HOME | STAY | FOOD GUIDE | SHOP | LAKE MONONA | LAKE KEGONSA | LAKE WAUBESA | LAKE KOSHKONG
Events In South Central Wisconsin
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.
Have an event you want publicized? Post your events at LakesEdition.com and our Summer newspaper distributed across Southern Wisconsin. Lakes Edition is the Summer vacation tradition
for over 40 years. Email your story ideas and events to info@lakesedition.com.
find the schedule Southern Wisconsin events here
Featured Event
CHILIMANIA
Edgerton - How could we not feature our festival, in our own backyard, with awesome, amazing chili and music?
Ready For Fire in the Belly? Come savor and celebrate dozens of professional and backyard chili artists and aficionados at Edgerton's largest festival of the year, Chilimania. The Friday-Saturday high-octane food fete is one of 400 American and international chili competitions sanctioned by the Texas based Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI.) $15 admission gets you through the gates on Henry Street in downtown Edgerton. Chilimania like the other CASI endorsed cookoffs raises money for a good cause. To date, the Edgerton chili competition has raised close to $250,000 raising awareness of the town's local businesses and educational funds for area youth. Learn more
Other Events
September 11-13 | Jefferson
The Sheep and Wool Fest is baaaaack, baack in the saddle again at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, another great late Summer festival. Ewe will discover the wonderful world of all things wool. This sheep and affiliating product event attracts sheep herders, wool producers from local, regional and national parts of the U.S.
Learn more
September 12 | Downtown Madison
Opa! Not oompa, but there will be a lot of music, frivolity and mirth to be had as attendees are invited to join in with the traditionally dressed performers and Greek dancers for a community unifying event. Also don't forget the great Greek food but be sure to arrive early as lines get long for the lunch and dinner hours, along East Washington Avenue.
September 11-13 | Lake Farm Park | Madison
Fan's of gypsy swing music? This is the place that has drawn a loyal following, and brings in musicians coast to coast to keep this great American music alive for all ages. This is a ticketed event, but what a better place to listen to gypsy swing jazz music outdoors under the sun and under the stars
August 27-30 | Madison's Eastside
The original Eastside music festival returns for its 61st year of fabulous music, food and fun on August 28-30th! As always, the weekend will feature some of the best of local and touring bands as well as Cycropia Aerial Dance performing under the great oaks.
August 27-30 | Middleton
Music every night, Friday through Sunday tribute bands, many genres great local talent. Amusements rides, local food. Also check out the Middleton Lions Club Art and Craft Show, 70 local and regional artists from and to, woodworkers, jewelers, potters, painters, photographers, weavers, and many more including locally made specialty foods. And what would a Summer weekend in August be without a parade, bingo and amusement rides? Not, Good Neighbor Festival which features these great family friendly options and much more.
August 21-23 | Sun Prairie
Come one and all see what has been described at one of the best corn festivals in the entire Midwest. Sun Prairie is synonymous with corn, it surrounds the town, it is in this town's DNA. So, it is only fitting that the largest corn festival in Southern Wisconsin is hosted here. Find roasted corn on the cob, corn salsa, corn chowder, corn ice cream and many more maize delicacies. Don't forget the great music, family activities like amusement rides, and local food and craft vendors.
August 22 | Madison
Now a one day event, Ukranian Fest brings joy to dark time for the Ukranian people. Find local food vendors of traditional Uk classics, hear classic music performances and dancing, not to mention a lot great activities, costumes and more.
August 7-9 | Brodhead
Brodhead hosts a weekend brimming with exciting and interesting activities for everyone. Events include vendors of every kind on the square, tractor display, boat rides, and a car show! LIVE MUSIC. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
Tobacco Town Showdown Tractor Pull
July 25 | Edgerton
Enjoy a full day of pulling entertainment at the Historic Rock River Thresheree. Featuring pro stock tractors, limited pro stock tractors, super farm tractors, 466 hot farm tractors, and pro street diesel trucks. Food trucks and beverage stands on site – no carry-ins. Rock County Thresheree Grounds, 51 E Cox Rd., Edgerton
July 24 | Historic Courthouse Square, Monroe
Join the fun on Monroe's downtown Square. Live music, beer garden, and usually some intermission surprises. Beer garden and food stands open at 5 pm; music begins at 6:30 pm. Presented by Main Street Monroe, sponsored by Colony Brands. Tonights' band: Miles Nielsen. Concert begins at 6:30 PM on Monroe's Historic Courthouse Square (1016 - 16th Ave.)
