Best events in
Appleton

Events and things to do in Appleton, WI, are concentrated in its friendly and walkable downtown core. The social scene revolves around College Avenue, which blends a big-city energy with a welcoming, small-town warmth. This dynamic supports major annual festivals while also fostering a consistent calendar of live music, art walks, and market days.

Downtown's walkable layout allows for easy hopping between a casual pint at McFleshman's Brewing Co. and an original music act at Gibson Community Music Hall.
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center anchors the district, presenting touring Broadway productions and major concerts.
Signature annual events like the Mile of Music festival and Appleton's Octoberfest transform the entire downtown area with music and celebration.

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After 8pm

Young & Turnt Libra Edition

Sat, Oct 10 • 9:00 PM

Bunnies on the Ave

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I’m Not Yo Bit** No More

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

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Savannah Dexter Live In Appleton, WI

Wed, Oct 21 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

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MARQUIS HILL — Appleton | 8:00 Showtime

Tue, Nov 17 • 8:00 PM

Gibson Community Music Hall

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Young & Turnt Libra Edition

Sat, Oct 10 • 9:00 PM

Bunnies on the Ave

Check ticket price on event

I’m Not Yo Bit** No More

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

Check ticket price on event

Savannah Dexter Live In Appleton, WI

Wed, Oct 21 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

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MARQUIS HILL — Appleton | 8:00 Showtime

Tue, Nov 17 • 8:00 PM

Gibson Community Music Hall

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Popular in Appleton

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The Wellness Way Approach to Weight Loss!

Thursday • 6:15 PM

Urban Modern Kitchen

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CARW Roundtable - Fox Valley!

Tue, Oct 13 • 8:15 AM

Paul Davis Restoration of Fox Valley

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A Renaissance Renewed

Wed, Oct 14 • 4:00 PM

301 E Florida Ave

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Reversible Pumpkin Snowman

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM

Memorial Florists & Greenhouse, Inc.

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FH VOLUNTEER - Zach Williams Tour / Appleton, WI

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:30 PM

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

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Appleton Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Sat, Oct 31 • 4:00 PM

The Bent Keg

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Sam Grisman Project

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM

Poplar Hall

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Blue Violin's Retro Rock & Roll Christmas

Fri, Dec 18 • 7:00 PM

Lawrence Memorial Chapel

Check ticket price on event

The Wellness Way Approach to Weight Loss!

Thursday • 6:15 PM

Urban Modern Kitchen

Check ticket price on event

CARW Roundtable - Fox Valley!

Tue, Oct 13 • 8:15 AM

Paul Davis Restoration of Fox Valley

Check ticket price on event

A Renaissance Renewed

Wed, Oct 14 • 4:00 PM

301 E Florida Ave

Check ticket price on event

Reversible Pumpkin Snowman

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM

Memorial Florists & Greenhouse, Inc.

Check ticket price on event

FH VOLUNTEER - Zach Williams Tour / Appleton, WI

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:30 PM

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

Check ticket price on event

Appleton Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Sat, Oct 31 • 4:00 PM

The Bent Keg

Check ticket price on event

Sam Grisman Project

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM

Poplar Hall

Check ticket price on event

Blue Violin's Retro Rock & Roll Christmas

Fri, Dec 18 • 7:00 PM

Lawrence Memorial Chapel

Check ticket price on event

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Online Events

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A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Wednesday • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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AI Kids Music Video Studio: Produce Black Nursery Rhyme for YouTube

Thursday • 6:00 PM EDT

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Congreso Internacional de Dirección de Proyectos - Tour PMI Buenos Aires

Wed, Nov 11 • 6:00 PM GMT-3

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Wednesday • 7:30 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

AI Kids Music Video Studio: Produce Black Nursery Rhyme for YouTube

Thursday • 6:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Congreso Internacional de Dirección de Proyectos - Tour PMI Buenos Aires

