The Ultimate Guide to Music in Milwaukee Parks Summer 2023
Summer in Milwaukee is short-lived, so we have to make the most of the nice weather we get. We’re so lucky here in Milwaukee to have such an extensive parks system, tons of incredible artists, and a surplus of delicious food and beverage vendors.
The various music in Milwaukee parks series around town are fantastic opportunities to take advantage of all of these!
What to Know About Music in the Parks
There are various Music in the Parks series held throughout the city during the week. Most concerts begin at 6 or 6:30 pm and feature local emerging and established artists. Check out the website for each series to find out when food service and music will begin, along with any specific rules for the park.
Remember, even during the summer months, the weather in Milwaukee can be unpredictable. Parks do their best to announce cancellations in advance, but in the event of inclement weather, be sure to check out their website or social media to confirm if the evening’s music is canceled or postponed.
What to Bring for Music in the Parks
Most venues allow carry-ins but remember that food and beverage sales make these events possible. If you have specific dietary restrictions, feel free to bring drinks and snacks, but do your best to donate to the program or make a small purchase as you can.
When visiting Chill on the Hill or Jazz at the Vine, remember to bring your Humboldt Park Beer Garden pint glass to refill! No worries if you don’t have one yet, you can get one with the purchase of any beer.
It’s a good idea to bring a towel, blanket, or lawn chair to sit on. Most venues will not allow you to bring your tent, so be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray as well.
Most parks are animal-friendly, but be sure to check the venue’s specific rules for bringing your furry friend along. Remember that animals can be unpredictable and often don’t enjoy loud noise, so it may be best to leave them at home.
Musical Mondays: Lake Park
This year, Music in Lake Park is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Their Musical Monday series runs from July 10th through August 28th, with shows from 6:30–8 pm every week.
July 10 — Black Cow
July 17 — Feufollet
July 24 — Jamie Breiwick Quintet (featuring Abigail Riccards)
July 31 — Toty Ramos Sextet
August 7 — R&B Cadets
August 14 — JigJam
August 21 — Bon Bon Vivant
August 28 — Robbie Fulks
Chill on the Hill: Humboldt Park
Chill on the Hill is a music series at Bay View’s Humboldt Park, beginning June 6th and running until August 29th. While carry-ins are welcome, food vendors start serving at 5:00, and the park fills up quickly. Plan on arriving early to grab food, beverages, and get your spot set up. Music begins at 6:30.
June 6 — Shamewave and Collections of Colonies of Bees
June 13 — Pulpa de Guayaba and Joe Huber
June 20 — American Legion Band
June 27 — Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
July 4–4th of July Celebration produced by the Humboldt Park 4th of July Association
July 11 — Bella Brutto and Barb Stephan
July 18 — Lost Orange Cat and Elephonic
July 25 — Ben Harold and The Rising and Dope Music Crew
August 1 — Scam Likely and The Grovelers
August 8 — NilexNile and Cozy Danger
August 15 — Smoke n Mirrors and Cosmic Endeavors
August 22 — Ben Mulwana and Whiskeybelles
August 29 — Dick Satan Trio and Shonn Hinton
Learn more about Bay View’s Chill on the Hill.
Heart(beats) of the City: Red Arrow Park
Every Wednesday afternoon, June 7th — August 30th, take your lunch break at Red Arrow Park. Food will be available from 11:30 am — 1 pm, with music beginning at noon.
June 7 — Amileigha & Jeremy of Rebel Grace
June 14 — MetroFern
June 21 — Betsy Ade & the Well Known Strangers
June 28 — Zach Pietrini Band
July 12 — Alyssia Dominguez
July 19 — Jenny Thiel Group, with a special pre-show performance from the Navy Band Grand Lakes from 11:30 am — 12 pm
July 26 — Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
August 2 — Brewtown Beat
August 9 — Extra Crispy Brass Band
August 14 — Rob Knapp & the Soul Patrol (special Monday show, with free lunch to kick off Downtown Employee Appreciation Week)
August 23 — Failure to Launch
August 30 — Donna Woodall Group
Learn more and explore the weekly food vendor line-up.
Wonderful Wednesdays: Lake Park
Shows run from 6:30–7:30 pm on Wednesday evenings, starting July 12th and running until August 16th. These shorter shows are designed with young listeners in mind and feature family-friendly performances.
