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29 great ideas for your weekend in the Madison area – Madison.com

Halloween. Homecoming. Heck, there’s a lot to do this weekend — including tons of great music, art, spooky fun, and more.

UW Homecoming Parade: Here’s Bucky — and lots of red and white as the holiday’s annual parade rolls through downtown Friday. The procession steps off at 6pm at Gilman Street and Wisconsin Avenue, then heads down Gilman Street to State Street, ending on Lake Street at approximately 7:30pm Free. union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/event-calendar/event/homecomingparade-2024/

Monona Halloween Spooktacular: Monona Parks and Recreation is sponsoring this Human and Pet Costume Parade at Winnequah Park starting at 5:00 p.m. Fridayfollowed by music, an egg hunt and a Peanuts Halloween movie. Line up for the parade at 4:45pm at Fireman’s Park. Entrance free; $1 for hot cocoa, cider or popcorn. Pre-registration ($5) is required for the egg hunt; bring your own egg treat bag. Mymonona.com or Facebook.

Haunted Tour in Verona: Verona Fire Park is the location for this spooky outing Fridaywith a “less scary” hike from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and a “scarier” hike from 7:30 to 9 p.m. $2 admission; cash only. [email protected]

Adult Swim: Scream Queens: The Children’s Museum of Madison hosts Halloween fun with a campfire, sequined twist for over 21s from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. A drag show, trivia contest, music and more. $25. madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Candlelight Walk: Head to Governor Nelson State Park in Waunakee from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m Friday for a candlelight hike on the moderately hilly Woodland Trail, bonfire and refreshments. Admission is free, but state park admission is required. dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/govnelson

Autumn Swedish Music and Dance Weekend: If you’re craving Swedish fiddle jam sessions, dance lessons and Scandinavian food, Folklore Village in Dodgeville offers a taste of Sweden Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Individual events $12-$65; weekend passes and country lodges available. Full schedule at folklorevillage.org/fall-swedish-weekend/

GLEAM: Art in a New Light: 2024 Lights by Visionary Artists goes on sale this weekend Friday and Saturday. Stroll through the Olbrich Botanical Garden in its nocturnal glory; timed entries with advance tickets only. $8-$10; under 5 free. olbrichgleam.org







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GLEAM: Art in a New Light continues Friday and Saturday at the Olbrich Botanical Garden.


JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL ARCHIVES


“The Addams Family”: Gather and watch this PG-13 tongue-in-cheek comedy screened outdoors at Stone Horse Green, 7550 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, at 7 p.m. Friday. Free, but RSVP required. stonehorsegreen.org

“Late Night Catechism”: Designed to transport viewers back to their childhood, this interactive theater experience gets the crowd to join in. 19:30 Friday in the Playhouse Theater at the Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St. $53-$59. overture.org

Bartel Film Series: The 1998 film The Big Lebowski kicks off a series of classic films as The Dude becomes embroiled in a convoluted kidnapping R-rated 8 p.m. Friday at the Bartell Theater (costume contest at 7:30 p.m.), 113 E. Mifflin St. $5. bartelltheatre.org

“For the Love of (Or the Roller Derby Play)”: Madison College presents Gina Femia’s funny and poignant play set in Coney Island/New Jersey and centered on Brooklyn Scaliawags. The black-box Studio Theater will set the mood for a roller derby track located in the Madison College Truax campus building, 1701 Wright St. 7:30 p.m Friday and Saturday; 14 hours Sunday. $15; $13 for youth and seniors: Madison College students free with OneCard. madisoncollege.edu/derbyplay


MOKA's owner explains why Madison is a great place for coffee shops after new cars open

The Untold Story of the Collier Brothers: Finn Gallagher wrote and directed this play — based on a true story — about two rich and eccentric media sensations in 1930s Harlem, living among 100 tons of trash and even a Model T Ford in the living room. 7:30 in the evening Friday; 14 hours Saturday at the Bartell Theatre, 113 E. Mifflin St. $25. bartelltheatre.org

The Harp Twins: An all-ages Halloween-themed concert by identical twin harpists Camille and Kennerly Keith, plus the Wolfgang twins on double drums for the finale. Free meet and greet after the show. 7:30 in the evening FridayStoughton Opera House, 381 E. Main St., Stoughton. $20. Streaming available. stoughtonoperahouse.com

