With in 100 Miles of Madison Wisconsin

April 25

Earth Day Park Challenge - Outdoor / Community - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Community
Feel: Hands-On, Community
The Scoop: A community-wide volunteer effort to clean up and restore over 50 local parks.
cityofmadison.com/parks

April 25–26

Sprout Spring Market (Garver Feed Mill) - Maker / Market - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Market, Community
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: Upscale curated market featuring 50+ local makers and artisanal food.
garverfeedmill.com

WI Alpaca & Fiber Fest - Maker / Fiber Arts - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Agriculture
Feel: Skill-Depth, Hands-On
The Scoop: Large fiber-arts gathering featuring alpaca shows, raw fleece vendors, and specialized tools.
wisconsinalpacafiberfest.com

April 26

Concerts & Cuisine - Food / Experience - Madison, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Performance, Festival
Feel: Social, Spectacle
The Scoop: High-end tasting event pairing local musicians with gourmet dishes from top chefs.
wcoconcerts.org

Bird & Nature Festival (Warner Park) - Outdoor / Nature - Madison, WI
Path: Explore, Learn
Type: Outdoor, Community
Feel: Relaxed, Family-Friendly
The Scoop: Family-friendly event focused on conservation and guided bird-watching.
madisonparksfoundation.org

April 30

Middleton Sip & Stroll - Social / Food & Drink - Middleton, WI
Path: Explore, Cook
Type: Community, Festival
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: Social walk through downtown Middleton with wine and beer samples at local boutiques.
visitmiddleton.com

May 1–2

Vintage Torque Fest - Automotive / Culture - Dubuque, IA
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Automotive
Feel: Spectacle, Social
The Scoop: Vintage lifestyle fundraiser featuring classic cars, motorcycles, and 1950s/60s culture.
vintagetorquefest.com

May 1–3

Half-Pint Resale - Market / Resale - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Market, Community
Feel: Family-Friendly, Relaxed
The Scoop: Massive consignment event for children's gear, toys, and hobby supplies.
halfpintresale.com

May 2

Spring Makers Market & Pub Crawl - Maker / Market - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Market, Community
Feel: Social, High-Energy
The Scoop: Shop 40+ local artisans while exploring breweries and distilleries.
madisonmakersmarket.com

WI Grilled Cheese Championship - Food / Competition - Dodgeville, WI
Path: Cook
Type: Competition, Festival
Feel: Competitive, High-Energy
The Scoop: Competitive cook-off for amateurs and pros, plus a beer garden and food trucks.
grilledcheesewisconsin.com

Milwaukee SCCA Autocross - Automotive / Sport - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Competition, Automotive
Feel: Technical, Competitive
The Scoop: Precision driving competition navigating a timed cone course.
motorsportreg.com

General Inland Fishing Opening Day - Outdoor / Seasonal - Statewide, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Seasonal
Feel: Heritage, Relaxed
The Scoop: The official start of the fishing season for most inland waters in Wisconsin.
dnr.wisconsin.gov

Learn to Cook Wild Turkey - Workshop / Outdoor - Poynette, WI
Path: Cook, Learn
Type: Workshop, Outdoor
Feel: Skill-Depth, Hands-On
The Scoop: Hands-on workshop covering field dressing and culinary preparation of wild game.
dnr.wisconsin.gov

May 3

Marquette-Atwood Art Walk - Art / Maker - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Market, Community
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: Open-house style tour of neighborhood studios with a focus on local pottery.
marquette-atwoodartwalk.com

May 8

MMoCA Spring Gallery Night - Art / Gallery - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Performance, Community
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: City-wide celebration where galleries and shops host receptions for local artists.
mmoca.org

May 9

Kids Building Wisconsin - Maker / Education - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Community
Feel: Hands-On, Family-Friendly
The Scoop: Hands-on maker event for kids to explore construction trades and heavy machinery.
kidsbuildingwi.org

