Labor Day weekend brings Scottish athletics, neighborhood festivals, a county fair, outdoor art, motorcycle culture, concerts, markets, lake-country baseball, and family programs across Southeast Wisconsin. These 20 picks were checked against official organizer, venue, museum, government, or authorized ticketing pages on September 3, 2026. Details and availability can change after publication, so reopen the official link in each listing before you leave.
Festivals and fairs
1. Wisconsin Highland Games
Waukesha County Expo fills with pipe bands, Highland dancing, caber tossing, Celtic music, herding demonstrations, living history, clan tents, children’s activities, and a Friday-night ceilidh.
- Date
- Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- Friday 5–9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. (field events end at 6 p.m.); Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (field events end at 5 p.m.).
- Venue
- Waukesha County Exposition Center
- Address
- 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188
- Price
- Friday admission and parking are free. Saturday or Sunday admission is $20 at the gate or $21 online including the fee; children 12 and under are free.
- Audience
- All ages; children’s activities are offered. No pets or carry-in food or drink.
- Accessibility
- Most core Expo Center routes are paved or indoors, but some clan and athletics areas are on grass; contact Wisconsin Scottish for a specific accommodation.
- Parking
- Free on-site parking.
- Tickets / registration
- No ticket is needed Friday; a separate ticket is required for each weekend day for guests over 12.
- Capacity / sales status
- Advance tickets were available when checked; no sold-out notice was posted.
- Weather
- Rain or shine; field programs are outdoors and individual times may change.
2. St. Francis Days
This neighborhood festival pairs carnival rides and games with live music, a Saturday parade, cornhole tournaments, Sunday Polka Mass, and a Sunday afternoon car show.
- Date
- Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- Friday 6–10:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon–10:30 p.m. Saturday parade at 11 a.m.; Sunday Polka Mass at 11 a.m. and car show 1–4 p.m.
- Venue
- Milton Vretenar Memorial Park
- Address
- 3631 E Denton Avenue, St. Francis, WI 53235
- Price
- Free festival admission; ride wristbands are $30, and food, drinks, games, and tournament entry cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; rides have operator height and safety rules. Alcohol service is for guests 21+ with ID.
- Accessibility
- Park paths connect the main grounds, though lawn and temporary festival surfaces may be uneven; contact the organizer for a specific accommodation.
- Parking
- Use signed park-area and neighborhood parking; arrive early because spaces and parade approaches can fill.
- Tickets / registration
- No admission registration. Cornhole entry uses separate sign-up and fees.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public festival with no sold-out notice; ride capacity and vendor supplies are finite.
- Weather
- Primarily outdoors; check the organizer’s updates if severe weather is possible.
3. Oak Creek LionsFest
The Oak Creek Lions’ Labor Day fundraiser brings carnival rides, food, live entertainment, raffles, and a Sunday car show to the festival grounds on South Shepard Avenue.
- Date
- Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- The official event window opens Friday at 3 p.m. and continues through Labor Day; carnival rides begin Friday at 4 p.m. Sunday’s car show runs 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- Venue
- Oak Creek LionsFest grounds
- Address
- 9327 S Shepard Avenue, Oak Creek, WI 53154
- Price
- Free grounds admission; carnival day passes are $40 at the festival and a four-day mega pass is $100 at the festival. Food, games, and raffles cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; rides have operator height and safety rules, and alcohol service is 21+.
- Accessibility
- Outdoor festival surfaces include pavement and lawn; contact Oak Creek Lions before arrival for a particular mobility or seating need.
- Parking
- Follow on-site signs and event staff; close parking is limited during peak periods.
- Tickets / registration
- No admission registration. Vehicle participation in the Sunday car show requires a separate $10 registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Festival and ride passes were active. Vendor registration is closed, but that does not restrict public attendance.
- Weather
- Outdoor festival; individual rides and activities may pause in unsafe conditions.
4. Walworth County Fair
The 177th county fair combines agriculture, animal exhibits, carnival rides, food, demonstrations, and daily entertainment; weekend grandstand headliners include Russell Dickerson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Ludacris.
- Date
- Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- Fairgrounds 7 a.m.–11 p.m. each day; Friday Russell Dickerson at 7:30 p.m., Saturday Lynyrd Skynyrd at 7:30 p.m., Sunday Ludacris with DJ Bizzon at 7:30 p.m.
