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Events Around Our Lakes
Find the food happenings, culture, live performances, festivals and life style events of Southern Wisconsin right here in Lakes Edition's Events section. Discover the latest on area events, and read featured stories about must visit festivals, venues or celebrations.
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Featured Events
Madison's Print & Resist Zine Fest Is Back This Weekend
Madison Print & Resist Zine Fest is a day-long festival of political print media, zines, experimental publications, and prints related to the world of art, do-it-yourself culture, and political action. The event brings together subversively creative print/media artists including zine makers, printers, poster-makers, and other self-published artists and writers to share their work with the Madison area community. More
Rock County Mega Sale
Rock County Fairgrounds, Craig Center, Janesville
Bouncy house, face painting, essential oils, vintage photos, rummage, 3D printed items, crafts, stained glass, pies, bird feeders, crafts, handmade soaps, jewelry, crafts, photos, sticker and pins, books, toys and more. The Rock County Mega Sale takes place 1300 Craig Avenue at the Craig Center on the Rock County Fairgrounds this Saturday, April 12th.
The 2025 Midwest Horse Fair
Alliant Energy Center, Madison
The largest three day event in the nation returns for the 45th year. The Midwest Horse Fair put on by the Wisconsin Horse Council features over 400 vendors, a rodeo, horse judging event for the FFA, Working Equitation Challenge, International Liberty Horse Association competitions and Canadian actress
Amber Marshall of the popular and long-running TV series
Heartland on CBC. A one day pass is $25 while a 3-day pass will set you back $55. The Alliant Energy Center is located at 1919 Alliant Energy Way, Madison. The 3 day event takes place Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13th. Have a feisty horse? Ride the trails at
Gibbs Lake County Park minutes from the Alliant Energy Center, or
Magnolia Bluff
just south of Evansville.
The 2025 Wisconsin Film Festival
Downtown Madison
Thursday, April 3rd is the first day of this popular 10 day, Madison festival devoted to international, independent, shorts and locally-made films. The WFF has again expanded its' footprint this year's venues include (no-Frank Productions/Live Nation sites thankfully) the Barrymore Theater, the Bartell Theater, and on the UW campus, the Cinematheque and Music Hall. The only venue outside of downtown is the Flix Brewhouse on Madison's far east side (Eastown Mall) which will feature the later in the calendar events. For more information visit
https://wifilmfest.org/
The Spring Craft and Vendor Fair
Monona
Find local crafters and vendors selling their latest wares at the East Side Club. Discover hand knitted items, soaps, leather products, t-shirt designs, candles, photographs, pottery and more. The East Side Club is a great place to visit for its panoramic views of the Madison skyline and the Capitol along the shores of Lake Monona, the East Side Club offers a wide range of choices for any banquet, corporate meeting, wedding, anniversary, fundraiser, business or social event upstairs from the event. The Spring Craft and Vendor Fair is free and takes place Saturday, Apr 5, 2025, 9:00am to 3:00pm at 3735 Monona Drive in Madison.
The 2025 Spring Crafty Fair
Madison's East Side
The Crafty Fair was created in 2009 by Rosy Hawbaker. The Crafty Fair's mission is to bring a different kind of craft show experience. To offer handmade items from artists across Wisconsin and surrounding states to Madison shoppers. This is a way to support local artists, and feel great about your purchases, and to meet the people who create it.​
The Crafty Fair takes place at Goodman Community Center, but
Rosy Hawbaker is the organizer. Please direct your questions to her.
Visit thecraftyfair.com for more information
The 2025 Badger State Nationals
Demolition Derby
This Friday, Friday, Friday, March 21st is the Championship day for the weeklong derby that started on Monday at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Demolition categories include vans, compacts, super stock, trucks and bone stock full-size. Price: Tickets range from $15-$80. Seats are general admission. See website for more information. Smaller derbies are taking place at the Holland I and Holland II Pavilions. The Alliant Energy Center is located at 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison.

2025 WIAA Boys Basketball Tournament In Madison This Weekend
Planning on a weekend getaway in the Capitol City? Not this weekend, hotels are fully booked for the Boys Basketball tournament at the Kohl Center Friday, March 21 - Saturday, March 22. Restaurants, bars in the downtown will likely be crowded, it's best to avoid Madison's Isthmus entirely this weekend. Unless, you are big basketball fan, picking up a game at the KOHL Center, Division I basketball might afford you a glimpse of a future NCAA star, or the next Tyler Hero or Tyrese Halliburton.
Saint Patrick's Day Parade Downtown Monroe This Monday
Enjoy Green County's largest and oldest Saint Patrick's Day Parade, in downtown Monroe. Why is the parade on Monday? March 17th A.D. 493, is the official global celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick. The 17th is official death date of Saint Patrick and considered a religious and cultural holiday for Catholics worldwide. The parade kicks off at exactly 5:17 pm.
