Wausau's Blues Fest weekend | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Wausau events for Aug. 19-25, 2026
Devon Allman is the talented son of Gregg Allman, founding member of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. Devon headlines the Big Bull Falls Blues Fest, and that’s not all this weekend, with a dog fundraiser your pooch can participate in, a classy vintage jazz singer, a kite festival and so much more. All in Your Wausome Weekend Guide. Remember to tell them The Wausonian sent ya.
Big Bull Falls Blues Fest 2026
Fern Island Park
Fri.-Sat., Aug. 21-22: If you’re a fan of the blues, you’ve probably already bought your tickets. The Big Bull Falls Blues Fest at Fern Island Park is one of Wausau’s long-standing events, and they keep bringing an impressive line-up that makes it a must-do every summer. Especially worth noting is Devon Allman, son of Gregg Allman of Allman Brothers fame. This year the lineup includes: Friday: Jon Peck and the Bad Dogs (side stage); 5 pm Howard “Guitar” Luedtke and Blue Max; 7 pm Raine Stern Band; Ally Venable 9 pm; Saturday: 1 pm Tom Holland and the Shuffle Kings; 3 pm Mathias Lattin and band; 5 pm Ronnie Baker Brooks; 7 pm Ana Popovic and band; 9 pm Devon Allman Project. $15 Friday, $75 Saturday. See more on the event page.
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Pint-Sized Concert with CWSO Steel Drums
Uncommon Pints
Wednesday, Aug. 19: Uncommon Pints really nailed it with this event name. The place known for serving uncommon pints, aka beer from places that often don’t normally distribute, is holding pint-sized concerts, and this one is especially interesting. The CWSO will regale the joint with its steel drums, which should be a ton of fun. 6 pm. See the event page for more.
Wausau Night Market
Downtown Wausau
Thursday, Aug. 20: Summer is winding down — and one way we know that is that this weekend is the last Wausau Night Market of the season. This year the night market has grown leaps and bounds, expanding for blocks and creating a festival-like atmosphere in downtown Wausau. With dozens of vendors and live music on both ends of the event, and with many shops staying open later, you don’t want to miss the last of these events for the season. 5-9 pm. See the event page for more.
Debbie Briggs at Pizza on the Farm
Stoney Acres Farm
Friday, Aug. 21: I really love it when a musician looks the part. To me it shows a dedication to showmanship, something that separates the amateurs from the pros. So Debbie Briggs and her vintage jazz act is a great example of that. She looks like an old-timey jazz singer and her music is top notch. Briggs has a regular gig at The Velveteen in Stillwater, Minn. and plays in the Twin Cities regularly. Getting to see her in the rustic setting of Stoney Acres Farm, with a wood-fired pizza in hand, is a great experience to be had. 5 pm. See the event page for more.
Tails and Ales Dog Party & Rescue Fundraiser
Sawmill Brewing Company
Saturday, Aug. 22: Like many of you, I love our four-legged friends — and so this event at Sawmill Brewing Company is a pretty neat way to express it. This event not only raises money for Fetch Foster and Rescue, which helps dogs find homes, but it also present opportunities for dogs and their owners to participate together. There is a dog show, dog agility contest, human agility contest, dog and human pie-eating contest (my golden would so win), and more. If you love dogs this is the event for you. 2-7 pm. See the event page for more information.
We ‘Sau Summer
Faraway Place
Saturday, Aug. 22: Faraway Place is the new version of Malarkey’s Pub, and they’re working on keeping the music tradition alive. This latest event celebrates the end of summer, or what is left of it, with a mix of bands including Horace Greene, Scorched Waves, The Vox Ultima and a DJ set by The Groove Brothers. Plus tiki drinks, band singalongs and, corndogs we think? Either way it ought to be a great way to get a little more summer fun before the leaves change. (Well, more than they already have - thanks, drought!) 7 pm. $5 cover, or wear a Hawaiian shirt instead. See the event page for more.
Mead Kite Festival
Mead Wildlife Area
Saturday, Aug. 22: When I was a kid, people used to fly kites. But when you see the kites that populate the Mead Kite Festival, you’ll see that these kiters take it to another level, with complex cord systems to keep those monstrous beauties afloat. At the Mead Kite Festival, you can bring your own kite or build one at the festival, grab some lunch from food trucks and watch the pros fly some truly impressive-looking kites. 11 am-3 pm. See the event page for more.
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In Brief
Community Game Night, 5 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at MCPL Wausau
Pizza on the Patio, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Willow Springs Garden
All-Stars Under the Stars 2026 Benefit Concert, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at The 400 Block
Sea Glass Art Workshop, 6:30 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Willow Springs Garden
Moonbadger, 8 pm Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Faraway Place
The Ramble at Rock Ridge Orchard, 6 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Rock Ridge Orchard
Fish and Shrimp Boil, 6 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Willow Springs Garden
Thursday Night Concert Series featuring Mistakes Were Made, 6:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Open Mic with Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 20 at Faraway Place
Still Reckless, 7 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at The Garage Wausau
Dandelion Delivery Duo, 5:30 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Ruby Coffee Roasters
Movie Under The Stars: Ghostbusters, 6 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Friendship Park
Evan Garski LIVE, 7 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Homestead on 52
Big Bull Falls Blues Fest After-Party with Bluezdriver, 10 pm Friday, Aug. 21 at Faraway Place
Rib Mountain Craft and Vendor Extravaganza, 9-4 Saturday, Aug. 22 at Office Max Parking Lot
Read to a Therapy Dog, 10 am Saturday, Aug. 22 at MCPL Wausau
Juliet and the Montages at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at Stoney Acres Farm
Reckless Dezire, 7 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at Homestead on 52
Through Crimson, 7 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at The Garage Wausau
THE GLAM BAND, 8 pm Saturday, Aug. 22 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Travis Zalewski, 1 pm Sunday, Aug. 23 at The Garage Wausau
Pizza in the Gardens: Tours with Horticulturist Sabastian, 5 pm Monday, Aug. 24 at Monk Botanical Gardens
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