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City Cast Madison

Rob Thomas

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

Each month, we run down the best new restaurants in the Madison area that have either opened or announced plans to open in the near future. If you know of any that we missed, drop us a line at 

After you’re done grocery shopping at the Brennan’s Market on Watts Road, hang out in this new space that includes a patio, full-service bar, and fire pits. They serve sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards along with glasses of wine and classic cocktails.

This Raising Cane’s-style chicken restaurant chain is opening its third Wisconsin (and first Madison) location on Mineral Point Road, fittingly in a former KFC location.

The Arkansas-based drive-thru-only coffee shop chain 

opened its first Madison location on Lien Road

 near East Towne Mall, purporting to offer 22,000 drink combinations.

This new ice cream shop opened on Sun Prairie’s Main Street

, bringing “elevated nostalgia to the cone” with traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate and more unusual ones, like Calico Coffee made with cold brew from 

. They also serve several dirty sodas (which they call “magic sodas”).

This pop-up bakery sells sweet Mediterranean-inspired treats

 at farmers’ markets and special events around town, such as the Madison Night Market. The menu includes fruit mousse cake and homemade Dubai chocolate.

Enjoy the flavors of South Asia, including ready-to-eat meals, fresh vegetables, beverages, desserts, and more at this new spot at 6704 Watts Rd. They’re having their grand opening on June 29 with complimentary sweet tea, butter tea, and snacks.



The long-awaited taproom and brewery in DeForest

 has an official opening date – tomorrow! They’re celebrating the launch of the 6,500-square foot space on May 29, which includes a full kitchen, with some typically normal Young Blood beers – a bourbon-barrel aged espresso stout and a pineapple upside-down cake inspired pastry sour.

This coffee shop has opened inside the Hotel Indigo on East Wash, with a summer menu that includes Dubai chocolate iced lattes and bakery goodies.

, this new spot adds meat options to the vegan space. Chef James Bloodsaw prides itself on its gluten-free fried chicken wings and cheese curds, along with salads, jerk chicken, mac & cheese, and more.

Not only do we have a firm opening date for the 

 (July 23 – squee!) but two new food vendors have been announced. Little Tibet, a longtime favorite for its Himalayan and Tibetan food, will be opening a “kitchenette” in the market. Fortune Favors, the Madison candied pecan business, will also have a presence at the market.

The food hall on West Wilson Street has opened two new vendors, a coffee shop called Social Grounds and a sushi spot called Mizu. And you can enjoy both while overlooking Lake Monona on the food hall’s new outdoor space, The Promenade.

This regional coffee chain is coming in hot to the Madison area, 

announcing on Instagram that it will open two spots

 on State Street and Middleton sometime in 2026. The menu combines hot and cold coffee drinks with cakes, macaron and other sweet treats.

Mint Mark has opened its own outdoor cocktail bar on the sixth floor of the building it occupies on East Washington Avenue, where you can have a drink and enjoy the view or wait for your table downstairs.

 tucked away in the former home of Black Rose Blending has rolled out gradually, with coffee and a limited menu that includes raclette and tins of fish. But on April 29 they kicked it up a notch with a full food menu and beer, wine and spirits.

The coffee shop that serves Garver Feed Mill just opened its first standalone location 

in the former home of Calnin Design Studio

. While Ledger focuses on the quality of its coffee, it’s hoping to sell pastries from local faves like Level 5 Donuts.

The local chain whose mission is to “bring the bright, fresh flavors of the Hawaiian Islands to the heart of Wisconsin” opened its third location on Monona Drive. Like its other locations in Middleton and Madison, expect vibrant-colored build-your-own bowls.

This new business is bringing brigadeiros, coxinhas, risoles and other Brazilian pastries to the Sun Prairie Farmers Market and the Northside Farmers Market.

Just in time for summer, this new ice cream parlor is opening on Main Street in downtown Sun Prairie, serving housemade ice cream in both traditional and adventurous flavors along with other desserts and craft sodas.

The former Benvenuto’s Italian Grill location on McKee Road is now a golf simulator lounge that includes a full bar and pizza from Salvatore’s Tomato Pies.

The owners of this Monticello barbecue spot have opened a fast-casual version of its restaurant at 567 State St., including brisket sandwiches and mac ‘n’ cheese with pulled pork.

This new spot on High Point Road near Alicia Ashman Public Library sells Philly cheesesteak sandwiches as well as other sandwiches and loaded fries. Look for their food truck at various festivals and other events this summer.

An upscale Mexican restaurant is coming to the space at 313 W. Johnson St. that Estrellon used to occupy. In the liquor license application submitted to the city, the anticipated opening date is Aug. 1.

A favorite at the Sun Prairie Farmer’s Market, this bakery has opened its first brick-and-mortar location on Main Street.

