Isthmus' 2026 summer festival calendar: July

From overnight freeze warnings lasting well into May to extreme heat warnings at the end of June, weather in Wisconsin can be unpredictable. One thing that is predictable, however, is that Wisconsinites know how to have a good time, no matter what the weather is like. Getting out to bask in some community time rather than the glow of a screen is going to make you feel better. Maybe your happy place is a small town parade, a food tasting festival, or a band you haven't heard. Some summer events offer all three options. Grab a beer and something fried on a stick, shake it all up on a carnival ride, and walk it off at a craft fair or flea market.

Our annual roundup of summer fun is split between festivals in Madison and around Dane County, as well as those farther afield. We're trying something a bit different this year in breaking up the calendar into sections to make it a bit easier to navigate, but you can also find the whole summer posted here. More detailed schedules for music-focused fests can be found as they are announced in the calendar listings and our music/arts summer calendar post. It's advisable to check event websites and social media for schedule changes. Updates to these lists will continue all summer as more information is announced; changes and new events can be emailed to [email protected]. 

Dane County

Stoughton Fair: July 1-5, Mandt Park, Stoughton, with carnival, exhibits. stoughtonfair.com. 608-873-4653.

National Women’s Music Festival: July 2-5, Marriott-West, Middleton. nwmf.info. 317-395-3809.

Monona Community Festival: July 3-4, Winnequah Park, Monona, with music, carnival (opens July 2), art fair, food, fireworks at dusk, July 4. mononafestival.com.

DeForest Fourth of July: July 3-4, Fireman’s Park, DeForest, with music, kids’ activities, beer tent, fireworks. deforestwi.gov.

July Third Celebration: 4-11 p.m., July 3, Norsk Golf Club, Mount Horeb, with kids' activities, music, fireworks at dusk. norskgolfclub.com.

Catfish River Music Festival: Stoughton Opera House event, July 3-5, Rotary Park, Stoughton. catfishrivermusicfest.com.

WaunaBoom: 2-10:30 p.m., July 4, Ripp Park, Waunakee, with music, fireworks 9:45 p.m. Rain date: July 5. waunaboom.com.

Stars, Stripes & Shorelines: Music, Mad-City Ski Team performances, kids' activities, 2-10 p.m., July 4, Edgewater plaza and UW Memorial Union Terrace, Madison. theedgewater.com.

Token Creek Fourth of July Celebration: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., July 4, Portage Road in Token Creek, with parade at 1 p.m., games, veterans' ceremony, raffle, food tents. tokencreekparade.com.

Mazomanie Fourth of July Celebration: July 4, Lions Park and downtown Mazomanie, with baseball, pool games, music, fireworks at dusk. facebook.com/mazomaniechamber.

La Fête de Marquette: Bastille Day celebration, incorporating Madison Irish Fest and Musique Electronique, July 9-12, McPike Park, Madison. wil-mar.org. 608-257-4576.

Art Fair on the Square: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on July 11 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., July 12, Capitol Square, Madison. mmoca.org. 608-257-0158.

Art Fair off the Square: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on July 11 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., July 12, MLK Blvd./Monona Terrace, Madison. artcraftwis.org. 608-204-9129.

Maxwell Street Days: Sidewalk sales and events, July 16-19, State Street, Madison. visitdowntownmadison.com.

Dane County Fair: July 16-19, Alliant Energy Center, Madison. danecountyfair.com. 608-291-2900.

Tobacco Heritage Days: July 17-19, Racetrack Park and downtown Edgerton, with sports tournaments, music, parade 11:30 a.m. Sunday. edgertontobaccodays.com.

Mount Horeb Art Fair: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on July 18 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., July 19, Second Street and Front Street, Mount Horeb. mounthorebchamber.com. 608-437-5914.

Pickle Palooza: Food & drink festival, 6:30-10 p.m., July 18, Breese Stevens Field (early entry tix 5 p.m.), with contests & games, music by All American Throwbacks, DJ, Micro Wrestling. picklepaloozafoodanddrinkfest.com.

Brother Love Music Fest: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., July 19, Library Park, Belleville, with five bands. brotherlovemusicfest.com.

Waunafest: July 23-26, Centennial Park, Waunakee. Music, sports, carnival, kids’ activities. waunafest.org.

Big Honey Little Improv Festival: Two improv shows per day, starting at 6 p.m. on July 23, 7 p.m. on July 24-25, and 1 p.m., July 26, Broom Street Theater, Madison. amalgamimprov.com.

Unity Picnic: Annual Urban League event, noon-4 p.m. July 25, Black Business Hub, Madison, with music, kids’ activities, food. facebook.com/urbanleagueofgreatermadison. 608-729-1200.

Disability Pride Festival: Noon-5 p.m., July 25, Warner Park, Madison. disabilitypridemadison.org.

AtwoodFest: Music festival, July 25-26, Atwood Avenue, Madison. atwoodfest.com.

