64th Annual Lake Geneva Jaycees Venetian Festival
Quick answer: The Lake Geneva Venetian Festival runs 5 days in mid-August, Wednesday through Sunday, in Flat Iron, Library and Seminary parks downtown. Admission to the grounds is free.
Go Sunday: craft fair until 4 p.m., a free water ski show at 6 p.m. off Riviera Beach, the lighted boat parade at dusk and fireworks right after. 2027 dates aren’t posted yet. The 2026 festival ran Aug 19 to 23.
The Lake Geneva Jaycees have run the Venetian Festival for more than 60 years. It’s the biggest event on the summer calendar: a carnival, a 100-plus-booth craft fair, a beer tent with live bands every night, and a lighted boat parade that ends in fireworks over the lake.
Everything happens on the downtown lakefront, within a few blocks of the Riviera.
Which day should you go?
Typical festival schedule
The festival follows the same shape every year. Times below are from 2026. Check venetianfest.com once the new schedule posts.
| Day | Usual times | What’s on |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Carnival 5 to 10 p.m. · beer tent 5 p.m. to midnight | Ribbon cutting at 5 p.m., wristband night, band at 8 p.m. |
| Thursday | Carnival 5 to 10 p.m. · beer tent 5 p.m. to midnight | Wristband night, band at 8 p.m. |
| Friday | Carnival evening · beer tent 5 p.m. to midnight | Band at 8 p.m. |
| Saturday | Craft fair 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. · carnival noon to 11 p.m. | Touch a Truck (noon to 4), Baggo tournament, afternoon and evening bands |
| Sunday | Craft fair 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. · carnival noon to 11 p.m. | Water ski show 6 p.m., lighted boat parade at dusk, fireworks after |
What does it cost?
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grounds, craft fair, ski show, boat parade, fireworks | Free | No ticket needed |
| Carnival wristband | $40 (2026) | Wed and Thu 5 to 10 p.m., Sat until 5 p.m. |
| Carnival tickets | Per ride | Other days and times |
| Entertainment pavilion (beer tent) | $5 cover after 6 p.m. (2026) | 21+ only, ID checked |
| Downtown meters | $2/hour Mon to Thu, $4/hour Fri to Sun | Free lots listed below |
The main events
Lighted boat parade and fireworks
FreeSignature eventBoats strung with lights cruise past the downtown lakefront in the old Venetian style, judged for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plus Best in Show. The fireworks start right after the last boat passes and are the biggest show of the summer around the lake.
Enter your boat: any yacht, boat or dinghy with a string of lights can join. Lake Geneva Cruise Line coordinates entries through the official fireworks page, and there’s a new theme every year.
Water ski show
FreeWith kidsA visiting show team runs pyramids, jumps and tricks right off the beach. It’s the best way to hold a lakefront spot until the parade.
Arts and crafts fair
FreeShoppingAbout 110 artists and crafters set up under the trees by the lake. The Cub Scouts’ brat stand is the cheapest lunch on the grounds.
Tip: Saturday at 10 a.m. is the time to shop. By mid-afternoon you’re moving shoulder to shoulder.
Carnival
With kidsMidway rides and games, with rides for younger kids in Seminary Park. Wristband sessions (Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Saturday until 5 p.m.) are the best deal.
Live music and the entertainment pavilion
21+Rock, country and party cover bands every night, with free afternoon sets on the weekend. The $5 cover starts at 6 p.m., not when the band starts at 8.
Other events: Touch a Truck, Baggo, car show
Touch a Truck (Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.): kids climb on fire trucks and meet emergency crews. Free.
Baggo tournament (Saturday, late morning to mid-afternoon): sign up through venetianfest.com.
Car show (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.): classics, hot rods and customs with awards. Added in 2025.
Where to watch the boat parade and fireworks
Best viewing spots, ranked
1. On the water. The best view by far, if you have a boat or a friend with one.
2. Riviera Beach. Closest to the parade route, and the easiest place to hear the announcers. Claim a spot by 6:30 p.m., or just stay after the ski show.
