There's always something FUN to do in Downtown Hayward WI and the surrounding area!

The MAIN Summer Event everyone travels to Hayward for and LOVES is the Annual Musky Fest Event June 20-22, 2025. It will be the 75th Annual Celebration, don't miss it, so plan ahead! It's Hayward’s largest summer celebration of the great fishing history of Wisconsin’s Northwoods. The annual event is hosted by the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce and highlights many wonderful sponsors. The weekend includes the crowning of our Musky Festival Queen, sidewalk sales, a huge  arts & crafts show (vendors & booths), live music, children’s games & contests, car show, learn to fish event, great food trucks, booths & vendors, fishing contest and a carnival throughout the weekend. Everyone will enjoy the regional musicians during Friday and Saturday night live street dances. The weekend concludes with the Musky Run race on Sunday morning and following up the fun-filled weekend with the large Grand Parade with so many fantastic floats. All this happens in Downtown Hayward WI!

SUMMERS are the perfect escape for family and friends to visit this most heavenly, stress-free environment, away from all of the hustle and bustle of your normal busy lifestyle. Generations of families flock to our town for their annual gathering, reunions, and family getaways. In Hayward, summers run on LAKE TIME, with activities revolving around lake days with quality vacation and cabin time, swimming, biking, hiking, walking, running, atving and enjoying everything the great outdoors has to offer. It's our Northwoods paradise!

We invite you to come and discover the beauty that lies on the water and trails in the Hayward Lakes Area, so be ready for epic outdoor adventures, events & fun. The Hayward Lakes Visitor Center & Hayward Area Chamber (Center) is the perfect place to stop and fulfill those extra activities & adventures you want to plan for while you are here.

After or before your escapades in the outdoors, plan to visit the Downtown Hayward WI district so you can spend time sipping, shopping, eating, & exploring our delightful unique business district. We have so many welcoming businesses, shops, boutiques, cafes, winery, galleries, restaurants and happening hot spots for you to discover. We are sure you will leave with many favorites.

Discovering the Downtown, we know people crave photo ops. You will notice a few murals of our historic past and rich culture, welcoming art, nostalgic representation of activities the area is known for, great picture scapes that are photo worthy and instagram must snaps. Make sure you capture a selfie around the downtown and tag us on your social media #downtownhaywardwi and give us your permission to reshare your pics.

There is more ART to discover in this beautiful town. We have the Art Beat Gallery on 2nd street that houses 5 artists with different mediums, plus a rotating "Showcase Art Gallery" featuring other local artists. We have a few shops that feature artists: Lures of the North (prints, photos, wood sculpures & more), James Netz Photography and Wildlife Gallery (prints), Out of the Woods Winery (local artists feature) and America's Heritage Antiques (prints & decor), Three Tentacles Tattoo Studio (tattoo design), and The Park Center (theater and as entertainment artists).

Downtown Hayward WI - Your Favorite Place to Be AND It's the Best Part of Your Day!