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City Cast Madison

Rob Thomas

Do you know where this slice of pizza is from? (Submitted photo)

This week, Madison is the exact center of the jam-band universe. The venerable rock band Phish is kicking off its 2026 summer tour with two shows at the Kohl Center, July 7 and 8.

If you’re in town for the shows and want to connect with other Phish Heads (or “phans”), here’s what you need to know – from ticket info, pre- and post-show parties, and, of course, our local weed laws.

First of all, for those locals who are wondering what all the fuss is about, Phish was formed in Burlington, Vermont back in 1983. Blending different genres and known for their lengthy improvisational jams, Phish ensures that no two of the over 2,000 shows they’ve played are ever the same, building a large and loyal audience who will travel far (

including 13 shows at Las Vegas’ Sphere

The two shows in Madison kick off a busy summer for Phish that includes 

five nights at Taylor Swift’s wedding venue

 and two nights at Boston’s Fenway Park, so it’s a big deal that they decided to start the tour here.

If you haven’t gotten tickets yet, you’re not out of luck! 

The Kohl Center opened up a bunch of $118 tickets behind the stage for both shows

, and there’s a few more tickets ($96-130) scattered here and there in the arena.

There are several parking garages around the Kohl Center

 operated by UW Athletics, but they can fill up fast. 

 A bunch of privately-owned lots will also offer spaces to park, and there is neighborhood parking, although you might have to walk a bit.

the Annex is offering a free shuttle to and from the stadium

 as part of its pre-show party. If you’re a local, expect the area around the Kohl Center and Regent Street to be busy!

Not to generalize about Phish fans or anything, but you might 

want to know about Madison’s weed laws before you come to town

. TL;DR: recreational marijuana is illegal in Wisconsin, but 

, and police won’t pursue charges without a reason. Similar products like delta-8 and delta-9 THC are also legal (

Speaking of pre-show parties, in addition to the Annex, 

Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge will be pre-gaming starting at 1 p.m.

 with themed tacos and cocktails and DJ Mars Starstuff spinning jam bands on vinyl. 

Joe Marcinek is playing a free show on the patio at the High Noon Saloon

Hungry? I’d recommend starting your Madison experience with brats, beer, and cheese curds on the 

, which is only three blocks from the Kohl Center. Closer to the arena, get an iconic Madison burger at either 

 on Frances Street, some great vegetarian tacos at 

, or head down Regent Street for some terrific fried chicken at 

After the show, head over to Liquid to see 

Pink Floyd-Talking Heads-Fish cover band Pink Talking Fish

If you’re looking for late-night eats, 

 offers sandwiches and wraps until 2 a.m.

If you’re nursing a hangover the next day, or just need to clear your head, downtown Madison has many 

 to perk you up. Or maybe head outside and enjoy the 

natural beauty of the city with a rejuvenating hike

Are you going to see Phish in Madison at the Kohl Center this week? Here’s what to know, from your chance to score last-minute tickets to the best places to hang out with other Phish fans before and after the show.


What Phish Fans Should Know About Madison

A Phish Head’s Survival Guide to Madison

Find the best of everything that Madison has to offer.

Madison’s Best

Madison's Best

Almost immediately after it was announced, the “Bucky-n-Booms” Fourth of July celebration on Lake Mendota was renamed “

” after organizers decided not to host a fireworks display after all. Still, it will be a full day of fun on both the UW Memorial Union Terrace and the Edgewater Hotel, with events including outdoor yoga, live music, and a performance by the Mad City Ski Team.

 from July 9-12 is bigger than ever, with four days of live music, food and drink, kids’ activities and much more. While many of the acts have a French twist, you can also catch heavyweights like Los Lobos (July 9 and 12), Shemekia Copeland (July 10), and tons of great local acts.

Head down to State Street from July 16-19 

 and get great deals from all sorts of local businesses, from iconic State Street institutions like Jazzman to the Soap Opera to newcomers like Raygun. Restaurants will offer expanded outdoor cafe seating on the pedestrian mall.

Lake City Books is moving into a much larger space

 across the Capitol Square, and is planning a grand opening celebration on the weekend of July 17. Pick up your next favorite read, then dive into Chapter 1 on the bookstore’s new outdoor patio with a glass of vino from the new wine bar.

The Urban League of Greater Madison is sponsoring its 

 on July 25 at the Black Business Hub, featuring food and drink, live music, and lots of local vendors.

AtwoodFest returns to Atwood Avenue on July 25 and 26

, featuring three stages of live music, food and drink from local vendors and crafts from local artisans. City Cast Madison will have a table there, so swing by and say hey!

