It’ll be festival season before we know it.
Here’s the early word on 10 of the Green Bay area’s most-anticipated summer parties, including two new ones (did someone say tacos?), two that are switching up where they fall on the calendar and returning favorites with big plans.
Washington Street Block Party
When/where: Noon-7 p.m. April 25 along the 100 block of S. Washington Street, Green Bay
Hey, look, it’s a new event! Although a couple of the big draws will sound familiar, this is a new party on the calendar. The Booyah Battle and Uncle Mike’s Kringle Combine both debuted last April for the NFL draft. Both are back to give visitors a chance to sample booyah whipped up by 11 area chefs and never-before-made flavors of kringle from Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe. A $20 tasting card for the booyah and a $5 donation for the kringle let you taste all the deliciousness.
The afternoon also includes the Green Bay Bike Bash, with a vintage and specialty bike show and swap meet, and music by LIVEwire (polka), Plaster (grunge), Counterpunch (punk) and Flatfoot 56 (Celtic punk).
Info: downtowngreenbay.com/block-party
Celebrate De Pere
When/where: May 23-25 at Voyageur Park, De Pere
Who’s headlining: It’s a double shot of country music by a pair of national acts on opening night of the Memorial Day weekend staple. Chris Kroeze, the Barron native who was the Season 15 runner-up on “The Voice,” plays at 7:30 p.m., followed by Neon Union, 2024 ACM Award nominees for New Duo or Group of the Year, at 10 p.m. On May 24, Green Bay rock band Annex plays at 5:30 p.m., followed by old-school hip-hop tribute group Too Hype Crew at 8 p.m. Gate admission prices TBA.
What’s happening in the sky: The drone show is May 23; Family Fireworks Extravaganza is May 24.
Veterans ceremony: All branches of the military will be recognized in a tribute by VFW Post 2113 at 12:30 p.m. May 25.
Info: celebratedepere.com
MeatFest
When/where: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 30 at Resch Expo, Ashwaubenon
What’s happening: Did someone say protein? Introduced in 2023, the indoor/outdoor event (weather permitting) presented by Pelkin’s Smokey Meat Market has samplings from aisles of vendors, cooking demos, food trucks, bourbon and wine bars, a beer garden, live music, a children’s cooking competition with chef Ace Champion and an interactive kids culinary space.
Tickets are $16.50 adults, $8 ages 13-17, $11 military and first responders and free ages 12 and younger. VIP early entry at 10 a.m. is $22 adults, $13.25 ages 13-17 and $16.50 military and first responders. Tickets at ticketstaronline.com.
Info: ticketstaronline.com/events/detail/meatfest-2
Summer Fun Days Showcase
When/where: 3-10 p.m. June 6 at Titletown district
What’s happening: It’s the free concert by a national touring act at night’s end that draws the big crowd every year. Josh Turner, Bebe Rexha and Flo Rida have hit the stage in recent years, but who has been tapped this year is still a mystery. Count on all kinds of family activities, food and beverage options and music earlier in the day. Concert is at 8:30 p.m.
Info: titletown.com
Fiesta 920
When/where: Noon-8 p.m. June 20 on Resch Plaza, Ashwaubenon
Hey, look, it’s a new event: If a taco in one hand and a margarita in the other is your idea of a good time, this first-time event has you covered. Kick off summer out on the Resch Plaza with a celebration of all things tacos and tequila. Chicago-based bands Inversivo and Rimel will entertain while guests enjoy food and drink. There will be the Casamigos Margarita Bar, Don Julio Tequila Lounge and a Kay Distributing Beer Tent with Modelo, Pacifico, Corona and Dos Equis. Other activities include loteria (Mexican bingo) and a children’s area. Outdoor event but will move inside if need be due to weather.
General admission tickets are $8 adults at ticketstaronline.com; ages 17 and younger free. An additional $16.50 ticket lets you participate in the judging of Green Bay’s Best Taco Competition.
Info: reschcomplex.com/events/detail/fiesta-920
Festival Foods Fire Over the Fox
When/where: 3-10:30 p.m. July 4 in downtown Green Bay
What’s happening: You know the drill on this one … Come for the massive Fourth of July party with bands, food and great red-white-and-blue people watching and stick around for the fireworks over the Fox River. Stay tuned for more details about this year’s party plans as America turns 250.
Info: downtowngreenbay.com/explore/broadway-events/fire-over-the-fox
GBUFO Invasion Fest
When/where: July 23 at MadWorld Artist Collective and July 24-25 at Badger State Brewing Co., both in Green Bay
What it’s all about: The fourth year of the fest from the musical minds at Green Bay UFO Museum Gift Shop and Records brings dozens of punk, rock, underground and indie bands to two venues across three days. Headliners are Pet Mosquito, Man or Astro-Man? and the Didgits for a bill that also includes plenty of acts closer to home and comedy, too. Ticket info TBA.
Info: facebook.com/GBUFOrecords
ArtFest
When/where: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 22 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 23 in downtown Green Bay
This year’s big change: Downtown Green Bay Inc.’s art fair moves from July to August in an effort to bump up against fewer other annual events on northeastern Wisconsin’s busy summer calendar and avoid conflicts for vendors and visitors. The new date puts the fourth annual event on the weekend that was long associated with Artstreet, the Mosaic Arts Inc. downtown art fair that moved to Ashwaubomay Park in 2022 and has been on hiatus since 2025.
What else is happening: Exhibiting artists, interactive art experiences, community art project, headlining sets by FBI and the Untouchable Horns and Copper Box, food and beverages. Free admission.
Info: facebook.com/ArtFestGreenBay
igNight Market
When/where: 5-10 p.m. Aug. 15 at Leicht Memorial Park, downtown Green Bay
What’s happening: This is one of On Broadway Inc.’s two open-air markets in 2026, and it’s the one with the hot-air balloon glow at dusk along the Fox River. The evening also includes bands, local artisans, interactive art demonstrations, life-size games, food trucks and beverages. Save Oct. 17 on your calendar for a fall igNight Market with a “spooky Halloween vibe” in the Broadway District. Free admission.
Info: facebook.com/igNightMarket
BurgerFest
When/where: 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 19 on Depot Street in downtown Seymour
This year’s big change: “The Home of the Hamburger” celebration moves from its usual August spot to September, with plans to incorporate family-friendly fall activities into the mix. In a switch from previous years, sponsorship from Elexco Inc. means there will be no admission fee this year.
What’s returning: The 36th annual event will still host its popular hot-air balloon ascensions at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and balloon glow at dusk, weather permitting, at Rockledge Park. The World’s Largest Hamburger Parade, ketchup slide and burger-eating contest are all back.
Info: facebook.com/HomeoftheHamburger
Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X @KendraMeinert.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: What’s new on Green Bay-area fest scene in 2026? A look at 10 biggies
Reporting by Kendra Meinert, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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