What to know about the 40th anniversary of Milwaukee's Bastille Days street festival, from entertainment to food

Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read
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Milwaukee's Bastille Days is turning the big 4-0 this year. And, its Eiffel Tower replica, which was absent from last year's fest, will be making its return.

The free, French-themed street festival is scheduled to run July 13-16. Here's what to know about this year's installment, including the food, wine, entertainment, activities and popular Storm the Bastille 5K.

What are the hours for Bastille Days?

11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 13-15, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 16.

Where is Bastille Days located?

At and around Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St., Milwaukee.

Storm the Bastille, its meaning

Kenya Evans enjoys a beignet during Bastille Days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
Kenya Evans enjoys a beignet during Bastille Days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

The popular Storm the Bastille 5K run/walk, presented by Madison Medical, will start at 9 p.m. July 13.

The event commemorates the storming of the Bastille, the 18th-century French prison, an event that helped spark the French Revolution.

The start and finish will be on North Jefferson Street, adjacent to Cathedral Square Park. The route goes through downtown and the Third Ward.

Registration costs $35 online until 11:59 p.m. June 30, then the price will increase, according to the event's signup page. Registration includes a Storm the Bastille T-shirt, time bib and a post-race beer or bottle of water. Participants are to sign up by July 4 to guarantee they get a shirt.

When registering, people can choose to donate toward the ongoing restoration and operation of the Eiffel Tower replica, the news release noted.

Race day pickup will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at a white tent on the corner of Wells and Jefferson streets, by Taylors.

A party will follow with entertainment from DJ Shawna.

To register for Storm the Bastille, visit runsignup.com/stormthebastille5k.

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Food and wine

Many Bastille Days' favorites will be returning, including Beignets Français, Lake Park Bistro, Lagniappe Brasserie and Cream & Crepe Cafe, among others, the news release said.

Door Peninsula Winery will once again provide wine tastings throughout the event. And, there's a new paint and sip experience that will be held on July 15-16.

Entertainment, activities, marketplace

More than 50 acts will be performing across five stages, including the "Educators Credit Union Main Stage" and the "Gruber Law Offices’ “One Call...That’s All' " stage, per the release. That's two more stages than at last year's "slightly downsized" festival.

The entertainment lineup includes Madame Gigi’s Outrageous French Can-Can Dancers, Robin Pluer, Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, the Extra Crispy Brass Band, house and disco sets featuring “French Chill” music in partnership with WMSE, the fest's second-annual "This Is It! Drag Show," and more. There will also be roaming street performers.

Other festivities will include:

  • The Madison Medical Bastille Days Marketplace.

  • A love lock sculpture attendees can place padlocks on.

  • Fortune tellers.

  • A henna artist.

  • A French Bulldog Kissing Booth.

  • Tours and activities at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

2017: Dancers with Madam Gigi's Outrageous French Cancan Dancers from Dayton, Ohio, perform during Bastille Days.
2017: Dancers with Madam Gigi's Outrageous French Cancan Dancers from Dayton, Ohio, perform during Bastille Days.

The Eiffel Tower replica returns

The 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower, the festival's unofficial symbol, was not a part of the 2022 event. Last year, the East Town Association said that the structure "requires significant restoration each year," but they were "reviewing options" on how to bring it back for 2023.

The replica will be a part of this year's Bastille Days "amid ongoing restoration," a release said.

A model of the Eiffel Tower stands in Cathedral Square Park during Bastille Days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
A model of the Eiffel Tower stands in Cathedral Square Park during Bastille Days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Kids day

Kids Day, on July 15, will feature activities, including a beignet breakfast, a performance from the Milwaukee Ballet, the Kohl's Art Studio and kid-centered vendors, the release said.

Thousands of people gather at the start of a previous Storm the Bastille 5K run and walk in Milwaukee.
Thousands of people gather at the start of a previous Storm the Bastille 5K run and walk in Milwaukee.

Parking, transportation

Got a motorcycle? The event is partnering with Harley-Davidson as part of their Homecoming and Anniversary Celebration to offer free, onsite motorcycle parking at Bastille Days from July 14-16.

The Hop's M-Line stops by the grounds.

Attendees can purchase parking at the BMO Tower, 771 N. Broadway, which is located a block from the festival, the release said. The structure is fully enclosed and has 24/7 onsite security, the release noted. People can buy parking in advance using Honk Mobile to get a $5 discount. For instructions on that, visit easttown.com/bastille-days.

Otherwise, the fest recommends parking north of Ogden (then walk south) or west of Water Street (then walk east).

Driving downtown? Avoid these Milwaukee road closures for Bastille Days and Harley Fest

More Bastille Days info/updates

For more information or updates on Bastille Days, visit easttown.com/bastille-days.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bastille Days 2023: What to know about Milwaukee street festival