Paddle Into Canoecopia 2025 For The Weekend
Canoecopia is the largest consumer paddle sports show in the world. Over 250,000 square. feet of exhibits and more under the roof at Madison's Alliant Energy Center.. Name sake canoes, kayaks, stand up boards, clothing, camping and boating gear, paddles of course and many other outfitters from Wisconsin, the Midwest and beyond.
Southern Wisconsin's Largest Bicycle Sale Is Back
Join us on March 7th, 8th, and 9th 2025 for Southern Wisconsin's Largest Bicycle Sale in March. You can comparison shop, test ride, accessorize, and buy from all bicycle brands in one place! There is also entertainment for kids featuring face painting and TJ Howell Comedy Juggler & Unicyclist. BikeORama Takes place at the Alliant Energy Center's New Holland Pavillion #1, Madison.
The Wisconsin Art Hub In Downtown Cambridge Features Local Young Artists At First Friday
Mark the first Friday of each month down in your calendars and join us for an Opening Reception! Each month a NEW exhibit featuring a different Artist will be celebrated. Enjoy art, conversation, light hors d'oeuvres, laughs and of course sip on one of the delicious beverages Art Hub has available for purchase. The Opening Reception takes place MARCH 7th, 6PM-8PM Exhibit up through March 21st and features Cambridge School District students.
The Spring Vintage Shop Returns To Towns Across Southern Wisconsin
Spring is just around the corner. which for shopaholics and wannabees means the early March version of Vintage Shop Hop is here. The days are longer, the sun set later making a shopping junket weekend with the girlfriends all the more enjoyable. And with over 400 locally owned antique and vintage stores participating having a strategy is a good idea if you plan to shop until closing time..
promotions.
ICE CASTLES INC. RETURNS TO GENEVA NATIONAL FOR THE 2023 SEASON
Why should the celebration of winter have to end the day after Christmas? Ice Castles Inc. doesn't think the celebrating should stop. 4000 hours of ice craftsmanship, 10,000 handmade icicles the Ice Castles are a labor of detail and passion first brought to fruition in Utah by this event's founder Brent Christensen. Ice Castles is held in four locations across the U.S.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Freeze Fest Plunges into the Icey Depths On Craveth Lake
Make a final splash farewell to Winter this Saturday in downtown Whitewater. Freeze Fest is back after two years off thanks to COVID-19. Special Olympics will again benefit with both the Polar Plunge and a Chili Cook Off proceeds helping the non-profit out.
What better a combination than a plunge in a frigid lake followed by piping hot chili?
..
The Wisconsin Fishing Expo Returns To The Alliant Energy Center
Anglers and first-timers the Wisconsin Fishing Expo is back in Madison this weekend February 24th - 26th. The two day event takes place in 150,000 sq ft of exhibit space with over 350 booths of fishing supply vendors, to lure manufacturers, antique lure displays, tackle supplies, flying fishing basics, vacation promotions, fishing guides, educational displays and seminars to attend.
..
Red Hat Wearing Strongly Encouraged at Scandihoovian Winter Festival
One Garden Gnomes, brownies, vacation spokes gnomes, DIY gnomes, trolls, smurfs and aspiring elves this is the weekend to shine in Mt. Horeb. Scandihoovian Winter Festival celebrates the best of winter with a red pointy hat nod to the town's Scandinavian culture.
The Mad City Model Railroad Show & Sale Rolls Into Madison
One of the largest model railroad show in the Midwest the Mad City Model Railroad Show & Sale returns to the Alliant Energy Exhibition Hall in Madison for its' 55th year. The annual, weekend long event is put on by the South Central Wisconsin Division (SCWD) a regional member of the National Model Rail Association..
Enjoy Locally Grown and Crafted Goods Indoors At the Whitewater City Market
The weekend weather is cold and cloudy why venture indoors and support local crafters and farms at the Whitewater City Market. The seven year old indoor market features 14 local vendors. .
ICE CASTLES INC. RETURNS TO GENEVA NATIONAL FOR THE 2023 SEASON
Why should the celebration of winter have to end the day after Christmas? Ice Castles Inc. doesn't think the celebrating should stop. 4000 hours of ice craftsmanship, 10,000 handmade icicles the Ice Castles are a labor of detail and passion first brought to fruition in Utah by this event's founder Brent Christensen. Ice Castles is held in four locations across the U.S.
