Summer in Madison, WI: beaches, free concerts, ballgames, markets and heat safety

Beaches, splash parks and pools

The City of Madison lists 12 public beaches on Lakes Mendota, Monona and Wingra and on Monona Bay. The city says beach swimming season typically runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with swim ropes at most beaches, and that no lifeguards are on duty. Public Health Madison & Dane County monitors lake water quality from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so check for closures before you swim. Our swimming guide covers water quality, pools and lessons, and our lakes guide lists every beach.

The city runs four free splash parks: Cypress Park (902 Magnolia Ln.), Elver Park (1250 McKenna Blvd.), Reindahl Park (1818 Portage Rd.) and the Jeff Erlanger Sprayground at Rennebohm Park (115 N. Eau Claire Ave.). The city lists their season as Memorial weekend through Labor Day, daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It also says a new splash park and playground at Cypress Park is expected to be finished in May 2027.

Goodman Pool, 325 W. Olin Ave., is the city's outdoor pool. The city plans to reopen it in June 2027 and requires visitors 3 and older to complete a pool waiver first.

Free music and movies

Concerts on the Square. The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra describes this as a six-concert series on the Wisconsin State Capitol lawn, free for the whole community. The 2027 season will be announced in spring 2027, so check wcoconcerts.org. Weather decisions are posted by 3 p.m. on concert days.

Movie in the Park. Madison Parks shows free outdoor movies in summer, and the program is named for Sina Davis. In 2026 the city listed screenings such as *Hoppers* on Wednesday, July 15, at Warner Park (Trailsway), 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., with a blanket or lawn chair suggested. The city's Parks Alive events run beforehand at some parks with free food, music and activities, and a movie can be canceled for bad weather. See our movies guide.

For more free summer music, from Jazz Festival performances on the Memorial Union Terrace to neighborhood series, see our live music guide and festivals calendar.

On the water

Paddling and boat rental season runs roughly from spring to fall, and the businesses that rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards post their own seasonal hours. Our lakes guide covers rentals, boat launches, the lake access permits that city and county launches require, and life jacket rules. Browse the boat and kayak rentals category.

Baseball and soccer

Neither team had published its 2027 schedule when we checked.

• Madison Mallards. The Northwoods League team's 2026 season opened at home on Monday, May 25, Memorial Day, and its final home game was Saturday, August 8. Home games are at Warner Park, which the team calls the Duck Pond.
• Forward Madison FC. The club's 2026 home matches at Breese Stevens Field were listed from May through October, with the first on May 29 and a playoff quarterfinal on October 30. The league season began in March on the road.

See our sports guide for more.

Farmers markets

The Dane County Farmers' Market is at its fullest in summer. In 2026 the Saturday market on the Capitol Square ran every Saturday from April 11 through November 14, 6:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., with an early 1 p.m. close on September 5. The Wednesday market on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. ran April 22 through November 4, 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The market hadn't posted 2027 dates. Neighborhood and suburban markets fill the other days of the week; see our farmers markets guide and the farmers markets category.

Dane County Fair

The fair is held at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way. In 2026 it ran four days, Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19, with daily themes including a Kids Day on Friday, and the fair's site promises free concerts and entertainment. Check danecountyfair.com for 2027 dates and admission. More summer events are in our festivals calendar, including the Art Fair on the Square in July.

Summer programs for kids

MSCR (Madison School & Community Recreation) runs summer camps for children from age 4 through middle school. For summer 2026 its elementary camps included Camp Tall Oaks at the School Forest, an arts camp at Lapham Elementary and Camp Compass for grades 1 to 6, which ran June 22 to August 14. Camp registration for 2026 opened Monday, February 23, so for 2027 plan to look in winter. MSCR says fees can be partially or fully waived for families who meet free or reduced-price school meal criteria, for Madison school district residents; ask at registration. MSCR also teaches summer swim lessons at Goodman Pool. See our recreation programs guide and kids guide.

Heat safety

Public Health Madison & Dane County's guidance for hot days includes:

• Take frequent breaks in the shade or a cool place, and spend time in air-conditioned public spaces.
• Drink water throughout the day, before you feel thirsty, and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.
• Close blinds and curtains in the hottest part of the day. Fans circulate air but don't cool it.
• Never leave a person or pet in a parked car.
• Check on older neighbors and relatives by call, text or visit. Older adults, children, pregnant people and people with chronic conditions are at higher risk.
• Libraries, senior and community centers, malls, shaded parks, splash parks and pools are suggested places to cool off. Call ahead to confirm hours.

Heat stroke signs include red, hot, dry skin with no sweat, a very high body temperature, a rapid pulse, dizziness and confusion. Call 911 and move into the shade. If you need help with energy bills, Public Health points people to 211. Our emergencies guide has more on severe weather and who to call.