This weekend in Madison, WI

Discover a delicious showcase of Wisconsin cheeses at Cheese Fair Off the Square. Stroll the booths, talk with cheesemakers from across the state, and get guidance on choosing the right wedges and wheels to take home. This free, all-ages event takes place alongside the Dane County Farmers Market, creating a lively spot to taste, learn, and shop. Featured producers include Alpinage Cheese Co., Babcock Dairy Store, Carr Valley Cheese Company, Chalet Cheese, The Big Moo, The Big Cheese, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Klondike Cheese Co., Marieke Gouda, Milkhaus Dairy, Nasonville Dairy, Pine River Pre Pack, Renard's Cheese, Ron's Wisconsin Cheese, Royal Guernsey Creamery, Sassy Cow Creamery, Two Guernsey Girls Creamery, White Jasmine, and Widmer's Cheese Cellars.

Weekly Saturday walking sessions with the W1N Crew take place at Penn Park and focus on building healthier habits through consistent movement. Each outing aims for either an hour on foot or a minimum distance of three miles, allowing participants to choose a pace that works for them.

Enjoy a casual Magic: The Gathering meet-up with open play and trading. Most games center on Commander, though other formats are welcome. No advance registration is needed. This recurring meet-up happens on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at Mox.

The 7th Annual Regent Neighborhood Art Walk highlights local artists and makers across a walkable route. The footprint is bounded by Regent to the north, Virginia Terrace to the west, Norwood Place and Commonwealth to the south, and Prospect to the east. A rain date is planned. Information about participating artists, their locations, and a map is available.

Madison Vegan Fest 2026 celebrates compassion, community, and plant-powered living at Lunney Lake Farm County Park. This free festival welcomes committed vegans, the veg-curious, and anyone who enjoys great food. Attendees can look forward to flavorful vegan cuisine, exhibitors and nonprofits sharing their work, engaging talks from speakers, live music, and a warm, connected atmosphere.

The Madison Mallards and Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge present the second annual True North Food + Music Festival at the Warner Park Duck Pond, following a successful debut in 2025. This family friendly celebration brings together standout restaurants and emerging musical talent from Madison and beyond, set on the ballfield to blend food, live music, and community. Highlights include tasty offerings, energetic performances, and the festival’s signature ferris wheel.

Trace the layers of Wisconsin’s capital on a guided walk around Capitol Square that brings hidden stories to life. Hear how generations have shaped the city, from its earliest inhabitants to its growth into a modern hub. Stops include the former site of the American House, where early state officials once stayed, and the Argus Bar, set within one of Madison’s oldest commercial buildings that previously housed the Argus newspaper. A knowledgeable guide encourages questions and invites different perspectives on local history. This annual tour is offered from spring through early fall on select Thursdays and Saturdays and requires advance registration. Pricing is $20 for adults, teens, seniors and children ages 5 to 12, with free admission for children under 5. Society members receive a 10% discount with verified membership at checkout. Sponsored by Findorff. The experience is based out of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s History Maker Space in the U.S. Bank Building on Capitol Square, and the group starts and finishes in front of the U.S. Bank Plaza facing the Capitol. Please arrive a little early to check in with staff and confirm your reservation. Plan for approximately 1.3 miles of walking on paved but occasionally hilly terrain. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Bring water, sunglasses and a hat. The tour takes place entirely outdoors and runs rain or shine, so consider an umbrella in inclement weather. Parking note: the underground garage at the U.S. Bank Plaza is closed on Saturdays and closes in the evening on Thursdays. Nearby public garages and street parking are available within a short walk of the start and finish. Participants with questions about the tour content or with mobility concerns are encouraged to reach out in advance.

Enjoy a night of soccer at Breese Stevens Field as Forward Madison FC faces Spokane Velocity FC in a fundraiser for Glacier Edge PTO. Each ticket purchased through the designated link helps fund programs and activities for Glacier Edge students. The event is open to everyone, welcoming families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Settle in for a science fiction themed outdoor screening of The Fifth Element (1997, PG-13). Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a movie under the night sky. Creative outfits are encouraged, from futuristic fashion and alien-inspired glam to cyberpunk styles, space-age looks, and other cult-classic cosplay. Channel a cosmic adventurer, an interstellar diva, or your own vision of tomorrow to match the vibe.

Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at Overture Center for the Arts, this concert features Patrice Rushen, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading jazz pianists. An award-winning, four-time Grammy nominee, Rushen is a classically trained musician who rose to prominence in the 1970s and 80s with a distinctive mix of jazz, pop, and R&B. Her work includes the hit Forget Me Nots, which she wrote and recorded and which has been frequently covered and sampled. This one-night performance takes place in the historic Capitol Theater. A VIP Experience option includes a meet and greet, and more details will be sent closer to the event.

At The North Street Cabaret, bassist Nick Moran and percussionist Yorvanis Duran lead an Afro-Cuban jazz program with pianist Vince Fuh and saxophonist Pawan Benjamin, joined by special guest artists. The ensemble revisits and reshapes works by Eddie Palmieri, Chucho Valdés, and Michel Camilo, offering energetic grooves, lively improvisation, and a salute to the trailblazers of the genre. Seating is limited, and tickets are available at the door.

