2026 Lincoln Creek Week Celebration

FREE FAMILY FUN!  Join us in our annual community celebration of Milwaukee’s Lincoln Creek with an entire week full of free, fun, and family-friendly activities!  You’ll be joining community partners working together to reimagine the Lincoln Creek Greenway as a beautiful, welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.

There’ll be a kickoff event in McGovern Park on Saturday, June 20, from noon to 3 pm and a closing celebration in Lincoln Park on Saturday, June 27, from noon to 3 pm.  Both events feature free food, free activities, resources, and prize giveaways. During the week there will be many recreational and educational activities, including paddling, biking, and hiking, and no prior experience is needed to participate! Milwaukee’s hidden gem, Havenwoods State Forest, will have exciting educational opportunities for kids to explore the outdoors. Check this webpage regularly, as the list of events throughout Lincoln Creek Week will grow as we get closer to the opening event. If you would like to add an event to the Calendar, use this form.

Please note that some events require registration or have physical or age restrictions. 

All events are free and open to the public. Join us!

EVENTS CALENDAR

Many events (hikes, educational events and service activities) are still waiting for time and date confirmation.  Please check back for more info.

• Saturday, June 20:
  • Kickoff Celebration in McGovern Park
    Noon to 3 pm, McGovern Park, 4500 W Custer Ave.
    Free food, free activities, resources, and prize giveaways
    
  • Bird Walk with Lake Michigan Bird Observatory
    7:30 – 9 am, McGovern Park, 4500 W Custer Ave.
    Register for Bird Walk here
  • Lincoln Creek Bike & Hike
    10 am. Meet in Lincoln Park, 5000 N Green Bay Ave., and bike to McGovern for kickoff.
    Led by Red, Bike & Green MKE. Click here for registration and more info
  • Battling invasive Species in Havenwoods
    Noon – 1 pm, Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St. It’s also Invasive Species Awareness Week. Join us at Havenwoods for this presentation.
  • Invasive Species Removal
    1 – 3 pm, Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St.
    After the presentation, take part in this hands-on experience.
• Sunday, June 21:
  • Lincoln Creek and Water in Islam
    A Wisconsin Green Muslims online presentation. Time to be announced.
• Monday, June 22:  
  • Snack & Chat: Let’s Talk Water!
    5 – 6:30 pm, McGovern Park,
    5400 N 51st Blvd. Meet at 51st Blvd. parking lot
    Grab a snack and join us for a fun, hands-on way to learn how water moves through our neighborhoods.
• Tuesday, June 23:
  • Frogs, Turtles and Dragonflies – Oh, My!
    10 – 11:30 am, Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St.
    A family-friendly exploration of Havenwoods pond life.
• Wednesday, June 24:  
  • Learn to Kayak
    10 am – 2 pm, Lincoln Park Boat Landing, 4950 N Milwaukee River Parkway
    (Registration required. Click here.)

Thursday, June 25:

• • Healing Plants Hike in Hopkins Hollow
    1 pm to 2:30 pm. Hopkins Hollow, 4410 N Hopkins St. 
    Led by Master Naturalist Mars Patterson.
    Sign-up and get more info
  • Learn to Identify Aquatic Invasive Species
    6 – 7 pm, Lincoln Park Canoe Launch, 4952 N Milwaukee River Parkway. Learn how invasive species affect the Milwaukee River and how you can help protect local waters.
• Friday, June 26: 
  • Lincoln Creek Habitat Hike
    6  – 7:30 pm, Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St.
    Take an evening stroll to look for wildlife that calls Lincoln Creek home.
• Saturday, June 27:
  • Stewardship Saturday at Havenwoods
    9 – 11:00 am, 6141 N Hopkins St.
    Help staff remove invasive plants and clean up trash.
  • Animal Feeding
    1:30 – 2:30 pm, Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St.
    Watch turtles and snakes enjoy lunch up close during this fun and fascinating animal feeding experience.

  • Lincoln Park Community Celebration/Picnic
    Lincoln Park, Picnic Site 3, 5000 N Milwaukee River Parkway
    Free food, free activities, resources, and prize giveaways

Lincoln Creek Week 2026 – Event and Organizing Sponsors

• Nearby Nature Milwaukee
• Friends of Lincoln Park
• Residents for Change Neighborhood Association
• Milwaukee Water Commons
• Wisconsin Green Muslims
• Red Bike Green
• Milwaukee County Parks
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Havenwoods State Forest
• Lake Michigan Bird Observatory

Corporate and Foundation Sponsors

Fund for Lake Michigan
Milwaukee Parks Foundation

Donating sponsors will be recognized here and at major events. Contact us for more information.