Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Madison Southwest, WI

The Madison Marathon hopes to build off the record-breaking success of previous races, which has raised $60,000 for area...

The Madison Marathon hopes to build off the record-breaking success of previous races, which has raised $60,000 for area charities and non-profit organizations. Even if you can't participate or volunteer, you can catch the most exciting moments of this popular annual event at Capitol Square, the site of the start and finish lines.

Hours: Sun, May 26, 2013: 7am

Olbrich Botanical Gardens hosts its Winter Concert Series on Sunday afternoons from January to March. A wide variety of...

Olbrich Botanical Gardens hosts its Winter Concert Series on Sunday afternoons from January to March. A wide variety of music is presented during the series, from Cajun and jazz to folk and country. Before and after the concert, don't forget to take a relaxing walk through Bolz Conservatory, which features tropical plants, and the Evjue Commons, which hosts various art exhibits.

Hours: January 2013 February 2013 March 2013

The Madison Kids Expo will see many exciting new changes from previous years. Though there may be small fees for certain...

The Madison Kids Expo will see many exciting new changes from previous years. Though there may be small fees for certain booths and activities, admission is free, and proceeds benefit the Madison Ronald McDonald House. There will be plenty of fun and entertaining activities for kids at this two-day event, and the overall focus for will be on wellness, the arts, education and safety.

Hours: March 2013

The popular "World's Largest Brat Fest" is held each Memorial Day weekend at Madison's Alliant Energy Center....

The popular "World's Largest Brat Fest" is held each Memorial Day weekend at Madison's Alliant Energy Center. The festival spans 32 hours over four days and sees 190,000 brats consumed. Crowd favorites such as the "World's Largest Touring Grill" and the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile are usually present, as well as many other family friendly exhibits and entertainment options, including a climbing gym and kayaks for the kids.

Hours: Fri, May 25, 2012 Sat, May 26, 2012 Sun, May 27, 2012 Mon, May 28, 2012

Amateurs and serious athletes test their physical mettle at this annual summertime event. Especially suited to Madison,...

Amateurs and serious athletes test their physical mettle at this annual summertime event. Especially suited to Madison, given its adjacent lakes, the competition begins at Lake Mendota with a mile-plus canoe paddle. Following that, participants shoulder their vessels for a mile-plus trek across the isthmus to Lake Monona, where they paddle the final leg to Olin Park. At the finish line, awards are bestowed and refreshments are distributed for celebration. Various classes include contests for men, women, mixed, and adult-child teams. Third Saturday in July.

Hours: Sat, Jul 21, 2012: 9:30am

The Wisconsin Film Festival is an annual, four-day event held each spring at multiple theaters in downtown Madison, all...

The Wisconsin Film Festival is an annual, four-day event held each spring at multiple theaters in downtown Madison, all of which are walking distance from each other. The festival features local films and the works of independent American and world directors in various genres, such as narratives, documentaries and shorts. This popular event features over 150 films and draws 30,000 people each year.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details April 2013

Madison's annual Great Taste of the Midwest is one of the longest-running craft beer festivals in the country. It draws...

Madison's annual Great Taste of the Midwest is one of the longest-running craft beer festivals in the country. It draws more than 100 regional and national breweries offering tastings of 500 different brews. The festival is held at picturesque Olin Park and features entertainment such as festive music and a celebrity brewer dunk tank. Be sure to get your tickets in advance for this popular event, as space is limited and in demand.

Hours: Sat, Aug 11, 2012: 1pm - 6pm

On Wednesdays for five weeks, this popular concert series floods upper State Street with the awesome strains of local...

On Wednesdays for five weeks, this popular concert series floods upper State Street with the awesome strains of local jazz. Folks take advantage of the after-work opportunity, with crowds often numbering in the thousands. Sax and bass players, pianists, drummers, and guitarists mix up the styles, and the concerts are a popular way for folks to bridge the day from work into dinner and more. Many spectators enjoy the music from the Capitol lawn, but folding chairs can be rented for a nominal fee. A three-week winter series typically occurs in early March and takes place indoors for a fee.

Hours: Wed, Aug 8, 2012 Wed, Aug 15, 2012 Wed, Aug 22, 2012 Wed, Aug 29, 2012 Wed, Sep 5, 2012

Bring a blanket and a picnic to the Capitol lawn for this popular performance series! A tradition for more than two...

Bring a blanket and a picnic to the Capitol lawn for this popular performance series! A tradition for more than two decades, the well-attended concerts are held on six consecutive Wednesdays during June and July and August, and folks can't say enough about them. Each year, more than 120,000 visitors enjoy classical concerts by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, guest performers, and opera companies. Selections range from patriotic marches to show tunes, waltzes, and symphonic movements -- all of them eminently enjoyable. Although concerts begin at 7pm, space may be claimed beginning at 3pm.

Hours: Wed, Jun 27, 2012: 7pm Wed, Jul 4, 2012: 7pm Wed, Jul 11, 2012: 7pm Wed, Jul 18, 2012: 7pm Wed, Jul 25, 2012: 7pm Wed, Aug 1, 2012: 7pm

Benefiting the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, this venerated event is a summertime mainstay and is regularly...

Benefiting the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, this venerated event is a summertime mainstay and is regularly attended by more than 200,000 visitors. The juried show features hundreds of artists and a range of genres, including sculpture, jewelry, woodworking, painting, ceramics, and photography. Live bands perform on two stages, and kids' activities keep little ones happy and occupied. Plus, there's plenty of food to munch on, and beer is available.

Hours: Sat, Jul 14, 2012: 9pm - 6pm Sun, Jul 15, 2012: 10pm - 5pm