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Named by Travel Wisconsin in 2018 as one of the top 5 Kid-Friendly Festivals for Families that belong on your Summer Bucket List.
At German Fest, families will find plenty of entertainment throughout the grounds every day. Fireworks, parades, carousel organs, German candies in the Marktplatz, a playground, the Battle of the Mascots, Dachshund Derby, Glockenspiel, German dance performances and more! Here are a few of our special Children’s Activities:
Culture Village Theme Featuring Cities Built By the Romans
European Train Enthusiasts Display
Interactive Displays
Passport Program
South End, near the Glockenspiel
Friday 4 pm-8 pm
Saturday 1 pm-7 pm
Sunday 1 pm-7 pm
Children’s Arts & Crafts
Bring your children ages 4-10 for an hour of FREE, unsupervised but volunteer assisted, make-and-take and hands-on craft activities. Parents welcome to stay and play too!
T-Shirt Tent
Purchase and design an original German Fest T-Shirt! Create your own shirt using various colors and stamps such as dachshund, soccer ball, teddy bear, German & American flag, pretzel and many more.
Kids of all ages love the famous Glockenspiel show which takes place every day. Check the schedule and don’t miss this special performance! Located on the south end, near the BMO Harris Pavilion.
Performance Times:
Friday 4:00, 6:00, 8:00
Saturday 2:00, 6:00, 8:00
Sunday 2:00, 4:00, 6:00
Ready for yummy gummies? Throughout the weekend HARIBO® will be handing out delicious HARIBO® GOLD-BEARS® right alongside the official Bear mascot! Swing by for some free HARIBO® GOLD-BEARS® gummies (located near the main gate), a big bear hug and an exclusive opportunity to take a photo with the HARIBO® Bear! Oh—and be sure to watch for the Bear in Saturday’s parade. Kids and grown-ups love the happy world of HARIBO®!
Inflatable children’s activities located on the South end of the grounds.
Saturday and Sunday 4pm at the Children’s Stage – Local children’s dance groups with participants 3 to 18 years of age represent various influences of the different regions of Germany: the Bavarian schuhplattler groups from the mountain regions of Germany; the Pomeranian from the North Sea area; the Mardi Gras troupe representing Karneval or Fasching; the Donauschwaben representing the countries of Austria, Yugoslavia, Romania and Hungary along the Danube River.
This Dachshund Race is the off-the-wall “brain child or pet project” of the late great Patrick T. Dineen. Although he was of Irish decent, he never missed a German Fest and he had great love for his three loyal wiener dogs – Lisa, Libby and Little Cash. Mr. Dineen donated hours and hours to bring his Dachshund Race idea to German Fest, originally thinking it would be a one year attraction. But the Dachshund Derby seemed to have “legs” – lots of them – and now it’s a permanent fixture each year at German Fest thanks to an Irish gentleman by the name of Patrick T. Dineen! Danke Mr. Dineen! We miss you and so do the dogs!
Sunday July 30th, 2023
1:05 pm Blessing of the Dachshunds
1:15 pm Dachshund Derby and Ribbons
2:30 pm Dachshund Costume Contest
The Milwaukee Police K9 Unit has been serving the citizens of Milwaukee since 2007. The unit currently has nine K9 teams. The K9s are German Shepherds from Germany and are trained for suspect apprehension, drugs and firearm detection. Members of the MPD K9 Unit, the MPD K9 Foundation and the German-American Police Association will be on grounds Sunday, July 26th. Stop by their booth located near the Dachshund Derby races to learn more about these special German Shepherds and their handlers.
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