Family Art Experience
Autism United of Wisconsin will be joining a Family Art Experience, organized by Casa Romero Renewal Center. Explore guided creative art activities designed to promote relaxation and support stress management. Through hands-on projects and group collaboration, participants will discover how art can be a meaningful tool for wellness, mindfulness and connection within families. Admission is free but registration is required.
Where: 423 W Bruce St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204
When: 6:00pm
Date: October 29th and December 10th
Sensory-Friendly Bowling
Join us for a sensory-friendly, fun bowling event at Watertown Bowl! Network with other families and explore our resource and learning table at this reduced rate event. Admission to this event is $13 and includes two games, shoe rental, food and drink! Current Autism United Members receive discounted admission of $10!
Where: Watertown Bowl – 102 West Cady Street Watertown, WI 53094
When: 11: 00 am – 1:30 p.m.
Date: January 18 2026
Milwaukee Ballet’s Sensory Friendly Nutcracker
Adventure into the dreamlike world of Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium! Hailed as “equal parts smart and magical” (Milwaukee Magazine), this fantastical production invites you to let your imagination run free for the holidays. As one of Milwaukee’s favorite holiday traditions, The Nutcracker guarantees an enchanting evening of festive fun for all ages. Nearly 200 dancers, including students of Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy, will illuminate the incredible artistic talent found right here in our city.
This sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium has been crafted for guests of ALL ages who have sensory processing needs, identify as neurodivergent, or would benefit from viewing an adjusted performance experience. This free special event is offered to Autism United members only. Limited seating available. Please only reserve tickets if you are sure you can attend. Limit of 6 tickets per family.
Date: Thursday December 11, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Marcus Performing Arts Center – 929 North Water Street Milwaukee, WI 53202
Sensory Friendly Tree Lighting
Love celebrating the holidays, but worried that certain events will be overwhelming? Join us for our third annual FREE sensory friendly holiday tree lighting for children and adults with Autism and other developmental disorders! Visit with sensory friendly Santa and enjoy the crafts, games, and other holiday activities. We will then bundle up to count down the tree lighting outside the library at 7 p.m.
Where: Mukwonago Community Library 511 Division St. Mukwonago, WI 53149
When: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Date: December 4 2025
Sensory Friendly Trunk or Treat
Join us for a spooktacular free time at the Sensory Friendly Trunk or Treat event! This in-person event promises a frightfully fun experience for all. This special opportunity has been designed to provide those who may have sensory processing differences an opportunity to enjoy a trick or treating experience that has been designed with them in mind! Dress up in your favorite costumes and get ready for a night filled with candy, games, and more. Our Sensory Friendly approach ensures a welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. So, come one, come all, and let’s have a howling good time together!
Date: Saturday October 11, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Where: Ad-Tech Coating Solutions – 110 South Votech Drive, Watertown WI 53094
First Stage Sensory Friendly Productions
Enjoy a performance where families with children who need sensory accommodations can share the experience of seeing family-friendly theater. These performances feature a welcoming environment including lower sound, lights up, and available quiet areas staffed by educators experienced with the care of students with Autism and other developmental disabilities.
We partner with First Stage to offer our members & friends a discounted rate of $10.00/ticket to select performances and include a money back guarantee.
Click Here for additional information about upcoming performance dates, sensory friendly accommodations and money back guarantee information.
Kohl’s Family Sundays: Dia de los Muertos!
Kohl’s Family Sundays are lively events featuring kid-friendly experiences that bring art to life for every generation. Enjoy hands-on art activities, take part in interactive performances, embark on a gallery tour, meet visiting artists, and more. Kohl’s Family Sundays events are included with Museum admission, which is always free for kids 12 and under, thanks to an anonymous donor. Autism United will be joining this event invite our families, host a resource table, and create a “Quiet Space” for families. Admission is free with the presentation of the MAM flyer included in your registration confirmation.
Date: October 19, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Where: Milwaukee Art Museum 700 N Art Museum Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Kids From WI presents a Sensory-Friendly, FREE Performance
When: Thursday August 14th, 2025
Where: Divine Savior Holy Angels H.S.
4257 N 100th St, Milwaukee, WI 53222
Arrive: 3 PM
Pre Activities : 3:30 PM
Show: 4-5 PM
What is Kids From Wisconsin?