Uncork Me Wisconsin - Food / Drink - Madison, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Social, High-Energy
The Scoop: Outdoor wine festival featuring unlimited samples of over 100 Wisconsin wines.
breesestevensfield.com

WCEC Season Opener Car Show - Automotive / Show - West Bend, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Automotive, Community
Feel: Spectacle, Social
The Scoop: One of the largest car meets in the state, showcasing custom and exotic builds.
theofficialwcec.com

May 16

Casting for Kids - Outdoor / Community - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Community
Feel: Family-Friendly, Relaxed
The Scoop: Youth-focused fishing tournament benefiting the American Family Children's Hospital.
casting4kids.org

May 16–17

Syttende Mai Festival - Culture / Heritage - Stoughton, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Heritage, Social
The Scoop: Three-day celebration of Norwegian culture with folk-art and traditional demonstrations.
stoughtonwi.com/syttende-mai

CFI Spring Hammer-In - Maker / Blacksmithing - Regional
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Community
Feel: Skill-Depth, Hands-On
The Scoop: Gathering for blacksmiths to share techniques, watch demos, and work at the forge.
umba.us

May 18–24

Madison Classic Horse Show - Agriculture / Sport - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Competition, Agriculture
Feel: Competitive, Spectacle
The Scoop: Premier equestrian competition featuring various breeds and riding styles.
madisonclassic.org

May 22–25

World’s Largest Brat Fest - Food / Festival - Madison, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Social, High-Energy
The Scoop: Massive Memorial Day weekend charity event with live music and thousands of brats.
bratfest.com

May 29–31

Verona Hometown Days - Community / Festival - Verona, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Family-Friendly, Social
The Scoop: Classic community festival with a carnival, parade, and live music.
veronahometowndays.com

Madison Sports Car Autocross - Automotive / Sport - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Competition, Automotive
Feel: Technical, Competitive
The Scoop: Competitive timed obstacle course driving for sports car enthusiasts.
madisonsportscarclub.com

May 30

Elkhorn Flea Market & Craft Fair - Market / Antiques & Crafts - Elkhorn, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Market, Community
Feel: Relaxed, Social
The Scoop: Massive outdoor market known for antiques, collectibles, and handmade crafts.
elkhornfleamarket.com

Distill America XVIII - Food / Drink - Madison, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Social, High-Energy
The Scoop: Premier spirits tasting event featuring over 90 producers at Breese Stevens Field.
distillamerica.com

June 5–6

Mad With Power Fest - Music / Festival - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Performance
Feel: High-Energy, Spectacle
The Scoop: Heavy metal music meets free-play arcade gaming.
madwithpowerfest.com

June 6–7

Free Fishing Weekend — Statewide, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Seasonal
Feel: Relaxed, Family-Friendly
The Scoop: Weekend where anyone can fish all Wisconsin waters without a license.
dnr.wisconsin.gov

June 13

Horribly Hilly Hundreds — Blue Mounds, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Competition
Feel: Competitive, High-Energy
The Scoop: Grueling endurance bike ride through the steep hills of the Driftless Area.
horriblyhilly.com

June 18–21

Cranberry Blossom Festival — Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Agriculture
Feel: Heritage, Social
The Scoop: Celebration of the start of cranberry season with tours and parades.
cranberryblossomfestival.com

June 20

Taste of Wisconsin - Food / Showcase - Beaver Dam, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: Showcase of the state's best flavors, including specialty cheeses and craft beers.
travelwisconsin.com

June 24

Concerts on the Square (Opening Night) - Music / Community - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Performance, Community
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: Opening night of the free summer concert series on the Capitol lawn.
wcoconcerts.org

June 26–27

Cheese Curd Festival - Food / Festival - Ellsworth, WI
Path: Cook
Type: Festival, Competition
Feel: High-Energy, Social
The Scoop: Tribute to the Cheese Curd Capital with creative dishes and competitions.
cheesecurdfestival.com

