Get ready for a festive weekend in Milwaukee! This coming Saturday is dominated by the massive St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown, followed by family parties. We also have nature fun, art workshops, and opportunities to dance or learn some new skills.
See our top picks
Downtown Milwaukee's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Downtown Milwaukee
The biggest free community spectacle happening Saturday afternoon.
Post-Parade Party
Irish Cultural & Heritage Center
A massive, family-friendly indoor party immediately following the parade.
Visit The Little Nature Museum at Hawthorn Glen MKE
Hawthorn Glen MKE
A free, quiet nature museum perfect for sensory exploration on Sunday morning.
· March 14
9FREE : This is Milwaukee's major seasonal event! Line the streets downtown to watch over 100 parade units celebrating Irish heritage, including dancers and floats. It’s an energetic kickoff to the weekend.It is the biggest outdoor, free community event happening this Saturday.
: If you need to escape the weather or continue the fun after the parade, this is Milwaukee's largest family-friendly party. It features multiple stages of entertainment, music, and raffles.It’s explicitly geared as a family event immediately following the main parade.
: Head up to Saukville for a fun outdoor adventure tapping maple trees and learning how syrup is made. Kids can also enjoy a scavenger hunt and make a nature craft.It offers hands-on nature interaction perfect for a mid-March afternoon.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE DAY – BIKINGFREE : Get moving this Saturday morning! This is a great chance to teach kids bike basics, cover trail etiquette, and take a guided ride through Washington Park.It’s a focused, free activity centered around learning a lifelong skill.
FREE : If you need a creative outlet, head to the Wilson Center for free art making.It is a free, structured art session that promotes creativity.
FREE : Celebrate 3.14 on 3/14! Mathnasium is hosting a free event, likely involving fun activities related to the number Pi.It capitalizes on the unique date (Pi Day) for a fun, educational activity.
BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY AT MILWAUKEE CENTRAL DOWNTOWN LIBRARYFREE : Spend a few hours at the Central Library engaging in this community-focused day.It's a central, free, and safe gathering space for families.
KFH LEGACY GARDEN RAILROADFREE : See the impressive garden railroad display running inside Shady Lane Greenhouse. This is a great, low-key free activity if you are looking for something different on Saturday.It offers a unique, free visual spectacle that captures the imagination of young children.
DROP-IN ART MAKING: KOHL'S ART STUDIO : Keep those hands busy at the MAM's Kohl's Art Studio. This drop-in session allows families to explore creativity together during museum hours.It's a reliable, high-quality art making activity inside a major museum.
· March 15
2: Catch this thrilling new production of the classic J.M. Barrie story. Since it's listed as limited-run, check details quickly to see if this is your last chance this season.It's a theatrical production of a beloved story running this specific Sunday.
FREE : If you have a Frozen fanatic, head to the Brookfield Library Sunday afternoon for a themed book party!It is a themed, free library event on a Sunday afternoon.
Also On· anytime this weekend
3: Visit Discovery World for their ongoing animal encounters. This is a great supplement to any science-focused day out.A guaranteed hit for kids interested in biology or aquatic life.
FREE : Stop by Hawthorn Glen on Sunday morning to explore their Little Nature Museum for free.It’s a free indoor option perfect for younger kids to explore nature themes without being outside too long.
: Enjoy stories read aloud right in the galleries of the Milwaukee Art Museum Saturday morning.It combines literacy and art appreciation in a unique museum setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Milwaukee this weekend?
This weekend (Mar 14-15) there are several free options! Don't miss the Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, the Take It Outside Day – Biking event, the Pi Day Party in Wauwatosa, and the Little Nature Museum visit on Sunday.
Is there anything family-friendly happening on Sunday?
Sunday, March 15th, features the family-friendly Disney’s “Frozen” Book Party at the Brookfield Public Library in the afternoon, performances of Peter Pan and Wendy, and a visit to The Little Nature Museum at Hawthorn Glen.
What is the main outdoor event this weekend?
The main outdoor event is Downtown Milwaukee's St. Patrick's Day Parade, kicking off at noon on Saturday, March 14th.
