Family events in Wauwatosa, WI

Celebrate Irish music on a grand scale at the world’s largest Irish music festival, set at Henry Maier Festival Park along Milwaukee’s Lake Michigan shoreline. Expect a warm, friendly atmosphere and a showcase devoted to the sounds of Ireland.

No Matter What A Global Ministry is leading a community backpack drive to prepare 100 backpacks for local students and families. The effort includes a backpack giveaway available while supplies last. Contributions of any size help equip children to begin the school year with confidence, with a shared goal of bridging gaps in readiness and showing students they are valued.

Puzzle enthusiasts team up for a jigsaw challenge at MobCraft Beer. Each team receives two complimentary drinks, keeps the competition puzzle, and takes home a pair of Board Game Barrister vouchers, with extra prizes for the top finishers. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and the setting is casual and social inside the Milwaukee brewery. For complete details and to register a team, use the Tickets link.

Sundays feature a family-friendly special where guests 12 and under receive a complimentary kids entrée, valued at $15, with the purchase of an adult entrée. The offer is limited to one free kids entrée per paid adult entrée. It cannot be combined with other promotions, specials, or dip certificates, and it is not available on holidays.

Experience the North Point neighborhood on a tour through a bluff-top district with views over the northern end of Milwaukee’s harbor. Stately homes from the early twentieth century line the tree-shaded streets, showcasing German Renaissance Revival, English Tudor Revival, Mediterranean Revival and other styles popular from 1890 to 1940. The route highlights work by noted Milwaukee architects including Eschweiler, Clas, Niedecken and Wisconsin’s own Frank Lloyd Wright, along with stories of past residents who built their wealth in wheat, railroads, straw hats, fur coats and ice cream. Beyond the residences, the tour also features a historic hospital complex, a water tower, a lighthouse and a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Tour times depend on guide availability, so check the website for the most up to date schedule.

Dirty Boogie performs on the Knucklehead Stage at Wisconsin State Fair.

Test your deck in a Pokémon TCG Standard Constructed event at The Mana Vault, an official Play! Pokémon location. Entry is $6. The tournament features three Swiss rounds with best-of-one matches. Every participant receives a booster pack from current sets, and an additional Prize Pack is awarded for each match win. Players also get a Badge Card, or a punch on an existing one, which builds toward bonus promos and extra booster packs for returning players. This event also helps players prepare for The Mana Vault’s League Challenge, where results earn points toward a Worlds invitation.

Settle into an open-air double feature at Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens, where lakefront scenery and fresh air set the tone for a relaxed night of movies under the sky. The evening begins with KPOP Demon Hunters and continues with Mamma Mia!, delivering two distinct stories back to back. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and favorite snacks to create a comfortable setup on the terrace and among the gardens. Stay for one film or both and enjoy a laid-back summer night by the water as the stars come out.

Carbon Road marks the end of the WI State Fair with a lively performance at Blue Moon Tavern at the Park. Families are welcome, with time to explore the Fair beforehand, then stay for music that invites plenty of singing and dancing as the stars come out. A relaxed way to enjoy the last stretch of summer.

We Are Water brings the community together at McKinley Beach to honor the joy, beauty, and power of water. The Milwaukee Hittaz drum line launches the celebration with a high-energy procession that features a community-built living river element carried over from the Juneteenth parade. Throughout the event, attendees can connect with local artists, craft a sturgeon puppet, try printmaking, build sandcastles, search for fossils, enjoy complimentary snacks including Purple Door Ice Cream while supplies last, and learn simple ways to care for nearby rivers, lakes, and neighborhoods. Everyone then joins the drum line for a parade before heading onto the beach for a community parachute float to bring the evening to a close. Whether discovering Milwaukee Water Commons for the first time or already part of its network, this annual gathering highlights the connections water fosters and the shared responsibility to protect it. The event is free and open to all.

Aspire Dance Center brings back The Corners Summer Movie Series, turning Market Square into an open-air cinema with free, family-friendly films on a 20-foot screen. This showing features The Little Rascals. Ahead of the movie, children can enjoy face painting and balloon twisting, and attendees can connect with event sponsors and vendors. Treats will be available for purchase from Wood'r Ice and What's Pop Dirty Soda.

Park Pals brings music, movement, play, and connection to ProHealth Care Park in New Berlin. This all-volunteer program supports early childhood development through playful activities while fostering community among local families. Expect singing and dancing with shaker eggs, bubble fun, simple movement games, and relaxed blanket time on the grass, along with plenty of opportunities to connect with other caregivers and kids. Activities are centered near the play area, and participants are welcome to enjoy the park before or after the program. Letting the organizers know you plan to attend helps them prepare materials and bring enough shaker eggs for everyone. All are welcome, including parents, caregivers, grandparents, nannies, and children of all ages.

Hosted by the City of Brookfield Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department, this annual Summer Noon Civic Plaza Concert Series features live performances with a different musical guest each Wednesday.

