Wisconsin Best Food and Drink Festivals 

Milwaukee Taco Fest: September

 

The largest celebration of Mexican street food in Wisconsin draws thousands of hungry visitors each summer to Henry Maier Festival Park along Milwaukee's lakefront. Milwaukee Taco Fest features over 30 local restaurants and food trucks serving traditional and creative tacos, including popular vendors like Mazorca Tacos, Pedro's South American Food, and Café Corazón. Festival attendees can enjoy freshly made margaritas, Mexican beer, and an extensive tequila tasting experience while watching professional lucha libre wrestling matches throughout the day.

 

Live mariachi bands and regional Latin music groups perform across multiple stages, with past performers including La Sonora Dinamita and Fulanito. The family-friendly event includes a hot pepper eating contest, chihuahua beauty pageant, and taco-eating competitions that add extra entertainment between meals. The festival typically hosts around 5,000 attendees who vote for their favorite tacos in multiple categories, with winners receiving the coveted Golden Taco trophy.

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Milwaukee Brew Fest: July

 

The long-standing summer beer festival takes place on the Milwaukee lakefront grounds at McKinley Park, drawing more than 4,500 attendees from across Wisconsin and neighboring states. Beer enthusiasts can sample over 200 craft beers and ciders from 50 different breweries, including local favorites like Lakefront Brewery, Third Space Brewing, and Milwaukee Brewing Company. Popular food vendors offer a range of festival fare including smoked meats from Iron Grate BBQ, pretzels from Milwaukee Pretzel Company, and gourmet cheese curds from Clock Shadow Creamery.

 

The festival features live music on two stages throughout the day, with past performances by local bands like Chicken Wire Empire and The WhiskeyBelles. A commemorative sampling glass is included with admission, while VIP ticket holders receive early entry, exclusive beer tastings, and access to a climate-controlled tent with private restrooms. The event includes unique attractions like beer education seminars, home brewing demonstrations, and a "meet the brewers" area where attendees can speak directly with craft beer makers.

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Milwaukee Food Truck & Beer Festival: June

 

Each year, Milwaukee's biggest food and beverage gathering draws thousands of hungry attendees to the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. The festival hosts 32 food trucks featuring local favorites like Stuffed MKE, Real Dogs MKE, Flour Girl & Flame, Meat on the Street, and Tatay's Truck, serving everything from gourmet tacos to artisanal pizzas and Filipino fusion cuisine. Local breweries including Lakefront, Good City, and Third Space showcase their craft beers alongside seltzers and non-alcoholic options in the beer garden area.

 

Live music at the festival features local Milwaukee bands like The WhiskeyBelles and Brothers By Choice performing on the main stage throughout the day. Kids can enjoy the family fun zone complete with face painting, balloon artists, and a designated play area with bouncy houses. The event includes a "People's Choice" competition where attendees vote for their favorite food truck and brewery, plus a special VIP area offering early admission and exclusive food tastings.

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Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival: September

 

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, this beloved autumn gathering draws over 250,000 visitors annually to celebrate the grape harvest season. Cedar Creek Settlement, the former woolen mill turned winery, serves as the festival's main hub, where attendees can sample local wines, including the signature Cedar Creek Winery varieties and specialty harvest wines from surrounding Wisconsin vineyards. More than 300 local artisans and food vendors line the streets, including popular spots like The Chocolate Factory, Amy's Gourmet Apples, and The Farmstead, offering everything from gourmet cheese plates to freshly baked apple pies.

 

The Silver Creek Folk Stage and Cedar Creek Settlement Courtyard showcase continuous live music performances from regional favorites like The Acoustix and The Flood Brothers Band throughout the weekend. The festival features unique attractions such as grape stomping competitions, a grape spitting contest, hay rides through the historic district, and the crowd-favorite Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off where local growers compete for bragging rights. Festival-goers can also enjoy guided tours of the Cedar Creek Winery's underground cellars, where masters explain the wine-making process while offering samples of their award-winning varieties.

 

Uncorked Wine Festival: November

 

A summer evening of wine tasting and live entertainment draws thousands of enthusiasts to Milwaukee's historic riverside venue. The Uncorked Wine Festival transforms the Harley-Davidson Museum into an after-hours tasting paradise featuring over 100 varieties of wines, champagnes, and specialty spirits. Guests explore the museum's iconic motorcycle exhibits while sampling an extensive selection of wines and innovative canned cocktail offerings.

 

Local food vendors provide perfectly paired small bites and appetizers to complement the diverse beverage selection. The festival atmosphere comes alive with music echoing through the museum's unique industrial-chic spaces. Full access to the museum's galleries offers an distinctive backdrop for this sophisticated yet relaxed summer wine-tasting experience.