So it’s probably stopped snowing for this winter, which means two things: it’s mud season and it’s time to start thinking about summer festivals. There’s plenty of food and drink fests in Madison, including about 17 bacon-specific ones because we’ll never get over the pork belly trend. Mark these 2018 event dates on your calendar right now.
Madison’s Best Bloody
Taste a bunch of local bars’ bloodies and then vote for your favorite, all to benefit the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation. This is the inaugural Madison event and tickets have sold out, but you should get yourself on the waitlist or volunteer. (Say hi to us Bozho peeps while you’re there!)
When: Sunday, April 22
Where: Edgewater Hotel
Cost: $35
Bacon Fest
Try all kinds of bacon snacks, like bacon cookies and bacon meatballs and bacon cinnamon rolls and candied bacon, while you’re sipping Karben4 and Next Door beers.
When: Sunday, April 29
Where: Essen Haus
Cost: $1 per food ticket
Madison Craft Beer Week
No events have been officially announced yet, but you can bet our beer guy Tom will let you know the best of the bunch closer to the festivities.
When: Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 13
Where: Buncha places
Cost: Depends on the beer
Maifest
A good old fashioned family festival with a giant maypole centerpiece. Go celebrate Cinco de Mayo at your favorite Mexican restaurant and follow it up with a brat here to be extra culturally inclusive.
When: Saturday, May 5
Where: Essen Haus
Cost: Nothing unless you want to eat or drink
Isthmus Uncorked
The Isthmus Food Cart Fest has died a silent death, but the wine-centric Isthmus Uncorked has risen in its place. There still will be food carts, though, because what’s an alcohol fest without them?
When: Saturday, May 19
Where: Central Park
Cost: $50
WORT Block Party
No Crap on Tap is in its 15th year of showcasing beer from the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild. Bands this year include VO5, November Criminals and Orquesta SalSoul del Mad.
When: Sunday, May 20
Where: 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Cost: Free
Brat Fest
Everyone’s favorite Memorial Day weekend party throws it back to 1993 with Saturday headliner Gin Blossoms. Hit the carnival during the day and then wait in line for a brat with 300 of your closest friends.
When: Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28
Where: Willow Island, Alliant Energy Center
Cost: Famously free
Cows on the Concourse
Mooove over ’cause the cows are coming back to Capitol Square. Pet them, talk to their caretakers and eat their wares in the form of muenster grilled cheese sandwiches.
When: Saturday, June 2
Where: Capitol Square
Cost: Free
Burgers & Brew
Quarter-pound burgers prepared with local ingredients from Madison restaurants are paired with brewers in this festival-style event. General admission tickets include two burgs and four beer short pours, but VIP includes unlimited everything and seating.
When: Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3
Where: Capital Brewery, Middleton
Cost: $40-$75
Beer, Bacon and Cheese Fest
Could we possibly attend more bacon or beer fests? Yes, always. This one’s in New Glarus, and it coincides with Polka Fest for bonus points.
When: Saturday, June 9
Where: Downtown New Glarus
Cost: TBD, but they’re not on sale yet so you actually have a chance of scoring some
Bacon and Brews
Eat bacon! Drink brews! Listen to cover bands! Local restaurants and bacon purveyors (we all know Nueske’s is the best right?) will supply the baconated food while breweries provide the beers.
When: Saturday, June 23
Where: Breese Stevens Field
Cost: $50-$75
Dane County Fair
Eat everything on a stick to your heart’s content (just don’t eat the stick). Mini donuts and cheese curds are also calling your name.
When: Thursday-Sunday, July 19-22
Where: Alliant Energy Center
Cost: $8
National Mustard Day
Find the best mustard for your brat and support the non-profit No More Kids with Cancer at the same time. Music, games, free mustard samples and a few corporate mascot visits are the norm.
When: Saturday, Aug. 4
Where: National Mustard Museum, Middleton
Cost: Free
Great Taste of the Midwest
Are you ready for this? There’s so much beer! So many rarities! So hard to get tickets! So many pre-parties! Great Taste Eve! Are you hyped?! (Tom will help make sense of it all, don’t worry.)
When: Saturday, Aug. 11
Where: Olin Park
Cost: $60
Makeshift Festival
For something a little mellower than Great Taste, try this art and food festival held the day after.
When: Sunday, Aug. 12
Where: TBD (last year’s was at Olbrich Park)
Cost: TBD (last year’s was free)
Yum Yum Fest
“The most delicious day of the summer.” Top Madison chefs and restaurants prepare upscale snacks for grazing.
When: Sunday, Aug. 19
Where: Breese Stevens Field
Cost: $10, plus food tickets
Taste of Madison
80 restaurants, three stages and 250,000 people descend upon Capitol Square each year, raising tens of thousands of dollars for local charities in the process.
When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2
Where: Capitol Square
Cost: Free
Thirsty Troll Brewfest
A beer fest with over 100 different beers, live music, food vendors and Jorgen the Thirsty Troll.
When: Saturday, Sept. 8
Where: Mount Horeb
Cost: TBD
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