St. Dennis  Festival: 70th annual Queen of Apostles Parish event, July 25-26, 413 Dempsey Road, Madison, with kids' activities, bingo, music, bake sale. qoap.org.

Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival: July 31-Aug. 1, Lake Farm County Park, Madison. sugarmaplefest.org.

Road trips

Columbus Fourth of July: June 30-July 5, Fireman's Park, Columbus, with carnival, entertainment, parade at noon and fireworks at dusk, July 4. columbuswi4th.com.

La Crosse Riverfest: July 1-4, Oktoberfest Grounds, La Crosse. Music, family activities. riverfestlacrosse.com. 608-782-6000.

Milton Fourth of July: July 1-4, Schilberg Park, Milton, with music, carnival, sports tournaments, fireworks on July 4. facebook.com/milton4thofjuly.

Whitewater Fourth of July: July 2-5, 312 Whitewater St., Whitewater. Music, kids’ activities, beer tent, fireworks 9:45 p.m. July 4. whitewater4th.com.

Wave That Flag: Grateful Dead-themed music/camping festival, July 2-4, Jennings Holler, Eagle, with Mr. Blotto, Joe Marcinek Band, many more. jenningsholler.com.

Johnson Creek Independence Day Celebration: Family-friendly activities, 5-10 p.m., July 3, Centennial Park, Johnson Creek, with fireworks at dusk. facebook.com/visitjohnsoncreekwisconsin.

Evansville Fourth of July: July 3-5, Lake Leota Park, Evansville. Music, kids’ activities, beer tent. facebook.com/ALakeLeota4th.

Fire on the River: Independence Day celebration, July 3-4, along the Riverway, Sauk City; fireworks dusk Saturday. fireontheriver.org.

Light Up the Lake: Fourth of July celebration, noon-10 p.m., July 4, Deacon Mills Park and downtown Green Lake (some activities begin 7 a.m.); fireworks at dusk. visitgreenlake.com. 920-294-3231.

Independence Day Weekend: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., July 4-5, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle. 19th- and 20th-century games, music. oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org. 262-594-6300.

Sauk County Fair: July 6-12, Baraboo. saukcountyfair.com. 608-356-8707.

Jefferson County Fair: July 8-12, Jefferson. Grandstand: South Central Wisconsin Tractor Pull 10:30 a.m.. Badger State Tractor Pull 7 p.m., July 8; Truck Pull, 6:30 p.m., July 9; Johnny Beehner & Charlie Kojis, 7 p.m., July 10; Wisconsin Horse Pullers, 1 p.m., July 11; Demo Derby, 1 p.m., July 12. jcfairpark.com. 920-674-7148.

Lafayette County Fair: July 8-12, Fairgrounds, Darlington. lafayettecountyfair.org. 608-642-3727.

Lodi Agricultural Fair: July 8-12, Fair Grounds, Lodi, with carnival, exhibits, music. Grandstand: Thursday: Rodeo 7 p.m.; Friday: Tractor/truck pull 6 p.m.; Saturday: Demo derby 7 p.m. lodiagfair.com.

Iola Old Car Show: Grounds open 7 a.m., July 9-11, Show Grounds, Iola. iolaoldcarshow.com. 715-445-4000.

Hodag Country Festival: July 9-12, 4270 River Road, Rhinelander. Headliners: Thursday: Russell Dickerson; Friday: Brothers Osborne; Saturday: Old Dominion; Sunday: Nate Smith. hodag.com.

Bastille Days: July 9-12, East Town/Cathedral Square Park, Milwaukee. easttown.com. 414-271-1416.

Country Boom: July 9-11, W4142 County Highway B, West Salem. countryboom.com.

BeaverFest: July 10-11, Tahoe Park, Beaver Dam, with kids' activities, entertainment, fireworks at dusk Saturday. visitbeaverdam.com.

Monticello Homecoming Festival: July 10-12, Monticello Community Park, with carnival, sports, family activities, music, fireworks 9:45 pm Saturday, parade 2 pm Sunday. Free admission. monticello-chamber.com. 608-219-8480.

Squirrelfest: Family fest, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., July 11, Winnebago Park, Tomah, with music, kids' activities, pontoon boat rides and more. tomahsquirrels.org.

Strawberry Festival: 7 a.m.-3 p.m., July 11, Sun Valley Presbyterian Church, Beloit, with breakfast/lunch, arts & crafts fair (begins 9 am), raffle, entertainment. sunvalleystrawberryfest.com. 608-365-7547.

Driftless Music Festival: Noon-10 p.m., July 11, Eckhardt Park, Viroqua. Headliner: The Big Wu. driftlessmusicfestival.com.

HomeGrown Music Festival: Noon-9 p.m., July 12, Regner Park, West Bend. hometown.foundation.