- Venue
- Walworth County Fairgrounds
- Address
- 411 E Court Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121
- Price
- Daily fair admission: adults $13, juniors ages 5–12 $8, ages 4 and under free; senior admission is $10 Friday for ages 62+. Grandstand concerts and midway rides cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; grandstand programs, rides, and animal areas have their own safety and supervision rules.
- Accessibility
- A limited number of standard wheelchairs is available first come, first served; fair surfaces include pavement, gravel, and grass.
- Parking
- General fair parking is free.
- Tickets / registration
- General admission ticket required for ages 5+; grandstand shows require separate tickets.
- Capacity / sales status
- Fair and official grandstand tickets were on sale when checked; concerts, reserved seating, and ride inventory are capacity-limited.
- Weather
- Fair operates in varied conditions, but outdoor, midway, and grandstand schedules may change for weather.
Arts, history and culture
5. Bristol Renaissance Faire: Cottagecore Weekend
Bristol’s final weekend adds a cottagecore theme to jousting, stage shows, artisans, games, food, costumed characters, a self-guided Cozy Crawl, maypole dance, trivia, and fairy-themed activities.
- Date
- Saturday, September 5–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- 10 a.m.–7 p.m. each day.
- Venue
- Bristol Renaissance Faire
- Address
- 12550 120th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53142
- Price
- Box office: adults $48; seniors 62+ and military with ID $46; children 5–12 $23; ages 4 and under free. Food, games, rides, and parking cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; some pub and comedy acts may suit older guests better.
- Accessibility
- Accessible parking is $10. The large outdoor village includes grass, gravel, and uneven terrain; review the official FAQ before traveling.
- Parking
- General parking $10 cash; preferred $20 cash; advance VIP parking $35.
- Tickets / registration
- Admission ticket required for ages 5+. Purchase only through the Faire or its authorized ticket provider.
- Capacity / sales status
- General tickets were available; VIP and specialty experiences have separate limited inventory.
- Weather
- Outdoor and rain or shine.
6. Third Ward Art Festival
Nearly 200 juried artists line Broadway with ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, demonstrations, family art activities, music, and nearby food and drink.
- Date
- Saturday, September 5–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m. each day.
- Venue
- Broadway in the Historic Third Ward
- Address
- 345 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Free admission; artwork, classes, food, drinks, and parking cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly.
- Accessibility
- Street-festival routes are paved and described by the organizer as accessible; crowds and temporary booths can narrow circulation.
- Parking
- Use Third Ward garages, lots, legal street parking, transit, or rideshare; nearby spaces fill quickly.
- Tickets / registration
- No admission registration; optional painting classes may require separate sign-up.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public festival with no sold-out notice; class space and artist inventory are finite.
- Weather
- Outdoor event; confirm organizer updates if storms threaten.
7. The RIDE Home at the Harley-Davidson Museum
Friday’s First Responders Appreciation Day features museum programming, motorcycle challenges, product displays, stunt entertainment, a first-responder ceremony, and free live sets by Hippies & Cowboys and Colt Ford.
- Date
- Friday, September 4
- Time
- Campus programming 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; museum 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; live music 5–6:30 p.m. and 7:30–9 p.m.
- Venue
- Harley-Davidson Museum campus
- Address
- 400 W Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI 53201
- Price
- Outdoor campus entertainment is free; museum admission and limited archive programs are separately ticketed. Active and retired firefighters and law-enforcement officers receive free museum admission Friday.
- Audience
- All ages; loud engines, stunts, and live music may call for hearing protection for young children.
- Accessibility
- The museum campus has accessible entrances, routes, restrooms, and parking; contact Guest Services for program-specific needs.
- Parking
- Free parking is advertised for The RIDE Home, subject to capacity; rideshare is a useful backup.
- Tickets / registration
- No ticket for outdoor entertainment; museum admission or advance tickets are required for paid programs.
- Capacity / sales status
- Campus event is open; Stories from the Vault is specifically limited-capacity and requires advance tickets.
- Weather
- Outdoor programs can be affected by weather; museum programming is indoors.