For even more events, you can always keep up with what’s going on in Madison with 

If you’re a Neighbor, you get early access to events!

Madison Magazine put together this roundup

Plan your perfect July in Madison with our ultimate guide. Discover top summer events like Fete de Marquette, Maxwell Street Days, and AtwoodFest. Click to explore live music, food, and local festivals!

Things to Do in Madison: Your July 2026 Guide

Your Guide To July 2026 in Madison

City Cast Madison staff

The five Democratic hopefuls vying for the Assembly seat that 

covers much of the Isthmus and the city’s east side

 participated in a forum Wednesday night answering questions on subjects ranging from data centers and housing affordability to funding Wisconsin’s education system.

The Democratic candidates in the running are Democratic legislative aide Isaia Ben-Ami; former Madison alder and legislative chief of staff Juliana Bennett; social worker and WORT show host Tony Castañeda; Madison Ald. Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford; and journalist Zoe Sullivan.

Whichever Democratic candidate wins in the Aug. 11 primary will face Republican challenger Nina Chat. Though,

 according to the Wisconsin State Journal

, Assembly District 76 has never been represented by a Republican, meaning this race will be more or less decided in the primary.

The 76th Assembly District is a safely liberal seat currently held by gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, who all five candidates endorsed during the forum.

Overall, the Democratic candidates largely agree on policy issues but diverge slightly when it comes to achieving their mission.

City Cast Madison recorded the forum in full. You can listen and read the entire transcript here.

There are five Democratic candidates running to succeed Rep. Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin State Assembly. 

Who's Running For Assembly District 76?

Democratic Candidates Sound Off in Assembly District 76 Forum

What's being decided in Madison City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Madison City Council. 

Madison Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, is June 19, a chance for all Americans to celebrate the end of slavery. Here’s the origins of what some call “America’s second Independence Day,” and what’s going on in Madison to celebrate the occasion.

host Bianca Martin talks about Juneteenth in Madison

 with executive producer Hayley Sperling, and local marketer Liz Boyd as part of our weekly “Good On Ya!” segment. Also, City Cast Madison is going to be off on June 19 for the holiday, so there will be no new podcast in your feed or newsletter in your inbox that day.

Regent Street Redesign, Tourism Boom, and Juneteenth Events in Madison

A combination of “June” and “19th,” 

Juneteenth commemorates a very specific event

 during the Civil War. While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, about 250,000 slaves in Texas were not freed. It took two years, until June 19, 1865, for Texas slaves to be freed after Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation.

The first Juneteenth celebrations took place the following year in Texas. As Black Texans moved across the country, they brought Juneteenth with them, and it became one of the oldest African American holidays.

During the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, organizers pushed to have Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a holiday the following year.

The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus will celebrate in the Capitol Rotunda at lunchtime, with a keynote address from Menomonie Ald. Camden Hargrove, the first openly trans Black man elected to public office in Wisconsin.

Fitchburg Senior Center and the Wright Place are joining together to celebrate the day with a mix of musical and spoken word performances, with a keynote address from Dr. Charles Taylor, author of 

“Juneteenth: The Promise of Freedom.”

 The event will culminate with a Juneteenth flag raising at Fitchburg City Hall.

Over the lunch hour, enjoy barbecue, lawn games, live music, and more at this celebration hosted by the Madison Senior Center.

Kujichagulia Center for Self Determination

 are joining together to present this TED talk-style event at the Black Business Hub, featuring a variety of storytellers, creatives and community leaders.

On the holiday itself, the Majestic Theatre is hosting this free late night dance party featuring Flame the Ruler, No Love Monday, Uchi Kinte, DJ Pain 1, and DJ Iron Mike.

 can play all sorts of genres, from Latin to funk to R&B, and they’ll play them all at this special Juneteenth Celebration at the High Noon Saloon. 

The city’s oldest and biggest Juneteenth celebration is hosted each year by the Kujichagulia Center for Self Determination. It starts with a parade at 11 a.m. at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., which will head to Penn Park for an afternoon of music, food and dance to celebrate Black liberation.

The ‘Mingos’ home game at Breese Stevens Field against the New York Cosmos will also be a celebration of Black history and excellence. Last year, the team released a special pre-match top honoring Juneteenth.

June 19 is Juneteenth, the day that America celebrates the end of slavery. But there are events all week in Madison to commemorate the holiday, including a parade on Saturday, concerts on Friday night, and an event at the Wisconsin Capitol.


Your Guide To Juneteenth in Madison

How To Celebrate Juneteenth 2026 in Madison 

Hundreds of people lined up on the street on May 6

, the $32 million building at 671 W. Badger Rd.

