What’s happening in Wisconsin: Badger State Buzz (Oct. 12-18)

Welcome to this week’s Wisconsin View and Badger State Buzz—two staples of the UpNorthNews newsletter.

October 13, 2026

"From the cottage this, past weekend." (Courtesy of Margaret H.)

UpNorthNews newsletter. If you want to see the Badger State Buzz as soon as it drops each week, make sure you’re subscribed. And if you’d like your photo featured, like reader Margaret H., capturing these fall colors, just reply to any newsletter with your submission.

Now, onto your Badger State Buzz:

Pumpkin Palooza, Manitowoc (Oct. 14)

Enjoy a free afternoon of pumpkin carving, painting, and decorating in downtown Manitowoc with pumpkins provided while supplies last. Finished pumpkin creations will decorate the downtown through Halloween.

Witches’ Night Out, Mount Horeb (Oct. 15)

Join more than 1,000 witches and warlocks in downtown Mount Horeb for an evening of shopping, food and drinks, games, and themed experiences.

Boo at the Zoo, Milwaukee (Oct. 16-17)

What better way to celebrate Halloween than at the zoo! Visitors can enjoy an all-day trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin animal enrichment, light shows, live entertainment, and pumpkin carving. Costumes are encouraged.

21st Elkhorn Oktoberfest (Oct. 17)

Celebrate the fall season in downtown Elkhorn with a 2-mile or 5K walk/run, German beer, local food, live music, and shopping from local artisans and businesses.

Ashland Harvest Fest (Oct. 17)

This fall festival features live music, a food truck village, local makers, a farm market, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Visitors can enjoy apple cider pressing, a beer garden, and a bake-off.

Madeline Island Family Fall Fest, La Pointe (Oct. 17)

Enjoy the fall season with local art, seasonal colors, a farmers market, food vendors, and a vintage car show. There are plenty of family-friendly activities, including pumpkin decorating, birdhouse making, facing painting, and more.

That’s your Buzz for the week. If you make it to any of these events—or capture a scene worth sharing—reply to any of our daily newsletters with a photo. We always look forward to seeing what Wisconsin looks like through your eyes.

Keep UpNorthNews free for everyone

If you found this story useful, would you consider supporting UpNorthNews?

Every day, our team works to provide Wisconsinites with free, fact-based reporting about the issues, policies, and decisions shaping life across the state. We believe everyone deserves access to trustworthy local news—not just those who can afford a subscription.

That's why you'll never hit a paywall here (though we may ask you to sign up for our newsletter). But keeping our journalism free depends on readers who believe informed communities are worth investing in.

If our reporting has helped you better understand what's happening in Wisconsin, please consider making a donation today. Every contribution helps us continue reporting, informing, and serving communities across the state.