By Emilie Heidemann | Photo courtesy Overture Center
FÊTE DE MARQUETTE
July 9-12, McPike Park
The Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center presents Fête De Marquette, celebrating its 20th year. This premier summer festival brings the energy of French culture, food, live music and community celebration to the city’s East Side. Rooted in the spirit of Bastille Day, Fête de Marquette celebrates the area’s history and diverse cultural influences, offering an eclectic mix of music alongside a bustling marketplace of local vendors and artisans. wil-mar.org
HARMONIES FOR HOPE
July 10, Orpheum Theater
Catch an intimate performance by Grammy Award-winning American singer and songwriter LeAnn Rimes as part of Harmonies for Hope, a night of music, dining and giving back put on by the International Hyperbarics Association, an organization that raises funds for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. madisonorpheum.com
“THE GREAT GATSBY”
July 28-Aug. 2, Overture Center
Broadway extravaganza “The Great Gatsby,” based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, will grace the Overture Center’s stage in a new musical that depicts the unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage. Catch the production directed by Marc Bruni. overture.org
“TREVOR: THE MUSICAL”
Aug. 14-22, Overture Center
In this musical, set in 1981 America and based on the film that inspired the Trevor Project — a suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ youth — Trevor Nelson is busy navigating his teenage years in suburbia while dreaming of a life in show business. When a cruel incident at school suddenly puts him in the wrong spotlight, Nelson must summon the courage to pave his own way. overture.org
WISCONSIN POTTERY ASSOCIATION ART POTTERY SHOW & SALE
Aug. 22, Alliant Energy Center
Buyers can expect more than 50 dealers at this annual event selling both vintage and contemporary ceramics including art pottery, dinnerware, stoneware, tile and figurines. Pottery styles range from art deco to midcentury modern and beyond. alliantenergycenter.com
ART FAIR ON THE SQUARE
July 11-12, Capitol Square
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art presents its 68th annual Art Fair on the Square, one of the Midwest’s most popular celebrations of the arts, drawing nearly 200,000 visitors to downtown Madison. Visitors can enjoy music, entertainment and outdoor dining, as well as over 400 artists’ paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry, handmade clothing, accessories and fine crafts. mmoca.org
ARTSY HAPPENINGS
“Of Clowns and Artistic Depth”
July 10-31, Carnelian Art Gallery
Madison artist Douglas Hyslop’s solo show showcases an imaginary world of clowns and circus folk in this month-long exhibition. carnelianart.com
Art Fair Off the Square
July 11-12, between the Capitol and Monona Terrace
This two-day fine art fair is a showcase for 110-plus Wisconsin-based artists and craftspeople, and features ceramics, art glass, painting, fiber, sculpture, jewelry, graphics, paper-making, photography and more. artcraftwi.org
“Project Projection Summer 2026: Local Film and Video”
July 29, Arts + Literature Laboratory
Check out an evening of experimental films, short documentaries, music videos, and animation produced by filmmakers who reside in Madison and Dane County. artlitlab.org
“Artists’ Reception: Wence Martinez & Roberto Torres Mata”
Aug. 13, James Watrous Gallery
Celebrate the opening of Martinez’s and Mata’s solo exhibitions, ”In Motion” and “Rooted,” which will be on view through Oct. 11. wisconsincademy.org
FESTIVAL FUN
Pickle Palooza Food and Drink Festival
July 18, Breese Stevens Field
Calling all pickle lovers! This national food festival makes a stop in Madison. Enjoy delicious food and drink for purchase, live entertainment, and all sorts of unique activities like mechanical pickle riding and pickle-eating contests. pickle-paloozafoodanddrinkfest.com/madison-entertainment
Mount Horeb Art Fair
July 18-19, Main Street Mount Horeb
Check out this art fair that takes place on Mount Horeb’s Trollway, the city’s historic main street. The fair highlights fine artists and crafters from around the Midwest. mounthorebchamber.com/events/artfair
The Bodega at Breese Stevens Field
July 24 & Aug. 20, Breese Stevens Field
Browse over 90 local vendors and artisans, enjoy family-friendly entertainment and yard games, and purchase food and drink at this unique night market. breesestevensfield.com/upcoming-events
The Bodega Africa Fest
Aug. 15-16, McPike Park
Hosted by the African Association of Madison, this gathering celebrates African traditions and cultural heritage. tinyurl.com/africafest
Fitchburg Agora Art Fair
Aug. 15, Fitchburg Agora Building
Surround yourself with art from over 100 local and regional artists who work in every medium amid the unique architecture of the agora and the natural prairie landscape of southern Wisconsin. agoraartfair.com
INDIE MUSIC VENUE HAPPENINGS
On July 25, New York City-based Kaki King graces the stage at The Bur Oak (theburoakmadison.com). Dubbed by Rolling Stone as “a genre unto herself,” King, a guitarist, has shared stages with Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and has performed at the London Jazz Festival as well as Paris Les Femmes s’en Melent. At Gamma Ray Bar, Madeline Kelson, a Nashville-based artist, showcases her musical knowledge of folk, country and Americana, challenging the boundaries of each genre as a queer musician (gammaray.bar).
In 2018, Kelson released her solo debut, “Siren,” an introspective five-song EP. Renowned Madison vocalist Lynette Margulies comes to The North Street Cabaret on Aug. 22. She’s known for performing as a jazz vocalist with various instrumentalists, but incorporates elements from other genres like soul, R&B, gospel and folk (north-streetcabaret.com).