But the celebration continues long after that grand opening, as the center establishes itself as a Black-led space for gathering, learning, and creating together, with performance spaces, art galleries, and makerspaces.

The center was the brainchild of Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, pastor at Fountain of Life Covenant Church next door, and his sister Lilada Gee. Alex Gee sees the space as sort of the opposite of a Black history museum — while the center would honor the past, it would focus on the future.

The architectural design of the building 

 to create a welcoming and aspirational feeling, and the collaborations and creative sparks that would result from creating spaces for Black Madisonians to come together.

The City Cast Madison team went last week to the center (which has an excellent podcast recording studio, by the way), where 

 about seeing his vision for the space become a reality, and what comes next.

The center will start hosting walking tours following its official opening July 1. Here’s a peek inside the center and all it has to offer Madison and the greater Wisconsin community.

The center features two theaters that can also be used as multipurpose spaces. The larger theater has room for between 191 and 361 people, depending on seating arrangements, perfect for live performances, film festival screenings, cultural celebrations, and more.

A smaller theater can hold between 113 and 239 people, and is ideal for wedding receptions, banquets and corporate events. The building also contains art gallery spaces to showcase Black art.

Membership is required to enter these meeting rooms and co-working spaces, where Black talent and business community members can come together to collaborate and support each other.

This intimate Black-designed lounge is designed for weddings, concerts, and other special events, with access to the center’s Black Porch Deck overlooking Madison.

The center is full of small classroom-style rooms that can be rented for meetings and seminars, as well as maker spaces (also rentable) full of art supplies for people to work together on painting, textile, photography, and sculpture and digital arts projects.

This dedicated space is for seniors to gather for wellness and health events and social activities, including access to a large games library to play together.

This colorful space was created by and for Black women as a place to connect and recharge together.

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture opened its doors last month to much fanfare. The $32 million facility is envisioned as a hub of Black creativity and entrepreneurship. Take a look at everything it has to offer, from theaters to art galleries to wellness spaces.

What's Inside Madison's Center for Black Excellence and Culture

Take a Look Inside the Center for Black Excellence and Culture

Everything to know about Madison neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Madison Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

June is Pride Month, and Madison is a place 

that has celebrated LGBTQ+ culture since the early ‘70s

. The city’s biggest LGBTQ+ gathering, 

, isn’t actually until August, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate this month in Madison.

But how queer-friendly is Madison, really? 

, host Bianca Martin tackles this question with producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Sanders Weinberg, program coordinator with the Gender and Sexuality Center at UW–Madison.


Hot Takes on Madison's Queer Scene


Here are 11 ways to celebrate Pride Month in Madison.

The theme of June’s Night Market on State Street and the Capitol Square is “Celebrating Madison’s LGBTQ+ Culture.” In addition to downtown retailers and food vendors, the market will feature performances by Wisconsin drag icons and Marvelous Michelle, the Bubble Lady of Madison.

The Power Here is You: Lessons From Milwaukee’s Grassroots Response to AIDS

Historian and educator Vince Tripi will lead this free workshop at Pinney Library, looking at how Milwaukee activists responded to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and identifying strategies that can be applied to today’s community resistance efforts.

Madison’s LGBTQ+ theater company, StageQ, takes over the Bartell Theatre for a weekend of new play readings, one-act plays, and short scenes from new queer playwrights from across the country.

This family-friendly event in Stone Horse Green returns with a day of live music, food and drink, family activities, and queer-affirming businesses.

Atwood Music Hall will host this queer warm-weather event series, featuring live local DJs, drag kings, and more.

The three-day event returns to the Alliant Energy Center with queer artisans, a youth fair, a clothing swap, drag shows, and more. The Friday night event is 18+, while masks are required on Sunday.

Every month is Pride Month when you’re Damsel Trash, the Madison/Brooklyn queer punk duo. They’re celebrating their new album, “Battle Hymn of the Queerpublic,” at the Bur Oak in a joint album release show with fellow punkers Hey Ghost.

Bring your appetite and your dollar bills to the Bur Oak for this all-star lineup that includes host Bianca Lynn Breeze. Anya K Thunderkat, Bambii Banx$, Taaysty C Infiniti, and Aryiah J StKlare will be serving looks while Bur Oak serves pancakes and mimosas.

On the last Wednesday of every month, A Room of One’s Own hosts an open mic in its Reading Room. There are only 15 slots to perform, so get there early if you want a turn at the mic!

The Orpheum Theater transforms into a celebration of Madison’s LGBTQ+ community for this annual event. Get there early for “The Queen’s Court” in the lobby, featuring face painting, magic, and a pre-show soundtrack by DJ Femme Noir.

