Summerfest doesn’t inspire everyone to automatically crack a big smile, especially those folks who despise large, spirited crowds. Luckily, Brew City doesn’t completely shut down during the Big Gig, and the city offers plenty of other options.
Here are a sampling of Summerfest alternatives and add your own via the trusty Talkback feature.
Big Taste Milwaukee returns for the second year in a row, this time at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The casual event takes place Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. and attendees receive unlimited samples from local restaurants, live music by the King Comets and a great view of the fireworks. There will be a cash bar, too.
Fashion Ninja hosts Milwaukee’s Indie Fashion Market on Saturday, June 27 from noon until 7 p.m. There is a $1 cover for the event at 315. N. Plankinton Ave. More than a dozen local designers will sell their creations at this event. Plus, the artwork of Davey Noble will be on display.
Greek Fest -- dubbed "the biggest Greek restaurant in the city" -- brings good eats, music and fun for the third year in a row on the State Fair Grounds. The festival runs June 26-28 and offers free admission and $4 parking. The hours are noon to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. The Friday night Greek fish fry is a big hit, and the kids will appreciate the carnival rides.
Hundreds of cyclists and thousands of spectators will flock to Downer Avenue on Saturday, June 27 for the Downer Classic Pro Criterium bike race. The first race stars at 1:30 p.m. and the last begins at 6:30 p.m. The day-long celebration is the premier race of the Tour of America’s Dairyland series in southern Wisconsin.
Hosted by the Downer Avenue Merchants Association, the event includes The GreatBrewers.Com Belgian Beer Tent, a vendor village, food and beverage tents, and live music featuring The Exotics after the racing ends.
The Cedarburg Strawberry Festival is another Summerfest-free option. It takes place June 28-29 in Downtown Cedarburg. From ice cream to pancakes to classic pie, the plump, juicy strawberry adorns tons of delicious eats at this fun festival, now in its 24th year. The hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.
If you prefer indoor venues where the chance of beer getting spilled in your shoes is much, much lower, consider wacky singer-songwriter Pat McCurdy. Pat plays back-to-back shows at Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave., on Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 at 10:30 p.m.
Also, the sutry-voiced Diana Krall plays The Riverside, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave., on Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. Krall stops in Milwaukee for her Quiet Nights World Tour just a week before her husband plays at Summerfest.
Local band The Championship releases a new EP, "Moving At the Speed of Darkness," at the Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave., on Saturday, June 27 at 10 p.m.
The Mad Planet, 533 E. Center St., dishes up "Love Sounds" with DJs Andy Noble and Frank Straka on Saturday, June 27 at 10 p.m.
In need of a football fix? Brew City’s arena football team, the Milwaukee Iron, takes on the Green Bay Blizzard at the Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St., on Friday, June 26 at 7:05 p.m.
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks will headline Red, White & Blue Ribbon, a free street festival in Bay View on July 4. The festival -- already dubbed "PBR Fest" -- starts at 1 p.m. Malkmus -- who fronted the band Pavement -- will play in front of Burnhearts Bar near the intersection of Kinnickinnic and Potter Avenues.
