Open-air shopping at deep discounts is the name of the game in downtown Madison each year on the third weekend of July during Maxwell Street Days. The epic sidewalk sale has been a Madison tradition on State Street for over 50 years and continues to uphold the expectation of being Madison's summertime "urban bazaar."

So why is Maxwell Street Days hosted on State Street? The tradition started as a mimic of a former outdoor market in Chicago of the same name by the owner of Martin's, a since-shuttered clothing store. Although many of State Street's shops and restaurants have come and gone over the years, the anticipation for the massive sale continues. 

Ready to check out what Maxwell Street Days is all about? Here are our tips for mastering the beloved event.

Bring your Game Face

Maxwell Street Days is a choose-your-own-adventure shopping experience. Casual browsers can float about, perusing racks and glancing at displays for things that catch their eyes. But the serious shoppers who love diving, digging and dashing for the best deals will be thrilled to find some serious setups of bins, piles and deep racks waiting to be scoured. 

Those who bring their A+ shopping game are certain to be most rewarded. Be ready to spend a lot of time poring through displays if you want to score the best deals. Not looking for that? No problem. There are plenty of shops offering relaxed setups with great deals.

Looking for Badger merch? Check out the Wisconsin Design Team shop created by UW–Madison graduates. Name-brand outdoor sporting and lifestyle apparel? Stop by Fontana Sports, a third-generation local and woman-owned business. No matter what your vibe is, there will be plenty of shop-till-you-drop spots for everyone on this energetic weekend. 

Stores will keep their shops open in addition to their sidewalk displays so you can see their full selections.

Shop Sustainable 

Madison has a plethora of businesses focused on eco-friendliness and caring for our greater community. Many of these stores will be participating in this year’s Maxwell Street Days—meaning you can be green for less!  

Stop by The Soap Opera for unique soaps, grooming products and custom scent perfumes! This woman-owned local business gives discounts year-round when you refill their house products and reduce the use of single-use plastic.  

Just across the street, Metric Forrest Studio creates handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces made of hand-etched metals, recycled glass, birch bark and more natural boho-style components. Handcrafting artists include stay-at-home moms, people living with disabilities, refugee families and members of diverse ethnic groups within the local community. Find a whimsical, created-with-love piece here this weekend.

Maxwell Street Days isn’t only a time to maximize great finds for great prices. It's a time to connect with local creators and shop owners, support green shopping habits and become familiar with eco-conscious businesses in Madison. Being a sustainable shopper doesn't just mean shopping handmade; you can also promote mindful consumption by opting to bring your own totes this weekend or by requesting non-plastic bags when available.

More sustainable shops participating:

Arrive hungry

The multi-day shopping extravaganza is about more than clothes, jewelry, outdoor equipment, gifts and home goods. About a dozen or so restaurants, coffee shops and bars also participate in the event, offering deals and specials. 

This year, participating restaurants include Parthenon Gyros, an authentic Greek spot known for its fast-casual realness and a gorgeous second-story rooftop patio for summertime weather enjoyment. Offering unique flavor combos at discounted prices, Wisconsin must-try Ian’s Pizza welcomes all for this weekend of Madison-classic fun. Plus, new restaurants like Baked Wings & Things are a great option for those looking to try fresh flavors and make the ultimate shopping pit-stop (with 15 screens for sports lovers)!

The event lasts all day, which means you have plenty of time to start your day with coffee and breakfast, do some shopping, stop again for lunch, do more shopping, and end the evening with dinner and drinks.

More participating restaurants, coffee shops, and bars:

Don't limit yourself to one day

It's possible to enjoy Maxwell Street Days in one swoop; however, with stores bringing out new inventory each day, it's worth it to spread the fun over the weekend and take the opportunity to explore more of Madison. 

Where to stay

For the most convenient stay with a whole lot of style, you'll want to check out The Graduate located right along State Street. The hotel is known for its vintage UW–Madison-inspired decor and great location in between campus and the heart of downtown.

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club is just two blocks from State Street and offers luxury accommodations with great downtown views. The Park Hotel is the only hotel on the Capitol Square and makes for a great, quick walk to State Street. 

More downtown hotels

Plan your shopping weekend

If you really want to shop until you drop, you'll want to check out some of Madison's iconic neighborhoods, like Williamson (known as Willy) Street, featuring artsy and eclectic shops, or Monroe Street, which is a great place to scope out gifts of all kinds. 

On Madison's west side, Hilldale offers an outdoor shopping experience with a mix of local and national retailers. And on the other side of town, Garver Feed Mill is home to several shops, restaurants and experiences while also being a great place to relax or catch an event.

Just outside of Madison, surrounding cities offer more underground shopping experiences worthy of the short drive (or bike) over. Middleton’s The Regal Find is an eclectic marketplace full of unique local creations and recycled vintage items you can’t find anywhere else. In Verona, The Sow's Ear stands as the Midwest's first combined yarn store and coffee shop. Lessons and workshops for all levels of knitters and craft-lovers occur daily!

It's no surprise that Madison's shopping scene is rooted in local passion and sustainability—and especially for this weekend, it's a discount-lover's dream.

More Madison Must-Dos