Summer by the lake kicks off with Terrace chair return on April 16, party on April 18
Posted: 04/02/25
The Wisconsin Union team will begin its annual, months-long outdoor entertainment and dining festival, called Terrace season, with the return of its iconic Terrace chairs to the outdoor space the Memorial Union Terrace on April 16, followed by a Terrace Chair Return Party on April 18 from 3-6 p.m.
The return of the yellow, green and orange chairs, which feature a trademarked sunburst design, signals the start of a summer by the lake filled with free concerts, free film showings, limited-time dining opportunities, free and low-cost art-making, and outdoor recreation. Terrace-goers from around the world have enjoyed Terrace season for almost 100 years.
This year, the Wisconsin Union team invites the public to celebrate the return of the Terrace chairs and Terrace season on April 18 with a Terrace Chair Return Party that will feature performances by DJ Margaux and the University of Wisconsin Marching Band; an appearance by Bucky; the return of the Brat Stand; $1 hot dogs, chips, and sodas; a fish fry featuring hand-battered cod; lawn games; art activities; and free samples of locally crafted, fruity, caffeinated, sparkling waters created by the Wisconsin Union and Karben4. Start and end times of activities and offers vary throughout the party; visit the Wisconsin Union website for details.
The Wisconsin Union’s festival season will include free film screenings beginning in June and free concerts, free and low-cost art activities, and low-cost summer outdoor recreation services beginning in late May. The Wisconsin Union team presents live music multiple days a week and is planning four genre-focused music weekends, including jazz, country, Americana and blues.
The Union team will announce its film and music lineup in May at TerraceSummer.com. During inclement weather, the Wisconsin Union strives to move events indoors to Memorial Union whenever possible.
“For almost 100 years, the Memorial Union Terrace has been the heart of summer in Madison, bringing people together for sunshine, lake views and unforgettable experiences,” Wisconsin Union Deputy Director Susan Dibbell said.
Patrons can also enjoy the year-round, indoor dining options at Memorial Union, such as pub food destination der Rathskeller, pizza and pasta restaurant Strada, salad and sandwich shop Carte, dessert café the Daily Scoop, grab-n-go and snacks shop the Badger Market, beverages and snacks restaurant der Stiftskeller and lakefront dining destination Lakeview Lounge.
The Wisconsin Union anticipates that its seasonal Brat Stand will open on April 18 and its seasonal BBQ Stand will open on May 9.
While patrons await the return of regularly occurring outdoor events, they can enjoy concerts, art activities, film screenings, theater events, and more indoors at Memorial Union and Union South. The Wisconsin Union team offers most of the events that customers enjoy during Terrace season indoors throughout most of the year.
The Wisconsin Union has hosted Terrace season since 1929. Today, the space welcomes nearly one million visitors annually. The Terrace’s Wisconsin-made, metal sunburst chairs are widely recognized as symbols of summer in Madison.
Patrons can visit TerraceSummer.com for Terrace season details and to plan their summer by the lake at the Terrace.