Summertime is here and there is so much to do in Downtown Waukesha. Whether you’re looking to rock the night away during Friday Night Live, get some locally grown produce and goods at the Waukesha Farmers’ Market, or spend some family time with Monday Night Movies in the Park, there’s always something going on to help you get out and enjoy the summer!
Friday Night Live
Fridays, June 5 – August 28, 2026 (Except July 3, 2026)
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Downtown Waukesha
Friday Night Live, an outdoor music event, takes place every summer Friday night in downtown Waukesha. Thousands of people come to our beautiful downtown to enjoy the weather, dining, shopping, and a wide variety of live music as we close down the streets for our weekly summer music festival. If you like block parties, you won’t want to miss this one!
Waukesha Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, Starting May 2, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Southwest Corner of St. Paul Avenue & Madison Avenue (Near 130 W. St. Paul Avenue)
Who is ready for the start of the Waukesha Summer Farmers’ Market? For over 20 years, the Waukesha Farmers’ Market has been a thriving asset to our community and is one of the largest farmers’ markets in the state. It features Wisconsin-grown products and businesses and has become a Saturday morning ritual for thousands of people every May-October.
Riverside Rhythms
Wednesdays, June 10 – August 26, 2026 (Except July 1, 2026)
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | 29 Riverfront Street
Take in some musical selections every Wednesday during lunch right on the Riverwalk! Grab a bite to eat from the featured local food truck of the week, enjoy a meal at one of the many downtown restaurants, or bring a lunch to enjoy riverside! There’s no better way to spend the afternoon!
Monday Night Movies In The Park
June 15, July 20, & August 17, 2026
7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Les Paul Performance Center – 321 Wisconsin Avenue
Bring the family and enjoy family-friendly movies under the stars on the third Monday of the month at the Les Paul Performance Center in Cutler Park.
Come out early before each movie for pre-movie activities that start at 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, June 16, 2026: National Treasure
- Monday, July 21, 2026: An American Tale: Fievel Goes West
- Monday, August 18, 2026: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Waukesha Civic Band
Thursdays, June 28 – July 23, 2026
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Les Paul Performance Center – 321 Wisconsin Avenue
Come and enjoy a wide variety of music during the Civic Band Concert Series featuring local musicians. The Civic Band is celebrating its 82nd season this year, and each week it features rousing marches and music from movies and musicals. This is a program that is sure to delight the entire family. Concerts begin at 8:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
- Thursday, June 18, 2026: An American Celebration
- Thursday, June 25, 2026: Music for a Summer’s Eve
- Thursday, July 2, 2026: Red, White, Blue, and Boom
- Thursday, July 9, 2026: Portraits of Americans, Real and Imagined
- Thursday, July 16, 2026: Festivals, Fairs, and Celebrations
- Thursday, July 23, 2026: Jazz Express
Tribute Tuesday
Tuesdays, June 9, July 14, August 11, & September 8, 2026
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Les Paul Performance Center – 321 Wisconsin Avenue
Head out for a night of music on the second Tuesday of the month, where we feature bands paying tribute to some legendary musicians! Concessions offered beginning at 5:30 p.m.; concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and run until 9:00 p.m.
- June 9, 2026: Shagadelics: 70s Tribute
- July 14, 2026: The First Wave: 80s Tribute
- August 11, 2026: That 90’s Band: 90s Tribute
- September 1, 2026: SmartMouth: 00s Tribute
Independence Day Parade
July 4, 2026
11:00 a.m. | Downtown Waukesha
Bring your friends and family to a traditional hometown celebration featuring marching bands, floats, and a sea of bikes, trikes, and wagons. Join us for our hometown Independence Day Parade! This year’s theme is “America250:Waukesha”. The parade will begin on Barstow Street at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building (141 NW Barstow Street), proceed down Main Street, turn onto Maple Avenue and end at Wisconsin Avenue.
Jazz @ Cutler Park
Wednesdays, July 1-29, 2026
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Les Paul Performance Center
Come early to enjoy concessions in the park, starting at 6:00 p.m. We’ll be counting off the tunes from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a fantastic line-up of jazz music. Don’t miss this wonderful series, which is only here in July. It’s your chance to enjoy more amazing jazz music with top-notch vocalists and musicians.
Waukesha Art Crawl
OCtober 3, 2026
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Downtown Waukesha
Make a stop in Historic Downtown Waukesha to enjoy an evening of fine art in a walkable community. Many studios and galleries and arts-supporting businesses are showcasing dozens of area artists! Check out a wide array of unique galleries filled with decorative and functional art: paintings, pottery, jewelry, clothing, glassware, custom woodwork, cast concrete furnishings, photography, and more!
Run with the Cops: 5K Fun Run/Walk
August 21, 2026
7:30 p.m. | Downtown Waukesha
Come out to Friday Night Live on August 21st and finish out the night for the 9th Annual Run with the Cops: 5K Fun Run/Walk. This event is a way for the Waukesha Citizens Police Academy Association to unite the Waukesha Police Department with the citizens of Waukesha for a fun, light-hearted night.
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