August 1

Concerts on the Square

It’s the last of the Concerts on the Square for the season - and one you don’t want to miss. This installment plays to the tune of “Music of the New World” and features the singing of baritone, Jubilant Sykes. Blankets can be laid on the Capitol lawns from 3 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The event is free and you can learn more at wisconsinchamberorchestra.org.

August 1 to 5

2018 Reebok CrossFit Games

Want to see what “fit” really means? You’ll definitely want to check out this year’s CrossFit Games, held over five days at Alliant Energy Center. This year’s event features 50 percent more seating than last year, but you’ll still want to book soon. Get your ticket and full schedule information

July 3 to 4

Monona Community Festival

Get out to Winnequah Park for some family fun with the kids carnival at the Monona Community Festival  - or, have a blast on your own with all the food, music, and art you can take in over this two-day event. At the very least, you may want to make out for the fireworks on the 4th. Learn more about the events at mononafestival.com.

July 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 26, 28, 31  

Madison Mallards Games

Baseball is just part of an American summer and you can catch plenty of action without spending a fortune when you head out to the Duckpond for a Mallards match. July holds a variety of daytime and evening games to match your schedule and tickets begin at just $8 for a single game. Get

June 1 to 3

Festa Italia

Indulge in your favorite Italian foods while the kids participate in games, face painting, and shows. It’s all happening over at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg. It’s just $3 to get in. Doors are open from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Get all the details at fitchburgchamber.com.

June 1 to 10

Isthmus Jazz Festival

This year’s Jazz Fest spans a full 10 days and you’re going to love the lineup. Ticket prices vary (though some are free to attend), as do the locations, so you’ll need to plan your itinerary carefully. Luckily, you’ll find all the details you need at isthmusjazzfestival.com.

June 2

Parks & Trails Unite Festival

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May 3

Black Violin

A mix of classical music and hip-hop played on string instruments? Yes, please! And that’s just what you’ll get from the talented duo of Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus (who’ve played with everyone from Tom Petty to Kanye West), as they play jams on their viola and violin. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Overture Center, but you’ll want to book your tickets (which begin at $30) at overture.org now.

May 4

Gallery Night

Whether you’re in the mood to purchase or you just want to sample the best of Madison’s local talent, you’ll want to clear your calendar for Gallery Night when dozens of galleries leave their doors open from 5 to 9 p.m. for special exhibitions. Begin your free journey of the arts at the Madison

April 1, 7, 8, 15, 22, 28, 29

UW-Madison Arboretum Walks

Put some spring in your step, quite literally, at any of the upcoming walks at the Madison Arboretum. Each walk features a different theme and last for 90 minutes. Daytime walks begin at 1 p.m. and there are two evening walks this month on the 7th (beginning at 7 p.m.) and on the 28th (beginning at 6:30 p.m.). Entrance is free, there’s no need to pre-register, and you can find complete information at arboretum.wisc.edu.

April 3 through 8

Les Miserables

You don’t want to miss this musical when it’s in town! It’s a story of love and passion, dreams and sacrifice, all set in 19th-century France. Not only is it a Tony Award winner, but after 32 years, it’s still the world’s most

March 5

Travel Adventure Film Series – “How to Travel the World for Free”

If you thought it was impossible to travel for free, comedian, Michael Wigge, is ready to prove you wrong. Watch his hilarious exploits at the Wisconsin Union Theater to find out how he ate, slept, and traveled to Antarctica without spending a dime of his own money.

Admission is $13 for the general public, with discounts available for students. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with an optional buffet ($18) featuring dishes from Wigge’s travels beforehand. For more information, visit union.wisc.edu.

March 6, 13, 20, 27

March Live Acoustic

Get your live music fix every Tuesday at the Radisson Hotel’s Twist restaurant. Between 5 and 7 p.m., local musicians

February 2

Dublin Irish Dance – “Stepping Out”

You gotta love the fancy footwork of Irish dance and few do it better than Dublin Irish Dance.  "Stepping Out" takes you on a journey through pre-famine Ireland, “through the Great Hunger and crossing the Atlantic Ocean to arrive at Ellis Island.” The show starts at 8 p.m. at Wisconsin Union Theater. Get details and ticket information online at union.wisc.edu.

February 2 through February 4

Frozen Assets Festival

It’s the fourth annual outdoor winter festival on Lake Mendota! You’re invited to participate in a weekend-long party, including sleigh rides, ice skating, pond hockey and more. Get the details online at cleanlakesalliance.org.

February 2, 3, 7, 18 and 21

January 2 through January 7

RENT

It’s the 20th anniversary tour of this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning musical and it’s heading for the Overture Center’s stage. If you haven’t seen it yet, this event is a must-attend. Get the details and buy tickets online at overture.org.

January 5, 2018 to January 7, 2018

Madison Home Expo

If 2018 is the year you plan on sprucing up the old homestead, get to the Madison Home Expo for ideas, advice and inspiration. Enjoy roofing, home security, flooring, insulation, landscaping tips and bathroom and kitchen remodeling topics. It’s happening at the Monona Terrace Convention Center - Exhibition Hall and Ballroom. Admission for adults is $5 and kids under 18 get in free. Check

Do you realize that in just more than one week, the kids will be out of school for winter break? Yikes! What will you do with them this year? Time for a pre-holiday day trip to let off some steam? Or maybe just stick close to home. Read on for some ideas.

Get out of town

How about a day (or a stay) at Boulder Junction? The Winter Celebration is happening on December 30, with even more fun things for the family to enjoy. These include a guided cross-country ski adventure (equipment will be available), sledding, ice skating, wagon rides, music, fireworks and, best of all, complimentary hot cocoa and chili.

If you want to stay for a night or two, check out these lodging ideas. Boulder Junction is about 3.5 hours north of Madison.

Eagle River

Through December 31

Zoo Lights at the Henry Vilas Zoo

Head to the zoo on Thursdays through Sundays for a warm beverage and a stroll through a winter wonderland of lights and sounds. Zoo Lights is open from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. and is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Learn more online at vilaszoo.org/zoolights.

December 2 through December 31

Olbrich's Holiday Express

What a show! From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily (with restricted hours on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas day) you can view large-scale model trains in a holiday scene. And members of the Wisconsin Garden Railway Society will be on hand, showing off their trains as well. See the website for details.

Through January 2

Holiday Fantasy in Lights