Family events in New Berlin, WI

The Lincoln Saltdogs visit the Milwaukee Milkmen at Franklin Field in Franklin, Wisconsin. This matchup between two club teams takes place in a smaller ballpark that keeps the action close, making it easier to follow the strategy from pitch to pitch.

This summer, the Thursday Craft Collective invites ages 10 to 14 to the Creators Lounge for hands-on art sessions led by instructor Dylan. The program is organized into two-week units that blend creative practice with a tour of global art and culture. Each unit focuses on a different place or movement. Participants explore wax-resist fabric design inspired by Indonesian batik, examine Switzerland’s Dada movement through techniques like photomontage, take cues from Yayoi Kusama’s signature polka dots and immersive installation concepts, and conclude with Brazilian Neo-Pop in the spirit of Romero Britto by crafting a lively mixed media piece. All premium materials are provided, and the environment is designed to spark creativity and connection among peers. Registration is handled per two-week session, with a fee of $30 for Greendale residents and $40 for non-residents.

A free water ski show at Lakefront Park in Pewaukee features a junior performance followed by the main show. Families are welcome. Weather and show updates are posted on social media.

MUVGRUV takes the stage as part of Indaba Nights, a free, all-ages concert series at the Indaba Band Shell on the grounds of St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care’s Bucyrus Campus. Spanning 13 weeks, the series brings together a lively mix of local performers and acclaimed arts organizations. Bring family and friends, pack a lawn chair or blanket, and relax while enjoying the show. Several food vendors will be on site.

Experience a night of skywatching and learning at a nearly century-old, 3-acre observatory in New Berlin, Wisconsin. The evening begins with a presentation on eclipse chasing by astrophotographers Todd Weiler and William Gottemoller, covering strategies for finding eclipses along with helpful camera settings and tips. As darkness settles, volunteers will lead tours and operate multiple telescopes, weather permitting, to showcase highlights of the night sky such as galaxies, star clusters, and nebulas while answering questions about amateur astronomy and the Milwaukee Astronomical Society. If skies are clear, stay for the peak of a deep partial lunar eclipse as roughly 93 percent of the Moon slips into Earth’s dark umbral shadow. The view should resemble a near-total eclipse, with a subtle reddish cast and a small bright area lingering along the northeastern edge of the lunar disk. Activities and information from the Horwitz De-Remer Planetarium will also be available on site for part of the evening. This event takes place rain or shine. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated to support the volunteer-run observatory, with a suggested minimum of $5 per person to help offset parking impact on the grounds. Dress for the weather. The meeting hall is heated and air conditioned, and restrooms are available. Bug spray and a flashlight are recommended, and red tape will be offered to dim lights around the telescopes. Parking is available on site, with guidance from vested volunteers. The meeting hall is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp available on request, and a rear walking ramp is also provided. Most other buildings are at ground level, aside from three. The event is family friendly, with kid-focused activities like a starry theater for building constellations, and additional hands-on options from the local planetarium. The organization is community supported through volunteers, donations, and memberships.

Young creators can explore hands-on creativity in a process-focused art program designed for children ages 1 to 3. The experience begins with a story, then continues with open-ended art making, and a fresh project is featured each month. Caregivers must remain with their children for the full duration, and everyone should be prepared to get messy.

Snap-On INDYCAR Weekend at Milwaukee Mile delivers double the excitement with two full points-paying NTT INDYCAR SERIES races and nonstop on-track action. Drivers will be pushing for every point as the season draws near its conclusion. Across the weekend, the program includes practice, qualifying, and multiple races, highlighted by the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250, INDY NXT by Firestone, and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250. A Free Fan Zone is also available at the track.

Expect a lively collector marketplace with more than fifty vendor tables and a constantly refreshed selection. Browse a wide range of Pokémon cards, from budget friendly commons to premium holographic pieces, along with sealed items like booster bundles and elite trainer boxes. Funko fans can explore hundreds of Pop figures, including vaulted editions, exclusives and chase editions. Sports collectors will find football, basketball, baseball and hockey cards for every budget, with many dealers offering slabs graded by PSA and BGS. It is a true buy, sell and trade environment, so bringing your own collection is welcome if you want to make a deal and leave with cash or a new favorite addition.

A meet and greet with Happy Endings offers a chance to meet a few adoptables from the rescue and learn more about them. Physical and monetary donations for the rescue are being collected throughout the month. Those interested in adopting can complete an application on the rescue’s website.

At Black Husky Brewing, the Riverwest Cat Tour features a pre-tour gathering where attendees can meet kittens available for adoption, learn about ways to support Cats at Large through donations and fundraising, browse raffle prizes and purchase tickets, and take part in a group photo before setting off. DJ Tony provides music later in the day, and brats are available for a suggested donation during the festivities. Raffle drawings will be held, and a limited-edition cat tour sticker debuts on tour day.

Enjoy live music at no cost on Saturday nights at Gazebo Park as part of an ongoing concert series.

Teens can dive into skincare basics with Sam in a hands-on class that teaches how to cleanse properly and choose the right products. Interactive skin-themed games add a fun element with chances to win prizes. Every ticket is entered into a drawing for a free teen facial. This session is recommended for ages 11 and up, and adults may participate alongside their teen. Attendees can enjoy a lemonade bar and snacks, receive a raffle entry for the free facial, and take home a goodie bag.

