Riverfest
La Crosse, WI
This riverfront festival includes music, magicians, a hypnotist, a pole-vaulting competition, kids' races, a water-ski show and fireworks by the La Crosse Skyrockers.
It's canceled in 2020 and 2021.
Oneida Pow-Wow
Oneida, WI
This free family festival near Green Bay features dancing, singing, drumming, indigenous foods and crafts and lacrosse exhibitions.
In nearby De Pere, learn more about the band at the Oneida Nation Museum.
Red White and Boom
Minneapolis, MN
There's a half-marathon, relay and 5K in the morning, and music and family activities from 6 to 10 p.m., followed by fireworks.
Festivities are along the riverfront across from downtown.
In 2020, the fireworks and music are canceled.
Fire Over the Fox
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay hosts the largest fireworks show north of Milwaukee, plus a water-ski show, carnival rides and music and family entertainment on five stages plus the Neville Public Museum. It's in Leicht Memorial Park.
Taste of Chicago
Chicago, IL
The big free festival in Grant Park offers lots of food and music.
Karl Oskar Days
Lindstrom, MN
The festival in this Swedish town just north of the Twin Cities features fireworks, a car show and a parade.
Bastille Days
Milwaukee, WI
Look for minstrels, cancan dancers, French lessons, a Mardi Gras parade and a 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower in Cathedral Square Park.
Fiesta Days
McHenry, IL
There's a Music Fest, carnival and car and motorcycle show in Petersen Park the first weekend and a children's ice cream social, arts and crafts fair and Sunday parade the second weekend in Veteran's Memorial Park.
Blissfest
Cross Village, MI
This family-friendly folk and roots festival on a farm includes reggae, country, zydeco, jazz and Celtic music on three stages and four workshop areas. There's also a juried arts and crafts fair. Rustic camping is available.
Bicycle, Blues and BBQ Festival
Clear Lake, IA
There are professional races plus a tour, blues music and craft beer at this festival based in City Park.
Square Roots Festival
Chicago, IL
The Old Town School of Folk Music presents this Lincoln Square festival, which includes more than 60 acts on four stages plus 30 local and regional craft beers and food from neighborhood restaurants.
Driftless Music Festival
Viroqua, WI
This free folk and roots festival is in Viroqua's Eckhart Park.
Grand Marais Arts Festival
Grand Marais, MN
This juried art show along the Lake Superior harbor includes children's activities, art demonstrations, a pie social and live music.
Bavarian Blast
New Ulm, MN
In addition to German music, food and beer, this festival at the Brown County Fair Grounds features stein-holding, barrel-rolling and sauerkraut-eating contests, plus a Sunday parade.
RiverSong Music Festival
Hutchinson, MN
This family-friendly festival on the Crow River, west of the Twin Cities, features folk, blues, jazz and other grassroots music on three stages, including one for children. There's onsite camping and food.
Festa Italiana
Milwaukee, WI
At the lakefront Henry Maier Festival Park, there's cannoli-eating and pizza-making contests, celebrity chefs, a bocce ball tournament, parades at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, nightly fireworks and music and dance on five stages and an opera tent.
Lumberjack Days
Stillwater, MN
This music festival along the St. Croix River also features lumberjack shows and such attractions as a downhill derby, hammerschlagen, helicopter rides and a parade at 1 p.m. Sunday.
It's canceled in 2020.
Agate Days
Moose Lake, MN
See the beautiful stones on display, then dig for them at 3 p.m. Saturday during the Agate Stampede, when a load of rocks seeded with 400 pounds agates, $400 in quarters and $100 in 50-cent pieces is dumped downtown.
There's also music and an art fair.
Riverboat Days
Wabasha, MN
This Mississippi River town celebrates with a pedal tractor pull, duck derby, firemen's water fight and parade.
Muskie Days
Nevis, MN
The festival in this lake town on the Heartland State Trail features an inflatable obstacle course, hula-hoop instruction, a casting contest, music on three stages, kids' games, an ice cream-eating contest and a parade Saturday.
ArtBike + ArtCar Parade
Minneapolis, MN
Decorated bikes, cars and one Couchmobile will circle Lake Harriet at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to bring a decorated conveyance and join the parade; meet at 5 p.m. at the Rose Garden.
Rendezvous in the Sault
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Reenactors, musicians and artisans bring back the fur-trade era with cannon-firing, puppet shows, storytelling and games.
Midwest Fire Fest
Cambridge, WI
This pottery town east of Madison celebrates the arts fueled by fire, including clay, glass and metal. It includes fire dancing, music from seven bands, demonstrations and food, including wood-fired pizza. Fest-goers can design their own tiles to be created during a hot-iron pour Saturday.
Lollapalooza
Chicago, IL
This big music festival features dozens of bands and, unlike other Grant Park festivals, is not free. Reserve rooms far in advance.
Grant Park Music Festival
Chicago, IL
Professional musicians, many of them world-famous, offer free classical concerts in Millennium Park's beautiful Pritzker Pavilion.
The festival is virtual this year.