July 25-31 | downtown Janesville
View original artwork by local artists in storefront windows throughout downtown Janesville. Each installation pairs the art with information about the space it occupies - spaces available for lease are presented with leasing details, and spaces with incoming tenants introduce the businesses preparing to open. The result is a self-guided, open-air gallery that turns available and underutilized storefronts into points of interest. The initiative concludes with a free community Gallery Night featuring a self-guided walking tour on August 15 where you can meet the artists, plus an online silent auction of the art beginning August 8 and ending August 15.
July 17-19 | Dane County Fair Grounds, Madison
Swine, cow, and rabbit shows scheduled throughout the fair. There's a rooster crowing
contest, don't forget the Ag Olympics, horse show, 4H demonstrations and exhibits,
motor cycle stunts, a dinosaur show, a magic show, live music for your entertainment, not to mention a full blown Midway. For fair food there great local vendors selling tacos, funnel cake, shaved ice, coffee (it is Madison) , or get milk tea or bahn mi from Yum Yum Express. Want to take something special from the fair? The 4H has a store, El Gallito Sports features everything futbol, find a soccer jersey of your favorite Wold Cup team, or bring something home that is truly unique from Kawsay Native Crafts, LLC.
July 17-19 | Walworth County Fair Grounds, Elkhorn
Celebrate one of America's favorite Summertime foods, barbecue ribs as 23 rib-utable competitors from far and wide compete for best in show. Good news everyone attending can sample. Read More
July 13 | Fort Atkinson Generals Grounds, Fort Atkinson
Join us for the Fort Atkinson Cruise Nights for music, food, old cars, and more! Featuring over 400 vehicles including restored vintage trucks, tractors, and classic automobiles. The Fort Atkinson Generals will provide the food stand. Future dates include:
August 10th, 2026 — 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Celebrate Wisconsin's Earliest County Fair Of Summer
July 8-12 | Jefferson County Fair Grounds, Jefferson
At 172 years The Jefferson County Fair is the second oldest in Wisconsin, and certainly one of the most exciting family friendly events in our region this Summer. Cows, pigs, and chickens, a circus, tractor pulls, chockfull of amusement rides....Read More
July 9-12 | McPike Park, Madison
Celebrate Madison's French heritage with the premier summer festival, bringing the vibrant energy of French culture, live music, and community celebration to the city’s East Side. Hosted by the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, this free, family-friendly event transforms McPike Park into a lively gathering filled with world-class performances, fabulous food, refreshing drinks for all ages, and activities for all ages.
July 10-12 | Capital Square, Madison
Over 200 local, regional and national artists will sell their wares around the square. Find sculptures, photography, weaves, paintings, jewelry and much more. Don't forget to enjoy local music talent and food vendors rounding up the attractions this weekend at the Art Fair On The Square.
Spring Green's Arts & Crafts Fair
June 27-28 | downtown Spring Green
The fair was started in 1969 to support the arts in the River Valley area. The idea for the first Spring Green Arts and Crafts Fair was born over a bridge game. Today, the fair draws over 10,000 people the streets of downtown Spring Green for fine art produced by local and regional artist, there is great food and entertainment over this two day event.
Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival
June 27 | Monona
Set along the shores of Lake Monona, this free, open-air festival invites you to watch 13 international artists create large-scale wood sculptures live on-site. It’s a rare opportunity to see the creative process up close and connect directly with artists from around the world. It is the first international wood sculpture festival in the United States dedicated to an Indigenous artist.
June 19-27 | Across Madison
Get ready to get things started at the 2026 Madison Jazz Festival. With a mix of free and ticketed events across nine days, experience everything from cool bossa nova to colossal bop, from world fusion wonders to the future of funk, performed by international stars, best-kept-secret industry insiders, and local favorites. And don’t forget to come to the Terrace on June 26–27 for acts all afternoon and evening. Check out these highlights:
- Headlining on the Terrace, Nate Smith invites you to hang as friends jam, while trombone legend Wycliffe Gordon keeps golden age charts fresh and vital today.
- Stepping into her own after years in Stephen Colbert’s house band, Endea Owens & The Cookout make some of today’s most buzzworthy and versatile jazz.
