Are you new to the city or just asking yourself “what is there to do” in the summer? Summer in Madison is a vibrant escape, where a sun-drenched isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona comes alive with unmatched lake life, bustling farmers’ markets, lively outdoor concerts, events and lots to do. Whether you’re navigating urban adventures, kayaking through the lakes, or lounging on the Memorial Union Terrace, Madison offers the perfect blend of nature and city charm. Here’s a list for you to start exploring what Madison downtown has to offer:
1. Farmer’s Market on the Square
The Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square is a Saturday and Wednesday tradition in downtown Madison. The setting is absolutely beautiful and a great activity for the entire family. You’ll find the season’s best bounty of fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, cheeses, honeys and specialty products from approximately 220 vendors throughout the year. All of the items for sale are grown, raised, and produced in Wisconsin by the people you meet behind the stand.
2. Dane Dances on the Roof Top of Monona Terrace
Dane Dances is a free, family-friendly event held every Friday evening in August on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. The much-anticipated summer music series is a great way to have fun and dance with friends, family, or coworkers. Dane Dances promotes inclusivity with a fun night of music and dancing for all ages. Feel free to bring a blanket, chair, and picnic basket as seating on the rooftop is limited. The Lake Vista Café will be open for enjoyment, food and cocktail. In the case of inclement weather the concert will be moved inside Monona Terrace.
3. Life Music & Open Air Movies at the Union Terrace
Live music returns to the Memorial Union Terrace for the 2026 season starting in April, featuring 4 nights a week of free outdoor performances curated by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee. Located on Lake Mendota, the Terrace offers scenic, lakeside concerts with genres ranging from jazz to bluegrass. A beautiful night spent with family or friends by the lake and the food and beverage huts are open and serving amazing choices. Additionally, free, open-air movies return to the Memorial Union Terrace this summer, primarily featuring “Lakeside Cinema” screenings on Monday nights at 9 from June to August, with select surprise Sunday screenings and special events.
4. A Visit at the Olbrich Garden
Stroll through 16 acres of outdoor gardens and an indoor, tropical conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. In the outdoor gardens, visit the Royal Thai Pavilion and Garden. Olbrich’s Thai Pavilion is the only one in the continental United States and the only one outside of Thailand surrounded by a garden. A must-see and a perfect day trip with family or any loved one. Explore other specialty gardens such as the Perennial Garden, Sunken Garden, and Herb Garden. Olbrich’s outdoor gardens are open daily. Visit the tropics as well: The Bolz Conservatory, a sunny 50-foot-high glass pyramid, houses a diverse collection of tropical plants, a rushing waterfall, free-flying birds, and blooming orchids. See the plants on which some very common foods grow, such as banana, coffee, and vanilla. Temperatures in the Conservatory range from 65 to 95 F year-round, making this a truly tropical escape.
5. A Walk in the UW Arboretum
The Arboretum maintains more than 17 miles of beautiful trails through restored prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. The trail system offers visitors recreational, inspirational, and educational opportunities. It is also designed to facilitate the protection of landscapes, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and ecosystem integrity. You can spend hours here and make sure to visit the beautiful visitor center with a small museum and check out their free events to attend.
6. Boating on Lake Wingra and Lake Monona
Kayaking and boating in downtown Madison offers two distinct experiences. Lake Wingra (Vilas Park) is a calm, scenic surrounded by the UW Arboretum, no-wake spot ideal for beginners, while Lake Monona (Brittingham Bay/Olin Park) provides a larger, city-centric, and more challenging paddle featuring stunning views of the Madison skyline and Monona Terrace. It is a larger lake that can get rough with wind or heavy motorboat traffic. Rentals are available at Wingra Boats and Brittingham Boats!
7. A Visit of the Henry Vilas Zoo
The Henry Vilas Zoo in downtown, Madison is one of only a handful of admission-free, community-supported zoos in the country. Fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, our beautiful zoo features exhibits and attractions for the whole family! Special events are always happening so make sure to check the website for the schedule. The zoo also features a classic merry-go-round (carousel) that’s unique and a must-do for all kids of all ages.