This hands-on craft session is for teens and tweens and is open to those entering grades 6 through 12. The specific project will be announced on the Teen Instagram account (@grndpubliclib_teen) during the week of the event. No registration is required. The session will be held in the Community Meeting Room on the lower level.

Part of the Live @ The Oasis series at Richard E. Maslowski Community Park, this edition highlights KPOP and features a back-to-school night from Kid Boogie Down. Enjoy a themed evening within the ongoing park series.

Watch The Little Giants under the open sky at BAYSHORE’s Family Flicks, a free outdoor movie in The Yard, the central gathering space at BAYSHORE. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable seating. Alcohol and pets are not permitted.

The Thursday Craft Collective is a summer art class for ages 10 to 14 led by instructor Dylan at the Creators Lounge. It features a series of two-week workshops that highlight the intersection of art and culture, giving participants a chance to explore global traditions in a fun, creative setting. Each session focuses on a different region or movement. Participants try Indonesian batik by using wax and dyes to design fabric, learn about Swiss Dada and create their own pieces with techniques such as photomontage, take cues from Yayoi Kusama’s signature polka dots and her work with infinity rooms, and channel the bright, bold neo-pop style of Brazilian artist Romero Britto to craft an energetic mixed-media artwork. All premium supplies are included. Each two-week session requires separate registration and costs $30 for Greendale residents or $40 for non-residents.

On select summer evenings, the Sherman Phoenix patio turns into a lively night market and outdoor party with a neighborhood feel. DJs and live performers set the soundtrack while guests browse goods from local businesses and enjoy special food offerings. Line dancing invites everyone to move, and a variety of games keeps things playful for all ages. Prizes and giveaways add extra excitement throughout the night. It is a relaxed way to support entrepreneurs, share good food, and enjoy a spirited community atmosphere in the open air.

At Cosmic Arena, the focus is on playing the old-school way with a classic style of gameplay.

A free general knowledge trivia event hosted by America's Pub Quiz welcomes participants of all ages. A $75 gift card is awarded to the top finisher. Seating is first come, first served since reservations are not accepted, so arriving early is recommended. Groups of six or more should call ahead.

Kids and their caregivers can explore candle making together at Operation Wax in a friendly, hands-on session. Participants select a favorite scent, pour a custom candle, and decorate it, then take it home the same day. All supplies are provided and no prior experience is required. The class runs 60 minutes. Pricing is $65 for one adult with one child, and each additional child is $15. Space is limited to 10 seats per session.

Spend time together with a feel-good film and plenty of laughs. On select Fridays during the summer, free popcorn is offered and a movie is shown in the Village Center Meeting Room. One of the featured titles earlier in the season was Labyrinth.

Konkel Park hosts back-to-back live music, with Dirty Boogie starting the show and Hairball performing afterward.

Rescue Gang will be part of West Milwaukee National Night Out, a community-centered evening that brings neighbors, local organizations, and first responders together. Visit the Rescue Gang booth to meet adoptable dogs, learn about fostering and volunteering, and connect with the team and fellow animal lovers. Enjoy an evening out while supporting the cause and strengthening community, with activities and resources available for all ages.

Marking 35 years, the Greendale Downtown Market turns Broad Street into a friendly open air marketplace that showcases hometown flavor, creativity, and community pride. Visitors can browse produce from local growers, discover artisan and handcrafted goods from small businesses, and enjoy baked treats, beverages, and ready to eat bites. Nonprofit organizations and community groups share helpful resources and connections. The anniversary season brings live music, festive touches, and surprise moments throughout the market. Make the outing even fuller by exploring nearby shops and cafés and soaking in the walkable, welcoming character of downtown. Vendor booths line the street with access via sidewalks, and an accessible restroom is available nearby. There is municipal and on street parking for visitors, and guests are encouraged to leave business parking spaces open.

A lively bilingual story time at Wonderland Bookshop spotlights Go, Dog. Go! / Ve, Perro. ¡Ve! Hosted by Aprende with Señora Betty, the session presents the tale in English and Spanish, blends in songs and dancing, and includes a hands-on craft inspired by the story. A guest from First Stage will make an appearance, and each attending family will receive a code for 20 percent off tickets to see the stage production this fall. Registration is required and space is limited.

Kunes Chevrolet GMC of Greenfield hosts a celebratory summer cookout marking 250 years of American freedom, featuring free grilled fare, cold drinks, and a welcoming, family friendly atmosphere. Visitors can connect with the community, enjoy conversation, and browse a variety of new and pre-owned vehicles while they are there.

The event features a market set up both inside and outside, highlighting independent creatives. Guests can enjoy a beverage while browsing at a brewery in West Allis. Ope welcomes families and dogs.

ROAD CREW performs at JJ Fest at J&J Contractors I LLC. This is a family-friendly outing for all ages.