Milwaukee's Night Market is back in 2022. Here's everything you need to know.
Milwaukee’s Night Market will make a full return this year with four free markets scheduled this summer. Over 100 vendors signed up for this season’s inaugural night market June 15 which includes food, drinks, shopping and entertainment.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s market – an integral part of the Milwaukee summer experience.
When and where are the markets?
June 15, July 13, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21 from 5 – 10 p.m. That’s the third Wednesday of each month except for July’s market, which is the 2nd Wed. They’re held on W. Wisconsin Ave. between 2nd St. and Vel R. Phillips Drive, extending into N. King Drive. The market is in front of the 3rd St. Food Hall.
Where to park?
Most street parking in the vicinity is free after 6 p.m. and you should carefully review posted signage. If you don’t already have it, download the MKE Park app to check street parking availability before you arrive. There are also numerous parking garages within walking distance, including the garage at Avenue MKE which will charge a $3 flat rate during the event. Its entrance is on Plankinton Ave. and 2nd St.
Who will be there?
With 100 vendors signed up for the June 15th market, visitors will have much to see, taste and buy. There are 43 food vendors with offerings such as Asian street food at MilWOKee, Mexican food at Tostada by Maranta, and BBQ at Rollin Smoke. After dinner top off your meal with a treat like mini donuts at Happy Dough Lucky or New Orlean’s style shaved ice at MKE Freezies and Shaved Ice.
After you’ve stuffed yourself silly with both sweet and savory delights, peruse the different vendors. You can find an array of candles at Farmers Candle Co. and Blossom Candle. If you want to surprise your favorite furry pal with a homemade treat, check out Dougie’s Delights. Plant parents will not want to miss the Bayside Garden Center. And for the art lovers, there’s Yoko Ceramics, VIBEZ Creative Art Space and John E Photo. Both Lupo Designs and T for Textile feature handmade art and jewelry. And you can go home with a fabulous new outfit from Emerald’s Fab Stuff or LunaMoth Vintage.
Will there be beer and cocktails?
For the 21 and up crowd, all alcohol sales go directly to supporting this free community event. There will be two satellite bars on the east and west ends of W. Wisconsin Ave and the Main Bar will be on N. King Drive. Bathrooms will be conveniently located next to it.
What about music?
TRUE Skool Entertainment ZONE, will be the entertainment hub throughout the market season at the intersection of N. King Drive and W. Wisconsin Ave. This season True Skool has many exciting acts lined up, including DJ Sets, break dancers and other performances.
Westown Association plans to announce additional attractions for the August and September markets soon.
Who's running the market now?
What is now known as The Milwaukee Night Market began in 2014 as the NEWaukee Night Market, named after the locally-based engagement agency that started it.
The 2020 season was, like many local events, cancelled. In 2021 Westown Association took over market leadership - they’re a non-profit business association that supports economic and social development in the Westown neighborhood.
They held a single market in Aug. 2021 with over 25,000 attendees. Other local events sponsored by Westown Association are the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Westown Golf Open. NEWaukee will continue its involvement with the market as a collaborator to support market planning and sponsorship efforts.
How's American Family Insurance helping?
This market season, American Family Insurance will pay the vendor fees of 10 businesses as part of an initiative to support equity, social justice and community empowerment. Those vendors are: Baked Dreams Creations LLC, Blossom Candle, Chase My Creations, Clay Creations by Kayla, Dougie's Delights, Harmony By Design, Outwoken Tea, Spicy Freza Apparel, T for Textile and Tostada by Maranta.
For a full list of vendors and other information about the market, visit https://www.mkenightmarket.com/
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Milwaukee Night Market returning for 2022
