11 Things To Do In Milwaukee This Weekend: Sept. 23-25
A variety of vintage shopping events, Festa Italiana, Milwaukee’s Comic Con and more make this week’s guide.
FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. | THE ORIENTAL THEATER
Last week we kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month. The Oriental Theater is celebrating with a screening of Selena, a biopic of the Queen of Tejano music. Starring a young Jennifer Lopez, the story follows Selena Quintanilla and her family as she rises to fame. The event is co-hosted by Cine Sin Fronteras (Cinema Without Borders), a film group that hosts screenings and events that explore and unpack issues surrounding identity, culture, family, history, and modernity within the Latinx diaspora.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | THE LAUGHING TAP
Comedy lovers will recognize Dan St. Germain from… just about everything. He is a writer, comedian, and actor who has appeared on Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, This Week at the Comedy Cellar, Best Week Ever, John Oliver's New York Stand-up Show, and much more. This weekend, St. Germain is performing four times, so you can fit the comedy show into your weekend schedule.
Milwaukee Diaper Mission is Turning Two
SATURDAY FROM 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. | ESTABROOK PARK
Milwaukee Diaper Mission is a local non-profit with a goal to distribute disposable and reusable diapering and period supplies to the families across the city. This weekend, they are celebrating their second birthday with a family-friendly morning out in the park. There will be plenty of events for children including face painting by Neighbor Art Studio, an interactive scavenger hunt planned by Little Sprouts and Pop and Joy Co and even a visit from some familiar faces thanks to the folks at Royal Fairytale Events. Parents and guardians can enjoy drinks and bites from Vennture Brew Co, Hatched and Pete’s Pops while shopping and listening to live music. Check out Milwaukee Diaper Mission’s Instagram page for more details.
SATURDAY FROM 10 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. | WISCONSIN STATE FAIR EXPO CENTER
Each year, Milwaukee Comic Con brings together artists, writers, vendors and fans for an afternoon celebration of all things geeky. Organized by Mighty Con, this year’s con includes Jordan Gunderson, Barbara Kaalberg, Balke Studios and so many more artists and creatives. Grab your favorite cosplay costume and come down to the Wisconsin State Fair Expo to partake in the fun.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | BC MODERN
Calling all Milwaukee mid-mod lovers! Have you seen @ericthevintagehunter pop on your #fyp yet? Eric Lewis aka Eric The Vintage Hunter is a professional thrifter who owns the curated vintage shop, BC Modern, formerly located in Walker’s Point. He spent the last few months in Bay View, transforming an old credit union into an expansive showroom. This weekend, the store is opening to the public. Come on down to browse and shop his incredible collection of mid-century furniture and home goods.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | ITALIAN COMMUNITY CENTER
Buon giorno, Milwaukee! Festa Italiana is back at the Italian Community Center for a weekend of entertainment, live music and most importantly-- Italian food. A $5 ticket will get you access to the Milwaukee’s Best Sauce competition, a demonstration and sampling from Egg & Flour’s Chef Adam Pawlak, a cannoli eating contest, a newly weds game and other samplings of Italian food and culture.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | ALL ACROSS MILWAUKEE
Doors Open is the yearly opportunity to see inside some of Milwaukee’s most iconic buildings. There are over 100 buildings open to the public for tours, including the Pritzlaff Building, Tripoli Shrine Center, WMSE Studios, Fiserv Forum and many more. With only a few exceptions, tours are free and you can come any time during operating hours. Plan your weekend of tours by checking out the entire list of participating buildings.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY | WISCONSIN STATE FAIR GROUNDS
Can’t wait til next summer to get your cream puff fix? The Harvest Fair is back at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds with treats, events, entertainment and yes-- pumpkin spice and latte flavored cream puffs. Harvest Fair is free for the whole family and includes autumnal activities like pumpkin bowling, build your own scarecrow competitions, pony rides, a pumpkin labyrinth, a lumberjack show and more.
SUNDAY 11 A.M. - 8 P.M. | ZOCALO PARK
414Flea is back at Zocalo Park this weekend with 40 vintage and good vendors to explore. Shoppers can expect to see handpicked vintage clothing, home goods, handmade jewelry, original artwork and so much more. Come on down between 11 - 5 P.M. to shop and stay until 8 P.M. For live musical performances. It is dog friendly and cash-only so make sure to stop at an ATM first!
SUNDAY FROM 12-4 P.M. | WEST ALLIS FARMERS MARKET
Are you looking for an event where your pup can socialize? How about a whole festival dedicated to dogs? Pawtoberfest is a celebration of dogs and their owners, hosted by the Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin (GRRoW). Dog lovers of all ages are invited to come down to the West Allis Farmers Market to check out the variety of vendors, dog-related nonprofits, demonstrations, contests, food trucks and the beer garden.
Black-Owned Autumn Marketplace
SUNDAY FROM 12-5 P.M. | DEER DISTRICT
Head on down to the Deer District to shop the latest and greatest from local Black business owners. The afternoon marketplace is hosted by the creators of MKE Black, a comprehensive directory of Black-owned businesses in Milwaukee and surrounding areas. Organizers believe this will be their biggest market yet, with vendors offering art, fashion, jewelry, crafts, food and more.