Atwood Music Hall hosts Granny Shot, a Madison-based cover band delivering a high-energy mix of alternative rock, hard rock, and pop punk from the 90s and 00s alongside classics from the 70s and 80s. The set spans hits from artists like Alanis Morissette, Alice in Chains, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Paramore, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, Smash Mouth, Third Eye Blind, and Tool, plus timeless tracks by Queen, Boston, Kansas, Metallica, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, and Heart. General admission is $14 in advance and $18 the day of show.

Two nights on The Bigger Show Tour mark the only area appearances in 2026 for They Might Be Giants. Each evening is an ages 16 and up, no-opener performance that starts early and gets loud. The band performs as an eight-piece with a three-piece horn section and plays two sets. The first set changes nightly to spotlight a specific album, while the second set reaches across their entire catalog, from the earliest Dial-A-Song era and the platinum album Flood to brand-new 2026 releases. Favorites, deep cuts, and live improvisation make each show distinct. Recent releases include the stand-alone EP Eyeball and the album The World Is to Dig.

Badger Challenge is a yearlong effort supporting cancer research and patient care at the University of Wisconsin, highlighted by a September gathering where the community comes together to walk, run, and ride in tribute to those affected by cancer. Every mile completed helps patients and advances research at UW, with all participant fundraising directed to the brightest minds, ideas, and technologies. The event takes place at UW Health Eastpark Medical Center in Madison. Participants can choose from cycling routes of 100 miles, 100K, 50K, 25K, or 5K, along with a Half Marathon and a 5K run or walk. Fundraising connects participants with a community guided by hope, impact, and love, united by the goal of going the distance with heart.

CWI-PCA Porsches & Pastries is a relaxed meetup for Porsche owners. Enjoy complimentary pastries and coffee, bring your Porsche, and connect with fellow club members while talking about these beautiful vehicles. A group drive will follow, with the destination to be announced.

Enjoy a casual Magic: The Gathering gathering focused on play and trading. Commander is the most common format at the tables, and players are welcome to bring decks for other formats as well. No pre-registration is required.

Every Sunday, children 12 and under receive a complimentary kid's entrée, up to a $15 value, with the purchase of one adult entrée. The offer is limited to one free kids meal per qualifying adult entrée. It cannot be combined with other offers or specials, used with dip certificates, or applied on holidays.

Settle in for a relaxed afternoon of pinball at a casual triathlon-style gathering. The format features nine holes followed by finals, with trophies available for top finishers. Participation is $5, with a token drop. Open to women, non-binary, and other gender nonconforming players, and welcoming to all skill levels. Children may attend with an adult. Friends are welcome for an easygoing day of play.

Release what has been building, then settle into ease with a two-part experience designed to help you reset. It begins with a 20‑minute Quick Smash Session using glassware to physically work through stress, tension, or frustration. Afterward, unwind with herbal tea and reflective journaling to process what comes up. The journey continues with a 30‑minute crystal bowl sound bath that soothes the nervous system and supports emotional balance, helping everything soften. Guided affirmations, lavender aromatherapy, and a provided journal and pen round out this restorative time. There is also an option to attend only the sound bath, with tickets priced at $40, and guests are asked to bring a yoga mat for that option. This is a small group setting with limited spots.

Jumpstart Jam brings musicians together with Dan Kennedy at Cargo Coffee on East Wash for a welcoming, low-volume session that supports beginners, returning players, and anyone fresh from a rock camp who wants to keep the momentum going. The gathering is open to every age, skill level, and instrument, offering a friendly space to grow skills while making music in a group. Participants form a circle and play as an ensemble. Suggest a song, sing or play along from the pocket, or step forward for a brief solo when the time is right. Vocalists and all instruments are invited. Electric players can bring a small amp or use the on-site PA system, and a microphone is available for singers. The mix spans many styles, from blues and country to soul, jazz, and pop. Original music fits right in as well... bring a chart or be ready to guide everyone through your tune. The spirit is simple, try ideas, learn by doing, and enjoy collaborative music-making in a supportive setting.

Presented by FPC Live, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers bring the Indigo Park Tour to The Orpheum. This all ages concert features Bruce Hornsby performing with The Noisemakers. Tickets can be purchased through the Orpheum’s website or at The Sylvee box office during posted business hours.

Two distinct nights on The Bigger Show Tour present They Might Be Giants in an expanded eight-piece lineup featuring a three-piece horn section. These are full-length evenings with the band, presented without an opening act, with an early start and a loud, high-energy atmosphere. Each night is built around two sets. The first highlights a different album from the catalog, while the second ranges across their history, from the Dial-A-Song beginnings and the platinum-era Flood to their newest material. Expect a mix of favorites, deep cuts, and lively improvisation that makes each performance unique. Ages 16 and up. Recent releases include the stand-alone EP Eyeball and the album The World Is to Dig.