SHOWMANSHIP
Providing opportunities for the state’s talented youth to put on a Broadway-caliber show for nearly 120,000 people in cities large and small across the state.
LEADERSHIP
Inspiring more than 1,000 young, future performers in underserved communities across the state through free educational workshops and classroom curriculum.
PARTNERSHIP
Working with communities, schools, arts organizations and support foundations to develop and deliver engaging, local arts enrichment programs.
Sensory Day at the Jefferson County Fair!
Jefferson County Fair and Autism United have come together to create a Sensory Friendly experience at the 2025 Jefferson County Fair. We have helped them create resources such as a social narrative and map to be shared with families. Families will also receive 50% off tickets with an Autism United code.
Come Join us for Sensory Day at the Jefferson County Fair! Designed for guests with sensory sensitivities, their family and friends, this special day offers a more relaxed fair experience on July 9th from 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM.
- To help you plan your visit, a social story, sensory-friendly map, and all the details you’ll need are available at http://JCoFair.com
Enjoy all your favorite parts of the fair– see the animals, grab a tasty treat, play in the Kidz Zone, and get ready for the rides!
- Carnival rides begin at 4:00 PM and will run at a reduced sound level until 5:00 PM– perfect for fair fun without the overwhelming noise!
- Don’t miss out on the Sensory Tent, located just south of the Poultry Barn near the Kidz Zone. Inside you’ll find:
- 10 Sensory Go Bags (while supplies last!)
- Resources and info from Autism United of Wisconsin
- Members of Autism United of Wisconsin can snag discounted tickets online— just make sure to get them ahead of time!
Date: July 9th, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Location: Jefferson County Fair Park – 503 N. Jackson Ave, Jefferson, WI 53549
Autism eXchange Annual Conference and Staycation
The Autism eXchange Annual Conference and Staycation brings together a diverse group of experts, advocates, caregivers, and individuals on the Autism Spectrum to share insights and strategies that make a difference. Our goal is to empower individuals by fostering a sense of community, connecting them with valuable resources and supports, all while offering a fun, safe, and sensory-friendly environment.
One of the things that makes this conference unique is that Autism United has worked with the Wilderness Resort to offer Sensory Friendly experiences throughout the resort for the Staycation weekend. This includes sensory friendly arcade time at the Wilderwoods Arcade and a modified waterpark experience throughout the resort. We have also worked with partner organizations to integrate family-friendly activity spaces throughout the conference to make this conference truly fun for all. That’s right, kids are welcome to come to this event!
Date: Friday, July 11 – Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Wilderness Resort & Waterpark and Glacier Canyon Lodge
Interested in being a presenter or a sponsor? Want to attend? Discover all the details here!
Zoofari Stroll at ZOO MKE!
Step forward for Autism! From Dylan’s Run to the A-Team Fun Walk, along comes our new Zoofari Stroll at the always-awesome Milwaukee County Zoo. This day of family fun — in an open, outdoor, casual sensory-friendly environment — celebrates Autism Spectrum persons, families, friends and educators and promises to be a rip-roaring (get it?) good time!
Dedicated walkers, volunteers and sponsors will join together to raise funds to help Autism United of Wisconsin continue to provide programs, services and support across our state. As one of the largest Autism family gatherings in Wisconsin, mark your calendar now for an amazing experience filled with activities, entertainment and celebration to change the future for everyone affected by Autism.
When: August 24, 2025
Where: Milwaukee County Zoo
Fall Fun at Waldvogel’s Farm
Join Autism United of Wisconsin for a Member Only event at Waldvogel’s Farm in Juneau – Wisconsin’s largest pumpkin farm. It’s going to be a day guaranteed to bring smiles to the whole family. With over 80 attractions to enjoy, everyone will find something exciting to do.
When: Coming in Fall 2025
SOAR Airport Rehearsal Program
The SOAR program is an airport rehearsal program designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and aviation professionals. The goal of SOAR is to alleviate some of the stress that people with disabilities and their families experience when traveling by air. It includes a MKE unique social story that participant families review before the big rehearsal day.
Where: General Mitchell International Airport, 5300 S. Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207
When: Coming in 2025
Urban Autism Summit
If your family has been touched by autism, or you are a caregiver, an adult on the spectrum or a professional who supports individuals living with autism, please join us! The goal of the Urban Autism Summit is to close the gap in information and services about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for families and the professionals who serve them in Milwaukee.
When: Coming in 2025