8. Forward: Wisconsin Artists on America’s Pursuit of Happiness
Cedarburg Art Museum’s new exhibition gathers Wisconsin artists across generations to examine work, agriculture, leisure, conflict, identity, and other ideas tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
- Date
- Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday noon–4 p.m.
- Venue
- Cedarburg Art Museum
- Address
- W63 N675 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI 53012
- Price
- Free admission; a $10 donation is suggested.
- Audience
- All ages; exhibition themes may invite family discussion.
- Accessibility
- A rear accessible entrance serves first-floor galleries and the shop; the historic building’s second floor is stair-only.
- Parking
- Use the museum lot and legal downtown street parking; observe posted restrictions.
- Tickets / registration
- No general-admission reservation listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Regular exhibition hours with no capacity alert posted.
- Weather
- Indoor exhibition; severe weather may affect travel or hours.
Live music and nightlife
9. Brad Paisley Live
Brad Paisley brings his country catalog and guitar-focused live show to the lakefront with Jake Worthington and Laci Kaye Booth.
- Date
- Friday, September 4
- Time
- 7:30 p.m.; allow extra time for security and mobile-ticket entry.
- Venue
- BMO Pavilion
- Address
- 200 N Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Paid reserved and general-admission tickets; prices are dynamic and the current all-in total appears in the official Ticketmaster checkout.
- Audience
- All ages; children 3+ need a ticket in reserved sections. Hearing protection is recommended for children.
- Accessibility
- Accessible seating is sold at all price levels; purchase designated inventory or contact the box office at 414-273-2600.
- Parking
- On-site concert parking is $30 when available; accessible spaces are in Lot H with the appropriate permit and parking pass.
- Tickets / registration
- Mobile ticket required.
- Capacity / sales status
- Official tickets and parking were on sale; VIP upgrades and preferred sections are limited.
- Weather
- Covered seating reduces some weather exposure, but entry and parking are outdoors.
10. De La Buena at Riverwalk Commons
Milwaukee ensemble De La Buena closes the workweek with Afro-Cuban and Latin-jazz rhythms, supported by food trucks and a full outdoor bar beneath I-794.
- Date
- Friday, September 4
- Time
- Happy hour 5–6 p.m.; live music 6–8:30 p.m.
- Venue
- Riverwalk Commons
- Address
- 423 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Free admission; food and beverages cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages in the public space; alcohol service is 21+ with ID.
- Accessibility
- Paved downtown approaches serve the plaza; contact Milwaukee Public Market for a specific accommodation.
- Parking
- The Public Market lot is nearby, and other Third Ward garages, transit, and rideshare serve the area.
- Tickets / registration
- No admission reservation listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public concert with no sold-out notice; seating and vendor supplies are first come.
- Weather
- Outdoor event beneath the freeway; check the organizer for severe-weather changes.
11. Holy Pinto album-release show
Milwaukee-based indie-pop songwriter Holy Pinto celebrates the album Wedding Season with a full-band hometown performance and opening sets from Moonglow and Waterspouts.
- Date
- Saturday, September 5
- Time
- Doors 6 p.m.; show 7 p.m.
- Venue
- Vivarium
- Address
- 1818 N Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Paid ticket; the current price and fees appear in the authorized AXS checkout.
- Audience
- All ages, subject to venue policies.
- Accessibility
- Accessible entry and accommodations are available through the venue; contact Pabst Theater Group before purchase for a specific seating need.
- Parking
- Use legal street parking, nearby paid lots, transit, or rideshare; no large bags are allowed.
- Tickets / registration
- AXS mobile ticket required.
- Capacity / sales status
- On sale when checked; the small venue has finite capacity.
- Weather
- Indoor concert.
12. The Wallflowers: Bringing Down the Horse anniversary tour
The Wallflowers perform Bringing Down the Horse in sequence, then honor Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers by playing Long After Dark, with Early James opening.
- Date
- Sunday, September 6
- Time
- Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m.
- Venue
- The Pabst Theater
- Address
- 144 E Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Price
- Tickets were listed from $64.55 through the destination calendar; final price and fees appear in the authorized AXS checkout.
- Audience
- All ages unless the ticket checkout states otherwise; the show is amplified and may be loud.
- Accessibility
- Accessible seating and other accommodations are available through Pabst Theater Group; request them before purchase.
- Parking
- Discounted paid parking may be purchased through the venue; downtown garages, transit, and rideshare are alternatives.
