Events in Racine County, WI

The third annual Youth Mental Health Resource Fair brings together Racine County Public Health, Burlington Area School District, Waterford Graded School District, and NAMI Racine County to highlight mental health and wellness services and supports available to young people and the parents and guardians who care for them. The free fair will feature donated food and snacks while supplies last, along with yoga or mindfulness sessions and a chance to win door prizes from local businesses and organizations.

Enjoy a special pinsa recipe each Thursday at The Runaway. Order a pinsa and get $1 off a pint, and share your ideas for future specials. It’s an easy way to skip cooking and enjoy pinsa.

Explore downtown Racine into the evening during a First Friday celebration featuring late-night shopping, open galleries, and a cozy flannel theme that embraces the fall season. Streets come alive with live music at spots throughout the district, creating a lively soundtrack for browsing local art, hunting for unique gifts, and enjoying a friendly atmosphere. Expect plenty of surprises and community-centered fun. Convenient $4 all-day parking is available at the Lake Avenue Ramp, Civic Centre Ramp, and Shoop Ramp.

This interactive fundraising walk asks participants to wear donated shoes and travel a one mile route through downtown Racine. The footwear may be oversized, too small, or worn and uncomfortable, serving as a tangible reminder of the challenges faced by people living in poverty, experiencing homelessness, or getting by with limited resources. After the walk, all shoes will be distributed to guests.

Downtown Racine’s 7th annual Beer & Bacon Walk brings together craft brews and bacon-forward bites across 20 downtown stops, with each location offering a three-ounce sample alongside a savory pairing. General admission is $40 and includes twenty beer tastings, twenty bacon-infused food samples, a 16-ounce pint glass, and one full 16-ounce pour of craft beer. Look for playful flavors like bacon-wrapped lil smokies with Secret Stadium Sauce, creamy mac and cheese with bacon, chocolate-dipped treats, kringle and cupcakes with a bacon twist, jalapeño poppers, deviled eggs, crostini with bacon jam, sliders, brats with sauerkraut, and hearty options such as beer-and-bacon soup and meatballs. Parking is available on the street or at the Lake Avenue, Civic Centre, and Shoop ramps for $4 all day. Demand for tickets is high.

Cousins Maine Lobster comes to Racine for a full day at Kortendick’s Ace Hardware, serving fresh favorites like lobster rolls, tacos, bisque, tots, and more. Orders can be placed ahead through the Cousins Maine Lobster app to reduce wait time, and mobile ordering typically opens a couple of hours before each service, with ordering for the next service starting after the current one ends. If the app is limited or unavailable, orders can be placed directly at the truck. Every purchase earns rewards, and if you order at the truck you can have your QR code scanned to redeem points on your account.

Explore Aura 9 Skincare, a botanical-inspired line, through skin education, ingredient guidance, hands-on demonstrations, skincare tips, and a Q&A with professionals. The workshop also includes product discovery, samples and gifts, and opportunities to connect with the community. All ages are welcome, and light refreshments are provided. An optional gentle yoga session with breathwork and relaxation follows the workshop.

Racine native Andrew Drasen visits Arnett and Son Books for a conversation about his memoir, A Vision of Hope: A Story of Redemption and Purpose. He will share how he wrote the book in 2019 while incarcerated at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, then answer questions from attendees. Signed copies will be available.

Celebrate the season in Downtown Racine with a festive holiday parade followed by a tree lighting. Carolers and student ensembles set a joyful tone on Monument Square before the procession, featuring performances by Real School, the Horlick Brass Ensemble, and the Park High Vocal Ensemble. The parade begins near the west side of the State Street bridge, travels along Main Street to 6th Street, and concludes at City Hall. Afterward, the celebration returns to Monument Square for the tree lighting, where Santa and Mrs. Claus illuminate the holiday tree. A small fireworks display makes its fifth annual appearance, and holiday singers and street entertainment keep the music and cheer flowing before and after the parade.

John-Michael performs live as a master looper at Brew & Ole's Gastropub in Burlington, WI. The event highlights loop-based music in a gastropub setting.

Book club emcee Milana leads a group discussion focused on a dark academia thriller, bringing readers together for a thoughtful conversation.

The Cousins Maine Lobster truck sets up at Tractor Supply Co. in Burlington, perfect for a quick bite or something to take home. Order ahead with the mobile app to skip the line, available in the App Store and on Google Play. The app starts accepting orders a couple of hours before each truck event, and you will need to wait until the current service ends before placing an order for the next one. Mobile app ordering may be limited or unavailable at times, and you can always order directly at the truck. Earn points with every purchase, and if you order at the truck, have the team scan the QR code so points are added to your account.

