Milwaukee Polka Riot!

The World's FIRST and ONLY Alternative Polka Festival!

6 alternative Polka bands will play across 2 stages at the city's last remaining concertina hall.

Food trucks, raffles, prizes, FREE soda for designated drivers, COUNTER CULTURE!

When you picture a polka band, there’s a good chance you’re picturing men of a certain age, dressed in the traditional attire of a previous age. That’s not always the case, though: There are polka bands that look outside the box. Some of them have come together for the Milwaukee Polka Riot, an event described as “the world’s first and only alternative polka festival.” Among the performers are November Criminals, a polka/hip-hop band; Cheese of the Goat, a polka/metal project spearheaded by Frank Chandek of Dr. Chow; polka rock ’n’ rollers The Polkaholics; and Preomnor, who fuse zydeco and Cajun music with hardcore.