Summer in Milwaukee is bursting with possibilities—especially when the kids are in tow.
And the best part? You don’t have to spend a dime to make magical memories.
From waterfalls and splash pads to streetcar adventures and art festivals, this is your go-to list of free family fun all summer long. Bookmark it, use it, share it—and make this your most affordable summer yet.
Tip: Type in “FREE” on our Events Calendar, and see what events are coming up!
June Highlights
Free Family Fun Days
📍 Northwestern Mutual Community Park
🕒 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Interactive fun, family programming, and activities at the lakefront park.
- June 8 – Summerfest
- July 13 – Health & Wellness
- August 3 – STEM
- September 7 – Performing Arts
- 👉 Get all the details in our full guide to Free Family Fun Days at the Lakefront.
Free Summer Movies
Popcorn is $1, and the fun is free! Grab a blanket and catch an outdoor movie under the stars — from Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 to Garfield, Shrek, and more.
✨ Want the full schedule?
Check out our complete guide to Free Summer Movies around Milwaukee.
Free Museum Days
- Old World Wisconsin: Kids Get in Free: June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, Aug 6, Aug 13 & Aug 20.
- Betty Brinn Children’s Museum – 3rd Thursdays (9 AM–7 PM)
- Milwaukee Public Museum – 1st Thursdays
- Milwaukee Art Museum – Always free for kids under 12 + WI K–12 teachers, Free Day on June 5th.
- Harley-Davidson Museum – Free on select holidays
- Milwaukee County Zoo – Select Free Days + Parent Days
- Villa Terrace & Charles Allis Museums – 1st Thursdays
- America’s Black Holocaust Museum – Community Days
- Jewish Museum Milwaukee – Watch for free days
- Boerner Botanical Gardens – FREE on the last Thursday of every month, through Oct. 30, 2025.
- Mitchell Park Domes – Enjoy admission for just $5 on the last Thursday of each month (children 2 & under free).
🎟️ See our full list of Free Museum Admission Days in Milwaukee.
Greek Fest
📅 June 13–15
📍 Wisconsin State Fair Park
Free admission + parking, live music, dancing, carnival rides & classic Greek fare.
Summer Soulstice Music Festival
📅 June 14
📍 Milwaukee’s East Side
Free music, art, kids’ games, and more.
Juneteenth Day Celebration
📅 June 19
📍 Parade + MLK Elementary + Summerfest Grounds
Includes a vibrant parade and a kids’ zone with pony rides, petting zoo & more.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
📅 June 28–29
Family-friendly festival with strawberry treats, kids’ zone, youth makers market, and more.
July Highlights
Frida Fest MKE
📅 July 12–13
📍 4511 S 6th St, Milwaukee
Art workshops, dancing, food, and cultural celebration honoring Frida Kahlo.
Rainbow Summer
📅 July 14–20
📍 Peck Pavilion, Marcus Performing Arts Center
Open-air shows, bubbles, art exhibits, pet-friendly fun, and riverfront picnicking.
Milwaukee Air & Water Show
📅 July 19–20
📍 Lakefront
U.S. Navy Blue Angels, jets, boats, and major wow-factor.
👂 Bring noise-cancelling headphones for sensitive kiddos.
Best viewing spots for Milwaukee Air Show →
Bastille Days
📅 July 17–20
📍 Cathedral Square Park
Street performers, light-up Eiffel Tower, Kids & Family Day, and free Hop access.
August Highlights
Ozaukee County Fair
📅 July 30 – Aug 3
📍 Cedarburg
Rides, animals, music, and free admission make this a summer favorite.
Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival
📅 August 12
📍 Lakeshore State Park
Boat races, martial arts, crafts, and Chinese cultural exhibits.
MOWA Art & Chalk Fest
📅 August 16–17
📍 West Bend
Live chalk art, henna, demos, and hands-on creativity for all ages.
Bronzeville Week
📅 August 2–9
Community pride, trolley rides, food vendors, and a family-focused cultural festival.
Root Beer Bash
📅 August 2
Live music, kids’ zone, root beer floats, and giveaways.
Third Ward Art Festival
📅 August 30–31
📍 Historic Third Ward
Face painting, food, and juried art in a family-friendly, dog-friendly setting.
Free Fun All Summer Long
💦 Splash Pads & Spraygrounds
Cool off (for free!) at one of these family-friendly splash pads around the Milwaukee area:
- The Grove at Village Park – W244N6125 Weaver Dr., Sussex
- Hart Park Splash Pad – 7300 Chestnut St., Wauwatosa
- Oak Creek Splash Pad – 361 W. Town Square Way, Oak Creek
- Kinderberg Park Sprayground – N106W14937 Buckthorn Dr., Germantown
- Elizabeth “Bo” Black Family Fountain – 200 N Harbor Dr., Milwaukee (open during festivals)
- Lake Country Rotary Splash Pad – 175 E. Park Ave., Hartland
- Hickory Park Splash Pad – N165 W20290 Hickory Ln., Jackson
👉 See the full list of Milwaukee Splash Pads
🎶 Free Outdoor Concerts for Families
Nothing says summer like live music in the park and kids dancing barefoot in the grass. Milwaukee is filled with free concert series that welcome families — think playgrounds nearby, food trucks, and early start times. From Chill on the Hill in Bay View to Wonderful Wednesdays in Lake Park, there’s something for everyone — and yes, they’re all free.
👉 Explore our full guide to Family-Friendly Summer Concerts in Milwaukee.
🚋 Ride The Hop
Free streetcar + family-friendly stops = easy downtown adventure.
All 10 Hop Streetcar Stops →
Milwaukee Mural Self-Tour
Colorful photo ops like Black Cat Alley and kid-approved art like the Giannis mural downtown!
Top 10 murals your kids will love →
Take a Hike
Art meets nature at this stunning (and now free!) outdoor museum.
More kid-friendly summer hikes →
Walk the Labyrinth
📍 Hartung Park, Wauwatosa
Quiet reflection meets playful exploration just behind the hill.
Playground Adventures
Top picks: Davidson Park, Village Park in Menomonee Falls, Kayla’s Playground, and more.
Here are our favorite Milwaukee playgrounds.
Hop in a Swimming Pond
Check out the no-admission gems: Pewaukee Lake and Fox Brook Park.
More swimming ponds and lake around Milwaukee →
Chase Waterfalls
Yes, Milwaukee has waterfalls! Here are five Milwaukee waterfalls you’ll love.
Kids Bowl Free Program
2 free games every day for kids at select MKE bowling centers.
How to sign up + participating lanes →
Bonus: Coming Soon
Art Blaze on the Beach
Joy Engine’s free beach celebration returns with s’mores, bonfires, art, and music.
📍 Bradford & South Shore Beaches
📅 TBD for 2025
💡 Want Even More Free Fun?
This list is just the start!
🎁 Grab our “MKE for Free” E-Book →
Only $10 for 250+ year-round free things to do with your kids in Milwaukee—organized by season, searchable, and ready to help you create unforgettable memories.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
