Embrace the outdoors
No matter what time of year you visit Wisconsin, there's something fun happening outdoors that's worth celebrating.
Summer in Wisconsin means sunshine, water and signature events. Come down and dance at the giant 11-stage Summerfest music festival, enjoy all things Wisconsin at the State Fair in West Allis, or feel the adrenaline at the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh.
When the leaves start to turn, we are still outside, but now we are among the breathtaking colors of fall. Join us at any local pumpkin patch or festival to fully experience Wisconsin fall, like the Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest. With apples in season, orchards are open for picking and events like the Gays Mills Apple Festival are in full swing. And sporting events are in full swing at venues like Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers.
Wisconsin winters can be cold, but that doesn't stop us from enjoying the outdoors. Winters here are beautiful and mean sports, dazzling holiday lights, and family-friendly festivals across the state. And when the flowers are in bloom, shop with us at our many spring farmers markets and arts and crafts shows.
Delight in the Unexpected
You may think you have Wisconsin figured out, but we promise there's something unexpected still waiting to be discovered. Sure, Wisconsin has the music and food events we all love, but we're also home to some of the most amazing fairs and festivals in the world. In Wisconsin, we love an excuse to celebrate!
Where else can a festival that celebrates the landing site of a piece of the 1960s Sputnik IV satellite boast? Answer: nowhere else. Manitowoc hosts the one-of-a-kind Sputnikfest, featuring alien-themed costume contests and out-of-this-world fun for the whole family.
Head to Hayward for the World Lumberjack Championship, where there's more to it than chopping wood. With ax throwing, log rolling, food vendors and live music, this event is for the seasoned competitor and first timer alike, and the whole family is invited. If you consider yourself more of an artistic woodcutter, visit Eau Claire during the US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship to see amazingly crafted works of art made with, you guessed it, chainsaws.
Tempt your taste buds
Cheese may be king in Wisconsin, but it's far from the only thing you'll find at a Wisconsin festival that revolves around food and drink.
For the sweet tooth: join us at Rhubarb Fest in Osceola or the Warrens Cranberry Festival — the largest cranberry festival on the planet. If you're still feeling hungry, there's the annual Taste of Madison, featuring the best dishes from dozens of local restaurants.
But you can't leave Wisconsin without trying our award-winning cheese. Here, cheese is an art that goes beyond taste. Go to any cheese festival to learn all the most delightful crafting secrets. Like how a fresh 12-hour curd crackles when you bite into it. It's true, and you can experience it at the Cheese Curd Festival in Ellsworth.
In addition to cheese, we are also particularly proud of our craft beer culture. You'll see what we mean at our many beer festivals, like the Thirsty Troll Brew Fest in Mount Horeb and the Northeast Wisconsin Craft Beer Festival in Green Bay. For wine drinkers: we also have wine festivals, like the Door County Wine Fest.
Wisconsin brewers and chefs are always finding innovative, local ways to elevate their craft. We love to highlight our homegrown produce, from cranberries to apples, and bring it farm-to-table. Join us anywhere in Wisconsin to experience how we eat, behave and dine well.
However long you stay, we know you'll feel right at home in Wisconsin. Add an event or two to the itinerary and when it's time to leave, you'll do so with memories, a full stomach and a happy heart.