Wed, Nov 11 • 6:00 PM GMT-3

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Music events

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Young & Turnt Libra Edition

Sat, Oct 10 • 9:00 PM

Bunnies on the Ave

Check ticket price on event

Youth Weekly Activities

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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I’m Not Yo Bit** No More

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

Check ticket price on event

Savannah Dexter Live In Appleton, WI

Wed, Oct 21 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

Check ticket price on event

Rhythms & Brews: Allison Mahal w/ Whitney Fenimore

Wed, Nov 11 • 7:00 PM

Gibson Community Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Sam Grisman Project

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM

Poplar Hall

Check ticket price on event

MARQUIS HILL — Appleton | 8:00 Showtime

Tue, Nov 17 • 8:00 PM

Gibson Community Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Blue Violin's Retro Rock & Roll Christmas

Fri, Dec 18 • 7:00 PM

Lawrence Memorial Chapel

Check ticket price on event

Young & Turnt Libra Edition

Sat, Oct 10 • 9:00 PM

Bunnies on the Ave

Check ticket price on event

Youth Weekly Activities

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Check ticket price on event

I’m Not Yo Bit** No More

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

Check ticket price on event

Savannah Dexter Live In Appleton, WI

Wed, Oct 21 • 9:00 PM

OB's Brau Haus (Restaurant & Dance Club)

Check ticket price on event

Rhythms & Brews: Allison Mahal w/ Whitney Fenimore

Wed, Nov 11 • 7:00 PM

Gibson Community Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Sam Grisman Project

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM

Poplar Hall

Check ticket price on event

MARQUIS HILL — Appleton | 8:00 Showtime

Tue, Nov 17 • 8:00 PM

Gibson Community Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Blue Violin's Retro Rock & Roll Christmas

Fri, Dec 18 • 7:00 PM

Lawrence Memorial Chapel

Check ticket price on event

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Points of Interest near Appleton

Building For Kids

Appleton Downtown Inc

Atlas Science Center Center

Hearthstone Historic House Museum

The History Museum At The Castle

Scheig Center Gardens

Frequently asked questions about Appleton

Where can I see live comedy shows in Appleton?

Skyline Comedy Club is the city's dedicated venue for stand-up comedy. Located "Between the Locks," the club features a rotating lineup of national and local comedians. For a more casual setting, McFleshman's Brewing Co. hosts a weekly open mic night that includes comedy acts.

What's the best spot for live music events in Appleton?

Gibson Community Music Hall is a key venue for original live music events on College Avenue. For a different vibe, Deja vu Martini Lounge often has live acts on Saturdays, while the Appleton Beer Factory regularly features acoustic performers as a social backdrop.

Are there free events to check out in Appleton?

The Heid Music Summer Concert Series offers free outdoor performances at Jones Park. Additionally, the annual Mile of Music festival is a major city event that presents hundreds of free shows across various downtown venues, focusing on original artists.

What kind of food and drink events happen in Appleton?

Food Truck Rallies are popular gatherings during warmer months at places like Poplar Hall. For craft beer enthusiasts, local breweries like McFleshman's and Appleton Beer Factory host their own social events, tastings, and provide a hub for community gatherings.

How can I experience Appleton's local art scene?

Art on the Town is a great way to explore the local creative community. This recurring event, held on third Fridays from May through September, features art displays and live performances hosted at various businesses throughout the downtown area.

What is the nightlife like in Downtown Appleton?

The nightlife on College Avenue has a friendly, energetic atmosphere with many events, especially on weekends. It's a walkable mix of live music venues, craft breweries like Appleton Beer Factory, and sophisticated cocktail spots such as Deja vu Martini Lounge.

What are some good date night ideas in Appleton?

A classic date night could involve a touring show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. For a more relaxed evening, consider cocktails and live music at Deja vu Martini Lounge or sharing a laugh at a comedy show at Skyline Comedy Club.

Where are some popular outdoor events in Appleton?

The Downtown Appleton Farm Market is a major outdoor event that brings College Avenue to life on Saturday mornings seasonally. For outdoor music, the Heid Music Summer Concert Series in Jones Park is a popular choice for an evening out.