Monroe Street Festival
Join us for this free family event on Monroe Street in Madison, WI. Live music and entertainment, shopping specials, and food from our local restaurants.
45th Annual Monroe Street Festival
SATURDAY, SeptEMBER 9, 2023
Thanks to everyone who came out to experience the excitement and small town charm of the annual Monroe Street Festival in Madison, WI! This beloved and free event offers something for everyone, from face painting and balloons to live music and international dancers. Explore the sidewalk sales and special offers at local shops while enjoying the festive food offerings at our many restaurants.
Monroe Street Festival 2023
1700 Block
9:30 – 4:00 Monroe Street Library League Book Sale, 1705 Monroe Street
10:00 - 12:00 Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Monroe Street - Face Painting by Radiant Smiles
12:30 - 2:30: Orange Tree Imports - Free Balloon Animals by Funny Faces Balloon Sculpting
9:00 - 2:00 Monroe Street Arts Center, corner of Monroe Street and Spooner Street
9:00 - 9:45 - Music Together Demo Class with Ms. Abby
10:00 - 2:00 - Instrument Petting Zoo with Heid Music
12:00 - 2:00 - Open Art Studio
10:00 - 1:00 Artist Lilida Gee selling her original work to benefit Defending Black Girlhood, Sponsored by Mad City Dream Homes
1800 Block
D-Chai Thai Massage, 1813 Monroe Street - $1/min chair massage, up to 15 minutes
I’m Board Games and Family Fun, 1839 Monroe Street (new business!) - Outdoor games for all ages
Lily’s Magical Treats - Monroe Street Farmers Market vendor - in front of 1843 Monroe Street
Bloom Bake Shop, 1851 Monroe Street - The famous vintage Bloom Bus
Friends of Lake Wingra Sponsored by Lallande, 1859 Monroe Street
Mystery To Me 1863 Monroe Street - Bookmark making table, wrapped mystery books, and mystery discounts
Mystery to Me will be selling red Monroe Street t-shirts to benefit the Monroe Street small business community’s recovery from the pandemic. $15 each, while supplies last.
Monroe Commons by TRADER Joe’s
10:00 Hoop Elation Fun with hula hoops with Danielle Lee • Sponsored by Hive
11:00 Music with Junebug fun music & movement activities for kids • Sponsored by the Vilas Neighborhood Association
12:00 Grand Aul Day Good Time Irish Music • Sponsored by Steve Brown Apartments
1:00 Toco Beach Steelpan Tropical music with vocals accompanied by steelpans, flute and marimba • Sponsored by Mystery to Me
2:30 Billy Joel and the Affordables - Madison’s favorite Billy Joel Tribute Band
4:00 Mad City Funk - classic Funk, R&B, Soul, and Blues • Sponsored by Monroe Street Framing
1900 Block
North Side of the Street:
10:00 - 12:00 Alvarado Real Estate Group - Celebrating Creando’s 10 year anniversary with a mini carnival, offering free popcorn station, free cotton candy, free face painting, free balloon artist, carnival games and prizes. Sponsored by Creando Explorertorium and Alvarado Real Estate Group
South Side of the Street:
Monroe Street Farmers’ Market Booth & Food Vendors in front of 1911 Monroe Street
Wine and Hop Shop, 1919 Monroe Street home brewing demonstration
Good Day Shop, 1925 Monroe Street 10:00 - 3:00 flower stand popup with Drifting Prairie Farm (or until sold out). Good Day Shop will be holding a prize drawing for new & expecting parents to win a swag bag all day, and hosting two Monroe Street Farmers’ Market craft vendors
MONROE STREET at Harrison Street
Grow on Monroe Balloon Arch - Selfie station Sponsored by ULI/1722 Monroe Street
Madison Gas & Electric booth with energy efficient electric vehicle • Monroe Street Festival Sponsor
Kids Bubble & Chalk Station • Sponsored by Creando Exploratorium and MG & E
10:30 - 11:30 Fire Engine - From Station #4
11:30 - 12:30 Henry the Lion mascot from the Henry Vilas Zoo (strolling)
11:00 - 2:00 Pilates on Harrison pop-up with a demo Chair and Ped-o-Pull
12:30 - 2:00 Neighborhood Corn Hole Tournament • Sponsored by Cricket Design Works
2500 Block
BY ZANDERS INTERIORS
360 Photo Booth 2503 Monroe Street • make a memorable video on our moving platform using fun props
AT SUNNE BOUTIQUE
11:00 -3:00 Sunne Boutique, 2534 Monroe Street: Swiftie Soiree including Taylor Swift temporary tattoos, friendship bracelet making, a prize drawing and free gift of a 360 Photo Booth video with qualifying purchase
By Lauer Realty Company
11:00-2:00 Madison Music Foundry’s Youth Bands • Sponsored by Lauer Realty Company and Paja Charles
The Blue Dyes
SLAG
The Sandblasters
2:30- 3:30 Fixed Income oldies band • Sponsored by Steve Brown Apartments
By CHOCOLATE SHOPPE ICE CREAM
10:00 - Noon: Free Balloon Animals by Funny Faces • Sponsored by Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
11:00 - 4:00 Bouncy Castle • Sponsored by Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
12:00 Omulu Capoeira - demo & participation • Sponsored by the Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood Association
1:00 - 3:00 Face Painting by Radiant Smiles • Sponsored by Associated Bank
1:30 Breckenridge School of Scottish Highland Dance • Sponsored by Aaron Perry State Farm Insurance
2:30 Bellator Irish Dancers • Sponsored by Colectivo Coffee
3:30 Mideast Salsa Latin Dance Band
Grab & Go Specials
Garth’s Brew Bar 1726 Monroe Street
Free chocolate stout, blue moon, and Oktoberfest cupcakes while supplies last
8:00 - 3:00 Bloom Bake Shop 1851 Monroe Street
Bavarian pretzels for $3.50
One & Only 1923 Monroe Street
Italian-Style Sandwich for $15 (salami, prosciutto, provolone)
Roasted Beet Sandwich for $12 (roasted sliced beets and peppers, feta)
Colectivo Coffee, 2530 Monroe Street
Free samples of their newest coffee & a special-edition sticker
Miko Poke 2701 Monroe Street
1/2 off a Dole Whip or Shave Ice
Everly 2701 Monroe Street
$5 Grab and Go Truffle Fries
Thank you to our 2023 sponsors
The Monroe Street Festival Is A
MONROE STREET MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION EVENT
The Monroe Street Festival is a cherished annual tradition celebrating our many locally owned businesses and our surrounding residential neighborhoods. The purpose of the Festival is to promote and sustain new and existing businesses, enhance the positive and vibrant image of Monroe Street, and attract visitors from all over to our lively sliver of the city. The celebration, which is held annually on a Saturday in September, features a range of activities to bring the community together including sidewalk sales, grab and go food specials, outdoor entertainment, children’s activities, and so much more.