Milwaukee, WI
Things to do in Milwaukee this weekend, including Maifest at Estabrook
Here are some of the top concerts in Milwaukee this spring
Here are some of the top concerts to check out around Milwaukee this spring at venues ranging from American Family Field to Shank Hall.
Prost! Maifest, Derby Day, Spaces & Traces, and fine art shows converge this weekend along with Revolutionary War Days in Menomonee Falls. Here are a handful of things to do in the Milwaukee area.
Estabrook Park Maifest
Cue the polka music; it’s opening weekend at Estabrook Beer Garden, 4600 N. Estabrook Parkway. Start hopping to Carol & The Keynotes at 5 p.m. May 1, and raise your stein for free beer at the Lakefront Maibock keg tapping at 6 p.m. The Squeezettes perform at 11:30 a.m. May 2, followed by a Third Space Happy Place keg tapping and free beer at noon. The polka continues with Polka Steve at 3 p.m. May 3. discoverthemorthshoremke.com
Foxtown Derby Day & Maifest
It’s beer and dogs at Foxtown Brewing, 6209 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, from noon to 10:30 p.m. May 2. Watch dachshunds “ruff for the roses” at the first annual Wisconsin Dachshund Derby, and enjoy performances by the Happy Shotski Combo, the Dorf Kapelle Band, and The LoveMonkeys. The Maifest menu includes bratwurst, giant pretzels, grilled Chicago dogs, brisket and pork schnitzel, with mint juleps, Oaks Lily cocktails, and Foxtown Brewing’s Maibock and lagers to drink. foxtownhospitalitygroup.com
Downtown Derby Day
Don your best derby hat and watch the Run for the Roses on May 2. Saddle up to the Bar in Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel at 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. for a 1 p.m. Derby Day bash with bites and specialty drinks available for purchase, then watch the race on Saint Kate’s grand projector screen. Or at 4 p.m. trot over to the Lobby Lounge of the Pfister Hotel at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. and sip a mint julep in the sophisticated atmosphere of the hotel. The main race takes place around 5:45 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public. Visit thepfisterhotel.com or saintkatearts.com.
Historic Milwaukee Spaces & Traces
Tour unique homes on Milwaukee’s upper east side from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2. Guided by docents, the tour features nine homes, and a lecture by historian Brian Fette at 2 p.m. at Plymouth Church UCC, 2717 E. Hampshire St. Tickets are $40 and are available online at historicmilwaukee.org/spaces-traces-2026.
Old Falls Revolutionary War Days
The redcoats are coming to Old Falls Village Park, Pilgrim Road and County Line Road Q in Menomonee Falls, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, watch the planting of the Liberty Tree ceremony and see Revolutionary War reenactors bring early America to life with battles, weapon demonstrations, encampments and uniform presentations. The event includes military vendors, historical displays, music and a beer garden. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 5-11). oldfallsvillagepark.org
Free Range Art Show
A century-old farmstead hosts a fine art and craft spring show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2-3. View jewelry, pottery, fiber art, mixed media, wood work, paintings, cut metal art and sculptures in a historic Wisconsin barn at 6503 Pleasant Valley Road in Grafton. Free to attend. thefreerangeartshow.com
Art in the Garden
Shop the annual art and craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Drive in Hales Corners. The fair includes over 50 local artists, crafters and vendors showcasing a wide selection of handmade home decor, garden art, jewelry and artwork. Admission to the fair is included with regular admission to the gardens. boernerbotanicalgardens.org
What’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters this weekend
“Animal Farm”: George Orwell’s 1945 novella warning about the dangers of communism traces how a movement for equality is systematically corrupted as truth is erased. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2”: Sequel to the 2006 film follows the shifting power dynamics in the fashion industry, with veteran employees facing a digitally driven landscape. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ BistroPlex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Deep Water”: A plane en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai is forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“Hokum”: A writer navigates a chilling game of deception after he is locked in the abandoned, haunted honeymoon suite of a rundown hotel. See it at AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
“The Story of Everything”: Documentary film exploring the origins of the cosmos and humanity, arguing that scientific evidence points to intelligent design rather than random chance. See it at Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.