8. A date night at the Edgewater Hotel & “Brewgrass” Fridays
Dining at The Edgewater encompasses everything from a great burger and a pint of local beer on the boat dock to a special dinner with a panoramic view of Lake Mendota. The hotel offers two impressive bars that serve the best Wisconsin beers and other craft selections, as well as offering classic cocktails and an extensive wine list. It’s worth to visit the Edgewater’s signature restaurant, The Statehouse while you can also enjoy the Boathouse’s casual waterfront vibe. On Friday nights during the summer, the Edgewater puts on “Brewgrass” Fridays where the best of bluegrass, brews, and a classic Wisconsin fish fry come together on the lakefront plaza. It is a fun weekly event with live music, delicious food, and refreshing craft beers, all with stunning waterfront views. This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to soak up summer in Madison.
9. Concerts on the Square
The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Concerts on the Square in downtown Madison are a free outdoor concert series held each summer on the lawn of Wisconsin’s State Capitol. The series consists of six concerts on Wednesday evenings with a rain date of Thursday in the case of inclement weather. Concerts visitors can enjoy food and beverage vendors or bring their own picnic to enjoy. Concerts on the Square have become a favorite Madison tradition for tens of thousands each year. Tables with dinner reservations are also available but they sell out fast and are on a first come, first serve basis. The first concert is June 24th.
10. Art Fair on the Square
MMoCA presents the 68th annual Art Fair on the Square in downtown Madison on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12th. With its mix of music, entertainment, and outdoor dining, as well as over 400 artists exhibiting paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, jewelry, handmade clothing and accessories, and fine craft, the fair draws nearly 200,000 visitors to Madison’s Capitol Square.
11. Great Taste of Madison and Taste of Madison
August in Madison is a paradise for craft beer lovers, anchored by the renowned Great Taste of the Midwest festival, which takes place on August 8th at downtown’s Olin Park. As one of North America’s longest-running craft beer festivals, this event sets the stage for a festive, high-energy weekend on the shores of Lake Monona.
Taste of Madison is a downtown tradition every September! This event takes over the Capitol Square with 90+ worldly food vendors, tons of beverage options, and live music all day. It’s the city’s biggest picnic and worth the hype. If you love good food, good music, and good Madison energy, you’re going to love this. Taste of Madison is free to attend..
12. Loop the Lake
Support clean, healthy lakes with Clean Lakes Alliance’s Loop the Lake Bike Ride, presented by Lake Ridge Bank. Loop the Lake is an at-your-own-pace bike ride around Lake Monona on Saturday, June 20th that raises funds to protect and preserve Greater Madison’s lakes. Make a day of it while you enjoy entertaining and educational activities at many parks along the route.
13. World’s Largest Brat Fest
Since 1983, the “World’s Largest Brat Fest” has sold more than 4 million brats to help raise almost $2 million to benefit 100+ local charities. Brat Fest is a volunteer-run nonprofit festival, bringing the community together each Memorial Day weekend. It’s 3 days of free music, fantastic food and family-friendly fun to help kick off the start of summer in the heart of downtown Madison.
14. A Soccer Game at Breese Stevens
Watch our pro team (3rd division) Forward Madison FC Flamingos play at downtown’s Breese Stevens Field. Tickets for the 2026 season can be bought via ForwardMadisonFC.com. Home games feature a lively atmosphere with the “Flock” supporters’ section. Matches are also streamed on ESPN+. Food and beverage vendors are plenty and the club features live, petting-zoo-style animals at their home games which is fun and a unique experience like no other.
