Live Music Around Lake Geneva This Week, October 13 to 18, 2026
Saturday, October 17 is the big day. Elkhorn Oktoberfest has free live music downtown from 11 AM to 5 PM. Then Geneva Stage has Band on the Run, a Paul McCartney and Wings tribute, at 7 PM, and The Belfry has The Wildflowers, a Tom Petty tribute, at 7 PM Friday and Saturday.
Tuesday through Thursday is quiet. Grand Geneva’s Lobby Bar has music Tuesday through Saturday, Pier 290 has D’Lite Duo Wednesday at 5:30, and Thursday picks up at Mars Resort and Harpoon Willie’s.
Hey Lake Lovers,
The patios are closed for the year and the music has moved inside. That’s fine. Half of these rooms have a fireplace.
This is the last Oktoberfest weekend in the area, so Saturday pulls toward Elkhorn in the daytime. After dark you pick between ticketed tribute shows and free sets on the water.
Everything else happening this week (hayrides, the Trick-or-Treat Train, fall color) is in the October 12 to 18 What’s Happening at The Lake. Venue background is in the Live Music Around Lake Geneva guide.
If you’re looking for…
Band on the Run at Geneva Stage Saturday, or The Wildflowers at The Belfry Friday or Saturday. Both start at 7.
Elkhorn Oktoberfest Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Bring a jacket. It runs rain or shine.
Pier 290 in Williams Bay, Mars Resort on Lake Como, or the Waterfront at The Abbey in Fontana.
Bar West at The Abbey runs until 12:30 AM Saturday. It’s the latest live set on this list.
Grand Geneva’s Lobby Bar, Tuesday through Thursday. Free to listen, and there’s a fireplace.
Tuesday, October 13
Tonight is a 2-option night.
Whitewater City Market
Historic Train Depot at Cravath Lakefront Park, Whitewater
Farmers, food carts and live music. Tuesdays run through October, so this is one of the last 3 outdoor markets of the year. About 35 minutes from Lake Geneva.
Mark Thierfelder
Lobby Bar, Grand Geneva, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva
The easy no-plan night. Grab a seat by the fireplace.
Wednesday, October 14
Dinner music in Williams Bay, then a later set at Grand Geneva.
D’Lite Duo
Pier 290, 1 Liechty Dr., Williams Bay
An early set, timed for dinner. You’ll see this duo’s name a lot this week.
Mark Thierfelder
Lobby Bar, Grand Geneva, Lake Geneva
Wednesday runs an hour longer than Tuesday.
Thursday, October 15
3 rooms, 3 different speeds.
Craig Colson
Mars Resort, W4098 South Shore Dr., Lake Como
Supper-club setting on the Lake Como shore, a few minutes from downtown.
Xeno and Joe
Harpoon Willie’s, 8 E. Geneva St., Williams Bay
Thursday is Harpoon’s music night every week. Kitchen closes at 9:30.
Friday, October 16
The weekend starts: 1 ticketed tribute and 7 free sets.
Dan Trudell Duo
Lobby Bar, Grand Geneva
The only afternoon set Friday. Good if you’re checking in early.
Edison Blake, classic rock
Geneva Lake Distilling + Winery, 401 Sheridan Springs Rd., Lake Geneva
Seating is first come, first served. No reservations.
Blue Rhythm
Topsy Turvy Brewery, 727 Geneva St., Lake Geneva
Taproom set with Roman-style pizza and a full bar.
The Wildflowers, a Tom Petty tribute
The Belfry Music Theatre, 3601 WI-67, Delavan
Box office 262-394-6460, open until 9 PM on show nights.
Friday Night Bar West
The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Blvd., Fontana
Pairs well with the Abbey’s Friday fish fry.
Saturday, October 17
Free music in Elkhorn all day, then 11 sets after 5 PM.
D’Lite Duo, Elkhorn Oktoberfest
Main Stage, downtown Elkhorn
Music plugs in at 11. Stein hoisting sign-up is at 11 at the North Stage.
Stateline Playboys featuring The Zweifel Brothers
North Stage, Elkhorn Oktoberfest
The traditional Oktoberfest set of the day.
Saturday Night 240 West
240 West, The Abbey Resort, Fontana
Dinner music inside the main restaurant.
Dueling Pianos, Dinner & Concert Series
Boat Showroom, Pier 290, Williams Bay
Dinner plus a request-driven piano show. Book through Pier 290’s event page.
Band on the Run, a Paul McCartney & Wings tribute
Geneva Stage, 244 Broad St., Lake Geneva
Horn section and synced video. All ages. Tickets are non-refundable.
The Wildflowers, a Tom Petty tribute
The Belfry Music Theatre, Delavan
Second and last night.
D’Lite Duo
Pier 290 bar, Williams Bay
Yes, the same duo that opened Elkhorn Oktoberfest that morning. Long day for them.
