Milwaukee's Downtown Neighbors Association

10/26/2026

Fall looks good on downtown. 🍂

From riverside walks along the Riverwalk to cozy coffee shops and colorful storefronts, autumn is one of the best times to explore East Town Association, Westown Association, and Historic Third Ward. Grab a sweater, take a stroll, and see why downtown shines this time of year.

What's your favorite spot to enjoy fall downtown? Tell us below!

10/15/2026

Downtown's favorite Halloween tradition is back! 🎃

Join us October 24 for the Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee at Baird Community Commons: free pumpkins, face painting, live entertainment, and trick-or-treat goodie bags for the whole family.

While you're there, don't miss Halloween Village, a free lighted display running all month with a giant pumpkin, spooky characters, and plenty of photo ops.

Costumes encouraged!

👻 Jubilee: Saturday, October 24, 11 AM-2 PM
🕷️ Halloween Village: Now through October 31
📍 Baird Community Commons, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave

09/30/2026

Heads up if you're driving through downtown. 🚧

Starting tonight (September 30), the I-43 southbound to I-94 westbound ramp at the Marquette Interchange will be reduced to one lane for about two weeks while WisDOT crews complete parapet work as part of the ongoing I-794 Structure Improvement Project.

This is separate from the future I-794 Lake Interchange Study — no decisions have been made there. This closure is routine maintenance to keep the current bridges safe.

Schedule is weather-dependent, so check 511.gov before you head out.

🚧 Begins: Overnight, Sept. 30
📍 Marquette Interchange, NW System Ramp
⏳ Duration: ~2 weeks

Map courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

09/29/2026

Some Third Ward stories aren't in the history books. 👻

Every Friday and Saturday in October, the Historic Third Ward Ghost Walk takes you through 90 minutes of haunted history — from The Pfister Hotel to MIAD. Hear the tales behind the buildings you pass every day.

Not for the faint of heart. Ages 13+.

📅 Fridays & Saturdays in October, 7:30 PM | Historic Third Ward

Learn more and book now: www.americanghostwalks.com/tour/milwaukee-bloody-third-ward-ghost-walk

09/14/2026

One last Night Market before summer wraps up. 🎓

The final Milwaukee Night Market of the season lands on September 16, and it's College Night. Explore 230+ local vendors, grab a bite from food trucks, and check out live entertainment on West Wisconsin Avenue.

It's a great night to discover what downtown has to offer. Learn more at mkenightmarket.com

📅 September 16, 5-9 PM | West Wisconsin Avenue

09/01/2026

Labor Day weekend just got more colorful. 🎨

Head to the Historic Third Ward on September 5-6 for the Third Ward Art Festival. Browse work from over 150 juried artists, enjoy live music on two stages, and grab a bite from local food vendors. There's even a hands-on art tent for kids.

Free and open to everyone — the perfect way to close out summer downtown.

📅 September 5-6, 10 AM-5 PM | Historic Third Ward

Just three weeks until Broadway looks like this again 😍

's Third Ward Art Festival returns Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6! 🎨 ✨️

The festival will showcase the work of more than 200 juried artists from around the country in a variety of mediums including ceramics, fiber, glass jewelry, sculpture, mixed media, paintings, drawings, photography, printmaking, wood and furniture.

Thirsty? Stop by one of the three Historic Third Ward Association tents on Broadway, as beverage sales benefit the HTWA 🍺 🍷

Plus, find plenty of easy parking at the two Historic Third Ward Parking Structures located at 212 N. Milwaukee St. and 225 E. Chicago St. 🚗

Click the link below to learn more and to plan your trip to the Third Ward Art Festival 🤩
https://buff.ly/Qnd3JvV

📸:

07/31/2026

The moon is coming to the Third Ward! 🌕

From August 7-9, Catalano Square transforms for the Third Ward Moon Festival — a FREE, three-day event featuring a stunning 23-foot illuminated moon sculpture. It's part of the Historic Third Ward Association's 50th anniversary celebration, and Milwaukee is the only Midwest stop on its world tour.

Bring the family, bring a blanket, and look up. ✨

📅 August 7-9 | Catalano Square, Historic Third Ward

Learn more: https://www.historicthirdward.org/third-ward-moon-festival

07/29/2026

Last night, downtown showed up. 🏙️

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our board meeting with Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Bauman, Captain Thiel, and Assistant District Attorney Dax Odom. The room was full, the questions were real, and it's clear how much our neighbors care about downtown Milwaukee.

Thanks to the mayor and city leaders for taking the time to hear directly from residents. This is what community looks like.

Stay tuned for more from DNA MKE — and thank you for being part of it. 💙

07/21/2026

📢 Mayor Johnson is coming to our board meeting, and you're invited too.

Join DNA MKE for our next board meeting on Tuesday, July 28, from 5:30–7 PM. Mayor Cavalier Johnson will be there, along with Alderman Bauman, Captain Thiel (District One), and Assistant District Attorney Dax Odom.

This meeting is open to the public. Come ask questions and be part of the conversation about downtown Milwaukee.

📍 The Intersection Conference Room, The Avenue MKE
275 W Wisconsin Ave, 2nd Floor (up the stairs from 3rd Street Market Hall)

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/LYnNoaLRezPpZJQH9

See you there!

06/17/2026

✨ It's back! The Milwaukee Night Market returns on June 24!

Some of the best nights of the Milwaukee summer are almost here. Head to West Wisconsin Avenue between 2nd Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue from 5–9 PM for amazing nights of local vendors, food, entertainment, and all the energy that makes this city great.

A few things to know:
🛍️ 100+ local vendors, all Wisconsin-based
📅 Four nights this summer: June 24, July 22, August 19 & September 16
🎉 Free and open to everyone
🏙️ Right in the heart of downtown

This event has been a Milwaukee staple since 2014, and it keeps getting better. Big thanks to the Westown Association for making it happen year after year.
See you there!

Learn more at www.mkenightmarket.com