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UPDATE: Due to dangerous air quality, Rainbow Summer 2026 has been cancelled.
Rainbow Summer, presented by The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC), will take place in mid-July. The free music and art festival offers six nights of live music, interactive art installations and free creative activities.
Rainbow Summer 2026 runs July 14-18 and is set on the MPAC's South Lawn with live music performances on the covered stage of Peck Pavilion. There are additional family-friendly activations along the riverwalk leading to KidZ Stage, a dedicated outdoor venue designed specifically for young audiences.
The 2026 Rainbow Summer lineup
As always, Rainbow Summer offers a different themed experience with a musical pairing each evening:
Tuesday, July 14: “Americana Night” featuring Goldpine.
Wednesday, July 15: “Soul Night” featuring The Soul Rebels.
Thursday, July 16: “Feel Good Pop Night” featuring Boy Band Review.
Friday, July 17: “Latin Night” featuring Zonk Rolan and Nicole Nicolalde.
Saturday, July 18: “Family Day and Night” featuring Milwaukee Ballet, Marcus Center’s “Broadway Bridges,” School of Rock Shorewood, Kid Boogie Down, CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Family activities include bounce houses, Carcade games and the Bubble Lady!
Sunday, July 19: “America250 & Veterans Recognition” featuring Angela Walker, Anthony Hibbler, The Lloyd Stevens Band.
“We are committed to being a world-class gathering place for all, where every guest feels welcomed, valued, and inspired,” says MPAC President and CEO Kevin Giglinto.
This year, Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 presents a new interactive art installation from LeMonde Studio called "Harmonies," a collection of larger-than-life musical instruments and objects that invite audience interaction.
Know before you go:
• MPAC Grounds will open at 5 pm from Tuesday through Friday, and 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• Event parking will be available at the Marcus Center Garage for $20 each night.
• Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site, from a variety of food trucks and from Marcus Center Food and Beverage.
• Chairs and blankets can be carried in for the lawn, but no carry-in food or beverage items are permitted.
• No tickets are required to attend Rainbow Summer activities, and new acts are still being added.
• To see the most up to date Rainbow Summer lineup, join the Rainbow Summer email list here.
“Rainbow Summer is such a fun event because it invites our community to share in the joy of gathering together for a shared experience," says Giglinto.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