Saturday Night Waterfront
The Waterfront, The Abbey Resort, Fontana
Looks out on Fontana harbor.
Saturday Night Bar West
Bar West, The Abbey Resort, Fontana
The latest set of the week.
Sunday, October 18
A short day. Brunch music, then one evening set.
Sunday Brunch 240 West
240 West, The Abbey Resort, Fontana
Live music with Sunday brunch.
Will Ulrich
Mars Resort, Lake Como
Mars also lists Eric Carlson Sunday 7 to 10 PM. Call before you drive if you want a specific act.
One Saturday: Oktoberfest, then the lake
- 10:30 AMPark in Elkhorn. The Chamber’s parking map is on the Oktoberfest page.
- 11:00 AMD’Lite Duo opens the Main Stage.
- 1:00 PMLunch on Wisconsin Street, then the Stateline Playboys at the North Stage.
- 3:30 PMDrive to Williams Bay. It’s about 20 minutes.
- 4:30 PMWalk the Shore Path or the beach before the light goes.
- 7:00 PMPick your night: D’Lite Duo at Pier 290 (free), Band on the Run in Lake Geneva ($45 to $50), or The Wildflowers in Delavan.
- 9:30 PMStill going? Bar West at The Abbey in Fontana runs until 12:30.
Compare this week’s ticketed and sit-down shows
Band on the Run (McCartney & Wings)
- When
- Sat 7 PM
- Where
- Geneva Stage, Lake Geneva
- Cost
- $45 to $50
- Book ahead?
- Yes
The Wildflowers (Tom Petty)
- When
- Fri & Sat 7 PM
- Where
- The Belfry, Delavan
- Cost
- See Belfry
- Book ahead?
- Yes
Dueling Pianos dinner
- When
- Sat 6 to 10 PM
- Where
- Pier 290, Williams Bay
- Cost
- See Pier 290
- Book ahead?
- Yes
Boomer Broads (comedy)
- When
- Fri 7 PM
- Where
- Geneva Stage, Lake Geneva
- Cost
- $28
- Book ahead?
- Recommended
Elkhorn Oktoberfest bands
- When
- Sat 11 AM to 5 PM
- Where
- Downtown Elkhorn
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead?
- No
Want laughs instead of music Friday? Boomer Broads brings 3 comics to Geneva Stage at 7 PM. Tickets are $28.
Coming up next week
- Friday, October 23: The 1985, a Totally 80s Mixtape party band, at Geneva Stage.
- October 23 and 24: Stairway to Zeppelin at The Belfry, 7 PM.
- October 23 and 24: the Yerkes Candlelight Walk in Williams Bay. Our full guide posts Wednesday.
- October 30: The Cars tribute at The Belfry is listed as postponed. Check before you plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
What live music is around Lake Geneva this weekend?
Saturday, October 17 has the most. Elkhorn Oktoberfest has free bands from 11 AM to 5 PM, Geneva Stage has Band on the Run at 7 PM, The Belfry has a Tom Petty tribute at 7 PM, and Pier 290, Mars Resort and The Abbey all have free evening sets. Friday has The Belfry plus free sets at Topsy Turvy, Geneva Lake Distilling and Pier 290.
Who is playing at Elkhorn Oktoberfest 2026?
D’Lite Duo plays the Main Stage from 11 AM to 1 PM. The Stateline Playboys featuring The Zweifel Brothers play the North Stage from 1 to 4 PM. The D’Lite Duo Band closes the Main Stage from 2 to 5 PM. Admission is free and it runs rain or shine.
How much are tickets for Band on the Run at Geneva Stage?
Tickets are $45 to $50 plus fees for Saturday, October 17. Doors open at 6 PM and the show starts at 7 PM at 244 Broad Street in downtown Lake Geneva. It’s all ages, and tickets are non-refundable.
Is there live music in Lake Geneva on a weeknight?
Yes. Grand Geneva’s Lobby Bar has live music Tuesday through Saturday this week. Pier 290 in Williams Bay has D’Lite Duo Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, and Thursday has Mars Resort from 6 to 9 PM and Harpoon Willie’s from 8 to 11 PM.
Where is the latest live music near Lake Geneva on Saturday?
Bar West at The Abbey Resort in Fontana runs from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM on Saturday, October 17. The Abbey’s Waterfront room runs until 11:30 PM.
Thinking about more than a weekend at the lake?
This week’s list runs through 5 towns: Lake Geneva, Williams Bay, Fontana, Delavan and Elkhorn. Each has its own main street and its own Saturday night.
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty are based in Williams Bay and work all of them. Start with the community guides, or call and ask what’s for sale near the places you already like.
Kim and Joel Reyenga, eXp Realty, Williams Bay, Wisconsin. About Kim and Joel. Equal Housing Opportunity.
See you at the lake.
