We here in Wisconsin love a festival. Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals, but it’s not the only place to find people having a great time celebrating everything from trolls to fish. If there’s something fun or unique about a place, you can bet we’ve made a festival out of it. Summertime seems to be when a lot of these fests take place, as we like to revel in the few nice months we have, but there are plenty of Wisconsin spring festivals that you’re going to want to check out. Celebrating the thaw and our emergence from a long cold winter, these spring festivals in Wisconsin take place across the state and invite you to get out of the house, shake some of the rust off, and have a blast. Here are 11 festivals during spring in Wisconsin that may not be the most well known, but are definitely still a great time. These festivals are some of the best things to do in Wisconsin in spring.

1. Morel Mushroom Festival - Muscoda

Muscoda, WI 53573, USA
Facebook/MuscodaMorelMushroomFestival
The 41st iteration of this fungus party takes place on May 17 and 18, 2024. These mushrooms are highly sought after and send folks traipsing through the forest looking for them. Enjoy every type of morel food you can imagine - and a few more you never thought of, plus a flea market, live music, fireworks, parade and more!

2. 100 Miles of Garage Sales - Pepin

Pepin, WI 54759, USA
100 Mile Garage Sale/Facebook
This fabulous collection of sales takes place on both sides of the Mississippi River from May 2-5, 2024. Stretching from Prescott to Fountain City, participants put balloons out to let you know to stop and you can spend as much or as little time as you please up and down Hwy. 35.

3. Spring Fair on the Square - Baraboo

Baraboo, WI 53913, USA
Facebook/DowntownBaraboo
Twice a year, in May and October, the city of Baraboo gathers in the town square for a giant arts and crafts fair. On May 11, 2024, you'll find more than 150 vendors, specialty food, live music, and more.

4. Fish and Fun Fest - Montello

Montello, WI 53949, USA
Facebook/MontelloFishandFunFest
From May 3-5 2024, head out for food and fun in Montello. There's a petting zoo, carnival, street dance, and more. This fishy festival takes over the city, stretching through downtown, into City Park and even out on Montello Lake.

5. Springfest - Chippewa Falls

Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, USA
SpringFest Chippewa Falls/Facebook
Taking place May 17 and 18, 2024, SpringFest Chippewa Falls is going to bring in visitors from all over the state for a really fun time! You'll find live music, tons of family fun, free games and activities, a classic car show, and more.

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6. Festival of Spring - Oshkosh

1410 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
Paine Art Center and Gardens/Google
This floral festival takes place at Paine Art Center, so it's a great reason to check out this gorgeous facility. There's a huge plant sale, more than 200 vendors, art, and more. It's a celebration of the rebirth of plants and you'll love all the things you can get to make your yard and garden great.

7. Between The Bluffs Beer, Wine and Cheese Festival - LaCrosse

La Crosse, WI, USA
Between the Bluffs/Facebook
More than 45 wines. Gourmet cheese. A homebrew competition. A Sunday brunch. All on the Oktoberfest grounds. All take place April 26-27, 2024. Mark the calendar and get your tickets now. General admission tickets are $55.

8. Taylor County Lions and Lionesses Maple Fest - Medford

1037 W Broadway Ave, Medford, WI 54451, USA
Facebook/taylorcountymaplefest
On April 27 this year, celebrate the state tree - the sugar maple - and all the delicious, fabulous, wonderful products we get from its sap. Start off your day with the pancake breakfast, take sugar shack tours and stick around for the live music.

9. Horicon Marsh Bird Festival - Horicon

Horicon Marsh, Wisconsin, USA
Flickr/AmyBayer
The largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States, Horicon Marsh is one of the coolest places to observe wildlife. They have an incredible, 1,400-foot-long boardwalk that makes you feel like you are walking on water. There are numerous hiking trails and you can even get out on the water in a boat. More than 300 species of birds have been identified here. The Bird Festival is May 10-13 this year and has a schedule packed with hands-on learning events.

10. Syttende Mai - Stoughton

Stoughton, WI 53589, USA
Syttende Mai Festival of Stoughton, WI/Facebook
This city-wide festival is held every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17 Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. This year’s celebration will be held on May 17-19, 2024, so mark your calendar! Now in its 71st year, Stoughton’s Syttende Mai Festival is a three-day extravaganza, featuring parades, amazing foods and drinks, arts and music, athletic competitions, kids' activities, and more — all steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture, of course.

11. Redbud Days - Columbus

105 N Dickason Blvd, Columbus, WI 53925, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Downspec
These unique trees are an iconic part of Columbus and this festival celebrates their bloom in spring. On May 20, 2024, you'll find a brat fry, city-wide sales and celebrations, and more.

What are your favorite spring festivals in Wisconsin? Let us know about it in the comments. If you’re looking for more spring adventures, get the family together for a road trip and check out these spring destinations in Wisconsin:

The 15 Places You Absolutely Must Visit In Wisconsin This Spring

 

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  • Horicon. If you like wetlands, this little town is a wonderful place to be with lots of wildlife to be seen.
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  • Fox River Antique Mall. This 30,000-square-foot antique mall has items from 165 vendors where you’re sure to find something wonderful.
  • Columbus Antique Mall. This store spans 80,000 square feet and has over 220 vendors. You could spend the entire day here.
  • Treasures on Main. This is an antique consignment store that has some items that are so old that there’s a special “primitive room” for them.
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