The East Side

06/17/2026

At the heart of Ivanhoe Plaza, the Leaf Canopy will serve as both a landmark and a gathering place for the East Side. 🍃

This colorful structure is designed to provide shade and shelter while creating a dynamic atmosphere through shifting patterns of light and shadow that change throughout the day and across the seasons. Inspired by the nearby Oak Leaf Trail and colorful urban pathways from around the world, the canopy reflects the creativity, energy, and character of the East Side.

The Leaf Canopy will act as a functional feature as well as help define the visual identity of Ivanhoe Plaza. Its vibrant design adds to the street art character of the neighborhood, contributing another bold and memorable element to the East Side's creative landscape.

Interested in supporting this signature feature? Purchase a digital dedication leaf to become part of the project, or contact East Side BID Executive Director Ryan Laessig at [email protected] to learn more about Leaf Canopy naming rights opportunities.

06/15/2026

That’s a wrap on Summer Soulstice 2026. ☀️🎶

Thank you to everyone who came out, danced in the streets, supported local artists and vendors, and helped make this year’s festival one to remember!

And of course, a huge thank you to the sponsors who helped make it all happen. Summer Soulstice stays free and open to the community because of partners who believe in Milwaukee’s music scene, local businesses, and the energy of the East Side. 💙 💚 🧡

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors, Miller Lite and Educators Credit Union, for helping power the entire festival.

Shoutout as well to the sponsors who helped bring this year’s stages to life:
👏 New Land Enterprises
👏 Red Bull
👏 OnMilwaukee
👏 WMSE 91.7FM
👏 Milwaukee Record
👏 Gruber Law Offices
👏 Smokin' Jack's BBQ
👏 Kawa Ramen & Sushi

And a big thank you to the many additional partners and supporters who helped make the day possible:
👏 Overlook on Prospect
👏 Contour Apartments
👏 Edge on North
👏 Milwaukee Film
👏 Vintage
👏 Von Trier
👏 Hooligans Milwaukee
👏 Nosotros Tequila

06/14/2026

WOW. What a day. ☀️🎶

Thank you to everyone who came out for Summer Soulstice 2026 and helped turn the East Side into one giant celebration yesterday. The music, the crowds, the dancing, the energy…you all showed UP. 💥

Now it’s cleanup time, and we could use a hand with keeping the neighborhood looking its best. If you’re out grabbing coffee, walking the dog, or heading out for the day, we’d appreciate any help picking up cups, cans, or other festival leftovers along the sidewalks and streets.

The East Side BID crew will be out cleaning throughout the day, so if you see us out there, feel free to say hi or jump in for a few minutes. Every little bit helps.

Thank you for helping keep the East Side vibrant, welcoming, and ready for another great summer ahead. 💚

06/13/2026

One quick Summer Soulstice heads up before the festival begins!

If you're planning to grab a drink at one of the Summer Soulstice beer bars, please note that all beer bars will be cashless this year. 🍻

💳 Card and tap pay accepted
💵 Cash tips are still welcome

All other festival bars will continue to accept both cash and card payments.

Thanks for helping us keep the lines moving, and we'll see you soon! ☀️🎶

06/13/2026

IT’S SUMMER SOULSTICE DAY. ☀️🎶🔥

The East Side is officially turning all the way up. Live music, packed streets, local vendors, cold drinks, great food, and nonstop energy all day long. And yes, it’s completely FREE to attend.

Check out the official festival map and start planning your route because things kick off at noon and keep rolling until midnight.

What to know:
→ There are FIVE stages this year, including the all-day DJ takeover in Black Cat Alley 🎧
→ Performances begin at 12 PM
→ Shop over 50 local vendors throughout the festival
→ Murray Ave vendors are half-day vendors open from 12 PM - 5:30 PM. All other vendors are open until 11 PM
→ Festival festivities span Kenilworth Pl, Ivanhoe Pl, Farwell Ave, Prospect Ave, Murray Ave, and the Kind Oasis Lot on Milwaukee’s East Side

🚨 Please note: North Ave will remain open to traffic, so be extra cautious when crossing the street, especially near the Murray Avenue Stage.

First performances:
🎵 New Land Black Cat Alley Stage | 12:00 PM – Italohound & Ginosociopath
🎵 Educators Credit Union Ivanhoe Stage | 1:00 PM – Los Mitoteros
🎵 WMSE Kenilworth Stage | 1:00 PM – Modern Tigers
🎵 Miller Lite Farwell Stage | 2:00 PM – School of Rock Shorewood
🎵 Smokin’ Murray Ave Stage | 2:00 PM – Keshena Armon Music Company

Huge thanks to our presenting sponsors, Miller Lite and Educators Credit Union, for helping make Summer Soulstice happen. 🙌

We’ll see you out there. 😎

06/11/2026

Summer Soulstice is almost here. ☀️🎶

Our official festival map is your guide to all six performance spots, food and drink stops, merch, and all the East Side spots you’ll want to check out throughout the day. Save it, screenshot it, send it to the group chat. 📍

🚨 Please note: North Ave will remain open to traffic, so be extra cautious when crossing the street, especially near the Murray Avenue Stage.

