SEPTEMBER 19 & 20 2026

WELCOME TO FRESHWATER FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL!

A Bold New Culinary Celebration

SEPTEMBER 19 & 20 2026

Henry Maier Festival Park - Milwaukee, WI

Set along Lake Michigan at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, WI, Freshwater Food & Wine Festival celebrates world-class wines, craft beverages, and culinary artistry with stunning waterfront views. From celebrity chefs to local favorites, tasting events, live celebrity chef challenges, live entertainment and more, it’s an immersive tasting experience designed for food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and anyone ready to savor the best of the best right here in the Midwest.

Build Your Own Freshwater Experience

Freshwater is designed a little differently — and intentionally so.

Your General Admission ticket gives you access to the festival grounds, Mainstage programming, live entertainment, marketplace, experiences and more. From there, the participating restaurants, bars, wine regions and specialty beverage experiences are available à la carte, giving you the freedom to create a festival day that matches your own tastes, interests and appetite.

Want to sample your way through several wine regions, discover a new restaurant, catch a chef demo and linger over one perfect cocktail? You can. Prefer to explore the marketplace, enjoy the music and grab a favorite bite along the way? That works too.

With approachable price points and plenty to discover, Freshwater is built to let you enjoy as much or as little as you choose, while still leaving room to try something new.

Marketplace vendors and select partners may offer complimentary samples throughout the weekend, but the festival’s curated food, wine and spirits experiences are designed to put you in control of your experience.

Have a question about the Freshwater Food & Wine Festival?

Explore our FAQ section to find answers to your questions.

VIEW FAQS

OUR 2026 PARTNERS

FOUNDING PARTNERS

SIGNATURE PARTNERS

VIEW ALL PARTNERS

FEATURED CHEFS

The Performance Pavilion features an all-star lineup of nationally and internationally celebrated chefs, television personalities, authors, filmmakers, restaurateurs, and culinary storytellers who are redefining food culture around the world.

WINE EXPERIENCE

Freshwater Food & Wine Festival invites guests to explore seven celebrated wine regions from around the world—each thoughtfully curated and given its own immersive footprint on the lakefront.

VIEW REGIONS

Taste the food from our restaurants and food trucks at Freshwater Food & Wine Festival to get the most out or your visit

VIEW THE FOOD

The Makers Market highlights artisans, cheesemakers, charcuterie experts, and culinary craftspeople whose products elevate the table at home.

VIEW THE MAKERS

The Freshwater Farmer's Market celebrates regional growers, specialty producers, and seasonal ingredients.

VIEW THE FARMERS

LIVE ACTS

Freshwater's stages come alive all weekend long with an eclectic lineup of live music, DJs, jazz ensembles, bands, comedians, and entertainers showcasing the incredible depth of talent found throughout Milwaukee and the region

Charlie Berens

B.D. Greer & The Gents

Listening Party

Joe Wray

Sazerac 5

Extra Crispy Brass Band

Explore the Premium Experiences and discover what makes Freshwater Food & Wine Festival unlike any other festival in the Midwest.

VIEW ALL EXPERIENCES

Freshwater Food & Wine Festival Sponsorships & Partnerships

Align your brand with Milwaukee’s premier lakefront culinary and wine experience.

Partner with Us

Freshwater Food & Wine Festival Participants

Freshwater Food & Wine Festival Vendor & Participant Opportunities

Bring your talents to the Freshwater Food & Wine Festival and show us what you got!

Participate

Stay Connected!

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to receive festival updates, ticketing information, and exclusive experiences only found at the Freshwater Food & Wine Festival.

A Festival to Taste, Discover, and Celebrate. Come hungry. Come curious. Leave inspired.

wes@startrevolving.com

Henry W. Maier Festival Park
200 N Harbor Drive Milwaukee WI 53202

Saturday, September 19th, 2026
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday, September 20th, 2026
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

A Festival to Taste, Discover, and Celebrate. Come hungry. Come curious. Leave inspired.

CONTACT BUY TICKETS

Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee’s lakefront jewel and premier event destination. With its stunning backdrop along Lake Michigan, the park provides a unique sense of place, combining natural beauty with the energy and accessibility of an urban setting.

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