Festivals in Madison, WI: a month-by-month calendar of annual events

Winter and spring: February to June

• Winter Carnival (early February). The Wisconsin Union presents it with UW–Madison student leaders. In 2026 it ran February 5 to 7, with more than 30 events at and near Memorial Union and on Lake Mendota, most of them free. The 2027 dates weren't posted.
• Wisconsin Film Festival (April). Run by UW–Madison, the 2026 festival ran eight days at seven theaters with more than 135 films. The 29th is scheduled for April 8 to 15, 2027. See our movies guide.
• Madison Night Market (May to October). The Central Business Improvement District runs it with the City of Madison. The 2026 season, its ninth, had five Thursday evening markets, from May 14 to October 15, with more than 100 vendors, live music and visiting food carts downtown. The 2027 dates weren't posted.
• Loop the Lake (June). Clean Lakes Alliance's 12-mile, self-paced bike ride around Lake Monona is set for Saturday, June 19, 2027, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It raises money for the lakes.
• Madison Jazz Festival (late June). The Wisconsin Union Theater and the Arts + Literature Laboratory present it, with free performances on the Memorial Union Terrace on June 26 and 27 in 2026. Organizers say 2027 information is coming in spring 2027.

July: the Square, the fairgrounds and the east side

• Art Fair on the Square. The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art's fair fills the Capitol Square and is free to attend. The 2027 dates are Saturday, July 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Dane County Farmers' Market adjusts that weekend (see our farmers market guide).
• Concerts on the Square. The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra gives a free, six-concert series on the Capitol lawn each summer; its first season was in 1984. The 2027 season will be announced in spring 2027.
• Dane County Fair. It runs four days in mid-July at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way. In 2026 it ran Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19, with free concerts and daily entertainment. Check danecountyfair.com for 2027 dates and admission.
• Fête de Marquette. The Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center's free, family-friendly festival at McPike Park is rooted in the spirit of Bastille Day. The 2026 festival, its 20th, was held on a July weekend; 2027 dates weren't posted.

August: beer, culture and the suburbs

• Great Taste of the Midwest. The Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild, a nonprofit homebrewing club, holds this beer festival at Olin Park on the second Saturday in August, from 1 to 6 p.m. in 2026 (August 8). It's ticketed; see greattaste.org for tickets and the 2027 date. More in our breweries guide.
• Africa Fest. According to local news coverage in July 2026, the African Association of Madison's 26th annual festival ran August 15 and 16 at McPike Park, free to attend, with a Parade of Nations, performances and vendors. We couldn't read the organizer's own site, so check it for 2027 dates.
• Magic Pride Festival. OutReach LGBT Community Center's festival was held at Warner Park on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 1 to 6 p.m. The 2027 date wasn't posted.
• Good Neighbor Festival (Middleton). Volunteers from Middleton service clubs and nonprofits run this free festival at Middleton High School, 2100 Bristol St. In 2026 it ran August 28 to 30, with proceeds supporting local charities.

September: Taste of Madison and the Willy Street Fair

• Taste of Madison. Produced by the nonprofit Madison Festivals, Inc., this free Labor Day weekend festival takes over the Capitol Square with more than 90 food vendors and live music. Food and drinks are sold separately. The 2027 dates are Saturday, September 4, 2 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, September 5, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Willy Street Fair. Williamson Street closes for this neighborhood fair, produced by and benefiting CWD and the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. In 2026 it ran September 19 and 20, with a Sunday parade. The organizers have announced September 18 and 19, 2027, for the 50th anniversary, with listed hours of noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

October: books and science

• Wisconsin Book Festival. Madison Public Library, with the Madison Public Library Foundation, hosts more than 55 free author events at Central Library, MMoCA and the Discovery Building. The 25th anniversary fall celebration ran October 15 to 18, 2026; 2027 dates weren't posted.
• Wisconsin Science Festival. A statewide festival with a hub at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, 330 N. Orchard St. In 2026 it ran October 15 to 25, and the October Night Market was held in partnership with it.

November and December

The big outdoor festivals wind down by Halloween. The season moves to indoor markets, concerts and lights; see our holiday season guide and winter guide.

Planning tips

• Plan your trip. Festival weekends close streets around the Square and on Williamson Street; see our getting around guide and downtown parking guide.
• Check in the spring. Several organizers announce their schedules then, including the orchestra's summer concerts and the jazz festival.
• More free options: our free things to do guide and live music guide.
• Not on this list: Paddle and Portage, whose organizers announced in 2023 that they would not hold it again.

Browse local event venues and live music in the directory, or see the events calendar.