Milwaukee welcomes fall with festivals celebrating art, food, culture, music, and local traditions. From seasonal beer tastings and international cuisine to waterfront activities, dance performances, and tattoo artistry, these events offer something for nearly every interest. Whether you are planning a family outing, searching for free entertainment, or looking to sample the flavors of the season, these Milwaukee-area fall festivals are worth adding to your calendar.
Sept. 5 and Sept. 6: Third Ward Art Festival
Milwaukee
Sept. 10 to Sept. 13: From Milwaukee, With Love
Milwaukee and Wauwatosa
Romance readers can celebrate their favorite genre during the second annual From Milwaukee, With Love, a four-day weekend filled with author events, panels, crafts, and plenty of bookish fun. Festivities begin Thursday with the $15 Meet Cute Mixer & Craft Night, followed Friday by free author panels at the Milwaukee Public Library and a $20 Romance Rave. The weekend’s centerpiece is the free Meet Me On North Book Crawl on Saturday, when more than 80 romance authors and book-related vendors will take over North Avenue in Wauwatosa from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional authors, vendors, and weekend programming will be announced ahead of the event.Tickets: www.thewellreddamsel.com.
Sept. 12: Ervtoberfest
Oak Creek
Sept. 12: Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin
Milwaukee
The 13th-annual Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin will bring a full day of Puerto Rican food, music, dance, and culture to Henry Maier Festival Park on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Festival-goers can enjoy live salsa, reggaetón, hip-hop, Bomba y Plena performances and workshops, along with multiple DJ-led parties. More than 12 Puerto Rican food vendors and food trucks will serve island favorites. The Kids Taino Area will offer face painting, clay art, and hands-on cultural activities. The festival will also feature handcrafted artwork, artisan jewelry, and other creations rooted in Puerto Rican tradition. Guests younger than 18 must attend with an adult.Cost: $20 per adult; $10 per child, ages 6 to 12.Tickets: www.prfestivalwisconsin.com.
Sept. 19 and Sept. 20: Freshwater Food & Wine Festival
Milwaukee
The Freshwater Food & Wine Festival will bring two days of culinary experiences and live entertainment to Henry Maier Festival Park on Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. General admission provides access to the grounds, main stage programming, entertainment, marketplace, and other activities, while food, wine, cocktails, and specialty beverage experiences are available for individual purchase. Highlights include seven international wine regions, restaurants and food trucks, celebrity chef demonstrations and challenges, a farmers market, artisan vendors, live music, DJs, jazz, comedy, and other performances. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.Cost: $35 for single-day admission.Tickets:www.fwfoodandwine.com.
Sept. 19 and Sept. 20: Wine & Harvest Festival
Cedarburg
Sept. 27: Harbor Fest
Milwaukee
Oct. 2 to Oct. 4: Milwaukee Oktoberfest
Milwaukee
The 16th-annual Milwaukee Oktoberfest brings three days of Bavarian-inspired festivities to Henry Maier Festival Park from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4. Visitors can enjoy live German music throughout the weekend, imported and locally brewed German-style beers, food from Kegel’s Inn, pretzels, desserts, and activities such as stein-hoisting and brat-eating contests, the Miss Oktoberfest competition, and a wiener dog beauty pageant. Festival hours are 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Cost: General admission is $12, with presale tickets available for $7 through Sept. 30. College students pay $5 with a valid ID.Tickets: www.milwaukeeoktoberfest.com.
Oct. 3: Dancefest
Milwaukee…