July 11–12

Art Fair on the Square - Art / Festival - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Festival, Market
Feel: Social, Spectacle
The Scoop: 500 elite artists surrounding the State Capitol.
mmoca.org

July 16–19

Dane County Fair - Fair / Agriculture - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Agriculture
Feel: Family-Friendly, Social
The Scoop: Traditional county fair with livestock exhibits, carnival rides, and entertainment.
danecountyfair.com

July 17–19

Maxwell Street Days - Market / Street Event - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Market, Community
Feel: High-Energy, Social
The Scoop: Legendary sidewalk sale on State Street with deep discounts and street food.
visitmadison.com

July 18

Pickle Palooza - Food / Festival - Madison, WI
Path: Cook
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: High-Energy, Social
The Scoop: Everything pickled—from spears to pickle beer.
visitmadison.com

July 25–26

AtwoodFest - Music / Community - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: East-side neighborhood festival focused on local bands and community vibes.
atwoodfest.com

July 28 – Aug 2

Dubuque County Fair - Fair / Agriculture - Dubuque, IA
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Agriculture
Feel: Family-Friendly, Social
The Scoop: Classic regional fair with agricultural shows and grandstand events.
dbqfair.com

Aug 1

Dairyland Dare — Dodgeville, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Competition
Feel: Competitive, High-Energy
The Scoop: Challenging road bike ride through the glacier-carved Driftless landscape.
dairylanddare.com

Aug 7–9

Great American RC Crawl - Automotive / Tech - Elkhart Lake, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Automotive, Competition
Feel: Technical, Competitive
The Scoop: Technical precision trail driving for RC cars at Road America.
roadamerica.com

Aug 8

Great Taste of the Midwest - Food / Drink - Madison, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: High-Energy, Social
The Scoop: One of the top craft beer festivals in the USA with 1,400+ varieties.
greattaste.org

Aug 8–9

Blackhawk Bowhunters Fiesta - Outdoor / Sport - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Competition
Feel: Technical, Competitive
The Scoop: Major archery event featuring 3D target courses and competitive shooting.
blackhawkbowhunters.org

Aug 22

Harvest & Pottery Festival - Maker / Ceramics - Edgerton, WI
Path: Make
Type: Festival, Market
Feel: Relaxed, Hands-On
The Scoop: Celebrating the region’s rich ceramics history with artisan demonstrations.
artscounciledgerton.com

September 4–7

70th Annual Rock River Thresheree - Heritage / Agriculture - Edgerton, WI
Path: Explore, Learn
Type: Festival, Agriculture
Feel: Heritage, Hands-On
The Scoop: Four-day working history event featuring antique tractors, steam engines, and live demonstrations. This year highlights 100 years of Caterpillar and Fuller & Johnson gas engines, with exhibits running daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
thresheree.com

Sept 5–6

Taste of Madison - Food / Festival - Madison, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: High-Energy, Social
The Scoop: Labor Day weekend event with 80+ restaurants on the Capitol Square.
tasteofmadison.com

Sept 10–12

The Great WI Quilt Show - Maker / Textiles - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Market
Feel: Skill-Depth, Relaxed
The Scoop: Massive expo for machine demos and world-class fabric displays.
quiltshow.com

Sept 11–13

WI Sheep & Wool Festival - Maker / Fiber Arts - Jefferson, WI
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Agriculture
Feel: Skill-Depth, Hands-On
The Scoop: Shearing demos and professional spinning/dyeing workshops.
wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com

Sept 12

Ironman Wisconsin - Sport / Endurance - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Competition, Outdoor
Feel: Competitive, High-Energy
The Scoop: Full-distance triathlon bringing thousands of athletes to the city.
ironman.com

Archery & Crossbow Season Opens - Outdoor / Seasonal - Statewide, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Seasonal
Feel: Heritage, Focused
The Scoop: The official start of the fall deer and small game hunting seasons.
dnr.wisconsin.gov