15. Watch and support athletes during Ironman Wisconsin
The weekend of Ironman Wisconsin is a weekend like no other in Madison. Everyone is there! Two, the half and full distance triathlons will take place on the same weekend (the half on the 12th and the full on the 13th). Both races are known for their challenging rolling hills and electric atmosphere, anchored by an iconic race finish in front of the State Capitol. Experience Madison’s unmatched spectator energy. The course is highly spectator-friendly. The swim-to-bike transition features a unique upward spiral ramp known as “The Helix” at the Monona Terrace, lined with cheering fans. The entire community, from local residents in rural areas to downtown Madison, creates a welcoming and enthusiastic atmosphere. The races rely highly on volunteers and they need as many volunteers as they have athletes competing. Sign up to volunteer and experience race-day hands on.
16. Willy Street Fair
To bring the community together, local artists, musicians and engaged neighbors organized the first-ever “Willy Street Fair” on the third weekend in September, 1977. Their vision was a community model which included a tool lending library, a neighborhood recycling program, cooperative housing, and affordable housing for low-income families. Two years later, on February 14th of 1979, these same artists, musicians and neighborhood residents used the revenue and community support from the fair as the foundation for Common Wealth Development. Now, the fair is a major neighborhood event and fun, colorful festival and fundraiser. The 2026 Willy Street Fair held on September 19th and 20th in Madison will feature a weekend, packed with tribute bands, along with the iconic, eclectic parade, local vendors and plenty of good food and beverages.
17. Watch a Waterski Performance
The Mad-City Ski Team is a family-friendly nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of water skiing. Watching them perform is one special experience! Mad-City performs free water ski shows, typically on Sunday nights from Memorial Day through Labor Day at Law Park downtown Madison on Lake Monona. These shows feature, for all ages, pyramids, barefooting, and jumping, and occasionally include special performances.
18. Atwood Fest
Atwood Fest is held on Saturday, July 25th in the heart of the near East side on Atwood Avenue and offers live music on 3 stages, Wisconsin-made beer and wine, local food and craft vendors, kids’ fest, community art projects, and a parade though the neighborhoods called “Convergence” to kick it off! Another great festival not to miss this summer!
19. Opera in the Park
Opera in the Park is a popular, free annual summer concert held on Saturday, July 18th by the Madison Opera in Garner Park. This year features a mix of opera arias and Broadway hits performed by renowned soloists, the Madison Opera Chorus, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnics (food sale is limited and alcohol bring-in is allowed!), blankets, and chairs.
20. Fete de Marquette
A true community focused event celebrating underground techno, house, electro, and ambient music alongside the renowned La Fête de Marquette festival right in the heart of Madison from July 10-12. It is a free community event that includes some of the world’s best DJs and live acts, immersive decor, art installations, curated vendors, food & drink, and beautiful summer vibes across three days in McPike Park and two nights at the High Noon Saloon. This year’s festival lineup includes major pillars of underground dance music from all around the globe with headlining performances. Festival programming also includes a very special edition of Madison’s favorite queer dance party, Hot Summer Gays on Saturday afternoon. Then on Sunday we start our programming with our ambient:hours project headlined by an incredibly special live performance by Infinity Machine (feat. Juan Maclean & Gee Dee) with regional support from Lorna Dune. This is a perfect time to get cozy on a blanket, breathe in the serene side of Musique Électronique, drift off into the clouds above you, and/or co-create with us by drawing, painting, and writing. La Fete De Marquette is produced by the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center.
21. Dane County Fair
The Dane County Fair is an non-profit, family-friendly event held from July 16-19 at the downtown Alliant Energy Center in Madison featuring free concerts, entertainment, great food, animals, and lots of fun adventure. The Fair has a rich history dating back to 1851 when the first Dane County Fair was held in Madison. The fair’s goal to host an event that is not only fun, but educational for everyone in attendance. Attendees are encouraged to walk through the pavilions and the exhibition halls to view youth-developed projects that are an accumulation of their hard work throughout the year. Dane County Fair sponsors also allow to offer educational displays, such as the Kiddie Farm and Learning Lane.
