Fox Cities Magazine

Fox Cities Kidz Expo
2026-04-11 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
The 8th Annual Fox Cities Kidz Expo, presented by North Shore Bank and the Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis Club, is a FREE family event filled with fun, education, and adventure. Over 100 exhibitors, performers, and entertainers feature engaging activities and entertainment for children of all ages. Theme: “Heroes in the Making”
Come play games, dance to live music, laugh with performers, be amazed by magicians, feel special with face painters, become a hero with real police and fire fighters. Challenge your aim with WI Cadets and Boy Scouts. Run the obstacle course with friends from the YMCA. Race tricycles with the Appleton Park and Rec Dept. Start a real tractor, create a beautiful picture, flag, or flower. Learn how the dinosaurs roamed WI and see real dinosaur relics. Win prizes and much, much more.
Lunch and snacks available.

Make Money Count at the Museum
2026-04-11 10:00 - 14:00 | Building for Kids Children’s Museum, 100 West College Avenue Appleton, WI 54911, Appleton, 54911, United States
Join us on Saturday, April 11 for Make Money Count at the Museum, brought to you by Money Smart Wisconsin Fox Cities, and learn how to make smart financial decisions while having fun! Throughout the day, the museum will transform into a mini economy as kids try out playful jobs to earn money and learn how to make thoughtful choices about spending, saving, and sharing it.
Plus, families will enjoy interactive storytimes scheduled throughout the day, offering even more engaging opportunities to learn about smart financial habits.
This event is free with the paid price of general admission or a BFK membership. No pre-registration is required

Songs Stories & Fun!
2026-04-17 09:00 - 10:45 | Xavier Elementary Marquette St. Campus, 500 W. Marquette Street, Appleton, 54911
Join us for Songs, Stories & Fun! Open to children ages 2-5 with their parents/grandparents. Younger siblings are welcome to join in on the fun, storytime, and interactive programs!
*9am or 10am 45 minute event*
Xavier Elementary- Marquette St. Campus 500 W. Marquette Street, Appleton WI 54911
Register at Marquette@XavierCatholicSchools.org or 920-733-4918

Songs Stories & Fun!
2026-05-08 09:00 - 10:45 | Xavier Elementary McDonald St. Campus, 1810 N McDonald Street, Appleton, 54911
Join us for Songs, Stories & Fun! Open to children ages 2-5 with their parents/grandparents. Younger siblings are welcome to join in on the fun, storytime, and interactive programs!
*9am or 10am 45 minute event*
Xavier Elementary- McDonald St. Campus 1810 N McDonald St, Appleton, WI 54911
Register at McDonald@XavierCatholicSchools.org or 920-739-7826

Apple Blossom Festival
2026-05-09 | USA Youth Sports Complex, 3300 E Evergreen Drive, Appleton, 54913
The inaugural Apple Blossom Festival will take place in Appleton Saturday, May 9, 2026. The Apple Blossoms for Appleton group plants trees on the Apple Blossom Creek Trail each year and this year the group is looking to make a FREE event for families to attend to celebrate apple blossoms, mothers, and to kick off the spring season. The main festival will take place on that Saturday has several events leading up to the festival in the previous days. There are multiple different event opportunities under the festival umbrella to peak everyone’s interest! The full list of up-to-date information on the schedule of events can be found at the Apple Blossoms for Appleton Facebook page.
Event Schedule
Thursday, May 7: Pedals and Petals Bike Ride, 6pm start at StoneYard Restaurant, Families and e-bikes welcome. Hosted by Fox Cities Greenways
Friday, May 8th: Paws and Petals Dog Walk, 6pm start at USA Youth Sports Complex. Hosted by Fox Valley Humane Society. Registration and ticket fee involved.
Saturday, May 9th: Blooms, Birds, and Butterflies Nature Walk, start at 9am at USA Youth Sports Complex. Free yoga available and bird and monarch expert will be on-site for the nature walk. Hosted by Fox Cities Watershed Alliance.
Apple Blossom Kite Festival, USA Youth Sports Complex, 11am-4pm, Free Kites for Kids, stunt kites, and large kites on display. Variety of kids activities to follow from 4-6pm. Concessions will be open on-site. Hosted by the Wisconsin Kiters Association.
Hot Air Balloon “Glow” and Beer Garden, USA Youth Sports Complex, live music and see the hot air balloons “glow” at sunset.
(*Events & times subject to change. Visit the Apple Blossoms for Appleton Facebook page for the most up to date information*)

