MOWA Art & Chalk Fest
August Events & Activities in West Bend
Turning the calendar to August means back to school may be right around the corner, but there’s still plenty of time to make summer memories in West Bend. The city is full of August events and activities from signature festivals, outdoor recreation, live music, shopping, and more. There’s something for everyone—come see for yourself!
$1,000 Cache Ba$h – August 5-6
It’s the biggest cache festival in the Geocaching Capital of the Midwest! 66 new caches will be added for this two-day event, with cash raffles and other prizes available to participating teams. It’s the perfect way to share your love of geocaching—or give it a try for the very first time—with thousands of other cache enthusiasts. Cache Ba$h is a great way to explore the city, stay in one of West Bend’s outstanding hotels, and enjoy a full weekend of geocaching!
Art & Chalk Fest – August 20-21
The Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts a full weekend of live arts downtown. Over 20 chalk artists will be decorating the roads and sidewalks with beautiful imagery, but the demonstrations don’t stop there. Glass blowing, pottery, ceramics, plein air painting, and more are on display as dozens of talented artists create stunning works before your eyes. Admission to the museum is free for the weekend and there’s live music, food trucks and a beer garden to enjoy. The festival wraps up in the late afternoon each day, but stick around and attend the afterhours concert from Rosie and the Rivets at The Bend theater’s historic stage at 7:30. Both the museum and theater are within walking distance of West Bend’s many outstanding downtown restaurants and shops. It’s a perfect way to spend a summer weekend.
West Bend GERMANfest – August 25-28
The city’s German roots run deep, and we’ve got a festival to celebrate! 2022 marks the 37th year of GERMANfest, a week full of music from polka to country to bluegrass. Show off your sheepshead skills, try some German desserts, and enjoy some of the finest German food you can find, featuring dishes from The Norbert Bar & Kitchen. All proceeds from the event are used to build a new home in the community through Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties. The festival lasts four days, offering plenty of time to enjoy the celebration and visit some of West Bend’s recreation areas—from the historic downtown to the beautiful riverwalk to peaceful hiking trails.
Live Music – Every Week!
There’s no shortage of live music entertainment in West Bend. Every Thursday summer night, head downtown for Music on Main or check out Regner Rocks at Regner Park. As the sun goes down, The Bend theater lights come on for an encore performance to close an amazing night of music and memories. All these August events and activities are free to attend!