What’s happening in Wisconsin: Badger State Buzz (Sept. 21-27)

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

September 21, 2026

"Our family vacation on the shores of Lake Superior." (Courtesy of Roy P.)

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 Roy P., capturing this beautiful view, just reply to any newsletter with your submission.

Now, onto your Badger State Buzz:

New Glarus Oktoberfest, (Sept. 24-27)

New Glarus transforms into a lively Bavarian celebration, featuring craft beer, live music, traditional Swiss and German food, and family-friendly fun. Don’t forget to wear your dirndl or lederhosen and raise your stein.

Oktoberfest USA, La Crosse (Sept. 24-27)

This annual fall festival has been a local tradition since 1961, bringing German heritage, community celebration, and Gemütlichkeit to the region. Enjoy live music, parades, and of course, good beer.

3rd Annual Stoneline Valley Music Festival, Phelps (Sept. 24-26)

Enjoy live music in the Northwoods, featuring more than 20 artists across a variety of genres, including folk, bluegrass, blues, Americana, alternative country rock, and more.

Marinette Fall Fest, (Sept. 25)

Marinette’s annual fall celebration returns to Stephenson Island full of free family fun, including kids’ activities, food and drinks, and a performance from The Glam Band.

Fall Harvest Trail 2026, Fond du Lac (Sept. 25-26)

Explore Lake Winnebago’s East Side with a weekend full of shopping at local boutiques, discovering handcrafted goods, and stopping for food, drinks, coffee, and treats along the way.

Cable Area 24th Annual Fall Fest, (Sept. 25-26)

Spend the weekend full of fall fun with live music, food trucks, drinks, street games, and family-friendly activities. Saturday brings arts and crafts, a vintage car show, pumpkin-pecan pancakes, hayrides, bounce houses, and more.

That’s your Buzz for the week. If you make it to any of these events—or capture a winter 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.