After building up a following selling catfish steaks and gumbo from its food truck, Sista’s opened its own physical location at the Amoco gas station at 1129 S. Park St.

The space formerly occupied by The Ready Set at 113 S. Main St. 

, a restaurant that will evoke supper club vibes with steaks, relish platters, and “old fashioneds for days.” 

Pastry chef Shawn Bolduc opened his first brick-and-mortar space at 2044 Atwood Ave. on Feb. 21. In addition to the baking classes and made-to-order cakes that Baked Lab is known for, the new space will serve snacks and 

 during the day and plated desserts and beer and wine in the evening.

The owners of Ahan opened this cozy bar on Williamson Street as a place for folks to wait for a table at their acclaimed restaurant. But it’s a great space on its own, serving cocktails and fun snacks like a veggie summer roll and lao bratwurst.

Located inside the oLiv Building on West Johnson Street, 

 offers green tea infused with pomegranate and ginger syrups, Vietnamese egg coffee, and, of course, the titular sandwich on freshly-baked bread.

This Italian restaurant chain will open its first Wisconsin location at Hilldale sometime in 2026 in the space that was formerly Amara, offering wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and “garlic knot sliders.”

It’s never too cold for an ice cream treat, and this new spot at 405 S. Park Street serves ice cream bars, sundaes, cold drinks, and other goodies. Follow them on social media for daily specials.

This month’s list of new Madison restaurants includes a spot inside Brennan’s Market, 7 Brew coffee shop near East Towne Mall, and Asteria Ice Cream in Sun Prairie.

Madison’s Best New Restaurants and Coffee Shops

The Best New Restaurants in Madison

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Madison. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Madison Food & Drink

Food & Drink

There’s no shortage of ice cream in Madison – we are in the Dairy State, after all. But with so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

, the team did the hard work of trying 10 different flavors of locally-made ice cream (and custard!) and ranking them by taste, texture, and originality. No need to thank us.

We also put out the call to our readers and listeners to tell us your favorite ice cream. And, boy, did you deliver. Think of this as our cone-clave.

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company was founded in 1962. After more than 60 years in business, the company now has 

Based on reader reaction, Chocolate Shoppe is clearly the people’s choice.

 (a fave of Instagram user @stringsandthings83, 

 (which one of our Instagram followers, @latlong.shop, said they were “feeling seen” by),

 (it’s vegan!). Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett also backed the Blue Moon.

 is “very seasonal and just the best.” Susan S. loves 

 meant to raise money for Madison organizations fighting for social and racial equity. The page exploded in popularity, often selling out quickly. The brand opened a brick-and-mortar location in March 2022 on University Ave.

 Cherry Styles, Movie Theatre Trash Can, Chocolate Buttermilk. 

 You can get a flight of flavors for the days when you just can’t decide.

Readers Jeff M. and Gretchen N. praised Ice Cream Social for its interesting and delicious flavors. And Jacque M. noted that a great ice cream experience is about more than just the ice cream. “Their homemade gluten-free waffle cones are 

—crispy, flavorful, and the perfect match for their rich, creamy scoops.”

The combination ice cream shop and cafe is a fairly recent addition to downtown’s food scene. Aside from ice cream and other sweet treats, the shop also offers breakfast and lunch items.

Fig & Honey, Blueberry Honey Lavender, Chocolate Hazelnut. The team loved their Thai Tea flavor.

Calliope Ice Cream was born in the basement of the Weary Traveler Freehouse in 2011. In 2019, the brand opened its first shop at Garver Feed Mill where it serves its seven original flavors and a rotating batch of flavors.

Mexican Hot Chocolate, Brandy Old Fashioned, Hot Peanut Butter.

Babcock Dairy is the official ice cream producer for UW-Madison and its standard recipe hasn’t changed since 1951.

 is a particular favorite of reader Karen S.

UW-Madison grads James and Robert Baerwolf source 100% of the milk they use from the two farms they own side-by-side in Columbia County. They say one of the reasons their ice cream tastes so good is they treat their cows like literal dairy queens.

Instagram follower @jss_m is a fan of Cherry Amaretto. We tried Dark Chocolate Cherry, and be sure to seek out Salty Cow, which is salted caramel ice cream containing Oreos.

We can’t talk about ice cream without also mentioning its creamy cousin, custard. For those wondering, the difference between the two comes down to one ingredient: egg yolks. Ice cream is made with milk, cream, and sweetener. While frozen custard contains the same ingredients, plus egg yolks. You can find the sweet treat at 

There are plenty of spots to indulge in a cold scoop (or several) of ice cream in Madison. Here are some of the best local spots in town. 

Where To Find the Best Ice Cream in Madison

The Best Ice Cream 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 

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