Hardy Gallery: 64th Annual Wall-To-Wall Juried Exhibit OPENING RECEPTION
2026-05-22 17:30 - 19:00 | The Hardy Gallery, 3083 Anderson Dock, Ephraim, 54211
Join us for the opening reception to our annual season-starter, the 64th Annual Wall-To-Wall Juried Exhibit. This exhibit features a wide array of media by emerging and established Wisconsin artists: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and more! This year’s juror is Rebecca Carlton, a Door County local artist and owner of Juddville Contemporary Clay Studio Gallery. The public is encouraged to cast votes towards their favorite piece with the “People’s Choice Award.”

Juliani Ensemble
2026-06-05 19:30 - 20:30 | First Congregational Church of Ripon, 220 Ransom St., Ripon, 54971
The Juliani Ensemble — violinist Julian Graef, cellist Anita Graef, and pianist Nathan Canfield — opens the Green Lake Festival of Music season with a free program that places Classical masterworks alongside bold American voices. Mozart’s sparkling Piano Trio in B-flat Major and Amy Beach’s richly expressive trio highlight the depth and lyricism of the chamber tradition, while David Baker’s Roots II and Paul Schoenfield’s electrifying Café Music bring jazz-infused rhythms, vernacular styles, and distinctly American musical storytelling to the forefront. Audiences are invited to a special pre-concert talk at 7:00 p.m., followed by an evening that celebrates the breadth of chamber music and the vitality of American repertoire.
This free concert also reflects a meaningful artistic connection central to the festival’s 2026 theme of musical relationships and continuity. The Juliani Ensemble shares close ties with Paul Graf’s Chamber Music Festival, a sister Wisconsin program, and has already built a history with the Green Lake Festival of Music through past collaborations. Departing Artistic & Executive Director Sam Handley reflects on that relationship: “They’re a young ensemble I’ve supported through our sister chamber program in Wisconsin. When we faced a last-minute cancellation due to weather, they stepped in with only hours’ notice and delivered a beautiful concert. That spirit of partnership and artistry made it clear we wanted to bring them back with real preparation and a program that shows what they do best.”
Opening the season with this ensemble underscores the festival’s commitment to artistic partnership while spotlighting American compositional voices that connect jazz, folk, and concert traditions — a fitting celebration of collaboration, heritage, and musical innovation.
No tickets required! Since 2016, GLFM has offered concerts without direct charge, instead relying on generous support from grants, corporations, sponsors, individual donors, and free-will donations at concerts.

V3NTO Brass Trio - Green Lake Public Library
2026-06-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Green Lake Caestecker Public Library, 518 Hill Street, Green Lake, 54941
Chicago-based brass trio V3NTO brings bold energy, inventive programming, and vibrant engagement to this free community engagement performance. Known for reimagining overlooked repertoire and championing new works, the ensemble delivers an accessible, high-impact musical experience designed to connect artists and audiences.
V3NTO’s engagement concerts reflect the Green Lake Festival of Music’s 2026 theme of musical connections. As departing Artistic & Executive Director Sam Handley notes, “Frequent performers in Green Lake Festival of Music’s engagement concerts, the ensemble maintains strong educational connections to the region.” Those ties are personal as well as artistic: trombonist Catie Hickey previously worked alongside festival colleagues at DePaul University, and trumpeter Jessica Jensen shares family connections within the Green Lake Festival of Music community.
Hornist Anna Jacobson, a versatile orchestral and chamber musician trained at Lawrence University and DePaul University, performs widely throughout the Midwest while maintaining an active teaching career. Trumpeter Jessica Jensen, a Lawrence, and UW–Madison graduate, combines chamber performance with dedicated studio instruction. Trombonist Catie Hickey brings an international performing résumé and deep commitment to education and outreach. Together, they create dynamic programs that blend artistry, education, and community connection — all in a lively concert experience offered free to the public.
No tickets required! Since 2016, GLFM has offered concerts without direct charge, instead relying on generous support from grants, corporations, sponsors, individual donors, and free-will donations at concerts.

