If Independence Day festivities have you wanting more live music, local shopping opportunities and community gatherings, there is still plenty to do in Brookfield this summer. Weekly free concerts, artisan markets and the return of the Cycle Brookfield Criterium Race are just some of the events keeping Brookfield busy this summer.
Music
Fridays: Through the end of August, Kiwanis Park will host weekly Friday night concerts from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Upcoming artists include pop band My Weekend Crush, rock band Midnight, and oldies band The Stingrays.
Last Saturday of the month: On the last Saturday of June, July, August and September, Music on Grand takes over Grand Boulevard in Downtown Brookfield. From 12:30 until 10:30 p.m., enjoy live music and outdoor seating at local bars and restaurants on the southern half of the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard. Upcoming headliners include Tom Petty tribute band Free Fallin and 90’s Pop Nation.
Markets
Wednesdays: Through Aug. 12, Brookfield’s outdoor Artisan Market will feature local artists, farmers and food vendors every Wednesday evening. The Artisan Market, also known as the French Market, runs from 4 to 7 p.m. along Broadway Avenue, adjacent to 9202 Broadway Ave. and the Brookfield Shops at Progress Park.
Saturdays: Through the end of October, the Brookfield Farmers’ Market will feature local farmers, artisans, live music, and family-friendly activities. The Farmers’ Market runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 pm. In the parking lot at Brookfield Village Hall at 8820 Brookfield Ave.
Events at the Brookfield Zoo
July 11: From 6 to 9 p.m., the Brookfield Zoo will feature live music, a scavenger hunt, and a dinosaur-themed tour of the Zoo ground after-hours. Dinos After Dark is a special event and requires a separate ticket. General admission tickets are $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for children, while zoo members get a discount.
July 24: The Brookfield Zoo will feature Blues Traveler for its Roaring Nights Concert series at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 for zoo members and $60 for non-members.
August 22: The Brookfield Zoo is hosting Zoo Uncorked, a 21+ after-hours event featuring live music, cocktails and unlimited Ferris wheel rides. The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40 for general admission and $106.60 for general admission with cocktail and mocktails included.
Other events
July 11: Incredible Bats, a Chicago area organization providing live, educational bat shows and presentations, comes to the Brookfield library on Saturday, July 11 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visitors will get to meet bats, turtles, sugar gliders and more.
July 14: The library will host an all-ages bike decorating event in preparation for the Cycle Brookfield Criterium bike race on July 22 from 5-7 p.m.
July 18: The library is hosting a summer One Small Step event at Irish times for members 21 and over. One Small Step is an initiative that pairs strangers with different political beliefs and encourages thoughtful, guided conversations. Registration is required for this event, which runs outside Irish Times on Burlington Avenue from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
July 22: The Cycle Brookfield Criterium returns for 2026 and features a full day of events and races, including a Family Fun Ride and a 75-minute professional race. You can see the full schedule here. In addition, the Brookfield Library is hosting race-day watch parties, including snacks, air conditioning, commentary, and poster making.
August 22: The library will host its annual STEAM fest, celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
There’s even more to do in Brookfield this summer. Music lovers can find open mic nights at Pub 78 on Wednesday nights and the Little Owl Social Pub on Thursday nights. Pub 78 also hosts “Singo,” or musical bingo, on Thursday nights. The Brookfield Shops at Progress Park, a small business incubator, operates Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Library runs regular weekly events, including a camp for teen filmmakers, adult maker studios, and both reading and writing clubs.