3. Flat Iron Park. More room to spread out, with a clear sightline down the lake.
4. Library Park. Right on the route, but the most crowded.
5. The Shore Path heading west. Quieter, with the fireworks reflected on the water. The path is uneven, so bring a light for the trip back. See the Shore Path guide.
Parking and getting there
Downtown parking
Arrive earlyFree: Lot D on Sage Street (year-round, about 0.3 miles from the lakefront) and Lot E at Dunn Field (seasonal, about 0.4 miles). Both are first come, first served, and full by mid-afternoon on Sunday.
Paid: street meters and city lots downtown. Lot I by Seminary Park allows longer stays at the same hourly rate.
Tip: Take a photo of where you parked. After the fireworks, thousands of people leave at once and every block looks the same in the dark.
Lake Geneva is about 80 miles and 90 minutes from downtown Chicago, and about an hour from Milwaukee. If you’re staying overnight, book early: see the resorts guide and the condotels guide.
What to bring
Cash for the beer tent cover and some vendors, ID if you’re going into the pavilion, a blanket or low chairs, a light layer for the evening, sunscreen and a flashlight or phone light.
For food before or after, see the restaurants guide, the coffee shops guide and the sweet treats guide.
Mistakes to skip
Showing up at 7:45 p.m. on Sunday. The lakefront fills during the 6 p.m. ski show. Come by 6:30 at the latest.
Paying the cover at 7. The $5 beer tent cover starts at 6 p.m. Get in earlier or plan on it.
Bringing under-21s to the pavilion. It’s strictly 21+ after dark.
Circling for a meter. Head straight to Lot D or Lot E.
2026 recap
The 64th Venetian Festival ran Wednesday, Aug 19 through Sunday, Aug 23, 2026. The boat parade theme was America 250, marking the country’s 250th anniversary. The Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team performed Sunday at 6 p.m. off Riviera Beach.
Evening headliners included Lunch Money Bullies (Wednesday), The Toys (Thursday) and Kelly Daniels (Friday). The craft fair hosted about 110 vendors in Library Park, and the car show ran for its 2nd year. The 2027 festival will be the 65th.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Venetian Festival in Lake Geneva?
Every year in mid-August, Wednesday through Sunday. 2027 dates haven’t been posted yet. The 2026 festival ran Aug 19 to 23, and 2025 ran Aug 13 to 17.
Where is the Venetian Festival held?
In Flat Iron Park, Library Park and Seminary Park on the downtown Lake Geneva lakefront, within a few blocks of the Riviera.
Is the Venetian Festival free?
Yes. The grounds, craft fair, water ski show, boat parade and fireworks are free. Carnival rides take a wristband or tickets, and the entertainment pavilion charges a $5 cover after 6 p.m. (2026 price).
What time are the Venetian Festival fireworks?
Sunday night, right after the lighted boat parade, which starts at dusk. Expect the parade around 8 p.m. and fireworks shortly after. Get to the lakefront by 6:30 p.m. for a good spot.
Where is the best place to watch the boat parade?
From a boat, if you can. On land, Riviera Beach is closest to the route and easiest for hearing the announcers. Flat Iron Park has more room, and the Shore Path heading west is quieter.
Where do you park for the Venetian Festival?
The free city lots are Lot D on Sage Street (about 0.3 miles away) and Lot E at Dunn Field (about 0.4 miles away). Downtown meters cost $2 an hour Monday to Thursday and $4 an hour Friday to Sunday.
Can you enter your boat in the Venetian Festival parade?
Yes. Any boat with a string of lights can enter. Lake Geneva Cruise Line coordinates the parade through the official venetianfest.com fireworks page and awards 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Best in Show.
Is the Venetian Festival good for kids?
Yes. There are carnival rides for younger kids in Seminary Park, Touch a Truck on Saturday afternoon and the free Sunday ski show. The entertainment pavilion is 21+ only.
Who runs the Venetian Festival?
The Lake Geneva Jaycees, a volunteer service group, have run it for more than 60 years. The info line is 262-248-4416.
What if the lakefront were your backyard every August?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover downtown Lake Geneva and the rest of Geneva Lake, from condos a few blocks from Flat Iron Park to lake-access homes near Williams Bay and Fontana.
Search Lake Geneva properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.