Events
Visit Beaver Dam Year Round For A Variety of Events & Festivals
Beaver Dam is proud to host a variety of fun events and festivities year-round, from seasonal festivals like the Wisconsin Arts & Peony Festival, Fall Downtown Fest & Casket Races, Holiday Events & Experiences to unique Beaver Dam events like The Original Taste of Wisconsin Beer, Wine & Cheese Festival and Pepper Fest.
Visit us for fresh produce every Saturday at our Farmer’s Market, May – October, spend the day birding, hiking the nature trails, or paddling at the Horicon Marsh (just minutes away), or add an exciting Beaverland Must-skis waterski show to your visit. Visit our Arts & Culture page to learn more about our community theatre performances, orchestra and community band concerts, murals and mosaics, and more!
If listening to live music and the nightlife scene is more your speed, you’ll be delighted to see that we offer many indoor and outdoor live music events. Visit our Live Music page – you’ll find many concerts and music performances hosted at a variety of different indoor and outdoor venues, parks, restaurants, and bars. Many of them are free!
We invite you to join us for any of our family-friendly and adult-only events. We love visitors!
Mystery & Mayhem Weekend
Something mysterious is happening in downtown Beaver Dam—and you’re invited to help crack the case! Mystery & Mayhem Weekend, October 16–17, 2026, transforms downtown into an interactive murder mystery where you become the detective. Follow the clues, explore local businesses, interview characters connected to the case, uncover secrets and piece together the evidence to determine what really happened.
Choose to investigate for one day or make a weekend of it! For the full mystery experience, start Friday evening, stay overnight in Beaver Dam and return Saturday for character interviews, new clues and unexpected twists. The longer you investigate, the more time you’ll have to gather clues and question characters—and the better your chances of solving the case. Then join your fellow detectives for the Final Reveal Saturday at 5 PM to discover the truth. All ages are welcome. Will you crack the case?
Fall Downtown Fest, Casket Races, and Boo, Scoot & Boogie Parade and Dance Party
Fall Downtown Fest Weekend is bigger than ever! Join us beginning Friday, October 30 with the new Boo, Scoot & Boogie Parade and Dance Party, a festive kickoff to the weekend celebration. Later that evening, adults 21+ can enjoy the Monster Bar Crawl featuring drink specials and entertainment at participating downtown venues.
The celebration continues on Saturday, October 31 with a full day of family-friendly fall and Halloween fun, including the Casket Races, Witches Dance, Grand Procession, Inflatable Races, Trick-or-tTreating, Costume Contests, kids’ activities, vendors, live entertainment and DJs and much more throughout downtown Beaver Dam. Come celebrate the season with a weekend packed full of spooky fun and fall traditions!
Cabin Fever Fest
January 30, 2027
Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2026 for a day filled with winter wonders and outdoor delights. From 10 am to 2 pm, experience the thrill of sledding and ice skating, warm up by the bonfires, and participate in an exciting outdoor camping and cooking demo. Engage in friendly competition with a euchre tournament, contests, and a chili/soup cookoff that promises to tantalize your taste buds. Gather around for fireside chats, embark on a thrilling geocache hunt, and revel in the camaraderie of a community coming together.
With so many things to do both indoors and outdoors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The majority of activities are free, offering a perfect opportunity to embrace the beauty of winter and shake off that cabin fever! Don’t miss out on this unforgettable day of fun and festivities.
Holiday Events and Experiences
November & December 2026
Get ready to make this holiday season unforgettable with a lineup of festive events that brighten hearts and sparkle with seasonal cheer. Kick off your holiday shopping adventures with the Holiday Hustle Shopping Event and Get Caught Shopping Small—each offering unique gifts, surprises, and the joy of supporting local businesses. Once your gift list is checked off, step into winter magic with Santa’s Hometown Holiday Adventure, a family-friendly extravaganza featuring visits to Santa’s Magical Workshop and appearances by beloved characters like Rudolph and the Grinch, wrapping up with the dazzling Holiday Parade “Rock’n the Holidays” on December 5, 2026. But the glow doesn’t stop there—bundle up for Rotary Lights at Swan Park, where thousands of twinkling lights transform the park into a glowing wonderland from November 27, through January 4, 2027. Don’t miss special cocoa evenings and a festive appearance by Santa and the high school carolers.
From charming shopping strolls to heartwarming light displays and parades, Beaver Dam’s holiday calendar promises traditions, laughter, and memories for the whole family—mark your calendars and come experience the magic!
Wisconsin Arts & Peony Festival
Now a two weekend experience!
