Your guide to the art festivals happening in the Milwaukee area in 2023
Why not get your creative juices flowing while basking in the sun with a cold drink this summer?
Don't worry if you're not artistic — most of the Milwaukee-area art festivals happening this summer offer live music, food carts, beer tents and interactive family-friendly activities in addition to demonstrations and classes. And, of course, vendors where you can buy new decor items and gifts.
This may not be a comprehensive list of art festivals, but here are some to get you started. Check the festivals' websites for more detailed information.
Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg
What: Everything strawberry, from strawberry shortcake and strawberry wine to strawberry baskets, plus a variety of art and craft vendors, children's activities, demonstrations, food and live music.
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 24 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 25.
Where: Downtown Cedarburg
Admission: Free
For more information, visit www.cedarburgfestival.org/strawberry-fest.
Lake Country Art Festival
What: More than 75 juried artists including yard art, jewelry, textiles, photography and paintings. There will also be local food trucks and vendors, beer and wine for sale and live music and entertainment.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 8.
Where: Naga-waukee Park, north of I-94 on Highway 83 in Delafield.
Admission: A $5 donation per carload will be collected.
For more information: Visit https://lakecountryartfestival.com
Falls Festival of the Arts in Menomonee Falls
What: Mural tours, chalk art, a Plein Air Art Competition, live music, live performances, food trucks, pop up art galleries, art demonstrations, workshops and booths in the vibrant downtown.
When: 1 to 7 p.m. June 23; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 24 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 25.
Where: Downtown Menomonee Falls (Village Park, N87 W16749 Garfield Drive, the downtown area and Mill Pond Park & Plaza, W164 N9021 Water St.).
Admission: Free
More: On June 23 at 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., there will be a mural and mimosa trolley tour where people can see the 17 murals in Menomonee Falls, and there will be mimosa stops at the local downtown bars. Tickets are available for $20 at www.menomoneefallsdowntown.com.
For more information and a detailed schedule, visit www.menomoneefallsdowntown.com/falls-festival-of-the-arts or find The Falls Festival of the Arts on Facebook.
Milwaukee's Lakefront Festival of Art
What: Art, food, music and activities for all ages on the lakefront. More than 100 artists selling paintings, ceramics, fiber, metalwork and jewelry, plus food from local Milwaukee restaurants and a beer and wine garden.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 17 and 18.
Where: Grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N Art Museum Drive.
Admission: Tickets bought in advance are $25 for a three-day pass or $17 general admission for one day. Tickets at the gate are $30 for a three-day pass, or $22 for one-day admission. Admission includes access to the Milwaukee Art Museum.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit https://mam.org/events
Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts
What: A juried art exhibition featuring 110 artists from all over the nation in ceramics, drawing and printmaking, fiber and leather, glass, mixed media and photography. The event also features an interactive children's area, live music and food.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20.
Where: Fowler Park, 500 N. Oakland Ave. in Oconomowoc.
Admission: Free
For more information, visit www.oconomowocarts.org.
Waukesha Art Crawl
What: Live music and drinks at participating art galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 5
Where: Downtown Waukesha
Admission: Free
For more information, visit www.waukeshaart.com.
Firefly Art Fair in Wauwatosa
What: Artwork on display from more than 70 artists, plus food.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6.
Where: The Kneeland-Walker House, 7406 Hillcrest Drive, a historic building in landmark in Wauwatosa.
Admission: The cost is $10. Tickets can be purchased at www.wauwatosahistoricalsociety.org/calendar-of-events/2023/firefly-art-fair
For more information, visit https://www.discoverwauwatosa.com/event/firefly-art-fair-3/
Art & Chalk Fest in West Bend
What: Chalk artists creating large-scale works of chalk art, a glass-blowing demo in a mobile hot shop, caricature artists and demonstrations of clay sculpting. There will also be live music, plenty of food trucks and a beer garden.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 20.
Where: Outside of the Museum of Modern Art at 205 Veterans Ave. in West Bend.
Admission: Free
For more information, visit https://wisconsinart.org/art-chalk-fest.
Whitefish Bay Art Fest
What: The historic streets of downtown Whitefish Bay will be filled with art, with more than 100 juried artists slated to be showcasing and selling paintings, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, sculpture and photography. The event will also feature live music, artist demonstrations, selfie stations and face-painting. Some artists will have "Kids Art Stops" at their booths, where children can learn more about the art-making process.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 8 and 9
Where: Downtown Whitefish Bay
Admission: Free, but attendees are encouraged to donate gently used art to the festival, which will go to the Chicago Furniture Bank, a nonprofit that distributes furnishings and art to those leaving shelters and moving to permanent housing.
For more information, visit amdurproductions.com/event/2023-whitefish-bay-art-fest
More: Fairs and community festivals in the Milwaukee area for summer 2023
More: Your guide to free outdoor music concerts in the Milwaukee area for summer 2023
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee 2023 art festival guide: Lakefront to Strawberry Fest
