Savory Summer Soirees
Mark Your Calendar for These Fun & Flavorful Wisconsin Food Fests
No matter the time of year, in Wisconsin there is always a lively celebration centered around food and drink on the calendar. Gather your foodie friends and family and prepare to sample your way across the state – and throughout the year – at Wisconsin’s delicious food festivals.
MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL
MAY 17-18 | MUSCODA
Delicious morel mushrooms — grown in the rich, river-fed soil of Muscoda — paired with drinks and live entertainment, all shared with friends and family, qualifies as a good time in our book. Family-friendly fun with bounce houses, arts and crafts, fireworks and more round out this not-to-miss fungi fest.
BEER FEST
MAY 19 | CHILTON
Raise a pint with your brew buddies as you sample specialty beers (there are usually more than 100 to choose from!) from dozens of Wisconsin's breweries. Food and music elevate this celebration of the microbrew to an all-day party.
WORLD'S LARGEST BRAT FEST
MAY 24-26 | MADISON
If you're seeking the best wurst celebration, look no further than Madison, home to the largest festival of brats in the world. More than 4 million brats have been served to happy festival goers since the event's founding 40 years ago, with local charities also reaping the rewards.
GREAT WISCONSIN CHEESE FESTIVAL
May 31-June2 | LITTLE CHUTE
The first weekend of June in Little Chute is reserved for cheese tasting, a cheese-curd eating contest and loads of other cheesy fun! Join the kids for amusement rides and the petting zoo, or marvel at expert cheese carvers doing their work.
BEER, BACON & CHEESE FESTIVAL
JUNE 8 | NEW GLARUS
Head to America's "Little Switzerland" for endless tastings of this delicious trifecta. Stroll the charming village and chat with the state's proud makers as you savor tasting-sized samples of their specialty smoked meats (yes, bacon, but also sausages), delicious artisan cheese and locally brewed beer. Live music all around town further enhances the lively atmosphere.
CRANBERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
JUNE 20-23 | WISCONSIN RAPIDS
Delve into the heart of Wisconsin's cranberry country, where 30% of the world's cranberries are grown, making it the largest cranberry-producing region in the world. As the town's bogs begin to bloom, the locals invite all to celebrate with a parade, a rubber duck derby, water ski performances, live music and, of course, plenty of cranberry goodies to sample.
CHEESE CURD FESTIVAL
JUNE 21-22 | ELLSWORTH
Where can you experience a festival boasting 6,000 pounds of cheese curds? Nowhere other than at this annual summer gathering in Ellsworth, "The Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin." Mingle with other cheese-loving celebrants as you stroll from booth to booth to divulge in more than 20 cheese curd foods and local ice cream and beverages.
DOOR COUNTY WINE FEST
JUNE 22 | BAILEYS HARBOR
This is a Wisconsin weekend for wine lovers. Friends sniff, swirl and sample varietals from Door County's own vintners. The eight wineries of the Door County Wine Trail bring some of their best bottles to share.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
JUNE 22-23 | CEDARBURG
At this summer berry jubilee, friends and families share strawberries in all forms, from sweets to wines to simple fruit fresh-plucked from the farm. This home-grown celebration — where most of the fruit comes from local farms — also entertains with live music, shopping, contests and more.
ELKHORN RIBFEST
JULY 10-14 | ELKHORN
This national rib competition prides itself on offering good music, good fun...and great barbecue. Come have a taste and debate the winner. In addition to awards for the top ribs and sauce, categories include a people's choice and a kids' choice, so the whole family can have a say.
BREWFEST
JULY 27 | MILWAUKEE
Renowned for its packed calendar of events and famous for its beer, it is no wonder Milwaukee chooses a weekend each summer to gather craft beverage makers for a celebration. With more than 100 brewers, you're bound to find a new favorite beverage and enjoy a day well spent raising a glass to friendships, both old and new.
AUGUST 14-18 | SUN PRAIRIE
Named one of the best food festivals in the Midwest, the Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival is always held the third full weekend in August. The star of the show is 80 tons of Wisconsin grown sweet corn served with savory butter and sprinkled with salt to your liking.