Saturday, June 5 & Sunday, June 6
Friday, June 11 & Saturday, June 12
Experience the beauty of peony season and the creativity of local artists during the expanded Wisconsin Arts & Peony Festival. This year, visitors can enjoy festival activities across two weekends, while Ovans Peony Farm will be open daily June 5-12, offering more opportunities to experience Wisconsin’s largest stem-cut peony farm during peak bloom season.
From the Best Dam Book Fair and Ghost Storytelling Festival to an Art Market, Chalk Art Competition, quilt and art exhibits, classes, and workshops, the festival offers something for every age and interest. Plan your visit and discover a unique celebration where art and nature come together in full bloom.
Taste of Wisconsin Beer, Cheese
& Wine Fest
20th Anniversary Celebration!
Saturday, June 19, 2027
The Original Taste of Wisconsin™ Beer, Cheese and Wine Fest always held the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend from Noon-4 pm and this year will be held at Tahoe Park, Beaver Dam.
This ever-popular Beer, Cheese and Wine tasting event is a favorite tradition of the locals, while also bringing in visitors from all around the state! You’re likely to find your new favorite Wisconsin cold brew or wine and pair it with your newfound favorite Wisconsin cheese. It’s a Cheesehead paradise!
Two hundred feet of tent prevent exposure to weather extremes, but in the case of inclement weather we now have a venue backup! Enjoy live music, games, raffles, and four hours of sampling Wisconsin Beer, Cheese & Wine!
Dodge County Fair
August 18-22, 2027
Join us at the Dodge County Fair in Beaver Dam, WI, from August 19-23! Experience the excitement of truck, tractor, and horse pulls, live music performances featuring George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Vincent Mason and Phil Vassar (and more!), and thrilling demo derbies. Enjoy three nights of concerts on an outdoor stage, surrounded by youth exhibits and fantastic fried food. With thrilling rides, fun games, and new attractions, it’s the area’s main event!
Don’t miss out on discount days for all ages! The concert series, tractor pull, and all grandstand entertainment are FREE with paid gate admission. Daily gate admission is $10 before 12:00 pm and $15 after. Sunday admission is $10 admission all day! Kids 9 and under are FREE! Season tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the gate, available online and at numerous Dodge County Banks, The Market, Fox Brothers Piggly Wiggly, or the Fairgrounds Office. FREE Grandstand and Parking – just pay your admission!
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Beaver Dam Corn Roast
Wednesday, August 25, 2027
Welcome to Beaver Dam Corn Roast, a Beaver Dam Chamber & Visitor Center fundraiser with all you care to eat & drink corn, brats, beer, and soda! You’ll have ears of fun at this family-friendly event with activities for all ages: Live music, corn hole, volleyball, bowling, and more! Save the date for this corny event – Wednesday, August 26th!
Oktoberfest at Ooga Brewing Co.
Saturday, September 11, 2027
Get ready to raise a stein and celebrate Oktoberfest at Ooga Brewing Company on Saturday, September 11, from Noon to 11 PM! Join them rain or shine under the Ooga Festzelt (beer tent), where the beer will be flowing, the music will be lively, and the fun will last all day. The festivities kick off with a brat fry hosted by the Beaver Dam Blue Line Club, running from noon until sold out. The highlight of the day is the annual tapping of their Oogtoberfest Märzen, a seasonal favorite that captures the true spirit of Oktoberfest. Enjoy live polka music with the Zweifel Brothers from 1-4 PM, then keep the celebration going with The Gary Beal Band from 6-10 PM. Test your skills with cornhole and beer games, indulge in delicious food from food trucks, and soak in the lively Oktoberfest atmosphere. Whether you’re donning your Dirndl or Lederhosen or just coming for the beer and brats, Oktoberfest at the Ooga Festzelt is the place to be for an unforgettable Bavarian celebration! 
Beaver Dam Pepper Festival
Saturday, September 11, 2027
The Beaver Dam Pepper Festival on Saturday, September 11th celebrates the Hungarian immigrant who, back in 1912, decided to bring a small piece of what reminded him of his home to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin – his favorite sweet and hot pepper seeds! At the festival you will find apple pepper pancakes, apple pepper pies, Potosi pepper beer, and-of course-the original Beaver Dam Pepper brat.
Live entertainment, a chili cook-off, the longest pepper contest, pancake breakfast served all day, pies by the slice, and more await you!
Sippin' Safari Wine Tour
Friday, September 17, 2027
The Beaver Dam Wine Tour on Friday, September 17th is an evening event that encourages attendees to choose their own path as they enjoy the downtown area while tasting a variety of wines from Wisconsin. Every year they choose a different theme.
Explore the shops and businesses in Downtown Beaver Dam while walking between “Sip Stops”. Registration includes a commemorative wine glass, wristband, wine samples, raffle ticket, and specials at a variety of the 20+ “Sip Stops”.