TosaFest 2025: The Guide to Wauwatosa's Premier Festival

TosaFest 2025 returns to the heart of Wauwatosa Village on September 5-6, 2025, offering families a weekend of live music, delicious food and community fun. This comprehensive guide helps families navigate Wisconsin's premier community festival, from kid-friendly activities to family dining options and everything in between.

Festival Dates & Hours

Friday, September 5, 2025

• Hours: 5 PM - 11 PM

• Best for: Date nights and older kids

Saturday, September 6, 2025

• Hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

• Best for: Full family fun day

Kids Zone & Family Activities

Free Kids Zone with Elite Sports Clubs

• When: Saturday, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

• Location: Wauwatosa Ave. near Harmonee

• Features:

  • Free inflatables and bounce houses

  • Interactive games and activities

  • Safe, supervised play area

  • Perfect for ages 3-12

Family-Friendly Competitions

Cheese Curd Eating Contest

• When: Saturday, 12 PM

• Cost: $15 per competitor

• Age Requirement: 16+ (great for teens!)

• Prize: Championship crown and bragging rights

Volleyball Tournament

• When: Saturday (two sessions: 9:00 AM-12:30 PM or 1:00-4:30 PM)

• Format: Co-ed teams

• Cost: $150 per team

• Location: Hart Park Volleyball Courts

🎵 Live Music for All Ages

Three Stages of Entertainment

Friday Night Highlights

• 5:00 PM: Soulercoaster (Feel-Good Funk/Neo-Soul)

• 8:00 PM: Radio Radio (New Wave Dance Music)

• 8:00 PM: Old Sam & the Teardrops (Swing Jazz)

Saturday Family-Friendly Performances

• 12:00 PM: Betsy Ade & the Well-Known Strangers (Acoustic Pop-Rock)

• 3:00 PM: Kirk Tatnall Trio (Blues and Popular Tunes)

• 5:00 PM: Hot & Dirty Brass Band (Uplifting, Inspirational Music)

🍕 Food & Dining Options

Kid-Approved Food Court

• Pizza vendors

• Classic festival favorites

• Wisconsin cheese specialties

• Sweet treats and snacks

Family Dining Experiences

Friday Night Fish Fry

• Cost: $50 per person

• Includes: Traditional fish fry with sides and drinks

• Features: Reserved seating and live music

Eddie Martini's VIP Experience

• When: Saturday, 6:00 PM

• Cost: $60 per person

• Perfect for: Special family celebrations (older kids recommended)

🍺 Beer Gardens & Adult Beverages

Five Beer Gardens Throughout Festival

• Family-friendly seating areas

• Non-alcoholic options available

• Food trucks nearby

Special Features

• Draft & Vessel Oktoberfest: Traditional German celebration

• Spritzgarden: Wine and cheese pairings

• Stein-Holding Competitions: Saturday afternoon entertainment

🎨 Hands-On Family Experiences

Creative Activities

Fall Wreath Making

• When: Saturday, 1:00 PM

• Cost: $50 per person

• Includes: All materials and wine flight (for adults)

• Great for: Teens and adults

Lantern Painting

• When: Saturday, 3:30-6:00 PM

• Cost: $45 per person

• Perfect for: All ages (supervised)

• Take home: LED-lit lantern

Floral Arrangement Workshop

• When: Saturday, 1:00 PM

• Cost: $60 per person

• Includes: Rosé tastings and bouquet creation

• Best for: Adults and older teens

🎯 Budget-Friendly Family Tips

Free Activities

• Browse vendor market

• Listen to live music from all three stages

• Kids Zone activities (Saturday only)

• People watching in Wauwatosa Village

Money-Saving Strategies

• Eat before arriving for expensive festival food

• Bring water bottles (if allowed)

• Plan around free entertainment times

• Share VIP experiences between family members

🚗 Getting There & Parking

Location

• Address: Wauwatosa Village, Wauwatosa, WI

• Main Streets: Wauwatosa Avenue and surrounding blocks

Parking Tips

• Arrive early for best spots

• Consider carpooling or ride-sharing

• Plan for road closures around festival area

• Allow extra travel time, especially Saturday

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Age-Appropriate Recommendations

Families with Young Kids (Ages 3-8)

• Best Day: Saturday (more activities and longer hours)

• Must-Do: Kids Zone with Elite Sports Clubs

• Food: Kid-friendly food court options

• Music: Earlier performances (12:00-3:00 PM)

Families with Tweens/Teens (Ages 9-16)

• Activities: Volleyball tournament, competitions

• Music: Evening performances with more energy

• Food: VIP dining experiences

• Independence: Safe environment for supervised exploration

Multi-Generational Families

• Friday: Adult-focused evening activities

• Saturday: All-day family programming

• Accessibility: Multiple seating areas and rest spots

📱 Planning Your Visit

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Weather-appropriate clothing

• Sunscreen and hats

• Cash and cards (vendor preferences vary)

• Blankets or chairs for music areas

Pre-Festival Checklist

• [ ] Check weather forecast

• [ ] Purchase VIP experience tickets in advance

• [ ] Plan parking strategy

• [ ] Review music lineup with family

• [ ] Set meeting points for older kids

🎫 Ticket Information

General Admission

• Cost: Free festival admission

• VIP Experiences: Individual pricing ($15-$65)

• Advance Purchase: Required for special experiences

• Refund Policy: All sales final

Money-Saving Bundle Ideas

• Combine multiple family members for team competitions

• Share VIP dining experiences

• Focus on free activities and paid upgrades

🌟 Why Families Love TosaFest

• Community Atmosphere: Safe, welcoming environment

• Diverse Entertainment: Something for every family member

• Local Flavor: Authentic Wisconsin experience

• Walkable Layout: Easy navigation with strollers and kids

• Flexible Scheduling: Drop-in activities and timed experiences

Contact & More Information

Official Website: wauwatosavillage.org/tosafest Festival Dates: September 5-6, 2025 Location: Wauwatosa Village, Wisconsin

Make TosaFest 2025 your family's can't-miss event this September. With activities for all ages and the charm of Wauwatosa Village, it's the perfect way to celebrate community and create lasting family memories.