BEST Things to Do in August in Wisconsin – Music, Hot Air Balloons & More!

Seymour Burger Fest and Balloon Rally

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!

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Special thanks to our sponsor FVL Schools!

National Night Out: Tuesday, August 1, 2023

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: August 3 – 13, 2023

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

Hamburger Fest, Downtown Seymour: August 11 – 12, 2023

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.

Lakeshore Balloon Glow, Manitowoc: August 18, 2023

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

The sunflowers are starting to bloom! 

  • Sunflowers Taking Flight at Kelly’s Country Creamery: July 24-August 6
  • Bergsbaken Farms Annual Sunflower Festival: July 28-30

We have all the info on where to see beautiful sunflower fields on our website here: https://govalleykids.com/sunflowers/

Summer Events

We have so many fun festivals and events in Northeast Wisconsin!

Mile of Music, Downtown Appleton: August 3 – 6, 2023
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, Milwaukee: August 3 – 13, 2023
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. 

Door County Classic and Wooden Boat Festival, Sturgeon Bay: August 4 – 6, 2023
Enjoy live entertainment, delicious food, and children’s activities, and get an up-close look at Classic & Wooden Boats on the beautiful West Waterfront of Sturgeon Bay. The festival is presented by the Door County Maritime Museum.

Hamburger Fest, Downtown Seymour: August 11 – 12, 2023
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 16 – 20, 2023
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 18, 2023
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!

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