Fond du Lac County Fair: July 14-19, Fond du Lac Fairgrounds. Grandstand: Tuesday: Bull riding, fireworks (9:30 p.m.); Wednesday: Tractor/truck pull; Thursday: MJ Live; Friday: Night Ranger; Saturday: Trace Adkins; Sunday: Demo derby. fonddulaccountyfair.com. 920-929-3168.

Jefferson Fiesta Latina: Music and dance performances, kids' activities, food, noon, July 14, 216 Golf Drive, Jefferson. facebook.com/people/jefferson-fiesta-latina/61554337463716.

Elkhorn Ribfest: Music & BBQ fest, July 15-19, Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn. wisconsinribfest.com.

Rock Fest: July 15-18, Rock Fest Grounds, Cadott. rock-fest.com. 800-326-3378.

Marquette County Fair: July 15-19, Fairgrounds, Westfield. marquettecountyfairwi.org. 906-249-4111.

Waukesha County Fair: July 15-19, Waukesha Fairgrounds. Main stage: Thursday: Sebastian Bach; Friday: Hoobastank, Eve 6; Saturday: 38 Special. waukeshacountyfair.com. 262-544-5922.

Green County Fair: July 15-19, Monroe. greencountyfair.net. 608-325-9159.

Country Jam: Music/camping festival, July 16-18, Country Jam Grounds, Eau Claire. Headliners: Thursday: Koe Wetzel; Friday: Riley Green; Saturday: Jordan Davis. countryjamwi.com.

Port Fish Days: July 16-18, Port Washington. portfishdays.com. 800-719-4881

Country Thunder: Music/camping festival, July 16-19, Shadow Hill Ranch, Twin Lakes, with headliners Gavin Adcock, Red Clay Strays, Riley Green, Keith Urban. countrythunder.com/wi. 866-388-0007.

Blues, Brews & Food Truck Festival: Pre-party July 17, Ohana Kitchen, New Glarus; July 18, downtown New Glarus. www.swisstown.com.

Boaz Fun Daze: Annual community festival, July 17-19, Boaz Park, with tractor & truck pulls, softball tournament and more. boazwi.gov.

Taco Fest: Sampling event, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., July 18, Bavarian Bierhaus, Glendale. milwaukeetacofest.com.

Milwaukee Armenian Fest: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., July 19, St. John the Baptist Armenian Orthodox Church, Greenfield. Food, music, cultural displays. armenianfest.com. 414-282-1670.

EAA Airventure: July 20-26, Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh. Air shows, entertainment, displays. eaa.org/airventure.

Washington County Fair: July 21-26, West Bend. Amphitheater: Friday: Collective Soul, Fuel; Saturday: Dustin Lynch, Easton. wcfairpark.com.

Monroe County Fair: July 22-26, Fairgrounds, Tomah. monroecountyfairwi.com.

Cheech's Deecefest: Music festival, July 23-25, Bluebird Campground, LaCrosse, with Gregg Hall & the Wrecking Ball, White Iron Band, Wise Jennings, many others. gregghallmusic.com.

Midsummer Bluegrass Festival: Music/camping festival, July 23-26, Cozy Cove Tavern, Manitowish Waters; headliner Lonesome River Band. midsummerbluegrass.com.

Eaux Claires: Music fest curated by Justin Vernon, July 24-25, Carson Park, Eau Claire. eauxclaires.com.

North Woods Art Tour: Self-guided tour of 30-plus artist studios, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., July 24-26, roughly along the Highway 51 corridor from Tomahawk to Manitowish Waters. northwoodsarttour.com.

Plain Fire & EMS Celebration: July 24-26, Community Park, Plain, with sports tournaments, kids' activities, music. facebook.com/plainfireems.

German Fest: July 24-26, Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee; fireworks 10:30 p.m. Saturday. germanfest.com. 414-464-9444.

Brady Street Festival: 11 a.m.-midnight, July 25, Brady Street, Milwaukee. Artisan cheese, local foods, wines, five entertainment stages. bradystreet.org.

Rock County 4-H Fair: July 28-Aug.2, Janesville. Tuesday: Rock County Fairest Ceremony; Wednesday: Bree Morgan, Rock County Fair Idol; Thursday: Bella Cain, Matt Andrus; Friday: Drew Baldridge, Tim O'Grady; Saturday: Blue Steel, Prime Country, Pink Houses; Sunday: JWA Wrestling, UW Band. rockcounty4hfair.com. 608-755-1470.

Columbia County Fair: July 29-Aug. 2, Portage. columbiacountyfairwi.org. 608-697-1152.

Mile of Music Festival: July 30-Aug. 2, throughout Appleton. mileofmusic.com.

County Line Country: Music festival, July 30-Aug. 1, 38325 Bouska Road, Prairie du Chien. countylinecountryfest.com.

Brat Days: July 31-Aug. 1, Kiwanis Park, Sheboygan. brat-days.com. 920-803-8980.