Summer is here, the days are longer and anyone with spare time, may be looking for things to do.
This upcoming week, from Saturday, May 30, to Friday, June 5, has events stacking up filled with fun, resources, neighborly support and lots of food.
If anyone has an event you would like to share, reach out to the Journal Sentinel Neighborhood Dispatch team.
Here’s what events are coming up:
Heal the Hood Block Party and Resource Fair
This year is the 14th annual Heal the Hood Block Party and Resource Fair, featuring youth activities, health screenings, vendor booths, giveaways, and, of course, plenty of food.
The event is for all ages with an emphasis on building community and making lasting connections.
Where: Along West Atkinson Avenue from North 9th Street to North 11th Street
When: Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More info: Additional information can be found on the event page here.
BikerFest MKE Block Party 2026
A “community-powered family-style” block party featuring motorcycles, food and fun will take place this weekend.
Presented by the East Side Business Improvement District, the event is free for participating residents with registration, but a fee is required for those who want to ride their bikes into the event. There is also a fee for participating vendors.
Where: 2160 North Farwell Ave.
When: Saturday, May 30, from noon to 9 p.m.
Registration: Register for the event here.
More info: Additional information is available on the event Facebook page.
Tattoo Fest Milwaukee
The Third Annual Tattoo Fest takes off with over 250 artists from around the world and residents arriving to show off their skills and their ink.
Festival attendees can purchase tattoos from artists, get merchandise and connect over the course of the three-day event.
Tickets are required to enter.
Where: 400 West Wisconsin Ave.
When: Friday, May 29, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Registration: Tickets for the event can be purchased on the website here.
More info: Information about the event can be found on the main website, here.
Walk, Run, Ride Resistance!
A walk, run and bike ride in honor of Harriet Tubman’s legacy at Clarence and Cleopatra Park is an event for the whole family. The event is hosted by Run Black & Green, a local organization that sees physical movement as an act of liberation.
According to the website, kids under 16 are encouraged to participate but must be accompanied by an adult.
Where: 1919 West Fond du Lac Ave.
When: Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Registration: Registration is available on the event website here. A waver must also be filled out before participating.
Locust Street Festival
The annual Locust Street Festival has been going on since the 1970s, when the City of Milwaukee planned to widen Locust Street.
Neighbors opposed the changes to the street and won. To celebrate, residents threw a party on the street, which turned into the event Milwaukee now knows as the Locust Street Festival, according to the website.
There will be vendors, music and a beer run stretching 1.6 miles through the Riverwest neighborhood.
Where: On East Locust Street in Riverwest
When: Sunday, May 31, starting at 11:30 a.m.
Registration: The event is free. Unfortunately, the beer run is sold out. To learn more about that element of the event, visit here.
More info: Additional details are available on the event page.
Lineman’s Riverwest Inn 33rd Anniversary
Lineman’s Riverwest Inn is celebrating its 33rd year in business. It will feature several hours of musical entertainment with no cover fee, including Shell Bells, De La Buena and The Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken.
Where: 1001 East Locust St.
When: Sunday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 11 pm.
More info: Event details can be found here.
Good Neighbor Grant Fund
Safe and Sound is hosting an informational session on applying for and receiving the Good Neighbor Grant. The grant can be used for starting a block club and community events such as gatherings, cleanups and more.
Registration for the event is not required.
Where: 422 West Leon Terrace
When: Tuesday, June 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
More info: Contact Safe and sound by emailing info@safeandsound.org, calling (414) 220-4780 or learn more by visiting the organization’s website here.
Fear MKE Day
Forget Everything and Run (FEAR) MKE day is an event encouraging health, fitness and socialization by celebrating Global Running Day with … well … a run.
The run will be held at night and will have music and giveaways, according to the event page.
Where: Boone & Crockett at 818 South Water St.
When: Wednesday, June 3, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Registration: The event is free, but to reserve a spot, register here. A waiver must also be filled out by all runners.
Indaba Nights
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care will host a free concert series called Indaba Nights on Wednesdays, stretching from June to August.
The name Indaba refers to a gathering to resolve problems affecting the community where everyone’s voice is heard and a common story is made from the experience for the participants to share, according to the St. Ann Center website.
The first performance will feature Love, Peace & Soul Band. Registration is not required.
Where: 2450 West North Ave.
When: Wednesday, June 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
More info: Details can be found on the St. Ann Center website, here.
BIPOC/Black Mom Group
Maternally Strong is organizing a post-partum support group for Black mothers and people of color to share stories, offer advice and create a community of positive connection.
Where: 9211 West Capitol Drive
When: Thursday, June 4, at 6 p.m. It is scheduled for the first Thursday of each month.
Registration: Sign-up for the event can be found on the event page here.
R&B BingoR&B bingo at City Social Bar and Grill is a recurring event every Thursday, featuring music, food prizes and bingo hosted by E Da Black.
Where: City Social Bar and Grill at 530 North Water Street.
When: Thursday, June 4, starting at 7 p.m.
More info: Additional details can be found on the event page here.
Dynamic Page: A LIT Live Lit Event
Dasha Kelly, previous Wisconsin Poet Laureate, will read from her new novel, “Baker’s Dozen.” A work that was a decade in the making, according to the event page.
The event will have a live painter and musicians to accompany the reading.
Where: 804 West Greenfield Ave.
When: Friday, June 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Registration: Admission to the event is free, but signed copies of the work and video access at the event can be purchased online until June 3.
Rooted Exchange First Fridays: Vendor Market and Entrepreneur Community Night
Rooted Exchange organized a community event to support local entrepreneurs by creating a space for connection and growth.
Residents can attend the event and purchase directly from local businesses, entrepreneurs and investors can find new opportunities at the event, according to the event page.
Where: Muza Church at 2114 9th Ave.
When: Friday, June 5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Registration: The event is free, but participants are encouraged to sign-up on the event page.
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: May 30 to June 5 events near you
Reporting by Everett Eaton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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