Giveback Sunday at The Tap Yard in Waukesha kicks off WILS’ 50th birthday celebration. During the event, 20 percent of eligible beverage and snack sales will be donated to WILS, with food truck purchases excluded. Enjoy a community-focused gathering with drinks, food, and a 50/50 raffle in support of the organization. This event is open to all ages, including friends and family. Please note that the entrance booth is not staffed and entry passes are handled online.

Young movers ages 2 to 9 can explore ballet, jazz, and hip hop in a playful camp setting. Sessions blend dance with tumbling, rolling, shaking, and balancing, along with games, crafts, and plenty of summertime fun. Participants will learn short dances and share a brief performance during the final practice. The cost is $80 for the full four-class series, or $25 per day for drop-ins. This format also serves families considering fall enrollment.

Explore Westown, the historic arts and entertainment hub of Downtown located west of the Milwaukee River. This guided tour looks at how landmark buildings have been renewed for mixed use, adding apartments, coffee shops, gallery spaces, and revitalized offices. Along the route, hear about the district’s many theaters and arts venues, major sports arenas, the Baird Convention Center, and a collection of historic hotels. The journey also traces the transformation of the multi-block Grand Avenue Mall, opened in 1982, into The Avenue in 2018 with an updated food hall and shopping. Highlights include Milwaukee’s notable blue tower once known as the Reuss Federal Plaza and now called 310W, the historic Hotel Wisconsin from 1913, and the Pabst Theater dating to 1895. Scheduling depends on guide availability, so consult the organizer’s website for current tour times.

Climb aboard the Hop streetcar for a guided look at Milwaukee's history, from landmark commercial architecture to mid-century planning and highway construction. The route highlights how these eras shaped the city and set the stage for the streetcar and continued growth in the heart of Downtown. Expect a short walk of about one block to reach the streetcar stop. Scheduling depends on guide availability, so specific dates and times vary.

Trace how downtown Milwaukee grew from a small settlement at N. Water St. and E. Wisconsin Ave. into a bustling city. This guided tour introduces the area’s history while moving through the commercial district, starting at the river’s edge and continuing to the modern office buildings along Lake Michigan. Along the route, explore a mix of architectural styles, including Alexander Eschweiler’s Art Deco Gas Light Building from 1930, the Richardsonian Romanesque Federal Building from 1892, and Northwestern Mutual’s Neoclassical headquarters from 1914. Schedule depends on guide availability, so check the website for the most up-to-date dates and times.

Cutler Park hosts a Tribute Tuesday performance with Smart Mouth, delivering an upbeat set of dance-ready favorites from artists like Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Outkast, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and more. The band earned WAMI’s Rising Star of the Year in 2023 and is a five-time Best of Milwaukee finalist, and their shows thrive on big sing-alongs, audience participation, and memorable moments. Concessions will be available. Sponsored by Meijer. For everyone’s comfort and safety, please leave pets at home and note that carry-in alcohol is not permitted.

Park Pals gathers families at ProHealth Care Park in New Berlin for a morning centered on music, movement, and play. Led by volunteers, the program fosters early childhood development through playful activities while helping neighbors connect. Look for the group near the play area, where you can expect songs and motion, blanket time on the grass, bubbles, shaker eggs, dancing, and other interactive moments. Parents, caregivers, grandparents, nannies, and children of all ages are welcome. Indicating that you plan to attend helps organizers prepare materials, including enough shaker eggs for everyone. Come early or linger afterward to enjoy the park and the sense of community.

Live music sets the tone for this event.

Set at Galilee Lutheran - Pewaukee, this market highlights featured products and offers pickup for full menu items that were preordered.

At the Milwaukee Mile, 300 foot street drags welcome any car, with a class to match every build. The program moves from open racing to a drivers meeting, then into organized class competition. General admission is $15. Kids admission is $5, and children 5 and under are free. Racing entry is $25 per class entered. Parking is $13. Car show display entry is $25. Racing is hot lapped and uses a double elimination format. Each class crowns a winner who takes home a trophy. Available classes include RWD, RWD Street tire 200+, AWD, FWD, All Motor, Foreign Performance, Family 4 Door, Open, High School, Old Skool anything 80 or below, Stick Shift, Trucks, SUV, Bikes and ATVs, Modern, and Detroit Iron street pre 80s. Helmets are required for all racers and no passengers are permitted. Helmet rentals are available. A concession stand will be open for food and drinks.

Falcon Game Night takes place on most Wednesdays at Falcon Hall inside Falcon Bowl. On the second and fourth Wednesdays, the schedule features a Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament. This event welcomes participants of all ages.

Basic obedience classes for dogs are offered at The Downtown Dog Spot by The Dog Trainer Near You. To register or ask questions, call or text 414-465-2484.

Indaba Nights is a free, all ages concert series at the Indaba Band Shell on the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care Bucyrus Campus. This 13 week summer lineup showcases a blend of local performers and world class arts organizations. Attendees can bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, and several food vendors will be on site.