Then enjoy a high-energy drag show curated by Bianca Lynn Breeze, grab a themed cocktail at the bar, or browse for your next queer-forward read in The Smut Room pop-up bookstore. It’s a free event, although a limited number of VIP tickets are available that include access to the Pride Pit.

Come to Sun Prairie West High School for an afternoon of fun events, including face painting, drag story time and a parade, with the aim of surrounding all kids with love and support.

The city’s biggest LGBTQ+ gathering, OutReach Magic Pride Festival, isn’t actually until August, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate this month in Madison.

How to Celebrate Pride Month 2026 in Madison, WI

How to Celebrate Pride Month 2026 in Madison

Frank Lloyd Wright may be the most famous architect who ever lived. He called Madison home and his influence and artistic eye 

, from our most iconic buildings to hidden gems in residential neighborhoods.

, host Bianca Martin talks to March Sweitzer about Wright’s Unitarian Meeting House, which is celebrating its 

 with an array of events starting this week.

Experience One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Influential Buildings

Here’s your guide to some of his architectural feats in and around Madison, from iconic public buildings to private homes.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Wright transformed downtown Madison with his vision for Monona Terrace, with panoramic views of Lake Monona and a terrace that leads directly to the Capitol Square. He drafted the plans in 1938, but wasn’t finished until 1997, nearly 40 years after his death. Check out “Inspired by Wright,” a fourth-floor exhibit detailing Wright’s vision for Monona Terrace and for Madison.

 is this gorgeous structure Wright built for his congregation in 1946, whose triangular design is meant to evoke both a farm plow and a pair of praying hands.

Any Wright fans will plan a trip out to the Driftless Region to see Wright’s home and studio on a beautiful 800-acre piece of land near Spring Green.

One of Wright’s visions was to build affordable housing that had an uniquely American aesthetic. His first attempt (made for just $5,000) at “Usonian” (United States of North America) architecture was at 441 Toepfer St. for Herbert Jacobs, featuring natural materials in harmony with the environment and an open-plan interior. Wright would go on to build 140 “Usonian” homes, and his designs influenced ranch home architecture of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Wright won a competition in 1893, when he was only 26, to design this boathouse, featuring two towers connected by an arch. He also designed a boathouse for Lake Monona that was never built, but 

in recent years there’s been a groundswell of interest

This 1903 residence at 22 N. Butler Street was once known as the Rocky Roost, and features an asymmetrical design and a third story roof garden. Its mix of styles lead some to speculate that one of Wright’s employees, Walter Burley Griffin, actually oversaw the design while Wright was immersed in other projects.

In contrast to Wright’s sprawling Prairie homes, this private residence near Camp Randall sits on a hill and is a two-story monolith. Because it’s built across two axes converging on a central fireplace, it’s earned the nickname “The Airplane House.”

It can be hard to find this modest private home at 3650 Lake Mendota Drive, nestled on the shore of Lake Mendota in the Shorewood Hills neighborhood. The design and natural materials blend in perfectly with its natural surroundings, and features floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the lake.

Wright’s passion for affordable Usonian housing for the middle class led to his interest in “prefab” housing packages. This one at 110 Marinette Place was built for a pair of married UW-Madison mathematicians.

Legendary designer Frank Lloyd Wright called Madison home and he left his mark on the city. Here's some of his most famous buildings, from the Unitarian Meeting House to some private homes worth seeing.

Visit Some of Frank Lloyd Wright's Most Iconic Madison Buildings

Your Guide to Frank Lloyd Wright's Madison

Just as the thawing of the lakes is proof that spring is here, the return of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s free outdoor concert series is a sign that summer is back. 

The series kicks off June 24 with a tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John

🎸 This Music Festival Goes ‘TILT’!

At the other end of the musical spectrum is the two-night 

Mad With Power Fest on June 5 and 6 at the Sylvee

. Sponsored by local metal titans Lords of the Trident, it features two days of heavy metal bands and dozens of pinball machines throughout the Sylvee set to free play.

If you’re looking for a page-turner to take to the beach this summer, UW-Madison graduate Joseph Eckert is coming back to town to Lake City Books on June 11 

to talk about his new book, “The Traveler.”

 A father starts jumping forward in time, and his son tries to save him.

🎸 The World’s Skinniest Music Festival

Your Guide to June 2026 in Madison

You may like pizza, but do you really know pizza? Madison has several popular local pizza restaurants, each serving their own distinctive signature pies. Take our quiz and see how well you know your slices.

Food & Drink

Test Your Knowledge of Madison's Iconic Pizzas

Rob Thomas

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