There’s Nothing Like a Summer Weekend in This Wisconsin Town

There are scores of Wisconsin towns that offer a farmers market, weekly music, and a summer festival—just pick a county, and you’ll find several places that check these boxes. But a few towns offer an unbeatable mix of fun that’s worthy of a long weekend. Shawano is a place like this. Tucked into the heart of Wisconsin, this charming town is livelier than ever, with gorgeous outdoor concerts, an awesome farmers market held every Saturday, and an iconic summer festival that’s filled with family fun and worthy of putting on the calendar. Welcome to Shawano, a seriously underrated Wisconsin getaway spot.

Shawano is located in northeastern Wisconsin, about 40 miles northwest of Green Bay. It’s right on the beautiful Wolf River, which offers a mix of recreational opportunities and plenty of scenic beauty.

The Wolf River is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and water sports. The area offers opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and tubing. Shawano Lake, on the city’s east side, covers over 6,000 acres and is a destination for fishing, swimming, boating, and fun in the sun.

While there’s a lot to do in the great outdoors, for a complete Shawano experience, you’ll want to head downtown. There’s a nice mix of stores and restaurants and plenty of fun things happening every weekend.

Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes! Arrive Thursday night to catch Thursdayz @ Franklin, a free live community concert that features some of the best bands in north central Wisconsin. If you can’t make a Thursday show, head to Arlington Park on Sunday for a Summer of Music free performance. The concerts feature polka and instrumental classics. And if you miss these shows, there are numerous other opportunities for live performances—this is a Wisconsin town that loves music!

A weekly farmers' market takes place every Saturday on Washington Street. The market typically runs from June through October. This year, it will be open on Saturdays, June 20, 2026, through October 10, 2026. Grab a cup of coffee and explore a vibrant selection of fruits, vegetables, and flowers grown in the rich surrounding farmland. Of course, you don’t want to miss Shawanofest, an annual festival held each July. It takes place in Franklin Park, and it features a car show, craft vendors, kids' activities, music, and more. This year, the festival will be held on July 11, 2026. Visit the Shawano Downtown website for a complete list of activities and vendors, as well as a schedule of events.

I just love Shawano—it is a city on the move, and it's one of my favorite towns to enjoy all the things to see and do in Wisconsin. So, if there's one Wisconsin town you plan to visit this summer, Shawano should be at the top of your Badger State bucket list.