Celebrating 15 years of serving Racine with love, this gathering pairs soul food with live music by the Kal Bergendahl Project. It is a community-focused event centered on food, music, and appreciation.

Arnett and Son Books hosts a discussion for the Armchair Historian Book Club, focusing on When the Cheering Stopped: The Last Years of Woodrow Wilson. Host Steven Rogstad shares insight and a review, guiding the group through the book’s central themes and historical context.

A holiday fair takes place at William Horlick High School, celebrating the season.

Enjoy a free day out in Downtown Racine filled with shopping, dining, and sipping. Each purchase at participating locations earns a card draw. Pull a queen and receive a Golden Ticket that can be exchanged for a swag bag valued at more than $25 in items and gift cards, plus an entry for a chance to win one of five prize packs. Participating bars offer half off your first drink, and retailers feature special deals that may include complimentary gifts, samples, and prize opportunities. Parking is available all day for $4 at the Lake Avenue Ramp, Civic Centre Ramp, or Shoop Ramp. Limit one card draw per person per location with purchase, and one swag bag per Golden Ticket.

R Adrian Kolosso, a local indie fantasy author, presents a talk focused on his novels Halfdan Saga: Battle of Edge Keep and Princess of Stones. He also discusses the path to producing an audio edition of Halfdan Saga and what went into bringing that project to life.

Explore Downtown Racine while sipping your way through a walkable eight-block tasting featuring top-shelf bourbons, craft beers, and bourbon-inspired bites. The experience includes 10 bourbon pours, 10 craft beer samples, and 20 appetizers that showcase bourbon in creative ways. Expect bourbon selections such as Milam & Greene, Evan Williams, Uncle Nearest, Buffalo Trace, Ole Smokey James Ownby Reserve, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Copper & Kings, Buck Dancer, Bulliet Rye, Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon, Town Branch, and Templeton. On the beer side, look for Badger State Brewski, Eagle Park Rindstone, Great Lakes Cookie Exchange, Bell's Double Cream Stout, Dusterbeckss Pig Farmer, Sam Adams Winter White, Lake Louie Sweet Caroline, Bell's Amber, Dogfish Grateful Dead, and Lakefront Riverweststein. Savor small plates like Four Roses mushroom bruschetta, Bulleit whipped cream with berries, mini Knob Creek pecan pie bites, Jefferson's Reserve smoked wings with maple glaze, bourbon BBQ tater tots, warm Old Forester onion dip with pita chips, Jameson Black Barrel meatballs, Tincup BBQ shrimp skewers, Kurvball-glazed pork belly burnt ends, Waterford chorizo and manchenga skins, smoky Maker's Mark BBQ chicken flatbread, bourbon bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, a spicy Dockside chipotle slider, a bourbon glazed pork wing, and cheesecake with a raspberry bourbon drizzle. Tickets include entry, the 10 bourbon and 10 craft beer samples, all 20 appetizers, and a 4 ounce custom tasting glass. Parking is available at Lake Avenue Ramp, Civic Centre Ramp, or Shoop Ramp for $4 all day.

Sunset Girl performs an acoustic set of alternative rock, featuring both covers and original songs at Low Daily’s holiday market.

Downtown Racine comes alive for Small Business Saturday with a citywide showcase of local shops and eateries. Explore more than 100 small businesses offering in-store promotions and specials, discover hidden gems, and find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local entrepreneurs. The Grinch will be out stirring up fun and handing out more than $1,000 in Downtown gift cards. If this festive character crosses your path, pick an envelope to reveal a gift card valued between $10 and $25. From cozy cafes to eclectic boutiques and authentic restaurants ready to tempt every palate, there is something for even the pickiest gift recipient.

The performers will be taking the stage at Archives for the first time, marking their debut at this venue.

Decorate a set of six seasonal Porch Goose cookies, each themed for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and the Fourth of July. This hands-on session welcomes all skill levels and centers on creativity and fun. Participants also receive a treat, a drink, and a small Busia’s Porch Goose gift to take home. The cost is $30 per person.

A festive First Fridays celebration brings holiday cheer to Downtown Racine with strolling carolers, lively seasonal music and extended hours for shopping and dining. Santa is available for photo opportunities. Entertainment features karaoke at Bridge Tender Tavern, an open mic at Divino Gelato, Waiting for Eddie performing at George's Encore, and live music at Reefpoint Brew House to be announced. Merchants throughout the district create a welcoming atmosphere for browsing and gift finding. All day parking is available for $4 at the Lake Avenue Ramp and the Shoop Ramp.

