Wisconsin is home to a multitude of vintage festivals and antique flea markets throughout the state, and with hunting down secondhand items — or thrifting — becoming increasingly popular, these events offer prime picking.
Vintage and antique markets located throughout the state provide opportunities to thrift throughout every season, creating an amazing experience for anyone looking to spend a day searching for a new vintage treasure. From the casual thrifter just starting to enjoy vintage, to the hardcore antique enthusiasts who know exactly what they’re looking for, there is something for everyone at these five festivals and antique fleas.
By Mattie Beck | Photo: Shawano Vintage Flea
SHAWANO VINTAGE FLEA
The outdoor Shawano Vintage Flea Market is entering its 54th season this upcoming summer – held through Oct. 6 every Sunday other than Labor Day weekend. Located at the Shawano County Fairgrounds, 990 E. Green Bay St., the event is a great place to spend a beautiful summer day searching through different booths. The flea market opens early at 7 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., with a $2 entrance fee.
With more than 150 vendors, the event offers a full-day experience for those looking to seek out anything from household items, toys, antiques and even crafts from local vendors. The event provides equal opportunity to find vintage treasures and also handmade artisan finds as well.
INSIDER TIP: Opt for the $10 entrance fee before 7 a.m. to get early bird access and beat the daytime rush.
zurkopromotions.com/shawano-wisconsin-flea-market/
GREEN BAY VINTAGE MARKET
Nearby Shawano is the Green Bay Vintage Market, a curated pop-up vintage market that takes place within Badger State Brewing Co. and The Barrel Haus at 990 Tony Canadeo Rd. Vendors at the event carry everything from vintage clothing, home goods and repurposed and handcrafted goods. Saturday dates run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Special events, such as the night markets, run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to cater to those more available in the evenings. There are nine events lined up for the 2024 season:
- April 28
- May 9 (Night Market)
- June 23
- July 11 (Night Market)
- July 21
- Aug. 15 (Night Market)
- Aug. 25
- Nov. 30
- Dec. 14
The event is free admission to all ages and it also includes a few bars accessible to customers courtesy of Badger State Brewing Co. to try out different brews while exploring the vintage market.
INSIDER TIP: The event recommends shoppers bring their own tote bags, but there are also $5 bags available to purchase for make carrying all those vintage goodies home.
FOX VALLEY VINTAGE FEST
Heading south from Shawano and Green Bay, Fox Valley Vintage Fest takes place twice a year in Oshkosh at the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 N. Main St. The main event takes place annually in April and November, with the next event scheduled for Nov. 17, but the organization also has smaller-scale events scattered throughout the summer. These dates include:
- Summer Send-Off at Fifth Ward Brewing Co. (1009 S. Main St.)
- Fall Session at Fifth Ward Brewing Co.
- Stellar Summer Music and Vintage Fest at Leach Amphitheater (303 Ceape Ave.)
As for the indoor event, it features vendors from throughout the Fox Cities areas, with different items from the 1970s to early 2000s, offering a variety for any thrifter to enjoy. The event even has different photo opportunities available throughout, with areas of the convention center decorated to represent different decades for a fun photo to remember the day.
INSIDER TIP: This event even features a vintage arcade, with one wall filled with arcade games such as Pac-Man and Space Invaders for only 25 cents (so retro!).
visitoshkosh.com/event/fox-valley-vintage-fest-7/135576/
THE FAMOUS PRINCETON FLEA MARKET
The Famous Princeton Flea Market is the earliest to kick off and the largest outdoor flea market in Central Wisconsin, happening every Saturday beginning April 20 through Oct. 12. The event takes place at Princeton’s City Park, 205 Emory Ave., which includes plenty of green space, nature trails, an outdoor pool, a playground and even a disc golf course, providing a full day of outdoor activities all in the same place.
Admission to the Famous Princeton Flea Market is free, making it a great place to just explore, with visitors able to walk through the park and see all the vendors have to offer and explore the green space of the park as well.
INSIDER TIP: Because the event has new vendors weekly, there’s a benefit to returning to find new treasures every visit!
princetonwi.com/the-famous-princeton-flea-market/
ELKHORN ANTIQUE FLEA MARKET
The Elkhorn Antique Flea Market is an indoor and outdoor flea market that started in 1982 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St. The event, created by vintage and antique dealers, is entering its 42nd year, and there are four dates that make up the 2024 season:
- May 19
- Aug. 11
- June 30
- Sept. 29
All days run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a $5 entrance fee, including free parking and paved walkways throughout the fairgrounds creating a perfect environment to explore. There are even different food vendors throughout the event, including food trucks and stands to help fuel attendees through a big day of antiquing. Elkhorn Antique Flea Market emphasizes vendors bring only antiques and old collectibles, creating a true vintage hunting experience come rain or shine.
INSIDER TIP: With more than 500 vendors located inside and outside the fairgrounds, it could take you the entire day to see it all — be sure to wear comfy shoes!
VINTAGE 101 FROM 01 VINTAGE
Finding vintage is all about knowing what you’re looking for according to Victor Kielman, owner of curated vintage store 01 Vintage in Oshkosh. The store has been open for about two years and is full of curated vintage items that Kielman finds himself.
“Educate yourself because you want to know what you’re looking for,” Kielman said. “Whether that’s just doing research on [brand] tags, going on eBay or going on other people’s social media.”
Especially when attending events such as flea markets, Kielman notes it’s important to have an idea when going to different booths. “Those events can be super overwhelming, window shop first, that’s honestly my number one piece of advice,” he said. “Definitely do your best to look around at a bunch of different vendors, because everyone’s curation of clothing is so different from each other.”
Kielman notes to grab something of high interest fast. “Definitely go around and try to get something as soon as you can rather than later because otherwise, it’s going to be sold right away,” he said.
At some events, vendors have bins with a set price labeled on them that include various vintage items. Kielman said these bins are worth digging through, as they differ from vendor to vendor. “You never know what some of the vendors hide in there or what someone values differently,” he said.
Kielman’s last piece of advice for finding vintage is pretty simple but very important.
“Take your time and look around as much as you can.”