By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Mar 19, 2024 at 5:01 PM

The Great Milwaukee Summer is HERE! Your guide to what you'll be doing, where you'll be drinking, who you'll be hearing and how you'll be getting a sweet tan this summer is on OnMilwaukee. The Great Milwaukee Summer guide is brought to you by Geis Garage Doors and Peoples State Bank

Last year, a new water-centric summer event debuted on Milwaukee's shores: Hoanchella, an evening of Fresh Coast festivities featuring boats, light shows and more. It was a night so nice, they've decided to do it twice as the summer splash will return for 2024 – albeit with a new name. 

As announced on social media, Hoanchella is now Hoancoming, making waves this summer along Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River on Saturday, Aug. 17. 

While the name may be different this year, the water-based summer spectacular is expected to feature many of the same splashy elements as its inaugural edition – including live music, boating, a partying boat cruise with views of the city coastline and glowing shows in the sky via fireworks as well as the Hoan lights. And as with last year's debut, all the Hoan-nanigans will serve as a fundraiser for the Light the Hoan non-profit and its work shining a literal light on events, causes and organizations with one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

For a look at last year's event, watch this:

@jmattmke Here’s what happened at hoanchella… @Light the Hoan #MilwaukeeWI #MilwaukeeLocal #Hoanchella #HoanBridge #Hoanchella2023 ♬ original sound - JMatt (Milwaukee)

For more updates and information on Hoancoming – including tickets and specific events set for this summer's edition – stay tuned to the event's Instagram page and its website. And stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more Great Milwaukee Summer and festival season fun!

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.