Local poets, poetry lovers, and neighbors who enjoy the arts are invited to Poetry on Washington Ave. Share your own work, listen to others and take part in conversation about poetry, or recite favorite pieces. All are welcome.

The Grinchmas Glass Tree Experience is sold out. The experience includes all supplies, and admission is $45 per person.

Racine gets one more stop from the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck before the year winds down at Kortendick’s Ace Hardware. Look for lobster rolls, tacos, bisque, tots, and more. You can order ahead in the mobile app to skip the line; it starts accepting orders a couple of hours before each truck service, and you will need to wait until the current service ends before ordering for the next one. If mobile ordering is limited or unavailable, walk-up orders are taken directly at the truck. Every purchase earns rewards points, and if you order at the window ask the staff to scan your QR code so the points apply to your account.

Create a whimsical, crooked glass Christmas tree with a festive red ornament. The experience is designed to be perfectly imperfect and full of holiday charm, with all supplies included. No prior experience is needed.

Browse a wide variety of holiday gifts and handmade goods from more than 60 local crafters, artists, and vendors, including jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, candles, baked goods, pet gifts, crochet plushies, and more. The indoor bazaar features raffle items, holiday string music, and a children’s activity table for making a holiday craft. Lunch and beverages will be available for purchase, and the event is free to attend.

The Downtown Racine Corporation, together with Reefpoint Brew House, Zeigler Hyundai, Hotel Verdant, and O&H Danish Bakery, presents the 9th Annual Kris Kringle Tour, a free, family-friendly celebration that winds through downtown Racine. More than 30 participating locations offer complimentary tastes of O&H Danish Kringle, a sweet nod to the city’s Scandinavian roots. Santa will be greeting families and surprising shoppers with Downtown gift cards totaling $500. Holiday music fills the air with performances by the Park High School Choir at Divino Gelato Café and Red Onion Café, and the Grinch will be out and about for festive photo opportunities. A kid-friendly scavenger hunt invites participants to find Elf on the Shelf inside participating shops for a chance to win a kids prize pack. Choir performances and photo moments with Santa and the Grinch are also planned at Reefpoint Brew House. Tour maps will be available online and at the Downtown Racine Corporation office, and guests can take part in the Holiday Window Decorating Competition by visiting merchant storefronts or liking entries on Facebook.

Create a whimsical, crooked glass Christmas tree with a playful Grinchmas feel. All supplies are included for this hands-on holiday activity.

Celebrate the season with a kid and grownup painting session centered on the Nutcracker. Each participant creates and decorates their own wooden nutcracker, then adds extra sparkle at the Nutcracker Bling Bar. The experience also includes a festive treat, a drink, and a little Busias surprise. Admission is $35 per person.

Enjoy a holiday paint-your-own experience centered on nutcrackers, where you create a personalized keepsake. Select your preferred nutcracker style in advance, then paint and decorate it with provided supplies. Priced at $45, the package includes a wooden nutcracker, all necessary painting materials, access to the Nutcracker Bling Bar, a holiday treat, a seasonal drink, and a small Busias surprise.

https://johngaymusic.com/home

Create a Christmas keepsake on a piece of wood hand cut by the late John. Paint a tree, then personalize it with buttons, pearls, and beads so the finished artwork is uniquely yours. Quantities are limited because each wood piece is different. The cost is $30 per person, and all supplies are provided.

Take a breather from the holiday bustle with relaxing coloring and hot chocolate. This session is for teens, held in TeenScene on the second floor, and registration is encouraged.

Celebrate Icing Queens’ second birthday with a live cookie decorating competition hosted in collaboration with The Inclusive Bean. Decorators will take on elimination-style challenges, including a timed icing challenge, recreating a design from memory, and creating a themed cookie set. A final sudden-death round invites contestants to decorate one cookie of their choice, with the audience voting for a winner. Spectators can vote and purchase playful sabotages that add unexpected twists to the competition. The event will also be livestreamed. Competitor tickets include a drink, snacks, and the chance to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Spectator tickets include a drink, snacks, voting and sabotage participation rights, and front-row access. A portion of sales will support The Inclusive Bean’s nonprofit mission.

Midwest Nice is a Southeast Wisconsin-based duo performing acoustic alternative and folk rock.