- A collective of studio- and tour-band musicians from superstar acts in pop, R&B, hip hop, and more, Ghost-Note pushes the boundaries of funk.
- Hometown talent Canção performs breezy, sophisticated bossa nova with its own twist.
June 13-14 | Yahara Place Park, Madison
The Marquette Waterfront Festival is the official curtain-raiser to the Eastside’s glorious season of summer music festivals. The festival celebrates its 37th year on June 13 and 14, mixing hot local talent with national touring acts on two stages. Here's what's in store for this year's Waterfront:
June 6-7 | Across Wisconsin
On Free Fishing Weekend, you can cast a line without having a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp. What a great opportunity for family and friends to give it a try.
Attend A Clinic
Search for Fishing on our events calendar for clinic locations. We'll add them as we learn of them.
No Tackle? No Problem!
Wisconsin has nearly 60 tackle loaner sites, many at our state parks. Office hours vary by site, so contact the loaner site when you plan to pick up the gear.
Tried Fishing and Loved It? Get Your License Now
New to fishing or haven't bought a fishing license in 10 years? Want to make it a healthy habit? Try our First-time buyer - Welcome back resident license for only $5. Buy yours today.
Cars On The Square Returns To Monroe
Downtown, Monroe, WI
Join the Cars on the Square CLASSIC cars show featuring classic American cars around all four sides of the historic downtown square. Multiple food vendors will be stationed on the north side of the square selling hotdogs, ribeye sandwiches, snow cones, and more!
Cars on the Square takes place Friday 6/5/2026. 1016 16th Ave, Monroe. Parking starts @ 4:30 Enter from the northwest corner of the square at the corner of 9th St & 16th Ave.
June 6 | Capitol Square, Madison
Join us on Capitol Square on Saturday, June 6th, for this FREE, family-friendly event! Attendees can meet and greet cows from local dairy farms, enjoy Wisconsin dairy products, listen to live music, and much more! Head to the Madison Capitol Square
100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Madison for this great family educational event.
Free Fun Weekend
June 6-7, across Wisconsin
Find Your Adventure For Free. Wisconsin is home to 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, roughly 15,000 lakes and so much more. For the first weekend every June, you can explore it all with state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes waived.
Cars On The Square Returns To Monroe
Downtown, Monroe, WI
Join the Cars on the Square CLASSIC cars show featuring classic American cars around all four sides of the historic downtown square. Multiple food vendors will be stationed on the north side of the square selling hotdogs, ribeye sandwiches, snow cones, and more!
Cars on the Square takes place Friday 6/5/2026. 1016 16th Ave, Monroe. Parking starts @ 4:30 Enter from the northwest corner of the square at the corner of 9th St & 16th Ave.
Fire Off The Festival Season with Hometown Day
May 29-31 Veteran's Park Verona
Verona's entree to the Summer festival season has practically something for absolutely everyone, from thrilling carnival rides and delicious food to live music, games and children’s entertainment. With over 50 years of history, Hometown Days has become a beloved tradition and a highlight of the summer season in Verona.
Join us for a weekend you won’t forget, filled with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories.
May 30 | Dodge County Fairgrounds | Beaver Dam
Get ready for a year of discovery at the 2026 Dodge County Flea Market & Craft Fair! Join us at the fairgrounds for a treasure hunt featuring vintage finds, handmade wonders, and unique creations on May 30, June 20, July 25, August 29, September 19, and October 10. We operate rain or shine with both outdoor and indoor shopping, and as always, admission and parking are free.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
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 2026 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.
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 :
Wednesday, June 24 - Orquestra Salsoul Del Mad
Wednesday, July 1 - Chicken Wire Empire
Wednesday, July 15 - First Brigade
Wednesday, July 29 - Edgerton Community Band
Wednesday, August 12 - Krause Family Band
Monroe Balloon & Blues Festival
Monroe, WI
Monroe Balloon Rally is the longest running balloon event in Wisconsin. The event FREE and is held over Father’s Day Weekend (Fri-Sat). Hot air balloons, crafts, blues music, beer, entertainment and more
Monroe WI Balloon Rally Jun 20-21st balloons launch Fri 6pm and Sat 6am & 6pm. Balloon glows Fri & Sat at sunset. Parking on the Grounds $3 Admin FREE.
HOME | STAY | FOOD GUIDE | SHOP | LAKE MONONA | LAKE KEGONSA | LAKE WAUBESA | LAKE KOSHKONG