V3NTO Brass Trio - Ripon American Legion
2026-06-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Ripon American Legion, 113 E Fond du Lac St., Ripon, 54971

V3NTO Brass Trio - Evergreen Oshkosh
2026-06-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Evergreen Retirement Community, 1130 N Westfield Street, Oshkosh, 54902

Avanti Piano Trio - First Congregational Church of Ripon
2026-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 | First Congregational Church of Ripon, 220 Ransom St., Ripon, 54971
Returning to the Green Lake Festival of Music after their 2025 Gala appearance, the Madison-based Avanti Piano Trio continues a shared commitment to the piano-trio tradition at the heart of GLFM’s chamber music legacy. Pianist Alissa Freeman, violinist Hillary Hempel, and cellist Hannah Wolkstein bring “impressive energy and musicality” to a program that balances beloved repertoire with under-explored works, including music by female composers.
This return reflects the festival’s 2026 theme of artistic connection. As departing Artistic & Executive Director Sam Handley notes, “Returning after their 2025 Gala appearance, the Madison-based trio shares GLFM’s long-standing focus on piano-trio repertoire.” Since forming in Madison in 2018, the Avanti Piano Trio has performed throughout Wisconsin.
Their appearance affirms both continuity and discovery — a familiar ensemble deepening its relationship with GLFM while inviting audiences into the rich and evolving world of piano trio music.
No tickets required! Since 2016, GLFM has offered concerts without direct charge, instead relying on generous support from grants, corporations, sponsors, individual donors, and free-will donations at concerts.

Avanti Piano Trio - Evergreen Oshkosh
2026-06-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Evergreen Retirement Community, 1130 N Westfield Street, Oshkosh, 54902

Children's Chorus Camp Concert
2026-07-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Demmer Recital Hall – Rodman Center for the Arts, Ripon College, 400 Union St., Ripon, 54971
Experience the joy and energy of youth music at the Chorus Camp Concert! On Thursday, July 2, young singers aged 10–15 display four afternoons of learning, singing, dancing, and games from around the world at Ripon College’s Rodman Center for the Arts. Directed by Magdalena Delgado of Uniting Voices Chicago, this free concert celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of young voices in full performance.
No tickets required! Since 2016, GLFM has offered concerts without direct charge, instead relying on generous support from grants, corporations, sponsors, individual donors, and free-will donations at concerts.

Gaudete Brass Quintet - Deacon Mills Park
2026-07-09 19:30 - 20:30 | Deacon Mills Park, 534 Mill St, Green Lake, 54941
Gaudete Brass is a dynamic quintet devoted to the expressive power of brass chamber music. Since 2004, they’ve expanded the brass repertoire through inventive programming and commissions, with performances at major venues and broadcasts nationwide. Named for the Latin word meaning “Joy,” Gaudete brings both poignancy and exuberance to every concert. Pre-concert talk at 7:00 p.m.
No tickets required! Since 2016, GLFM has offered concerts without direct charge, instead relying on generous support from grants, corporations, sponsors, individual donors, and free-will donations at concerts.

Gaudete Brass Quintet - Ripon American Legion
2026-07-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Ripon American Legion, 113 E Fond du Lac St., Ripon, 54971
Gaudete Brass, a dynamic quintet devoted to the expressive power of brass chamber music, brings both joy and intensity to every performance. Their concerts combine technical brilliance, warmth, and a deep sense of musical storytelling. This free performance reflects the Green Lake Festival of Music’s ongoing commitment to education and community connection.
Artistic & Executive Director Sam Handley observes, “First got to know Scott Tegge, the Tubist, known for years. Talked about the importance of education being a major component of performances.” The quintet’s performances blend artistry with educational insight, offering audiences not only music of great energy and beauty but also engagement with the musicians’ craft and teaching ethos. Named for the Latin word meaning “Joy,” Gaudete Brass will deliver a free program that balances exuberance and poignancy, expanding both the brass repertoire and audience appreciation for the expressive possibilities of brass chamber music.
No tickets required! Since 2016, GLFM has offered concerts without direct charge, instead relying on generous support from grants, corporations, sponsors, individual donors, and free-will donations at concerts.

Gaudete Brass Quintet – Evergreen Oshkosh
2026-07-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Evergreen Retirement Community, 1130 N Westfield Street, Oshkosh, 54902
