Humboldt Park

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Show day weather:
(High of 83 and sunny. Beautiful.)
​

Air Quality questions?  Please check the 2026 Season page for our policies and procedures. 

AQI for Humboldt Park is WELL below the threshold so the shows will go on!

Using this Page

Getting to the Park

Getting Around the Park

Enjoying the Park

Enjoying Shakespeare in the Park

Return to Main SitP 2026 Page

Navigation (this page, not your car. we'll get to that...)

Using this page

You’ve Planned Your Visit.  Now Let’s Get You Here.

This page is designed to work as your Shakespeare in the Park guide to Humboldt Park.
​
Use it on show day for things like....

• directions and parking  ......  accessibility guidance  ..... seating details ..... restrooms ..... etc

We recommend bookmarking this page before heading to the park

Companions = This Page + The Main SitP 2026 Page

​The main SitP 2026 page contains a great deal of detailed information and is where you'll do your planning. This page focuses specifically on this location and might reference the more detailed info on the main page. 

Please register

We highly recommend that you register to receive the fastest updates. The person who typically maintains this website is at the park and wifi can be spotty. The person who sends updates to people who register is sitting at a desk with an excellent internet connection. You decide. No pressure.

----- Details are on the Main SitP page - Navigate to "Gather Your Party" ------

Getting to Humboldt Park

​​Arrival Lead Time
Humboldt Park is one of our more popular locations and the surrounding neighborhood is often busy

• Although this will shift from year to year, guests have shown up as much as 1 hour before performances
• Be prepared to walk a bit from your car depending on arrival time.

Choose Your Driving Route
📍 3000 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Use this address to locate Humboldt Park.

Enter the park from either:

• S Howell Avenue (northwest entrance), or 
• E Oklahoma Avenue (southeast entrance) There is only one road through the park: Park Road.

Performance location within the park
Performances take place on a grassy hillside within a sidewalk triangle on the north side of Park Road.
​
The performance space is visible from the road and is located:

• northeast of the bandshell
• north of the tennis courts

GPS Coordinates: 42.99301, -87.90086

Map Link
This map shows you performance locations, restrooms, where to park, helpful hints and more.
Humboldt Park in Google Maps

Getting around at Humboldt Park

Drop-off
South of the triangle of grass where we perform, there is a spot where the sidewalk dips toward the road.

• ♿ Guests using mobility aids may wish to be dropped off near that sidewalk entrance before parking.
• ​Use the sidewalk on the east side of the street for the smoothest approach

Parking
Parallel parking is available along Park Road with sidewalks that run parallel to the street on both sides.

• Because Humboldt Park is a popular destination, guests may need to park farther away during busy periods.

Walking
Once parked, walk toward the bandshell

• The grassy hillside grove within a triangle of sidewalks is across the street on the north side of Park Road.
• The performance area is visible from the street
• Shakespeare in the Park signage will help guide you.

Pathways
A flat sidewalk along Park Road provides the easiest approach to the performance area.

• ♿ The final approach is across grass, mildly uneven terrain and slightly uphill.

Enjoy the Park

Sun and Shade*
The performance area at Humboldt Park is a combination of sun and lots of dappled shade.  

Did you bring a chair*
Just a reminder even though it's probably too late since you're already here. 

Check-In / Info Tent*
At Humboldt Park it's located on a sunny hilltop close to Park Road and near the performance space. 

• You only need to check in if you have a reservation

Seating Surface
​Audience seating is on grass.

• The hillside is fairly gentle however there is a slight incline.
• ♿ Mobility assistance may be helpful for guests using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids.

​Restrooms
Indoor restrooms are available inside the Humboldt Park Community Center.

• Approximately an 8 - 10 minute round trip walk from the performance area along Park Road.
  • ♿ Allow extra time.
• Route is along sidewalks the entire way

Picnics

• Tables.  There are no picnic tables near the performance space at Humboldt Park, but you’re welcome to set up nearby.
  • Park picnic tables are available near The Vine by the community center
  • If you bring a folding table, please set up outside of the audience seating area.
    
  • Humboldt is typically a larger audience so let's make sure everyone has space.
    
  • Suggestion: Mark your spot in the audience with a blanket then go have your picnic.

Milwaukee County Parks do not allow alcohol to be brought in however The Vine at Humboldt Park is a tavern.

​​Concessions
Light snacks will be available for a suggested donation starting at 1:00 PM

​​​Pets*
Well-behaved pets and service animals are welcome at Humboldt Park

*----- Details are on the Main SitP page -----

Enjoying Shakespeare in the Park

It's all led up to this

Daily Schedule

1:00 PM ... Games and activities open
Available all afternoon, including....

• Renaissance-era games... yes, even the giant Jenga
• Bard-themed trivia and activities
• Make your own garland... a free, all-ages activity

1:40 PM  ... All About Richard III
The low-down, the gossip, the history, and oh, the drama.

2:00 PM ...  Richard III  (Puppet Edition)
Approximately 55 minutes.

​About 3:30 PM ... Reset the stage reconfiguration and shift to follow the shade.

• Relax until we're done, then you can move your chairs.

4:15 PM ... All About The Merry Wives of Windsor
Our version, and what we’ve gotten ourselves into.

4:30 PM ... Early Music Now
Approximately 25 minutes.

5:00 PM ... The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale
With live musical accompaniment by Early Music Now. Approximately 40 minutes.

Sun, Stages, Shade, Shift*

The Seating and Stage Configurations and the Stage Location Will Change Between Shows

Sun...
The audience seating area at Humboldt Park is a combination of sun and shade. In years past, we attempted to find a happy medium - seeking shade for both the 2:00 and 5:00 performances. That was less than successful. 

Stages...
Richard III at 2:00 uses an intimate thrust-style stage where the audience sits on 3 sides of the action. After the show, the stage crew will reconfigure the stage by turning the thrust into more traditional proscenium set-up.
 
Shade...
Because we have to reconfigure the stage and seating area after the 2:00 show, we're going to shift to follow the shade. At Humboldt Park, that might mean it will end up behind you. Let's find out together.

Shift...
Just relax while we make the shift. Please re-join the fun after we're done.

Program & Show Info

• ​Explore the digital program and show details anytime:
  

​ Shakespeare in the Park 2026 Program

Fun-Facts About Humboldt Park

• Humboldt Park originally opened in 1891 as “South Park” before being renamed for famed explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.
• The park’s land was purchased from two founding local families: the Mann and Wilcox families. The historic Mann mansion still stands nearby on Logan Avenue.
• In the 1890s, visitors could rent rowboats on the lagoon for just 10 cents an hour. A bridge once connected the shore to an island in the middle of the water, and remnants of the original bridge foundation can still be spotted today.
• The park’s chalet style band shell was re-built in 1977 after an earlier band shell was destroyed by fire.
• The baseball field in Humboldt Park honors Milwaukee native Ken Keltner, the third baseman famous for making the defensive plays that ended Joe DiMaggio’s legendary 56-game hitting streak in 1941.

Join Us Again

Did you have a good time? Come again and bring new friends. Humboldt Park is the third stop on our 2026 tour with 8 more chances to join us. The grid at the top of the main SitP 2026 page shows the whole season. 

Thank you for coming to Milwaukee's free Shakespeare in the Park.