Sunday, Aug. 10 | Downtown Madison
Take part in a wheely fun tradition where streets shut down to vehicles, allowing Madisonians to walk, bike, rollerblade, and scoot through town.
Friday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Orton Park
Madison’s original outdoor music festival turns 60 this year, so join in the celebration with music, arts and crafts, bingo, and more.
Saturday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Capitol Square
Don’t miss your chance to try bites from over 80 local eateries at this annual event, which has donated more than $2 million back to the community.
The perfect summer shoes — aka these DV by Dolce Vita mules featuring a sleek pointed-toe, modern hardware, and a cushioned footbed. Don’t mind us getting them in all four colors while they’re up to 50% off.
Summer Fun Concert Series | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Stone Horse Green, Middleton | Free | Bring a picnic and find a spot on the lawn to listen to a performance by Ced, a finger-style guitarist.
Rooftop Cinema: “The Cathedral of New Emotions” | 9 p.m. | Madison Museum of Contemporary Art | Free | Sip a drink and listen to live music in the rooftop lounge before settling in for the 2006 animated feature.
Friday, Aug. 1
Blooms on the Farm | Friday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 3 | Times vary | Schuster’s Farm, Deerfield | $14 | Take photos in the flower fields, snuggle newborn goats, take a wagon ride, and drink a wine slushy.
Wisconsin Insect Fest | 1-6 p.m. | Olbrich Botanical Gardens | Free | Get the buzz on bugs with insect-themed activities, educational presentations, guided walks, and workshops.
Saturday, Aug. 2
National Mustard Day | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | National Mustard Museum, Middleton | Free | You’ll paint the town yellow at this street festival with live music, a condiment marketplace, and yard games.
North Star Fest | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Pocket Park | Free | There’s fun for the whole family at this community fest with food carts, live music, a beer tent, and kids’ activities like face painting, chalk, and bubbles.
Aaron Lewis and The Stateliners | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee | $37+ | The country music star will take the stage for his “American As It Gets” tour with Mikey Wayne.
Building houses in Madison may have gotten a bit easier thanks to recently passed zoning ordinances. These changes include relaxed requirements for splitting lots and expansions of previously proven ordinances. (Daily Cardinal)
Festival
Forward Festival returns for its 16th installment on Monday, Aug. 18-Friday, Aug. 22. This year boasts the biggest events lineup of all-time — check out the full list online of 60+ different events.
Opening
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, Aug. 14 for the opening of Art House 360, a new nonprofit in Verona. It will also host a fundraiser dance party on the following day to prepare for future programming. (The Cap Times)
Ranked
If you’re looking for the best health coverage in the state, look no further than UW Health. US News & World Reports released its 2025-2026 rankings and placed the Madison-based facility at No. 1.
Coming Soon
Let them eat cake — and sip wine, too. Baked Lab will open its first storefront on Atwood Avenue this winter, offering sweet treats, wedding orders, and baking classes. Pending permits, the new shop could also serve wine and beer, making it a go-to for parties and pastry lovers alike. (The Cap Times)
Tech
Construction on a battery strong enough to power 18,000+ homes could begin soon. Alliant Energy recently received approval on the $90 million project in Portage, and aims to have crews ready by next year. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Drink
They’re not leaving... Churchkey Bar and Grill will re-open after previously announcing closure plans. You can stop by the family-owned bar on Thursday, Aug. 28 to watch Wisconsin host the Miami RedHawks. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Try This
You know that one friend who always says, “I need to get out more”? Send them to this all-in-one destination, offering free and low-cost fun (think: live music, film screenings, outdoor recreation, art activities, and more) all summer long.*
Job
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Number
$1.21 trillion. That’s the eye-popping amount Americans owed in credit card debt in 2024 — a record high. If you owe more than $10,000, Freedom Debt Relief could help by offering a personalized debt settlement plan with no upfront fees + one low monthly payment.*
Older Adults
Beyond bulk deals and clipping coupons, did you know several retailers offer customers 55+ hefty discounts — sometimes up to 20% off? Learn about key Senior discounts and several more savings hacks older adults should know about to continue saving and building wealth at age 50+.*
Shop
Could your feet be comfier right now? We’ve got two summer shoe recommendations: these ultra-cushioned pillow slides and tried and true classic Crocs.*
Home
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I’m back, Madison. I spent all July running, reading, and writing, so I’m full of ideas that I can’t wait to share. As always, thanks for reading and stay tuned for so much more.
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