What to do in Madison this weekend: July 16-19, 2026

AC/DC, Dane County Fair and more Isthmus Picks

by

Arts

Editor's note: For outdoor events this weekend it would be wise to check on any potential cancellations or relocations due to the smoke from wildfires in Minnesota and Canada.

  • Dane County Fair, July 16-19, Alliant Energy Center: While the greater Madison metropolitan area is rapidly taking over rural Dane County, we’re still in the midst of corn, cows and family farms. And we still have a county fair that reminds us that yes, the original name of the Alliant Energy Center was in fact the Dane County Fairgrounds — and we still know how to put those barns to good use. Much fun is on hand, from the music (who would skip a performance of a band called Cornfield Keg Party? They’re from Milwaukee and play Friday) to roller derby (Thursday) and plenty of rides and funnel cakes. Be sure to check out the projects in the Exhibition Hall and tell the kids they’re doing a good job. They put a lot of work into this. Peruse the full schedule at danecountyfair.com.
  • There’s Something You Should Know: Service and the Aftermath of Modern Wars, Thursday, July 16, Wingra School, 6:30 p.m.: War has been a constant for the U.S. military this century; at the same time only a small percentage of the population has served in the armed forces during that time. This event will consider the ways this century’s wars affect service members, veterans and civilians, through music, prose and poetry performed by Sean Michael Dargan and Ivan F. Ingraham. Also speaking is author Doug Bradley, a veteran of the Vietnam War. A Q&A session follows the program.
  • Alta Vista, Thursday, July 16, North Street Cabaret, 7 p.m.: On their debut album, Alta Vista took a meditatively atmospheric approach to reinventing a set of songs drawn from an old country music songbook. Won’t Believe in Dust, their 2025 follow-up, finds the trio embarking on a set of mostly original songs that bump up the volume and intensity from their debut and obliterate genre boundaries with glee. Is it post-rock, free jazz, surf or jam? Yes, and….
  • On Flourishing: 50 Years of Science and Practice, Thursday, July 16, Overture Center-Playhouse, 7 p.m.: It only makes sense that Madison is the home of the Center for Healthy Minds, Dr. Richard J. Davidson’s think tank on what makes us happy and, in this case, what makes us flourish. (Living in Madison, maybe?) In this free program, Davidson, civil rights activist Roshi Joan Halifax (founder and abbot of the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico), and Dr. Sona Dimidjian (director of the Renée Crown Wellness Institute at CU Boulder) will look through the lenses of both modern science and the contemplative tradition to teach us all more about what makes us flourish. And who couldn’t use some hints about that? Register at overture.org.
  • Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt + Tish Hinojosa, Thursday, July 16, Cafe Carpe, Fort Atkinson, 8 p.m.: Longtime Madisonians may remember Aaron Nathans from his days as a reporter with The Capital Times. A couple decades later, he’s better known as an award-winning singer-songwriter based in Philadelphia, as a solo artist (with a new album on the way) and as a duo with cellist Michael G. Ronstadt. This evening provides two headliners for the price of one, with Texas roots music legend Tish Hinojosa also on the bill. Tickets at cafecarpe.com.
  • Blooming Butterflies, through Aug. 9, Olbrich Gardens, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: There’s good reason to head into the Bolz Conservancy this summer (as every summer). It is magical to see butterflies — up to 19 species — inhabiting the tropical dome, and attentive (or lucky) visitors may even witness a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis during Blooming Butterflies. The theme continues in the outdoor gardens with an “I SPY Pollinators” scavenger hunt and a storybook walk for kids. Butterfly Action Day, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on July 31, features even more special activities. Find more info at olbrich.org.
  • Jon Bon Stamos, Friday, July 17, Capital Brewery, Middleton, 6 p.m.: It’s not quite a malaprop and not quite a portmanteau, but Jon Bon Stamos is one of the more memorable new band names to start showing up in Madison concert listings recently (at least, if you were around in the '80s). The six-piece calls their sound “fastgrass”; essentially they put a danceable rock-folk spin on a variety of songs everyone is likely to have heard, but not necessarily how JBS plays them. Longtime Madison music fans will recognize a former Gomers multi-instrumentalist spinning his magic on violin, mandolin and more.
  • Ben Wikler, Friday, July 17, Overture-Playhouse, 6:30 p.m.: Ben Wikler, former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, will kick off the tour for his timely (and witty) new book, This Is the Plan: How to End America’s Meltdown and Save Democracy, in Madison, joined by pal Pete Buttigieg. The pair will discuss the book, which distills lessons Wikler gleaned during his six-year tenure leading Democrats through a so-called “democracy desert,” and maps out a comprehensive strategy to dictator-proof American government, defeat MAGA, and build a happier future. Wikler writes that the plan is to “have fun storming the castle…in a civil, metaphorical, and non-January-6th-y way.” A book signing and “selfie line” will follow the conversation. Tickets were claimed well ahead of time, but you can join the waitlist at eventbrite.com.
  • Pride and Prejudice, July 17-26, Peace Lutheran Church, Waunakee: Pride and Prejudice keeps on being relevant, and this stage adaptation by Kate Hamill is snappy and relatable, without jettisoning the main character energy of Lizzy Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The Groundlings, a relatively new Waunakee theater troupe, take on the beloved tale. (Read Emilie Heidemann’s story on the troupe here.) Shows are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays; tickets at zeffy.com.
