This week is filled with fun events, including a two-day bash at Bradford Beach celebrating Latin culture, night markets with line dancing and pets, and various cultural festivals and block parties.
On Saturday, TNT Empowerment Network will hold a “fun fest” at Kuumba Juice and Coffee in Harambee.
Founded by Tityana Clements, TNT focuses on providing resources to underserved Milwaukee communities by holding networking events and offering emergency short-term housing to people experiencing homelessness or safety crises.
This upcoming Saturday, TNT is hosting its fun fest to help fundraise for those resources and provide a day of exciting activities for the whole family.
“I am just trying to help the community out,” Clements said.
To find out about other events and volunteer opportunities, keep reading.
Whats going on this week?
Show Pan-African Unity with Red Bike & Green’s Dashiki Ride
Put on your dashikis or any African attire and head out to Red Bike & Green-Milwaukee’s annual Dashiki Ride. This Black solidarity bicycle ride instills wellness, cultural pride and fashion while providing a safe place to express Pan-African unity. This year’s ride destination is the African Cultural Festival at Brown Deer Park, a 17.6-mile round trip, via the Oak Leaf Trail.
When: Saturday, July 18, meet at 10 a.m.; ride begins at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Club Timbuktu, 520 E Center Street
More info: Visit Red Bike & Green-Milwaukee’s Facebook page.
The 2026 African Cultural Festival set this weekend
Enjoy traditional African music, dance, authentic food and a souk (marketplace) at the 2026 African Cultural Festival. The event will have art exhibits, a fashion show, children’s activities, live music and more. Africans in Milwaukee Inc, sponsors this event.
When: Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Brown Deer Park, Picnic Areas 6–8, 7835 N. Green Bay Road
More info: Africans in Milwaukee Inc’s website or Facebook page or call 262-327-4528.
It’s a Hair Thing
Join the Milwaukee Water Commons, artists and residents in the closing discussion about an exhibit on Black hair.
Ruthie Joy and Rhonda Gatlin-Hayes, exhibiting artists, explore the complexities of Black Hair through a combination of physical art pieces and videos.
The discussion will include topics like the Crown Act, self-esteem, assimilation and the relationship between healthy hair and water.
When: Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: 1836 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event page.
Granville Blues & Jazz Festival
Great blues, jazz, R&B and rock performances will take place over the last two weekends of July.
The Granville Blues & Jazz Festival features food, drinks, vendors and music from bands like Lady A, Mike Wheeler, and Melman. Other featured artists include Terry Wright, Vick Allen and Kelly Price.
When: July 18 and 19 from noon to 10 p.m. and July 25 and 26 from noon to 10 p.m.
Where: 8633 W. Brown Deer Road
More info: Visit Granvillebusiness.orgor this Facebook page.
Frida Fest 2026
Celebrate Southeastern Wisconsin artists at this two‑day Frida Kahlo–inspired festival packed with interactive art, live music, local vendors, educational workshops, food trucks, a poetry slam and a Frida Kahlo look-alike contest.
When: Saturday, July 18, through Sunday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 4511 S. Sixth St.
More info: Visit the Frida Fest 2026 Facebook page here
Mi Gente Latin Beach Festival
Milwaukee’s largest Latin beach party is back for its third year at Bradford Beach with multiple live music performances, dancing and a celebration of Latin culture.
There will be a beach volleyball tournament and over 20 vendors with food and goods for sale.
For those who do not want to stop partying after the festival, there will be an official afterparty to keep the vibes going.
The event runs for two days and tickets are required. Attendees must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket.
When: Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, from noon to 8 p.m.
Where: 2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
Registration: Tickets can be purchased ahead of the event here.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event website.
TNT Community Fun Fest
The TNT Empowerment Network is holding a free Fun Fest at Kuumba Juice and Coffee.
The event will have face painting, raffles, bounce houses, and food and drinks.
Tityana Clements, the founder of TNT Empowerment Network, will also be braiding hair for free during the event.
