Monthly Guide
☀️ Your Guide to August in Madison
July 31, 2026 · – Jade Iseri-Ramos
Happy (almost) August, Madison! City Cast Madison producer Jade Iseri-Ramos here with your monthly guide newsletter. It’s the dog days of summer so here are some ideas to enjoy the month whether you’re staying cool indoors or basking outside. And be sure to tune into the City Cast Madison podcast on Monday for our monthly guide episode! 🎧
Tips To Thrive in Madison This August
🗳️ Vote in the Aug. 11 Primary
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but if you’re eligible to vote in the Aug. 11 primary election, you should! I’ve even put together an election guide to lay out what is on your ballot and answer any lingering questions you might have. There you will find links to all our gubernatorial candidate interviews and coverage of the 76th Assembly District primary race.
🥗 Check Out Madison’s Newest Restaurants
There are a handful of newly opened restaurants to check out this month. From pizza and cheesesteaks at Frank & Andrea to late night sushi at Mizuno Sushi, the Madison food scene just got tastier!
🛻 Make the Most of Hippie Christmas
Many leases in Madison, especially those belonging to students, end on Aug. 14 with new ones beginning on Aug. 15. This gap results in a flood of furniture and household goods on curbs downtown and around campus. In anticipation of all the discarded mattresses, Ikea shelves, and rejected kitchenware, the city Streets Department will make frequent visits to streets in the “student move out area” starting Aug. 3. While many Hippie Christmas treasures have made it into my home, the people tasked with cleaning up the mess are a little less enthusiastic about the “holiday.”
🥤 Anyone For Iced Coffee?
When it’s this hot, sometimes nothing hits like an iced coffee. The City Cast Madison team got together to talk about our favorite coffee shops in Madison, whether you’re meeting friends, trying to get some work done, or just chillin’.
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Aug. 7: John Doe & Exene Cervenka at Atwood Music Hall
Aug. 13: Fink at the High Noon Saloon
Aug. 15: The Crane Wives at The Sylvee
Aug. 16: It’s A Fabulous Cabaret at The Bur Oak
Aug. 18: Raine Stern at the High Noon Saloon
Aug. 23: Nitzer Ebb at the Majestic Theatre
Aug. 25: Bonnie Raitt at Overture Hall
Aug. 28-30: Denny Love at Comedy on State
That’s all for your August guide! Remember to stay tuned for Monday’s podcast episode where the City Cast Madison team breaks down our picks for things to do, eat, and ways to foster community.
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