County
Madison World Music Festival: 9/14-17, Wisconsin Union Theater
Food for Thought Festival: 9/16-17, MLK Jr. Blvd.
Pipers in the Prairie: 9/17, Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Willy Street Fair: 9/17-18, Williamson Street
Fighting Bob Fest: 9/17, Alliant Energy Center
Dog Jog: 9/18, UW Campus
Isthmus a la Carts: Food cart festival, 9/23, corner of East Lakeside Street and John Nolen Drive
Quilts in Bloom: Flower and quilt show, 9/24-10/16, Olbrich Gardens
Ride the Drive: 9/25, John Nolen Drive, Capitol Square and State Street areas.
Zoo Run Run: 9/25, Vilas Zoo (at Vilas Park Road)
October 2011
World Dairy Expo: 10/4-8, Alliant Energy Center
Moon Over Monona Terrace: 10/7, Monona Terrace
Beer Fest: 10/8, Quivey's Grove
Gallery Night: 10/14, various locations
Wisconsin Book Festival: 10/19-23, various locations
World Clydesdale Expo: 10/20-23, Alliant Energy Center
Isthmus Jazz Series, Terence Blanchard: 10/21, Wisconsin Union Theater
Madison Food & Wine Show: 10/21-23 Alliant Energy Center
Freakfest: 10/29, State Street
November 2011
Madison Holiday Market: 11/4-6, Alliant Energy Center
Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival: 11/4-5, Monona Terrace
Wisconsin Dog Fair: 9/6, Alliant Energy Center
Winter Arts Festival: 11/12-13, Monona Terrace
Bolz Conservatory 20th Anniversary: 11/11-13, Olbrich Gardens
Holiday Art Fair: 11/18-20, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Madison Women's Expo: 11/19-20, Alliant Energy Center
Madison Bead Society Show & Sale: 11/19-20, Alliant Energy Center
Madison Gem & Mineral Club Show & Sale: 11/19-20, Alliant Energy Center
Berbee Derby: 11/24, Fitchburg Center
Wisconsin Union Tudor Holiday Dinner Concerts: 11/30, 12/1-4 & 6, UW Memorial Union
December 2011
Olbrich Gardens Holiday Express: Flower and Model Train Show, 12/3-31
Fair Trade Holiday Festival: 12/3, Monona Terrace
U.S. Bank Eve: 12/31, various locations
Kwanzaa Celebration: 12/31, Olbrich Gardens
January 2012
USA Cyclo-cross National Championships: 1/4-8, Badger Prairie/Reddan Park, Verona.
Home Expo: 1/6-8, Monona Terrace
Brazen Dropouts Bicycle Swapmeet: 1/14, Alliant Energy Center
Wedding Planner & Guide Bridal Show: 1/14-15, Alliant Energy Center
Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest: 1/21, Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall
Madison Winter Restaurant Week: 1/22-27, various locations
Lake Home & Cabin Show: 1/27-29, Alliant Energy Center
Folkball Festival: 1/27-29, UW Memorial Union
Well Expo: 1/28-29, Alliant Energy Center
February 2012
Isthmus Jazz Series, Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra: 2/4, Wisconsin Union Theater
Frostiball: 2/4, Overture Center
Orchid Quest: 2/4-5, Alliant Energy Center
The Wonders of Physics: Annual presentations, 2/11-12 and 18-19, UW Chamberlin Hall
Midwest Garden Expo: 2/10-12, Alliant Energy Center
Zor Shrine Circus: 2/17-19, Alliant Energy Center
Mad City Model Railroad Show: 2/18-19, Alliant Energy Center
Madison Fishing Expo: 2/24-26, Alliant Energy Center
Indulgence! Wine & Chocolate Tasting: 2/25, Olbrich Gardens
March 2012
Madison Area Builder's Association Home Products Show: 3/2-4, Alliant Energy Center
International Festival: 3/3, Overture Center
Spring Flower Show: 3/5-20, Olbrich Gardens
Bike-O-Rama: 3/9-11, Alliant Energy Center
Canoecopia: 3/9-11, Alliant Energy Center
St. Patrick's Day Parade: 3/17, Capitol Square.
Madison Kids Expo: 3/17-18, Alliant Energy Center
Art Glass & Bead Show: 3/24-25, Alliant Energy Center
Wisconsin Deer & Turkey Expo: 3/30-4/1, Alliant Energy Center
April 2012
AIDS Network's Red Ribbon Affair: 4/13, Monona Terrace
Wisconsin Film Festival: 4/18-22, downtown Madison
Odyssey Con: 4/20-22, Radisson
Isthmus Green Day: 4/21, Monona Terrace
Great Midwest Alpaca Festival: 4/27-29, Alliant Energy Center
Crazylegs Classic: 4/28, Capitol Square
May 2012
Girl Scouts of America 100th Anniversary: 5/5-6, Alliant Energy Center
Plant Sale With the Pros: 5/6-7, Olbrich Gardens
American Heart Association's Go Red For Women: 5/17, Monona Terrace
BratFest: 5/25-28, Willow Island, Alliant Energy Center
Madison Marathon: 5/27, Capitol Square and throughout city
June 2012
Well Expo: 1/28-29, Alliant Energy Center
Isthmus Jazz Festival: 6/1-2, Wisconsin Union Theater
July 2012
Art Fair Off the Square: 7/14-15, Monona Terrace
Art Fair On the Square: 7/14-15, Capitol Square
Madison Summer Restaurant Week: 7/24-29, various locations