- Tickets / registration
- AXS mobile ticket required.
- Capacity / sales status
- On sale when checked; seating is limited and no sold-out notice was posted.
- Weather
- Indoor concert.
Markets and Wisconsin flavors
13. Kenosha HarborMarket
Kenosha’s lakefront market brings together local produce, meat, cheese, baked goods, prepared food, art, crafts, live music, a library bookmobile, and free first-Saturday art activities.
- Date
- Saturday, September 5
- Time
- 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Venue
- Kenosha HarborMarket outdoor site
- Address
- 2nd Avenue between 54th and 56th Streets, Kenosha, WI 53140
- Price
- Free admission; purchases cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly; follow the market’s pet policy.
- Accessibility
- Paved street and sidewalk routes serve the market; crowds can narrow aisles.
- Parking
- Use lakefront lots and legal downtown street parking; arrive early for closer spaces.
- Tickets / registration
- No visitor registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open weekly market with no capacity notice; products and prepared foods can sell out.
- Weather
- Rain or shine; the organizer posts inclement-weather changes on Facebook.
14. West Bend Farmers Market
More than 100 downtown stalls offer Wisconsin produce, meat, dairy, flowers, baked goods, prepared food, crafts, and small-business goods along Main Street.
- Date
- Saturday, September 5
- Time
- 7:30–11 a.m.
- Venue
- Downtown West Bend
- Address
- 120 N Main Street, West Bend, WI 53095
- Price
- Free admission; purchases cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages.
- Accessibility
- The street market is primarily paved; crowds and temporary stalls can narrow routes.
- Parking
- Use downtown public lots and legal street spaces outside the market closure.
- Tickets / registration
- No visitor registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open weekly market; popular products may sell out before closing.
- Weather
- Outdoor market; check Downtown West Bend updates for severe-weather changes.
15. Fish Fry & Oktoberfest Night at Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin reopens its Friday-evening fish fry season with cod or pasty meals, classic sides, Old Fashioneds, beer at Wittnebel’s Tavern, and patio seating by the Clausing Cafe.
- Date
- Friday, September 4
- Time
- 4–8 p.m.
- Venue
- Old World Wisconsin, Clausing Cafe and Biergarten
- Address
- W372 S9727 Highway 67, Eagle, WI 53119
- Price
- No admission ticket is required for the fish fry. Standard cod or pasty meals are $14.95; drinks and desserts cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages; alcohol service is 21+ with ID.
- Accessibility
- The cafe is reached within a historic site that includes gravel, rough, and hilly terrain; contact Old World Wisconsin for an accessible route.
- Parking
- Use the museum’s on-site visitor parking and follow staff directions.
- Tickets / registration
- No entry ticket required; seating and meals are first come unless the organizer offers reservations.
- Capacity / sales status
- No sold-out notice; seating and meal quantities are finite.
- Weather
- Dining areas include indoor and outdoor seating; severe weather may affect the biergarten.
16. Labor Day weekend music at Whitnall Beer Garden
Three free live sets—Pat Davidson Friday, Lenny Szwiec Saturday, and Odd Man Out Sunday—pair with a broad Wisconsin tap list, nonalcoholic options, and food in the Root River park setting.
- Date
- Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- Beer garden Friday 4–9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; music Friday and Saturday 5–8 p.m., Sunday 3–6 p.m.
- Venue
- Whitnall Beer Garden
- Address
- 8831 N Root River Parkway, Greendale, WI 53132
- Price
- Free admission and music; food and beverages cost extra.
- Audience
- All ages in the park; alcohol service is 21+ with ID.
- Accessibility
- Park paths and accessible parking serve the beer garden; some seating is on lawn or gravel.
- Parking
- Free park parking is available but can fill during music hours.
- Tickets / registration
- No admission registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public venue with no sold-out notice; tables and popular menu items are first come.
- Weather
- Outdoor event; music or hours may change in unsafe weather.
Sports, family and outdoors
17. Lake Country DockHounds vs. Sioux City Explorers
The DockHounds close the regular-season home schedule with three games against Sioux City, offering Friday and Saturday nights under the lights plus a Sunday afternoon option.
- Date
- Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6
- Time
- Friday 6:35 p.m.; Saturday 6:35 p.m.; Sunday 1:05 p.m.
