The Marquette Waterfront Festival is the official curtain-raiser to the eastside’s glorious season of summer music festivals. The festival celebrates its 36th year in 2025 the weekend of June 14 and 15, mixing hot local talent with touring national acts on two stages.

As always, the Marquette Waterfront Festival will feature two stages of music, a terrific array of vendors from local businesses, artists and restaurants, as well as craft beer and wine tents. Kids games, the Dandelion Dash (Saturday, 11:30 a.m.) will return as well. Join or watch the River Alliance’s Fools’ Flotilla on Sunday morning! The zany boat parade takes off from Tenney Park locks at 10:30 a.m. down the Yahara River toward the park.