Fine Arts and Crafts Sale: Madison Weavers Guild and Olbrich Gardens Gift Shop host works by Wisconsin and Minnesota artisans and artists. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and Sunday at the Olbrich Botanical Garden, 3330 Atwood Ave. Entrance free. fineartandcraftsale.com

MMOCA Art Market: The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art hosts more than 40 artists, artisans, crafters, crafters, bakers and more on two floors, plus music and cider. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Saturdayfrom noon to 6 p.m Sunday at MMOCA, 227 State St. Free entry. mmoca.org

Earth, Wood and Fire Artist Tour: Visit studios and shops in the Cambridge, Deerfield, Jefferson, Johnson Creek and Lake Mills areas on this guided tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Entrance free. Find a map at earthwoodandfiretour.com

DanzTrad: Kids in the Rotonda hosts this Mexican dance group in three family-friendly shows Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Rotonda Stage, Overture Center, 201 State St. Free of charge. overture.org

“The Enchanted Forest” and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical: Children’s Theater of Madison presents two shows this week, one for a preschool group and one for all ages. Both performed at MYArts, 1055 E. Mifflin St. $18-$40. Limited availability via Sunday; dates and times at ctmtheater.org

Día de los Muertos: The Waunakee Library invites everyone to a Day of the Dead cultural event with Midwest Mujeres, activities for all ages, refreshments and the movie Coco. 10 am to 1 pm SaturdayWaunakee Public Library, 201 N. Madison St., Waunakee. for free. facebook.com/WaunakeePublicLibrary

MacKenzie Center Fall Festival: Try archery, wood chopping, hay wagon rides, pumpkins, crafts and more at this annual outdoor festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the MacKenzie Center, W7303 County Highway CS, Poynette. Admission $15 per vehicle. friendsofmackenzie.org/event/fall-festival-3/







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The MacKenzie Center Fall Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Poynette.


AMBER ARNOLD, SECRETARY OF STATE ARCHIVES


Gaia Music Collective: Sing in the shower? Join a chorus for one day only in this non-judgemental community chorus, Rock the Vote: Make Beautiful Noise. Everyone will be invited and trained to sing “A Beautiful Noise” by Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile. 11:30 in the morning SaturdayMajestic Theatre, 115 King St. majesticmadison.com

Westmorland Halloween Parade: Join the parade in your Halloween costume from 3:00 p.m Saturday at Queen of Peace, then parade to Westmorland Park for Halloween park activities, games, pizza, hot cocoa and more. westmorland-neighborhood.net

Ghost Gathering: Shake Rag Alley Arts Center in Mineral Point is hosting a Halloween night for adults with fortune telling, crafts, a costume contest and more. 5:30 p.m Saturday (registration deadline is Friday). $30. shakeragalley.org

The Moth Madison GrandSLAM: Previous StorySLAM champions show their best in this storytelling festival at 7:30 p.m. SaturdayBarrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave $36. barrymorelive.com

Boo at the Zoo: Put on your costume, grab a trick-or-treat bag, and head to Henry Vilas Zoo for family-friendly zoo trick-or-treating, plus face painting, free train and carousel rides, and additional zoo animal enrichment. 9:30 am to 1:00 pm Sunday702 S. Randall Ave. www.henryvilaszoo.gov

Garver Pumpkin Party: Kids’ activities, costume contest and arts and crafts market take over Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Entrance free. garverevents.com/public-events/

Olive harvest 2024: Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, Palestine Partners and Jewish Voice for Peace-Madison are hosting this event, featuring live Palestinian music, a discussion about the war in Gaza, an opportunity to sponsor an olive tree, children’s activities, music, olives, hot tea and snacks. from 1 to 4 p.m SundayTenney Park shelter, 402 N. Thornton Ave. facebook.com/madisonrafah

Hilldale-O-Ween: Paint a pumpkin, enjoy children’s activities and a DJ, see performers from Madison Circus Space and more. From 15 to 17 hours SundayHilldale Shopping Center, 726 N. Hilldale. Wear a trick-or-treat costume and pre-register for prizes at hilldale.com/event/hilldale-o-ween-2/

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