Family events in Manitowoc, WI

A unicorn-themed day camp at Girl Scout Camp Manitou offers a full day of imaginative fun. Participants will create their own unicorn gear, decorate themed cookies, and set out on a playful quest that highlights creativity and new friendships. Expect plenty of glitter throughout the experience. This program is for girls entering grades K through 6. Lunch is not provided, so pack a cold lunch. The fee is $59.

Little Sips Play Cafe hosts a collaborative pop-up with IrisKane&Co to celebrate the newest addition to its bamboo line. Guests can enjoy pop-up-only discounts, a giveaway created for the occasion, treats from the cafe, and family friendly shopping and activities. Children can get creative at a coloring station that invites them to imagine their own pajama designs. The collection takes playful cues from a princess, a punk, and a mermaid, bringing a cozy vibe to the Manitowoc community.

Celebrate the end of summer with an ice cream sundae session at Manitowoc Public Library. Build a treat loaded with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles, and enjoy a sweet sendoff to the season. For ages 11 to 18.

Artful Yoga with Lauren Philippsen at The Rahr-West is a playful, beginner friendly family class for children ages 3 to 12 with their adults. Participants explore imaginative poses, gentle breathing, and art inspired movement that encourage focus, balance, and connection while having fun together. Please bring a mat or towels. The fee is $25 per family of three, offering a cheerful summertime experience the whole family can enjoy.

Enjoy a community celebration with something for all ages. There will be free live music with no cover, plus food and refreshments and games for kids. The Cheese Doodles kick off the festivities.

Now in its third year, Zoo Snooze invites participants to camp overnight at the zoo and spend an evening surrounded by animals and special activities. Each ticket includes a campsite for up to four people, a tote bag filled with goodies, a private tour of the zoo, an outdoor kid friendly movie, s'mores by the campfire, dinner and breakfast, plus other fun experiences. Camping gear is not provided, so bring a tent, sleeping bags, a headlamp or flashlight, and anything else that will make the night comfortable. Members of the Lincoln Park Zoological Society receive a discount on each ticket.

Rogers Street Days brings the community together by the lake for a family-friendly celebration. Expect live music at no cost, plenty of food, and refreshments suitable for all ages. Kids will find games to enjoy, and the activities support an annual fundraiser for Rogers Street Fishing Village.

Stargazing with astronomers Al and Ben features guided views of constellations, the moon, and other celestial sights. The Sky Shed now uses electronic viewing so everyone can watch live sky images on a wall-mounted screen. Activities are held outdoors near the Nature Center and are dependent on weather and sky conditions. Registration is required; for details or to sign up, call 920-793-4007 or email jessicaj@woodlanddunes.org. Support for this program is provided by the Dufek Foundation.

At Washington Park, a community car and motorcycle show welcomes spectators at no cost, with European makes taking center stage. Participants entering a vehicle pay a $10 cash-only fee, and proceeds support local children. Throughout the event there will be periodic demonstrations by Lakeshore FIRST Robotics, live music from the Manitowoc Marine Band, and a concluding awards ceremony. Trophies are presented across all categories, with judging handled by the vehicle owners, and the first 200 registered cars and motorcycles receive dash plaques. Classes cover a wide range, including antique automobiles built before 1946, stock cars grouped by era from 1946 into the present, and modified cars organized as pre-1946, 1946 to 1970, and 1971 to present. Truck categories include stock models from 1900 to 1970 and from 1971 to present, plus modified trucks of any year. There are also dedicated groups for Corvettes, Mustangs, sports cars, and foreign makes, along with motorcycles categorized as antique, stock, and modified. Antique motorcycles span 1900 to 1970, while stock motorcycle entries run from 1971 to the present.

A beachside performance features Ask Your Mother with a high energy mix of rock, pop, and country favorites. It takes place on Neshotah Beach beneath the Rotary Pavilion. If weather becomes an issue, the show will move to the community house in Downtown Two Rivers. Support is provided by Braun Building Center as the major sponsor and Community First Credit Union as the corporate sponsor.

The Dweebs bring their multi generational family act to The Wharf Manitowoc. Founded in 1987 by Michael "Papa Dweeb" Blue, the band expanded in 2004 when his three children joined, and in 2024 the grandchildren stepped in, creating a third generation lineup. They travel the country performing at fairs, festivals, private parties, and company parties, continuing a long tradition of playing together and sharing what they love with audiences.

Babies can delight in a bubbly playtime at Manitowoc Public Library that centers on movement, curiosity, and early learning. Little ones will explore plenty of bubbles through hands-on, sensory activities with opportunities to laugh, pop, and play. This experience is designed for children ages 3 and under.

Learn the basics of caring for a newborn during the early days of life in this in-person class for expectant parents. Topics include feeding, diapering, bathing, sleeping, and recognizing signs of illness and when to call the physician. Partners are welcome to attend, and a unit tour is included. The meeting point is the Michigan Conference Room, with parking available in the parking lot.

Kids will create a town of their own while discovering how engineers plan and design cities. This program is geared toward children ages 4 to 8.

Biscuit Creek brings lively bluegrass to Washington Park in Manitowoc. This event is presented by the City of Manitowoc Parks and Recreation.

Each Wednesday during the summer features a different program, typically about an hour, covering a wide range of topics. Highlights include J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, Animal Training Basics, Ask a Zookeeper, What is a Reptile?, How Did That Get in My Lunchbox?, a K9 Officer demonstration, and a Nature Walk, with some sessions still to be determined. The lineup is updated as new programs are scheduled and is subject to change.

In the outdoor Little Wings Nature Play Area, families can enjoy special play days with hands-on activities and the chance to get a little messy. Activities are tailored for ages 2 to 10 and are open to everyone. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Participation is free and no registration is needed. If the weather turns bad, the fun moves to the education room for indoor options. Supported by the Packers Foundation.

Volunteer docents lead a guided tour of the Vilas-Rahr Mansion, sharing stories about former residents, highlighting distinctive architectural features, and tracing the building’s transformation from a private residence to a civic center and, later, a fine arts museum. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Two Rivers Community Band presents “Highlights of 2026” at the Schmitt Brothers Stage in Central Park West in Downtown Two Rivers. This free outdoor concert brings together powerful performances and familiar favorites to celebrate the year’s standout moments in music. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and friends. Weather updates will be shared on the TR Parks and Recreation Facebook page, and if it rains the performance will move indoors to the J.E. Hamilton Community House Gymnasium. Support for the concert series is provided by Friends of the Two Rivers Senior Center as the major sponsor and Community First Credit Union as the corporate sponsor.