Looking for fun and free things to do with your family in Milwaukee this July? We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re in the mood for Independence Day festivities, a summer festival, or an art adventure, there’s something for everyone. Check out these fantastic free events happening throughout the month!
Don’t stop here! Plan even more family fun with our Daily Events Calendar featuring activities every day, or dive into our Weekend Guide for top picks happening this weekend.
Milwaukee’s Drone Show @ McKinley Beach
📅 July 3 | ⏰ 9:15 PM
Milwaukee is skipping traditional fireworks this year and instead debuting a 45-minute drone show synced to music at McKinley Beach. Expect visuals of local landmarks, patriotic symbols, and more. A first-of-its-kind celebration for the city!
Find more drone shows, fireworks displays, and other free Fourth of July events >>
Ruckus & Glee 10th Anniversary Celebration
📅 July 12 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Ruckus & Glee is turning 10 — can you believe it?! This Wauwatosa toy store is celebrating with a FREE 10th Anniversary Celebration, which will include games, face painting, a magic show, a sidewalk sale, and plenty of cake. Bring the kids, your inner child, or both!
Frida Fest MKE
📅 July 12-13 | ⏰ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Saturday), 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sunday)
Celebrate the life, art, and cultural legacy of Frida Kahlo at Frida Fest MKE — a colorful, interactive two-day festival filled with music, dance, art, and community. This family-friendly event celebrates local Latinx artists and offers plenty of opportunities for kids and adults to create, dance, and explore together, including craft workshops, live music and dance performances, food trucks, and more.
Sunday Family Fun Day: Family Health & Wellness
📅 July 13 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Head to Northwestern Mutual Community Park for hands-on activities, live entertainment, community partners, and local food vendors. This month, enjoy active fun and wellness-themed activities from Milwaukee Kickers, Playworks, Girl Scouts, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Wellpoint Care Network, and more.
Rainbow Summer @ Marcus Performing Arts Center Outdoor Grounds
📅 July 14-20
Join the Marcus Performing Arts Center and Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 for Rainbow Summer 2025, a week of free public performances, food trucks, activities, an interactive art installation, and more! Each evening features live music from regional and national acts, with special experiences for families throughout the week, including bubble play, dance parties, and more.
Bastille Days
📅 July 17-20 | ⏰ 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Thursday), 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Friday & Saturday), 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Sunday)
Milwaukee’s Bastille Days is one of the largest French-themed festivals in the country! At the heart of the event is a 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica that lights up the square hourly, creating a magical atmosphere day and night. Kids’ & Family Day (usually Saturday) features hands-on fun like crafts, soccer and dance lessons, and live kid-friendly entertainment. There will even be a French Bulldog Kissing Booth!
Waterstone Bank Air & Water Show
📅 July 19-20 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Milwaukee’s skies will come alive with the roar of jets and the splash of lakefront stunts during one of the city’s most awe-inspiring—and free!—summer traditions. Families flock to the lakefront to witness the precision and power of military and civilian aircraft, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, F-22 Raptor Demo Team, C-130 “Fat Albert,” and many more. Pro Tip: This event gets loud—noise-cancelling headphones are a must for sensitive kids!
Learn the Best Spots to View the Milwaukee Air & Water Show >>
ArtBlaze @ McKinley Beach
📅 July 24 | ⏰ 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind beach party meets public art experience! Joy Engine’s ArtBlaze is back — this time at the newly renovated McKinley Beach and on Thursday evenings. Expect live music (like The Quilz and DJ Gemini Gilly), arts activities, vendors, waterside s’mores, and a Silent Disco as the sun sets.
Movie Night at Davidson Park
📅 July 25 | ⏰ 6:30 PM
Relax, enjoy fan-favorite films under the stars, and grab snacks from local vendors. Films begin at 6:30 PM. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 6:00 PM to get settled and enjoy refreshments.
Find more free festivals here.
Find free events using Free filter on the Events Calendar.
More Must-Do Events in July (Not Free, But Worth It!)
If you’re looking for even more fun, here are some top events that may have admission fees but are well worth checking out:
- Margie’s Summer Bloom @ Margie’s Garden
📅 July 7 & 24 | ⏰ 10:00 AM
This brand new event series at Margie’s Garden features several local businesses, special admission packages to Boerner Botanical Gardens, and family-friendly activities. - Dino Days of Summer @ Milwaukee Public Museum
📅 July 7-25 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Wednesday-Monday)
Beat the heat when you travel back in time to the age of the dinosaurs! Visit MPM for three weeks of positively prehistoric programming. Examine real fossils, think like a paleontologist, and test your di-knowledge through hands-on activities and special events. - Mini Fest MKE
📅 July 12 | ⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Mini Fest offers hands-on workshops led by artists and entrepreneurs, helping reconnect community with imagination. This annual summer festival started in Chicago in 2019 and has expanded to Milwaukee (Zocalo Food Park). All ages welcome. - Neon Brush Kids
📅 July 12 | ⏰ 12:45 PM
Connect with your kids in a fun and creative environment. With paints that glow in the dark, stencils to spark your imagination, and family-friendly tunes to set the mood, you’ll be painting, laughing, and creating unforgettable memories together. Plus, you’ll each leave with a colorful creation that’s uniquely yours. - Wisconsin State Fair
📅 July 31-August 10 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Sunday-Wednesday), 10:00 AM – Midnight (Thursday-Saturday)
A huge celebration of all things Wisconsin, the State Fair is packed with agriculture exhibits, fair food, and entertainment. Families love the Discovery Barnyard, Kohl’s Activity Zone, and the iconic 200-foot yellow slide ($3 per ride). Don’t miss the Wisconsin Products Pavilion and the K-9 Sports Arena for bonus fun. Kids 5 and under are free. Get a child ID wristband at any entrance.
Make the most of July with these amazing events! Be sure to double-check event details before heading out, as times and availability may change.
Want Even More Free Family Fun?
This is just the beginning! MKE For Free is your ultimate guide to 250+ free events and activities happening year-round in Milwaukee. Organized by season, this 100-page downloadable guide is packed with the best budget-friendly experiences for families.
Start planning your next adventure—without spending a dime!
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