  • Madison Radicals, Friday, July 17, Breese Stevens Field, 7 p.m.: With a win over Pittsburgh on July 10, the Madison Radicals are 6-4 heading into the home stretch of the season. The team can clinch an Ultimate Frisbee Association first round playoff game at home with a win over Chicago this week. Find tickets at watchufa.com/radicals.
  • ‘Tomfoolery’ + ‘Ordinary Days’, through July 19, Middleton-Cross Plains Performing Arts Center: Middleton Players Theatre is putting two musicals in one black box theater and letting them glare at each other across a repertory schedule. Adam Gwon’s Ordinary Days follows four New Yorkers looking for connection in the daily blur, while Tomfoolery raids the songbook of Tom Lehrer, where the jokes come with teeth and the pigeons should probably be nervous. It’s a smart split-screen: one show earnest and searching, the other gleefully poisonous. Kate Jajewski directs and choreographs both productions, with Thomas Kasdorf handling music direction and piano. The final Ordinary Days performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 17-18; Tomfoolery is at 2 p.m. July 18-19. Tickets at middletonplayers.com.
  • Erin McCawley’s Harrison Street Band, Friday, July 17, Bernell’s, 8 p.m.: Erin McCawley’s got the big voice and commanding attitude of blues shouters of yesteryear, along with the ability to caress a lyric when knocking down the walls isn’t the needed approach. Along with the rock solid Harrison Street Band, it’s no wonder the group is a mainstay of Midwest blues and folk festivals (in fact, along with this show in the cozy setting of Bernell's, they’re in Wisconsin to play the Blues, Brews & Food Truck Festival in Mount Horeb on July 18 — and also the Witwen Concert Series later that day).
  • Wisconsin Death Metal Trip Volume II, Saturday, July 18, High Noon Saloon, 6 p.m.: Talk about truth in advertising: This gathering of massive heavyocity will showcase six Wisconsin death metal bands from around the state. Scheduled to appear are four Madison mainstays — Ruin Dweller, The Faith Hills Have Eyes, Vermillion and Yotuma — along with Green Bay’s Dusk and Oshkosh’s Drillbit. Think of this show as the hot-as-hell summer version of winter’s annual Wisconsin Metal Fest. Music begins before darkness descends, but at least you’ll be indoors. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.
  • Opera in the Park, Saturday, July 18, Garner Park, 8 p.m.: Madison summers have no shortage of outdoor traditions, and Opera in the Park remains one of the city's finest. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the free concert draws thousands to Garner Park for an evening of soaring voices, familiar melodies, and picnic blankets spread across the hillside. This year's performers include baritone Thomas Glass, soprano Kathryn Henry, mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams, and tenor Joshua Stewart, joined by the Madison Opera Chorus and Madison Symphony Orchestra. Whether you come for the opera, the Broadway selections, or simply the atmosphere, it's one of those distinctly Madison events that never seems to lose its charm. Rain date July 19.
  • Ugly Dumpling Open House, Sunday, July 19, 630 Grand Canyon Drive, 1-5 p.m.: This printmaking studio open house is a must for anyone interested in the printing arts and westsiders looking for a new art addiction. The studio features a Risograph printer, a small letterpress, an etching press, and a screenprinting setup along with a darkroom, linocut and woodcut tools, and a pleasing workspace. Printing is one of those arts that requires a good deal of equipment, but here, you don’t have to go it alone.
  • Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on Child Care, Sunday, July 19, IBEW 159, 5303 Fen Oak Drive, 4 p.m.: Wisconsin’s child care system is at a crossroads. With the ending of federal COVID-era assistance and the Wisconsin Child Care Bridge Payments program, many providers may have to raise rates or close altogether. Find out what the candidates for governor plan to do about the situation at this forum hosted by four state child care-focused nonprofits; all candidates were invited, and confirmed to participate are Mandela Barnes, Joel Brennan, Francesca Hong, Sara Rodriguez and Kelda Roys. An RSVP is required at eventbrite.com, and a livestream will also be available.
  • The Matchmaker, through Oct. 2, American Players Theatre, Spring Green: This play, by Madison favorite-son playwright Thornton Wilder, is a farce set in New York circa 1896. But it's also of the moment, as more and more young people become fed up with the ruthless roundabout of dating apps. The Matchmaker centers on Dolly Gallagher Levi, “a professional meddler with a knack for rearranging other people’s lives,” writes our reviewer, Michael Popke. Dolly is played to perfection by APT Core Member Tracy Michelle Arnold. (Read the full review here.) And the play is chock full of that APT secret sauce: plot twists and mistaken identity. In repertory through Oct. 2; upcoming performances are 6 p.m. July 19 and 7:30 p.m. July 23. Find tickets and the schedule at americanplayers.org..
  • AC/DC, Sunday, July 19, Camp Randall Stadium, 7 p.m.: Over the decades, Camp Randall has hosted rock royalty like Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Genesis and U2. Now add to that list AC/DC, which by our count has played Madison only four times since 1980. The Australian band’s global sales total more than 200 million records; 1980’s Back in Black ranks among the bestselling albums of all time, and AC/DC’s most recent release, 2020’s PWR/UP, hit No. 1 on the album charts in 21 countries (including the United States). With 73 as the average age of its five members — lead singer Brian Johnson is 78 (!) — now could be your last chance to witness this legendary band. The Pretty Reckless from New York City open. Super fans will want to note: A pop-up gathering spot with concert props and merch will be open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on July 18 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on July 19 at The Annex. Tickets at uwbadgers.evenue.net.

Find the individual Picks collected here, and as part of the full calendar of events.