Between sets, take some time to explore the neighborhood. Grab a drink, pop into a local shop, cool off indoors, and make a full day of it.

Huge thanks to our presenting sponsors, Miller Lite and Educators Credit Union, for helping make Summer Soulstice possible. 🙌

06/10/2026

Coming to Summer Soulstice on Saturday? Come hungry. Seriously. 🌮🍔🍧

Farwell Ave is serving up festival favorites all day long with food trucks, food tents, cold drinks, local shopping, and plenty of places to hang between sets.

🍽 On Farwell Ave, you’ll find:
Von Trier (.mke)
Canni H**p ()
Immy’s African Cuisine (
Kona Ice ()
Los Villa ()
Vier North ()
Virginia Day Studio ()
Asian Encounters
BE Timeless ()
Landmark Lanes ()
Summer Soulstice Music Festival Beer Tent
414 MILWAUKEE (Too Much Metal) ()
Happy Buddha Boutique ()
4 of 4 Creative ()
East Side Jawnz ()
Buzzshack Apairies ()
Jameelah Jewelry
Ivory Anise
Jade Brightwind
Nandi Revlea
Legacy Creative Solutions ()
LoveU Candles ()
Jungle Gems (.mke)
Sadies Sticky Fingerz ()
MKE Burger Guys

Ivanhoe Place is packed with local artists, vintage finds, handmade goods, outdoor bars, and great food.

🍽 On Ivanhoe Place, you’ll find:
Star Bar Pop-up
Smit’Tin ()
James Steeno Gallery ()
Linny’s Artsy Fingers ()
Thom J Ertl ()
Hooligan’s Outdoor Bar ()
Anja Not Anja ()
Tye Dye By Papes ()
Socksanova ()
MissMashedUp ()
Mae Rose Naturally Rooted ()
Papyrus & Charms ()
Boho Designs by Katya (.designs.by.katya)
Grimoire Girls Coven ()
Gina Gruenewald
Fresh to Death Vintage ()
Visette Natural Perfumery ()
Educators Credit Union ()
Summer Soulstice Music Festival Beer Tent
Fuecha Cafe ()
Uyghur Grill
Junior’s Smoke BBQ ()

Both streets are open Noon to 11PM, so you’ve got plenty of time to sip, shop, and snack between sets. 🕛

Check out our previous post for Murray Ave and Kenilworth Place vendors!

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

From handcrafted jewelry and vintage finds to local eats and outdoor bars, you’ll find it all at Summer Soulstice!

Murray Avenue is bringing big maker energy for a half-day pop-up market (noon to 5:30 PM), so if you want to shop small and score one-of-a-kind finds, make it your first stop of the day!

🛍 On Murray Ave, you’ll find:
Angora Artistry ()
Plushzilla ()
Dog Goods For Good Dogs ()
Bolt Babes MKE ()
Black Essence Candles ()
My Sistuh’s Trunk ()
The Chai Company (.chaicompany)
Wild Flowers Fields Forever ()
Smokin’ Jacks BBQ ()
Clea Jewelry (.christine)
Novelty Me PLZ ()
YoungSavageFits ()
Summer Soulstice Music Festival Beer Tent
Madd Ho**er Crochet (.hooker.crochet)
Evie & Dude (.dude)
MavaCustoms ()
Smol Sun ()
ME Design Apparel ()
Greetings by Kalie ()
Irusu Creation (.creation)
Kawa Sushi Tent ()

Just around the corner, Kenilworth Place keeps the party going all day and night with 11+ hours (noon to 11:00 PM) of food, shopping, and festival fun. Fuel up at our food trucks and tents, including The Corn Man (), BIRRIA TACOS, MIL-WOK-EE (), and JETLAG LLC (.llc), then explore local artists, makers, and East Side businesses bringing their best to the block. 🍔🛍️🎶

🛍 On Kenilworth Place, you’ll find:
Celebrate You Candles ()
Blackrose391
Foto Mamis ()
Xeroine Illustration ()
Summer Soulstice Music Festival Beer Tent
Summer Solstice Volunteer Tent
Kristalyzed Kreations ()
Gruber Law ()
Birdsong’s ()
Nobody Bizznis Boutique
Sole Salvation ()
Ana’s Artsy Side (.s_artsy_side)
Elegant Henna (.__.henna)
MKE Hurling Club ()
Wiskullsin ()
Nostros Tequila ()
Paloma Wilder Studio ()

Check out our next post for Farwell Ave and Ivanhoe Place vendors! ➡️