After the sun goes down, take a stroll through ten interactive light installations at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Discover giant dragonflies, kaleidoscopic flowers and the cosmos glowing in the dark. Aug. 24-Oct. 26, Wednesday to Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m., 3330 Atwood Ave.
View antique tractors and farm equipment at the 68th annual Rock River Thresheree Reunion in honor of Wisconsin’s grain-farming history. Antique fire trucks and squad cars will also be on display. The weekend’s festivities include a flea market, craft show and daily parade at 2 p.m. You might even get to drive a tractor! Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 332 E. County M, Edgerton
Kick off September on the Square with more than 80 food vendors, a variety of beverage options and live music. Aside from food, check the daily schedule for pickleball competitions, charcuterie cup-making lessons and more. Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Capitol Square
Spend Labor Day experiencing Madison’s vibrant dance scene by bike. Performances of all styles will pop-up along the bike path at Wirth Court Park, McPike Park, and Brittingham Park. Sept. 2, 12-6 p.m., various locations
Dane County Parks has partnered with local authors to offer a weekly family friendly book club. Bring a blanket and lunch to a new park each week to meet an author, read their book and participate in activities related to the story. The first picnic on Sept. 3 will feature “Stephanie's Big Zoo Adventure" by Brandon Maly. Tuesdays, 11 a.m., various locations
Each year, Wisconsin’s monarchs migrate to Mexico for the winter. And every fall, the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance invites you to the prairie to learn how to safely catch, handle, tag, and release the butterflies to better understand their conservation needs. Sept. 4, 7, 11, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Goose Pond Sanctuary, W7503 Kampen Road, Arlington
Meet new friends at this weekly sober paint night led by local artist Jayce Thoyre. BYOC: you bring a canvas, and Communication Madison provides the rest! Thursdays, 6 p.m., 2645 Milwaukee St.
Whether you’re a master seamster or a fan of the art, come to The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show to view intricate quilts and shop for supplies from more than 150 vendors. Find inspiration for your next project in lectures and workshops led by quilting experts. Sept. 5-7: Thurs.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Watch as 2,500 athletes gather in downtown Madison to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a full 26.2 mile marathon. The shorter Ironman 70.3 is on Saturday, and the full Ironman follows on Sunday. Over the weekend, the world-wide tradition will also be happening in Australia, Belgium and the Philippines. Sept. 7-8, Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Drive
Learn to mend your family’s beloved stuffed animals with library-provided materials. The class is intended for adults, but all ages are welcome to attend with supervision. Sept. 7, 18, 21, various times and locations
Take a guided walking tour through the American Players Theatre’s backstage areas to better understand the inner-workings of their popular performances. A stair-free option is also available. And while you’re at it, check out their fall schedule for upcoming plays . Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 5950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green
Interested in growing native plants at home? Join the Arboretum’s annual gardening conference to learn the secrets to sustainability through numerous workshops and a garden tour. Register by Sept. 5 to secure your spot. All experience levels are welcome. Sept. 15, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m., UW-Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
Peruse work by Midwestern photographers at PhotoMidwest’s signature exhibit. Join the opening reception on Sept. 27 from 6-8 p.m. for a welcome talk by jurist Kris Graves. Or get a head start and view selected works in their virtual gallery starting Sept. 17. Exhibition open Sept. 17 - Nov. 9, Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111 S Livingston St.
Join the CEDAR Center at their full-day festival centering individual and family mental health. Participate in various therapy demonstrations — including with horses! — and connect with community resources. Finish the day with a chairlift ride up to a hillside picnic with sunset yoga. Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Tyrol Basin, 3487 Bohn Road, Mount Horeb
You know it. You love it. The Willy Street Fair is back for its 47th annual festival with vendors up and down the block and live music on the main, folk and kids stages. Sept. 21-22, various times, located at the 800, 900, and 1000 blocks of Williamson Street
After a Saturday morning at the farmers market, do what Wisconsinites do best. Sample and purchase award-winning cheese from 16 local vendors next to the Square. And don’t miss out on the festival’s exclusive Wisconsin Cheese ice cream. Sept. 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
Comments / 0