- Venue
- DockHounds Ballpark
- Address
- 1011 Blue Ribbon Circle N, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
- Price
- Paid tickets; current seat prices and fees appear in the official MyProVenue checkout.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly; children should be supervised around foul-ball areas.
- Accessibility
- Accessible seating and parking are available; select appropriate inventory or contact the club before purchase.
- Parking
- On-site parking is available; arrive early on promotional nights and follow ballpark staff.
- Tickets / registration
- A separate game ticket is required for each date.
- Capacity / sales status
- Official tickets were on sale for all three games; preferred sections are finite.
- Weather
- Outdoor baseball; games may be delayed or rescheduled for weather.
18. Wheels on Main
Downtown West Bend turns into a walkable car, truck, and motorcycle show with hundreds of vehicles, judged classes, live music, food, family activities, and open downtown businesses.
- Date
- Sunday, September 6
- Time
- 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. for spectators; participant gate opens earlier.
- Venue
- Downtown West Bend Main Street
- Address
- 120 N Main Street, West Bend, WI 53095
- Price
- Free spectator admission; vehicle registration is $15 in advance or $20 day of, space permitting.
- Audience
- All ages and family-friendly.
- Accessibility
- The show uses paved downtown streets; crowds and parked display vehicles can narrow routes.
- Parking
- Public parking remains available outside the street closures; follow event detours and posted restrictions.
- Tickets / registration
- No spectator registration. Vehicle entries are limited to 500 and require registration.
- Capacity / sales status
- Free public viewing; vehicle-entry capacity is limited.
- Weather
- Outdoor event; check Downtown West Bend for weather or schedule changes.
19. Family Night at Pike Lake
Children’s musician Randy Peterson leads an interactive outdoor set, with ice cream sold by the Friends of Pike Lake for an easy early-evening family outing.
- Date
- Saturday, September 5
- Time
- 6–8 p.m.
- Venue
- Pike Lake Unit Amphitheater
- Address
- 3250 Kettle Moraine Road, Hartford, WI 53027
- Price
- Program is free; a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required. Ice cream costs extra.
- Audience
- All ages and designed for families.
- Accessibility
- Contact Pike Lake staff at 262-670-3400 for the most suitable parking route or a program accommodation.
- Parking
- Park vehicle admission sticker required; use designated amphitheater-area parking.
- Tickets / registration
- No program registration listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public program with no capacity notice; amphitheater seating is first come.
- Weather
- Held rain or shine; bring suitable layers and rain protection.
20. Summer Wildflower Walk
A naturalist-led caravan and short hike explores the Southern Unit’s late-summer prairie blooms, with frequent stops to identify plants and understand the landscape.
- Date
- Saturday, September 5
- Time
- 10–11:30 a.m.
- Venue
- Kettle Moraine State Forest–Southern Unit Headquarters and Museum
- Address
- S91 W39091 Highway 59, Eagle, WI 53119
- Price
- Program is free; a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required.
- Audience
- All ages who can manage a slow walk of under one mile; children should stay with an adult.
- Accessibility
- The walk uses uneven natural terrain and waterproof shoes are recommended; call 262-594-6200 for accommodation questions.
- Parking
- Meet at headquarters, then caravan to the best current bloom site; vehicle admission sticker required.
- Tickets / registration
- No advance registration listed.
- Capacity / sales status
- Open public program with no capacity alert posted.
- Weather
- Weather-dependent and may be canceled or altered for unsafe conditions.
Before you go
Ticket inventory, registration limits, weather plans, road closures, and parking availability can change quickly over a holiday weekend. Reopen the official event link on the day you plan to attend, confirm the time and admission status, and buy only from the organizer or its authorized ticketing partner.
For accessibility, contact the organizer before arrival when you need a particular seating location, mobility route, interpreter, sensory support, service-animal accommodation, or parking arrangement. A general access note cannot account for every event space or individual need.
Educational information: This guide is general educational and informational content, not a guarantee of admission, accessibility, parking, weather, safety, price, schedule, age suitability, or ticket availability. Organizers can change, postpone, cancel, sell out, or restrict programs after publication. Confirm the official event page, ticket terms, weather plan, venue policies, and any accommodation directly with the organizer before traveling or purchasing.