Holiday Folk Fair International
- Dates
- Nov 20 to 22, 2026
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, Wisconsin State Fair Park
- Price
- $13 to $16
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Nov 12, 2026
Holiday Folk Fair International returns to West Allis, WI, Nov 20 to 22, 2026. Froligo tracks current ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Holiday Folk Fair International is a three-day indoor multicultural festival at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, running 20 to 22 November 2026. Now in its 83rd year, it is presented by the International Institute of Wisconsin, a nonprofit, and bills itself as America's premier multicultural festival. Dozens of local cultural communities share music, dance, food and crafts, and the 2026 theme is traditional dance, with stages, a World Cafe, a Tanzhaus dance hall, a coffee house, a bazaar and a children's area.
How it works
The fair is open Friday 20 November from 2pm to 9pm, Saturday from 10am to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Admission is $13 in advance or $16 at the gate for ages 8 to 61, $14 for seniors 62 and over, and free for children seven and under and military with ID. Food in the World Cafe and at the bazaar is paid for separately. Parking at State Fair Park is $13, groups of 20 or more can ask about discounts, and wheelchairs are not available to rent.
Who it suits
It suits families, school groups and anyone who wants a world tour in an afternoon and an early holiday shopping trip, with children's activities, interactive heritage exhibits, a chef's stage and dancing for visitors to join in the Tanzhaus. Because it is entirely indoors, it works as a late-autumn outing in any weather. Service animals are welcome, and special services should be arranged in advance by phone.
What people love
Milwaukee locals who return to the fair point to the food booths first, with one calling them the main highlight, followed by the cultural booths, the multiple dance stages and imported goods such as Irish wool sweaters and carved wood boxes. Attendees describe it as still enjoyable, and one family reported that their kids had a great time. Longtime visitors add that it is smaller and less atmospheric than in its old venue and that a few hours cover everything, so an afternoon is enough.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Holiday Folk Fair International on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
How do I get to Holiday Folk Fair International?
The fair fills the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, where parking is on the surrounding grounds and can be bought in advance through HONK. Bus riders can take MCTS Route 18, which stops on Greenfield Avenue at 84th Street beside the Expo Center, or Route 33, which stops on 84th Street at Greenfield. The same stop list also serves the Milwaukee Mile gates, so pick the one labeled Expo Center. The options below cover parking, transit and the airport.
Nearest airport MKE.
By car
The nearest major airport is MKE, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
84th St. named specifically for the Expo Center (the Holiday Folk Fair's building), and runs frequently (every 15-20 min) across a long daily service window. Getting from MKE airport to a Route 18 stop would require a connecting bus or a short rideshare first.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
MKE is only ~8 miles / ~15 min from downtown Milwaukee and a similar short drive to West Allis/State Fair Park
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Cost $10 general parking, per the official festival-information page, this is the Holiday Folk Fair's own event-specific rate, distinct from (and not to be confused with) the much higher $18-36 rates charged during the separate, larger August Wisconsin State Fair at the same venue. Prepay via HONK. Parking is on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds surrounding the Exposition Center. The official page directs public-transit riders to RideMCTS.com and gives a recorded transit info line (1-800-884-FAIR / 414-266-7188); no shuttle service to the festival is mentioned.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at MKE
On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venues
This festival runs across several venues. Map centers on the town; each venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Holiday Folk Fair International?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 6
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1673 South 108th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates11121 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa, 53226, West Allis, WI
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates6798 West Appleton Avenue, Milwaukee, 53216, West Allis, WI
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 3
1212 South 70th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates5501 West National Avenue, West Milwaukee, 53214, West Allis, WI
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates626 South 84th Street, Milwaukee, 53214, West Allis, WI
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 2
2300 North Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, 53226, West Allis, WI
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates1200 South Moorland Road, Brookfield, 53005, West Allis, WI
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 3
5253 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates5105 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates5037 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirbnb & private camping
Hipcamp lists 260+ camping/glamping options in the broader Milwaukee area, a real option for road-tripping attendees willing to camp and drive in, though not a close substitute for the adjacent hotels given this is a November indoor event, not a camping festival.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair…
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
What to bring
The fair fills the Exposition Center at State Fair Park, a hall of nearly 200,000 square feet, so the food, dance stages and bazaar are all under one roof.
Entry rules
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
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Quick answers
When is Holiday Folk Fair International 2026?
Nov 20 to 22, 2026
How much are Holiday Folk Fair International tickets?
$13 to $16 per person, from the official ticket page. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.
Where is Holiday Folk Fair International held?
Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 West Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI.