The Near West Side is a thriving community with exciting and unexpected opportunities for residents, employees, and visitors alike. To celebrate our neighborhood of neighborhoods, Near West Side Partners will hold the fifth annual Near West Side Week from Sept. 7-13th 2025. 

Sunday, September 7 | New State Block Party
Noon – 4 p.m. | The New State Music Park, 2612 W State Street
Get into the groove with The New State Youth DJs—Milwaukee’s next generation of music makers, spinning live sets all day. These young artists are part of a mentorship program that nurtures talent in DJing, production, and performance. Plus: spoken word by Kavon Cortez Jones, First Stage Milwaukee’s Young Company and Goosebumps cast, art by Brad Bernard, a classic car show, and an art project with Artists Working in Education. Fuel up with food from Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille and Pete’s Pops. See you there!

Monday, September 8 | Text to Win Starts
Enter by texting “NWSWEEK” to 414-677-3300. When you text in, you’ll get an automated message texted back with a new question of the day from Monday – Friday. Just text your answer back to enter. You can play every day! We will select 3 winners each day to receive a gift card from a NWS business.

Monday, September 8 | Rev Up MKE
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | The Rave/Eagles Ballroom, 2401 W Wisconsin Ave
Join us for a brand-new Rev-Up MKE competition, expo-style format! This year’s event will include the crowd-favorite, a “Taste of the Near West Side,” which features local cuisine and live entertainment that reflects the neighborhood’s energy and diversity. Visit entrepreneur booths and cast your vote for your favorite business. Hear from past Rev-Up winners before the awards ceremony.

Tuesday, September 9 | Bike Trail Task Force
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Concordia 27, 801 N 27th St
The 30th Street Equitable Development Taskforce is leading efforts to create a 6.7-mile-long multi-use trail along the 30th Street corridor rail line to connect Milwaukee neighborhoods. Join this meeting to learn more about this effort and meet the partners involved.

Wednesday, September 10 | Coffee Social, Concordia 27 Apartment Tour, & SWIM Speaker Series
7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Concordia 27, 825 N 27th St
Start the day with FREE coffee and pastries. Learn about the great opportunities to live, work and play in the Near West Side. Tour the Concordia 27 Apartments and stay for SWIM’s panel discussion on Women’s Mental Health at 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, September 10 | Penfield Safety Outpost
2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Penfield Children’s Center, 833 N 26th Street
Join us for a free community event hosted by Penfield Children’s Center. Safety Outpost is a family-friendly event featuring health and safety resources, kids activities, community resources and more!

Thursday, September 10 | Scavenger Hunt Kickoff
A free and fun Scavenger Hunt that will get you around the Near West Side to see the sights and hopefully learn a few new things about our Neighborhood of Neighborhoods! Click here for the full instructions on how to get started!

Thursday, September 11 | Home Sweet Home with Revitalize Milwaukee
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Davidson Park, 3725 W Juneau Ave
Critical home repairs restore more than walls and roofs – they restore dignity, health, and peace of mind. Join Revitalize Milwaukee for a FREE celebration of healthy homes. Enjoy live music from the Milwaukee Tool Shed Band, food trucks & more.

Friday, September 12 | Near West Fest Presented by the Harley Davidson Foundation
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Davidson Park, 3725 W Juneau Ave
Celebrate with us! Enjoy food trucks, live music by Cache MKE, and happy hour at 1903 Tavern. The Sandlot is the movie and it will start at 6:30 p.m! 

Saturday, September 13 | Wintrust Financial Literacy Class
9 a.m. – Noon | Concordia 27, 801 N 27th Street
Empower Yourself with Financial Knowledge! Near West Side Partners and Town Bank invite you to participate in this free Financial Literacy Series designed to provide essential financial education and practical money management skills. The focus of this session will be on Making Housing Decisions & Buying a Home.
More info here.

Saturday, September 13 | Third Space Collective MKE Ribbon Cutting
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. with ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. | Third Space Collective MKE, 500 N 29th St
Join us in celebrating a new business opening on the Near West Side! Third Space Collective MKE is a gallery, gathering space, and incubator for creatives in the heart of Merrill Park. Festivities, featuring music, Style Pop Cafe and Pete’s Pops, begin at noon. The event will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the inaugural exhibition showcasing visual artist Eryn Turner at 1 p.m.

R&K Liquor | Raj Food | Clark House