Where: 274 E. Keefe Ave.
When: Saturday, July 18, from noon to 3 p.m.
More info: Additional details can be found on the organization’s Facebook page.
Monday Night Jazz
Maxie’s, a seafood, Cajun and Creole bar and restaurant, will hold a jazz night on Mondays until Aug. 31, according to its Facebook event page.
This week Sazerac 4 will play.
The music will take place on the patio, but the festivities can move indoors depending on weather.
There is no cover charge for the event.
Where: 6732 W. Fairview Ave.
When: Monday, July 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and every following Monday until Aug. 31.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event page.
Trivia at Third Space Brewing
Third Space Brewing is calling all brainiacs, nerds and smarty-pants for six rounds of head-scratching trivia.
Teams can have up to eight players. Players can expect an extra lightning round where teams will need to come up with 10 answers in two minutes.
Where: 1505 W. St Paul Ave.
When: Tuesday, July 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event page.
Night Market: Bark After Dark
The Milwaukee Night Market and Fromm Family Pet Foods are holding a pet-friendly night on the town.
Vendors will have goods for the pets and their owners, and animals will be available for adoption.
If you buy a bag of Fromm Crunchy Os dog treats, a portion of the proceeds will go to participating nonprofits.
Where: 321 W.Wisconsin Ave.
When: Wednesday, July 22, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event page.
Sherman Phoenix Night Market and Patio Party
Sherman Phoenix is hosting a series of Thursday night markets and patio parties this summer until Aug. 20.
There will be live music playing and good food to accompany the summer night market vibes.
According to organizers, there will also be line dancing, giveaways, and family-friendly games and activities.
Where: 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
When: Thursday, July 23, from 5 p.m to 9 p.m.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event page.
RW24 MishMash Fest 2026
ArtBar is hosting the 2026 MishMash Fest in the Riverwest neighborhood, and this year there will be entertainment from Dead Man’s Carnival, a live music and circus variety show.
Attendees can expect to laugh from comedy performances, gaze in awe at magic, fire tricks and other theatrics.
The event is free to attend.
When: Friday, July 24, at 7 p.m.
Where: 722 E. Burleigh St.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event page.
Looking to volunteer your time? Here are some organizations looking for help.
Volunteers needed for Beerline Trail wooden bench build day
Got carpentry skills? Then come out and help Friends of the Beerline Trail build wooden benches for the new Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Wet Meadow.
The benches will welcome visitors to Milwaukee’s newest pollinator habitat.
When: Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Along the Beerline Trail between North Fratney and North Bremen streets behind Café Corazone.
What: Bring work gloves, water; tools and materials will be provided
More info: Contact Riverworks Development Corp. here
Veggie Chop Shop seeks volunteers
Tikkun Ha Ir, a local nonprofit, hosts a community meals program where volunteers can make meals for those in need.
Its program, the Veggie Chop Shop, is looking for volunteers to sign up for various jobs, like going to farmers markets and collecting produce, chopping vegetables, cooking and delivering the meals to participating organizations.
The program runs each summer, and this year it ends on Sept. 15.
Where: Multiple locations available upon sign-up.
When: Ongoing until Sept. 15.
Sign up and get more info: Sign up to volunteer on the website.
La Risa Lynch covers community affairs and business for the Journal Sentinel’s business team.
Everett Eaton covers Harambee for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact: eeaton@usatodayco.com.
Neighborhood Dispatch reporting is supported by Bader Philanthropies, Zilber Foundation, Journal Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and reader contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Journal Sentinel editors maintain full editorial control over all content. To support this work, visit jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation (memo: “JS Community Journalism”) and mailed to P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689
The JS Community-Funded Journalism Project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association, and EnMotive, a subsidiary of USA TODAY Co
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Next in the neighborhood: July 18 to 24 events near you
Reporting by Everett Eaton and La Risa R. Lynch, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Everett Eaton and La Risa R. Lynch, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
