July flew by and we’re ready to close out the summer with loads of fun this August! Here is a list of things to do this month that are FREE or inexpensive for your family.
Have a wonderful August, and don’t forget to check our family-friendly calendar for events and more things to do!
National Night Out: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. Find community events throughout Northeast Wisconsin including Appleton, Grand Chute, Omro, Winneconne, and more. Many events include displays of emergency vehicles, bounce houses, and children’s activities. You will also have the chance to talk to our local law enforcement and first responders.
Find more information on events in the Fox Cities.
Wisconsin State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee: July 31-August 10, 2025
The Wisconsin State Fair is an annual event held in West Allis (Milwaukee area) that is all about fun, food, and entertainment. The fair typically lasts for 11 days and features a wide variety of activities and attractions, including carnival rides and games, live music and entertainment, agricultural exhibits and competitions, and of course, plenty of delicious food.
Balloon Rallies
Burger Fest & Balloon Rally 2025, Downtown Seymour: August 8-9, 2025
This volunteer-run festival celebrates Seymour’s claim as the birthplace of the modern hamburger, attributed to Charles “Hamburger Charlie” Nagreen, who invented the hamburger in 1885 at the Seymour Fair. Proceeds from the event support scholarships and community projects. homeofthehamburger.org
Lakeshore Balloon Glow, Manitowoc: August 15, 2025
Lakeshore Balloon Glow is an annual family-friendly event in downtown Manitowoc. Hot air balloons are tethered to the ground during the event, creating a beautiful and unique spectacle as they light up the night sky. Get up close to the balloons, take photos, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. There are also food trucks with everything from burgers to donuts and pizza to cookie dough. Live music, entertainment, and fireworks round out the event!
Sunflowers
Kelley Country Creamery is a functional dairy farm with pastured cows and has award-winning ice cream, making this potentially the sweetest road trip on our list! You can enjoy your ice cream treat on their beautiful porch overlooking their hillside pastures after catching a peek of ice cream being made in through the viewing window in the ice cream parlor.
Sunflowers Taking Flight runs from Friday, August 1, through Sunday, August 10, 2025. This event supports Old Glory Honor Flights through flower bouquet sales, hats, and t-shirts. Note: Admission and all other purchases are cash only.
- Kelley Country Creamery, W5215 Co Rd B, Fond du Lac, 920-923-1715
Summer Events
We have so many fun festivals and events in Northeast Wisconsin!
Winnebago County Fair, Sunnyview Expo Center, Oshkosh: July 30-August 3, 2025
Start your day exploring five barns of animals, then cool off in the Expo Building with youth exhibits, vendors, and the 4-H Basket Raffle. Enjoy family fun with magic shows, racing pigs, a trout pond, and thrilling midway games. Satisfy your cravings with over 20 food booths before hitting the Carnival-Air Maxx or Carousel, your choice! End the night with grandstand events like a rodeo, tractor pull or the demolition derby, then dance to live local bands. Fun for all-don’t miss it!
Mile of Music, Downtown Appleton: July 31-August 3, 2025
Mile of Music is a cover-free zone all about original, hand-crafted artistry, singer-songwriters, combos, and multi-piece bands showcasing Americana music at its very best — from roots and indie rock to country, soul, R&B, jazz, and folk. Most events will be FREE. Plus, there will be plenty of free, hands-on Music Education events throughout the festival for all ages.
Wisconsin State Fair, July 31-August 10, 2025
The Wisconsin State Fair is an annual event held in West Allis (Milwaukee area) that is all about fun, food, and entertainment. The fair typically lasts for 11 days and features a wide variety of activities and attractions, including carnival rides and games, live music and entertainment, agricultural exhibits and competitions, and of course, plenty of delicious food.
Burger Fest & Balloon Rally, Downtown Seymour: August 8-9, 2025
The Hamburger Festival in Seymour offers two days of hot air balloon ascensions and balloon glow (dusk and dawn) and activities, including a car show, kites, live music, food, a magic show, a ketchup slide, and more.
Brown County Fair, De Pere: August 13-17, 2025
The Brown County Fair is an annual event held in De Pere, Wisconsin, that is all about celebrating the community and having a good time. The fair typically features a variety of fun activities, including carnival rides, games, and live entertainment. There are also exhibits showcasing local agriculture, crafts, and other projects. Food vendors offer tasty treats, from classic fair foods to local specialties. Highlights include a demolition derby, truck and tractor pull, rodeo, horse pull, live music, carnival, kids activities, and more.
Lakeshore Balloon Glow, Manitowoc: August 15, 2025
Lakeshore Balloon Glow is an annual family-friendly event in downtown Manitowoc. Hot air balloons are tethered to the ground during the event, creating a beautiful and unique spectacle as they light up the night sky. Get up close to the balloons, take photos, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. There are also food trucks with everything from burgers to donuts and pizza to cookie dough. Live music, entertainment, and fireworks round out the event!
