Looking to enjoy the great outdoors, find fresh fruits and vegetables or just have some fun with family and neighbors?
Check out this list of neighborhood farmers markets and other free community event series in Milwaukee.
(Did we miss anything? Feel free to email mmelland@milwaukeenns.org)
Farmers markets
Check out the new Reiske Park Farmers Market from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 and every other Tuesday through August. Starting in September, the market will be every Tuesday until Sept. 22. Located at Reiske Park, 1640 S. 24th St., the market has farmers, artisan and food vendors, live music, resource tables and is now accepting Milwaukee Market Match and SNAP/EBT. Sign up to be a vendor here or donate to the market here. To ask about volunteering or sponsorship, contact rpfarmersmarket@yahoo.com. More information here.
The Jackson Park Farmers Market, held Thursdays from 3 to 6:30 p.m. through Oct. 1, has produce and food vendors, live music and a Taste It tent. The market is located in Jackson Park on Kinnickinnic River Parkway, next to the pond and boathouse. Neighbors can try out the new pickleball courts at a free Learn to Play Clinic on Aug. 6 and a Play with Your Elected Officials pickleball tournament on Aug. 27. More information here.
The Fondy Farmers Market at 2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave. is now open for its regular season until Oct. 31, featuring produce grown by local vendors, music performances and culinary demonstrations. The market is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information here.
Held on the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lot next to 414loral, 1739 N. Martin Luther King Drive, the Bronzeville Farmers Market returns Aug. 8, Sept. 12 and Oct. 10 with support from the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District and Food for Health. The market features a rotating selection of local farmers, food and art vendors. More information here.
The Enderis Park Farmers Market, 2938 N. 72nd St., continues from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays through Sept. 13. The market’s offerings include produce, flowers, baked goods and pay-what-you-can yoga on select dates. More information here.
The market is open every Sunday until Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walker Square Park, 1031 S. 9th St. It offers a variety of kid-friendly activities, including little grocery shopping carts, $2 coupons, a scavenger hunt and two neurodivergent-friendly activity bags families can borrow for the day. In addition to farmers and food vendors, the market features live music, community resources and activities like tai chi and bilingual story time that are announced on its social media pages. More information here.
Other events
Optimist Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park is presenting games, music and performances of “Richard III” with puppets and “The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale.” The season runs Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 16 and has dates at a variety of parks, including at Jackson Park on Aug. 2. More information here.
Kosciuszko Park Alliance Summer Wellness Series
Held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays until Aug. 22, Kosciuszko Park Alliance and Mujeres Con Poder are hosting free tai chi, yoga, Zumba and other wellness classes at the Kosciuszko Community Center, 2201 S. 7th St. No registration required. More information here.
Bronzeville Week returns from Aug. 1 to 8, bringing back community events like the HaRUNbee 5K Run/Walk for Healthy Birth Outcomes, Bronzeville Cultural & Arts Festival and Together We Dream Bronzeville Art Walk, plus new events like the Bronzeville Fashion Show. Most events are free, but some require advanced registration. More information here.
The Milwaukee Police Department and community partners provide music, food, games, face painting and more activities at National Night Out events for all seven districts throughout August. District 3’s night is from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at Johnson’s Park, 1919 W. Fond du Lac Ave. District 5’s night is from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at James W. Beckum Park, 900 W. Brown St. and District 2’s night is from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 12 at Pulaski Park, 2671 S. 16th St. More information here.
Rooted & Rising – Washington Park’s annual Back to School Bash runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 3420 W. Lisbon Ave. The event will prepare families for the school year with free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, food and more. From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 enjoy entertainment, music, arts and crafts and more community resources at Cultural Art Vibes at the Washington Park Pool House, 1859 N. 40th St. More information here.
Summer Sound Bath Series
The Milwaukee Parks Foundation is partnering with Camille Mays on a series of free sound baths at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7 at Dineen Park and Friday, Sept. 4 at Madison Park. The evening sessions are at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Popuch Park and Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Washington Park. There is no cost or registration, but attendees should bring a mat or blanket. More information here.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is hosting two more community fishing clinics this summer from 5 to 7:30 p.m. July 29 at Kosciuszko Park, 2201 S. 7th St. and Aug. 6 at Jackson Park, 3500 W. Forest Home Ave. No registration is required, but participants 16 or older must have a valid fishing license and those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. More information here.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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