In the summertime, Manitowoc’s downtown and parks are filled with can’t-miss festivals and events. Read more below about five upcoming summer events that you need to add to your calendar!
1. Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival
One of this summer’s biggest events is the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival on July 19-20, 2025. The only of its kind in the state, this annual festival features semi-pro sand sculptors who will create massive sand sculptures along Red Arrow Park Beach. Live entertainment, craft vendors, and food trucks are just some of the many things that make the Wisconsin Sand Sculpting Festival a can’t-miss event. The Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary co-hosts this event with Visit Manitowoc and returns the proceeds to serving the community. Tickets are available day-of during the event.
Each year, thousands of people flood downtown Manitowoc for Lakeshore Balloon Glow, an annual family-friendly event hosted by The Chamber of Manitowoc County, City of Manitowoc and Visit Manitowoc. The free event features glowing hot air balloons, delicious food trucks and cold drinks, a water ski show, kids’ zone, entertainment, fireworks and so much more! Lakeshore Balloon Glow 2025 is set for Friday, August 15 from 5:00-9:00 pm.
Malt City Brewfest is a beer-lovers festival, hosted by Manitowoc’s Briess Malt & Ingredient Co., and is set for Saturday, August 2, 2025. The event will feature over 30 brewers personally serving up their favorite craft brews alongside live music and tasty food trucks. It all takes place in downtown Manitowoc along the riverfront.
4. Fourth on the Shore and Subfest
When many people hear “summer,” they immediately think of the heart of the season and Independence Day. Manitowoc celebrates the holiday on July 4, 2025, in a big way with Fourth on the Shore. This event takes over the downtown riverfront and extends along the Lake Michigan shores, complete with food trucks, live music and entertainment, a parade, and fireworks to cap off the day's festivities. In conjunction with this event, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum hosts Subfest, with a jam-packed schedule of kids activities, ceremonies and live music.
5. Sputnikfest
For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Sputnikfest, landing Saturday, September 6, 2025! This one-day festival celebrates all that's wacky and tacky, centered around commemorating the chunk of Russian Sputnik IV that landed smack dab on 8th Street in front of the Rahr-West Art Museum. Visitors are encouraged to don their best alien and space costumes to enjoy the lively activities, 5k run/walk, entertainment, art museum, and food trucks. You can even enter yourself, child, or pet into the costume contest for a chance to be crowned Captain Space Debris. The day is topped off with an alien drop raffle, where many inflatable aliens rain down from space, creating a huge spectacle.
