Maxwell Street Days

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More than 60 State Street and Capitol Square businesses will celebrate four days of discounts, expanded outdoor dining opportunities, live music and other activities during this annual summer sidewalk sale. Returning for its 44th year, this Madison tradition couldn’t take place in 2020 due to COVID-19. “It will be especially beneficial for the downtown businesses after last year’s event was cancelled,” says Amy Moore, owner of Little Luxuries, in the event's press release. It takes place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, and note: State Street becomes a full-on pedestrian mall and is closed to all traffic during the event.

press release: The downtown Madison businesses are excited to share the return of the biggest and best shopping event of the year – Maxwell Street Days Summer Sidewalk Sale!

This year’s event, now in its 44th year, will take place on State Street in downtown Madison, WI. New this year, the event expands from 3 days to 4 days and runs July 15 – 18.

Thursday, July 15 through Saturday, July 17 from 9am-6pm; Sunday, July 18 from 10am-5pm

“We always enjoy connecting with the community as we showcase our unique offerings at reduced prices for this outdoor annual event. It’s also a great way for us to highlight our historical downtown shopping district. It will be especially beneficial for the downtown businesses after last year’s event was cancelled.” shared Amy Moore, owner of Little Luxuries.

“Since missing last year we’ve been saving up amazing products for this event for a long time now and we are so excited to bring great deals to our amazing Madison community.” states Stacey Scannell, owner of The Soap Opera.

The community is invited to enjoy deep discounts, expanded outdoor café dining experiences, live music, special activities and much more on State Street. State Street will be closed to all bike and bus traffic.

Each year more than 60 businesses participate. Maxwellstreetdays.org has the complete list of participants.

For 40 years, Maxwell Street Days has provided bargains, culinary delights and music for more than 30,000 annual attendees. This annual Summer Sidewalk Sale on State Street in downtown Madison, WI, takes place the 3rd weekend in July. Why is there a “Maxwell Street Days” on State Street? Maxwell Street in Chicago, IL, was home to a famed outdoor market and “urban bazaar” from 1871 to 1994. In 1975, Martin's, a Madison, WI, clothing store and tailor shop, founded an outdoor sidewalk sale to showcase the State Street shopping district, starting Madison's very own “Maxwell Street Days” tradition.

Maxwell Street Days is organized by the Greater State Street Business Association (GSSBA) with support from Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID). GSSBA membership is open to all businesses and property owners located on State Street, the Capitol Square, and one block off in either of these two areas.