Badger State Buzz: Wisconsin events to know (Sept. 21–27)

# Quick view This week's Badger State Buzz lists in-state events that lean into fall traditions: two multi-day Oktoberfests, a Northwoods music festival, several community fall festivals and local-harvest trails. Dates cluster around the weekend of Sept. 24–27, with many family-friendly options.

# Where and when: headline events New Glarus Oktoberfest (Sept. 24–27)

• New Glarus turns into a Bavarian-style celebration with craft beer, live music and Swiss/German food. Costumes such as dirndls and lederhosen are common.

Oktoberfest USA, La Crosse (Sept. 24–27)

• A long-running community festival since 1961 featuring German heritage activities, parades, live music and beer-focused events.

3rd Annual Stoneline Valley Music Festival, Phelps (Sept. 24–26)

• More than 20 artists across folk, bluegrass, blues, Americana, alternative country and rock. The setting is the Northwoods.

• One-day community celebration on Stephenson Island with free family activities, food and a performance by The Glam Band.

Fall Harvest Trail 2026, Fond du Lac (Sept. 25–26)

• A two-day route along Lake Winnebago's East Side that highlights local boutiques, handcrafted goods and food stops.

Cable Area 24th Annual Fall Fest (Sept. 25–26)

• Weekend activities include live music, food trucks, a vintage car show, pumpkin-pecan pancakes, hayrides and children's attractions.

# What to expect at these events

• Food and drink: regional and ethnic specialties, craft beers and festival concessions. New Glarus and La Crosse prioritize German and Swiss food traditions.
• Entertainment: live bands and parade-style activities are common, with dedicated music programming at Stoneline Valley.
• Family options: several events highlight kids' programming, free shows or family-friendly competitions.

# How to plan your visit

• Dates: most headline events occur Sept. 24–27 or over that weekend. Check event pages or local listings for exact schedules and ticketing.

• Parking and access: expect higher volume at larger festivals. If you need accessibility details, reach out to event organizers listed on local pages.

# Reader participation and support

# Bottom line This week offers a concentrated set of fall festivals and music programming across Wisconsin. If you plan to attend, prioritize the specific event pages for practical details such as ticketing, exact schedules and accessibility information.