Blues, paddles and Christmas in July | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Wausau area events for July 22-28, 2026
Blues Fest is some weekends away, but you can get a preview as Blues Fest veteran Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’s Altar Boys take the stage at Cheek’s. Plus, the infamous Paddle Pub Crawl, local jazz legend Janet Planet, Christmas in July and more in Your Wausome Weekend Guide!
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Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys
Cheeks Bar and Grill
Sunday, July 26: I know some of you are just positively jonesing for Wausau’s annual blues fest — but you can whet your appetite a little early with this Blues Fest veteran. Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys has opened for BB King, headlined Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago and played with many of the greats of the blues scene. Reverend Raven will be featuring Westside Andy (who plays a mean harmonica). Many of you know Reverend Raven for his band’s multiple appearances at the Big Bull Falls Blues Fest. He isn’t on the bill this year, but this is a great chance to see the band in all their blues glory at Cheek’s Bar and Grill! 2-5 pm. No cover. See the event page for more.
The Prince and the Peach
Stoney Acres Farm
Saturday, July 25: I listened to three different albums of The Prince and the Peach, and if I’d only listened to any one of them, I would have given you three different descriptions. One almost has an electronica vibe, another more straight indie and yet another more Americana/gospel revival. Yet there is a core sound that reminds me of some of the lighter rock of the 90s — borderline alternative, just teetering on the edge of pop. At any rate, it makes me want to listen to more of this WAMI-nominated, Sugar Camp-based band. Especially mixed in with a little Stoney Acres pizza. 5 pm. See the event page for more.
Janet Planet
Kickbusch Plaza
Sunday, July 26: Janet Planet is essentially a local/regional jazz legend. She may be from Oshkosh, but she’s performed so many times in the Wausau area that I always assumed she was one of us! Janet Planet has been rocking the jazz scene for more than three decades and her voice sounds just as good on recent recordings as it ever has. Her voice is sultry and punchy, and a Sunday afternoon spent on Kickbusch Plaza taking in her blend of jazz is just perfect. Part of the Jazz on the River series. 5-7 pm. See the event page for more.
Paddle Pub Crawl 12
Lake Wausau/D.C. Everest Park
Saturday, July 25: It’s crazy to think that this event has been going on as long as I’ve been back in the Wausau area. This annual paddling event is huge. It’s not your slow, peaceful paddle through the wilderness; this is a straight-up party on water, complete with a floating band. Leaving from D.C. Everest Park, the pub crawl makes a couple of stops along Lake Wausau. It’s a full day, and you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of other paddlers. If that sounds like a great time, this is your event. 10 am meeting point. See the event page for more.
Mia Brown and the Get Down
Bull Falls Brewing Co.
Friday, July 24: Sometimes you just really love a band name. That’s me with Mia Brown and the Get Down. It’s really fun to say, and that’s perfect for a great band featuring Wausau’s own Mia Brown, a signed recording artist who put together a band of local musicians. And they’ll play at Bull Falls Brewing Co., a revival and reimagination of a Wausau brewery that some thought might be lost. Instead, the space was opened up and it looks great. 6 pm. See the event page for more.
Bradley Sperger
Knowlton House
Sunday, July 26: Bradley Sperger is one of Wausau’s under-appreciated musical gems. The man is multi-talented, and plays solo using live looping and electronics to build songs while playing bass, drums, guitar and vocals. But Sperger is also a fantastic songwriter, and it’s always a blast to see what he comes up with. And it’s also a great excuse to check out Knowlton House, a distillery and bar/grill with a farmers market going on at the same time. Did we mention their patio is pet friendly? 11 am-2 pm. See the event page for more.
Movie in the Park: K-Pop Demon Hunters
The 400 Block
Thursday, July 23: If you’re an adult without children, you might have no idea what this is — but if you do have children, they’ve probably already been begging you to take them to this. K-Pop Demon Hunters became Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time when it debuted last year, and the soundtrack hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts. What’s it about? Well, exactly like the title says: a group of pop idols (K-Pop is the name for Korean pop music) also happen to fight demons in their spare time. (Like you do.) Free, bring your blankets, chairs and treats, and/or stop by downtown businesses for carryout. 7 pm. See the event page for more.
Christmas in July
Q&Z Expo Center
Saturday, July 25: This is not the event I was expecting to see when I checked the Q&Z Expo Center listings but surely some of our readership will be delighted. And hey, it is on the 25th! Q&Z Expo Center is hosting this Christmas in July event, right in the very place you enjoy your heavy metal music. With more than 60 vendors and a bar and food on site, you can make a day of it in the house of hard rock in Ringle. 9 am-3 pm. See the event page for more.
Rock of Ages
James Veninga Theater
Fri.-Sun., July 24-26: The Wausau Community Theater has been rocking it with their shows at the James Veninga Theater in the UW Center for Civic Engagement. And this latest show should be no exception. This Broadway musical is a story highlighting the glam rock era of 1987 and the story of a legendary club on its last legs, a wild rock star and an aspiring musician and a small town girls pursuing their dreams. Don’t miss this version of the high-energy, fun Tony Award-nominated musical highlighting an era that has everyone nostalgic these days. 7:30 pm Fri.-Sat., 2 pm Sunday. See the event page for more.
In Brief
Concerts on the Square: Todd Ashbeck’s Rising Star, 6 pm Wednesday, July 22 at the 400 Block
Moonbadger, 8 pm Wednesday, July 22 at Faraway Place
Avenue 55, 6:30 pm Thursday, July 23 at Tiki Beach Bar and Grill
The Science of Baseball Camp, 8 am Thursday, July 23 at Athletic Park
Summer at Mead: Birding Basics, 12:15 pm Thursday, July 23 at MCPL Wausau
Open Mic w/ Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, July 23 at Faraway Place
Meaghan Owens at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Friday, July 24 at Stoney Acres Farm
Mozart on the Move, 6 pm Friday, July 24 at the Universalist Unitarian Church
Sam Rodewald, 6 pm Friday, July 24 at Mosinee Brewing Co.
Wausau Woodchucks Raised on Country Post Game Firework Show, 6:35 pm Friday, July 24 at Athletic Park
Wausau Trail Run, Fri-Sat, July 24-25 at Nine Mile Forest Recreation Area
Cameron and Company, 7 pm Friday, July 24 at The Garage Wausau
Garden Walk, Fri-Sat, July 24-25, various locations
Read to a Therapy Dog, 10 am Saturday, July 25 at MCPL Wausau
5th Annual Charity Disc Golf Tournament & Fundraiser, 11 am Saturday, July 25 at Sawmill Brewing Company
Chuck and Chad 90s Backyard Badminton BBQ Palooza, noon Sunday, July 26 at The Glass Hat
Tom Burt, 1 pm Sunday, July 26 at The Garage Wausau
Brick it & Pic it, 5 pm Monday, July 27 at Monk Botanical Gardens
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