July 12 — Main Street Song & Dance Troupe
July 19 — Duke Otherwise
July 26 — Little Miss Ann
August 2 — Fox and Branch
August 9 — Susan Salidor
August 16 — Ms. Jen and the Jellyfish
Tosa Tonight: Hart Park
Tosa Tonight has been a mainstay of Wauwatosa for over two decades. Since 2000, concerts have been held throughout Wauwatosa parks, Hoyt Park, Wisconsin Avenue Park, Hart Park, & Jacobus Park.
This year, Tosa Tonight is back at Hart Park, starting on June 21st and running through August 16th. Music begins at 6 pm Wednesday evenings and runs until approximately 9:30 pm, plus a bonus 4th of July show.
While attendees are permitted to bring in food and beverages, local vendors will offer food, beer, wine, soda, and water on-site.
June 21 — Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts with guests Wire & Nail
June 28 — The People Brothers Band with guests Genevieve Heyward Band
July 4 — Britishmania with guests Jackson Park Orchestra
July 12 — Willy Porter Band with guest Hayward Williams
July 19 — Platinum with guest Respect! A Tribute to the Queen of Soul
July 26 — The Astronomers with guests Tigera
August 2 — Welshly Arms with guests Me Like Bees
August 9 — De La Buena with guest Juan Carlo Munguia
August 16 — Doolin’ with guests Cassie and Maggie
Can’t wait for June 21st? You can start listening to original music from scheduled performers right away.
Learn more about the Tosa Tonight Summer music series at Hart Park.
Washington Park Wednesdays
Washington Park Wednesdays features two months of themed music on Wednesday evenings, starting July 12th and running until August 30th. Each week features established and emerging artists within the evening’s theme.
Happy hour begins at 5 pm, and bands begin at 6 pm, with family activities and giveaways running throughout the evening. Enjoy food and beverages from local food trucks all evening long.
July 12 — Venus Rising: You Win !!!, Dora Diamond, and bdwthr
July 19 — Viva! Washington Park: Latin Sound System and Septeto Charambo
July 26 — Old School: Concord Orchestra and Wisconsin Conservatory Suzuki
August 2 — Live! Art: V Funk and B.Wyzdom
August 9 — Ride On: Cullah and The Florentine Opera
August 16 — Carnival: Paradise Jazz Band, Shuga Blu, and Prof Pinkerton’s Circus
August 23 — Farm to Park: Midnight Purchase and Peter Thomas and Friends
August 30 — Back to School: DuPont Brass and Scam Likely
Discover the full Washington Park Wednesdays series schedule.
Jazz in the Park: Cathedral Square Park
Jazz in the Park happens on Thursdays, June 1 — July 6, and July 27 — August 31. Happy hour starts at 5 pm, with music running from 6–9 pm. Enjoy $1 off beverages purchased during happy hour.
The official Jazz in the Park schedule and vendor line-up has not yet been announced. Watch their website for more information on this summer’s events.
Jazz at the Vine: Humboldt Park
Enjoy Jazz at Humboldt Park on the last Thursday of the month May-August, plus a few bonus dates.
May 25 — Andrew Spadafora’s Fountain of Youth
June 2 — Bay View Jazz Fest
June 29 — Sam Steffke Trio
July 13 — CNJ Latin Jazz
July 27 — Lesser Lakes Trio
August 10 — Milwaukee Jazz Institute Night — Youth Combos
August 31 — The Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken
Bonus: Café Sopra Mare at Villa Terrace
This summer, Sunday mornings are the perfect opportunity to enjoy classical music at the gorgeous Villa Terrace. Each week, enjoy free music, pastries, coffee, and tea in the Mercury Courtyard from 10:30 am — 12:30 pm.
June 4 — Don Linke
June 11 — Cole Heinrich
June 18 — Ben Dameron
June 25 — Corey Klunk
July 2 — Jorge Vallentine
July 9 — Neal Bardele
July 16 — Brett Lipshutz
July 23 — Heinzel Kunsmann
July 30 — Marina Slawinski
August 6 — Ellie Jackson
August 13 — Karen Delvecchio
August 20 — Vicki Beck
August 27 — Barbod Mehrbod
September 3 — Eric Wruck
September 10 — Anthony Deutsch
September 17 — Irina Yanovskaya
September 24 — Linda Binder
Enjoy Music in Milwaukee Parks this Summer
Take advantage of our short but beautiful summer in Milwaukee and explore area parks. Music in the parks is an excellent opportunity to hear from local emerging and established artists while enjoying local brews and food.
Save this mini passport to check off all the music series you check out this summer!