MITCHELL PARK DOMES HOLIDAY SHOW
The Holiday season is one of the best time to take in the domes. The Floral Show Dome is the setting for many seasonal events and themes, and right now the monumental glass-enclosed space is a wonderland of holiday bedazzled, pine trees, chrysanthemums, amaryllis, other plants and hundreds of poinsettias of all shades and sizes.
DETAILS:
W&F: 9am-5pmTh: 9am-8pmSa-Su: 9am-4pm. Last admission one hour before close. Mitchell Park Domes, Milwaukee.
Downtown Janesville Businesses Open Their Doors This Weekend For The Third Annual Shop The Rock Holiday Edition
Make Janesville's historic downtown a day trip destination this weekend for the Shop the Rock Holiday Edition. The event now in its' third year began as collective response from small businesses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working from home, quarantining, events cancelled, the expansion of online shopping all took their toll on downtown Janesville's restaurants and boutiques.
More
Celebrate Fall in Brodhead This Saturday At AutumnFest
This Saturday is AutumnFest’s 1st year at Veterans’ Park. It is also the first year the fest takes place on the 2nd week of October, a date which ties in nicely with Vintage Shop Hop (VSH.) VSH is a weekend long, statewide event for shopaholics, supporting locally owned, retail. Brodhead’s Chamber of Commerce, the promoters, and organizers of AutumnFest, moved their daylong event from the historic square to Veterans’ Park to
More
Celebrate Southern Wisconsin's Bountiful-Fall Crop At Deerfield Apple Fest
Fall is finally here and for some apple aficionados a pilgrimage to Bayfield Apple Festival and Gays Mills Apple Festival is a worthy daytrip. But with over a dozen orchards within a 25 mile radius of Madison Southern Wisconsin is an equally prime location for a festival. Jeff Moerke, co-owner of the Bittersweet Blessings Farm, an apple orchard in Deerfield saw the potential..
More
Check out the Fall Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show This Weekend
Over the decade the Fall Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show has taken on more of a flea market atmosphere says Erick Esse. Erick, one of the event's organizers is the son of Madison Classics founder, Gary Esse.. More
Take Off Into the Night The Flight of Lights Arrives at Dane County Regional Airport
Now in its' Fourth year, the Flight of Lights is finally finding its' own as a free fun annual event for families in the Madison area. "It started as a creative response to the canceling of so many area events, and the stay at home order," says Michael Riechers, Dane County Regional Airport's Director of Marketing and Communications.
2023 Madison Home Expo
Begin the New Year with a new home office or wood flooring or at least a chance to dream about a future DIY home project in 2023 visit the Monona Terrace in downtown for the 2023 Madison Home Expo.
DETAILS:
Fri. Jan 7 2:00pm - 7pm
Sat. Jan. 8 10:00 am - 7pm
Sun. Jan. 9 10:00 am - 7:00pm
Monona Terrace, downtown Madison
The Beloit International Film Festival Returns In Person for Its' 18th Year
It is 2023, almost three years since the COVID-19 virus hit the American shores an ever present pandemic that pushed the organizers of BIFF in 2021 to go all virtual for the first time. This year, the always, well attended film festival returns to cinema screens in downtown Beloit.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
UFO DAY 2021
Harvest Fest
Dane Buy Local Car Show
Rock River Thresheree 2021
An Outdoor Tour Of Art 2021
Coffee Break Festival 2021
Cottage Grove Classics Car Show
Tobacco Heritage Days
Juneteenth Day Celebrations Recognize Historic Day in American History
Summer Festival Season Kicks Off with Synttendai Mai in Stoughton
Strength In Numbers: A Cambridge Area Potters Collective Thrives
Dane County Regional Airport Looks To Make Flight Of Lights An Annual Event
The Beloit International Film Festival: Bringing The World To Beloit And Beloit To The World
Winter Is Alive, A Truly Madison, Carnival For The Season
The Ice Castles Return to Geneva National Resort in Lake Geneva
ONGOING
CONCERTS IN THE PARK RETURN TO CENTRAL PARK IN EDGERTON FOR THE 2025 SEASON
The Arts Council of Edgerton is happy to bring back a musical summer filled with Concerts in the Park. Bring a lawn chair, relax, and listen to an evening of free music! All shows take place at the Menhall Pavilion in Central Park starting at 6:30 pm. Alternate rain dates are noted or will be scheduled at a later date. The Edgerton Band Boosters will provide concessions for sale. Concert attendees will be expected to follow current COVID-19 health and safety guidance such as social distancing and only attending if healthy.
The Arts Council relies on the generosity of many sponsors to make these wonderful events happen at no cost to the community. This year, a special thanks is due to the Wartmann Endowment for the Performing Arts for an especially generous contribution that allowed additional shows to be added.
This year's performers include (from upcoming to future dates) :
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