Sept 19

Schumacher Farm Heritage Fest - Heritage / Maker - Waunakee, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Agriculture, Community
Feel: Heritage, Hands-On
The Scoop: Living-history event with steam-powered threshing and woodworking.
schumacherfarmpark.org

Sept 25–27

Warrens Cranberry Festival - Agriculture / Festival - Warrens, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Festival, Agriculture
Feel: Social, Spectacle
The Scoop: One of the world's largest cranberry festivals, famous for marsh tours.
cranfest.com

Sept 25–27

Mineral Point Cornish Festival - Culture / Food - Mineral Point, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Heritage
Feel: Heritage, Social
The Scoop: Pasty-eating contests and artisan studio tours.
mineralpoint.com

Sept 26

Harvest Folk Festival - Heritage / Skills - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Community
Feel: Hands-On, Skill-Depth
The Scoop: Traditional skills like bark-canoe making and organic farming.
visitmadison.com

Sept 29 – Oct 4

World Dairy Expo - Agriculture / Industry - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Agriculture, Competition
Feel: Technical, Spectacle
The Scoop: Largest dairy trade show in the world, featuring elite cattle and ag-tech.
worlddairyexpo.com

Oct 2

Easterseals Sporting Clays - Outdoor / Sport - Johnson Creek, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Competition
Feel: Competitive, Focused
The Scoop: Competitive clay-pigeon shooting at the premier Milford Hills Hunt Club.
milfordhills.com

Oct 15–18

Kohler Food & Wine Festival - Food / Experience - Kohler, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Performance
Feel: Social, Spectacle
The Scoop: Celebrity chefs and high-end culinary tastings.
kohlerfoodandwine.com

Oct 15–25

Wisconsin Science Festival - Science / Maker - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Community
Feel: Hands-On, Technical
The Scoop: Statewide celebration with hands-on maker events and tech demos.
wisconsinsciencefest.org

Oct 17

Pheasant & Quail Season Opens - Outdoor / Seasonal - Statewide, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Seasonal
Feel: Heritage, Focused
The Scoop: The opening day for upland bird hunting across Wisconsin.
dnr.wisconsin.gov

Nov 15

Madison Marathon - Sport / Endurance - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Competition, Outdoor
Feel: Competitive, High-Energy
The Scoop: Scenic race through the UW campus and around Madison's lakes.
madisonmarathon.org

Nov 21–29

Gun Deer Season (9-Day) - Outdoor / Seasonal - Statewide, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Seasonal
Feel: Heritage, Focused
The Scoop: The legendary firearm deer hunt that is a statewide tradition.
dnr.wisconsin.gov

Dec 5

HolidayFest Craft Fair - Maker / Market - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Market, Community
Feel: Relaxed, Social
The Scoop: Large indoor market perfect for handmade gifts.
cityofmadison.com/parks

Jan 16, 2027

Beer & Cheese Fest - Food / Drink - Madison, WI
Path: Cook, Explore
Type: Festival, Community
Feel: Social, Relaxed
The Scoop: The ultimate winter pairing of local brews and award-winning cheeses.
beerandcheesefest.com

Feb 14, 2027

Pour’n Yer Heart Out - Maker / Metalwork - Madison, WI
Path: Make, Explore
Type: Workshop, Performance
Feel: Spectacle, Hands-On
The Scoop: Watch 2,000 lbs of iron melted and cast into art.
garverfeedmill.com

Feb 20, 2027

Frozen Assets Festival - Winter / Outdoor - Madison, WI
Path: Explore
Type: Outdoor, Festival
Feel: High-Energy, Social
The Scoop: Winter celebration on Lake Mendota featuring ice kiting and biking.
cleanlakesalliance.org

Feb 21–22, 2027

UMBA Winter Metal Conference - Maker / Blacksmithing - South Beloit, IL
Path: Make, Learn
Type: Workshop, Community
Feel: Skill-Depth, Technical
The Scoop: Technical forge-work and blacksmithing networking.
umba.us