The East Side BID
Welcome to the creative crossroads of the East Side Milwaukee. The East Side Business Improvement District is responsible for the management, promotion, and staffing for the commercial area.
The East Side BID
Welcome to the creative crossroads of the East Side Milwaukee. The East Side Business Improvement District is responsible for the management, promotion, and staffing for the commercial area.
The East Side BID
Welcome to the creative crossroads of the East Side Milwaukee. The East Side Business Improvement District is responsible for the management, promotion, and staffing for the commercial area.
The East Side BID
Welcome to the creative crossroads of the East Side Milwaukee. The East Side Business Improvement District is responsible for the management, promotion, and staffing for the commercial area.
The East Side BID
Welcome to the creative crossroads of the East Side Milwaukee. The East Side Business Improvement District is responsible for the management, promotion, and staffing for the commercial area.
The East Side BID
Welcome to the creative crossroads of the East Side Milwaukee. The East Side Business Improvement District is responsible for the management, promotion, and staffing for the commercial area.
The Dialogues Documentary Festival returns September 24-27, bringing four days of documentary films and conversations to Milwaukee. Catch a screening at the historic Oriental Theatre, where timely, true stories take the big screen and spark conversations that stick with you.
And the timing couldn’t be better! The festival takes place during Doors Open Mural Fest, making it a great weekend to explore the East Side’s art and culture. The Oriental Theatre is also an official Doors Open Milwaukee participant, giving visitors the chance to take a self-guided look at its stunning lobby and balcony between films. Built in 1927, the theater’s incredible Indian, Moorish, Islamic, and Byzantine-inspired details make it a work of art in its own right.
So come for the films and stay for the history!
Check out the Dialogues Documentary Festival schedule and grab your tickets through Milwaukee Film.
The Cream Fest Market Series, hosted by Jungle Gems, brings together vintage and streetwear vendors, great food and drinks, and a soundtrack of fresh tunes, all with plenty of good energy and community vibes.
Shop unique pieces from local vintage and streetwear sellers, grab a bite at nearby restaurants and bakeries, enjoy the music, and spend the afternoon connecting with friends and neighbors. Cream Fest is all about style, creativity, and community.
Join us at Ivanhoe Plaza and experience the unlimited vibes of Cream Fest all season long.
MilwaukeeGirlies are back at Ivanhoe Plaza!
After the Girlies Garage Sale was so well-loved, MilwaukeeGirlies are coming back to the East Side for another day of shopping, finding new favorites, and hanging with your girlies!
The MilwaukeeGirlies Fall Flee is happening Sunday, October 11 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Ivanhoe Plaza.
Come spend the day browsing local vendors, refreshing your fall wardrobe, and finding a few things you didn't know you needed. Grab your friends and make a day of it at the plaza!
As part of the citywide Doors Open Milwaukee celebration, the East Side BID presents Doors Open Mural Fest, a weekend-long celebration of the East Side’s incredible public art, murals, historic spaces, and local businesses.
Spend the weekend exploring the neighborhood and discovering some of the places, people, and artwork that make the East Side unique. From the murals of Black Cat Alley and other neighborhood public art to historic buildings and local businesses opening their doors, Doors Open Mural Fest offers plenty of ways to explore the East Side at your own pace.
Check out these featured business offerings throughout the weekend:
The weekend will also feature special events and activities throughout the neighborhood. On Saturday evening, September 26, House Circuit will bring the music to the East Side with a special DJ event from 5 to 10:30 PM.
Then on Sunday, September 27, the East Side Makers Market, sponsored by Milwaukee Makers Market, will take over Ivanhoe Plaza from 10 AM to 3 PM, featuring local artists, makers, vintage sellers, bakers, and small businesses.
Whether you're visiting for the murals, checking out a Doors Open location, shopping local, or just looking for a reason to spend the weekend on the East Side, there will be plenty to see and discover.
Doors Open Mural Fest is free to explore.
*Studio B & Co. is no longer able to participate in the event.
House Circuit is BACK at Ivanhoe Plaza!
After a packed and highly requested Black Cat Alley After Dark earlier this year, House Circuit is returning to the East Side for another night of music and good vibes as part of Doors Open Mural Fest.
Join us Saturday, September 26 from 5-10:30 PM at Ivanhoe Plaza for an evening of house music and dancing under the lights. If you caught the last one, you already know what to expect. If you missed it, now’s your chance to see what all the buzz was about.
The East Side Makers Market is joining the festivities for Doors Open Mural Fest! Spend your Sunday exploring Ivanhoe Plaza and shopping from a lineup of local artists, makers, vintage sellers, bakers, and small businesses.
Browse everything from handmade art and candles to vintage finds, sweet treats, creative goods, and more. With plenty of unique finds to discover, it’s the perfect stop while exploring the East Side during Doors Open Milwaukee.
Shop from:
Come shop local, meet the makers, and make a day of it at Ivanhoe Plaza during Doors Open Mural Fest!
Black Cat Alley After Dark is back this fall, and this time we're bringing Yacht Week to the East Side! On Saturday, October 24, House & Espresso Presents Black Cat Alley After Dark: Yacht Week Experience at Ivanhoe Plaza and Black Cat Alley.
Part of Yacht Week's global Onshore Tour, this event brings the energy and spirit of Yacht Week to Milwaukee for a day of fitness, wellness, music, art, and community. You don't have to have sailed with Yacht Week to join in. The Onshore Tour welcomes Yacht Week alumni, veterans, newcomers, and anyone ready to experience the party on dry land.
The day kicks off with a community 5K in partnership with City Limits Run Club and Uncommon Run Club. After the run, the fun continues with outdoor yoga among the murals, followed by an afternoon and evening of music featuring five DJs.
Complimentary saunas and cold plunges will be available throughout the event, while local vendors fill Ivanhoe Plaza with plenty to explore. Fire pits will also be available for guests to enjoy as the afternoon turns into evening.
And since it's October, we're adding a little Halloween fun to the mix with a costume contest. Come dressed to impress and show off your best look for a chance to win prizes.
Whether you're a longtime Yacht Week fan or a first-timer, come experience the Yacht Week Onshore Tour right here in Milwaukee. Expect music, movement, wellness, art, local vendors, and good times all day long.
Free admission | All ages | Dress code: Old Money
Enjoy a ghoulishly good time at your favorite haunts while showing off your creative costume for a chance to win prizes. Enjoy all treats and no tricks with fun activities and specials available from local businesses.
Sponsored by:
Find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list while you shop local businesses and makers across the East Side! Get a jump on holiday shopping while supporting our local economy!
Sponsored by:
Explore the East Side for thoughtful gifts, cozy vibes, and festive finds all weekend long! Plus, check out our Gift Guide for local deals and specials.
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OFFICE LOCATION
2160 N. Farwell Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
MAILING ADDRESS
PO Box 510197
Milwaukee, WI 53203
The East Side Business Improvement District, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has been working to enhance and strengthen our neighborhood with a variety of events, programs, and initiatives.
© 2026 Brought to you by the East Side Business Improvement District.
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Interested in having an event in Black Cat Alley? Have questions about graffiti removal? Want to know when the next upcoming BID meeting will occur? Please fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.