Category: Door County Festivals
2023 Door County Festivals
Door County festivals offer great opportunities to sample food from the area’s amazing restaurants, find beautiful arts and crafts, pick up fine artwork from more than 100 galleries, or just enjoy a day strolling with friends in the sun.
Door County Festival of Nature: May 26-28 
Join the Ridges Sanctuary for the 21st Annual Door County Festival of Nature May 26-28. Discover all Door County’s nature has to offer through guided field trips with titles ranging from Birding by Ear and The Sex Life of Plants.
Jacksonport Maifest: May 27 & 28
Celebrate the 5oth anniversary of Jacksonport Maifest May 27 and 28. The weekend kicks off with an art fair and parade Saturday morning, and will feature face-painting, games, and a memorial day ceremony. Fireworks on the beach and a performance by the Sevastopol Senior Choir end the day. Sunday, May 28, the festival opens with the 40th annual Maifest 10k run, and continues with more live music, and a horse stunt performance.
Door County Lighthouse Fest: June 9-11
Discover Door County’s 11 lighthouses by land, air, and boat June 9-11. Visitors will have access to unique excursions and exclusive access to lighthouses that aren’t typically open to the public, including Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point lighthouses. A portion of proceeds will go to the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society.
Roofing of the Goats & Goat Fest: June 10
Welcome the famous goats back to the roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant with a parade! Saturday, June 10, watch the goat’s trip down Highway 42 and up onto the roof. This year’s Parade will be followed by the 6th Annual Goat Fest next store at Stabbur with live music and a Swedish Pancake-Eating Contest.
Fyr Bal Festival: June 17
Ephraim Fyr Bal festival is set for June 17 – but the celebration will kick off with three June 16 concerts at the Ephraim Moravian Church. Festivities will include a yoga class at Anderson Dock, a pancake breakfast at Ephraim Village Hall and a pet parade. The highlight of the festival is the chieftain ceremony, fireworks and the lighting of the Fyr Bal pyr.
Door County Beer Festival: June 17
Celebrate father’s day weekend with craft beer, culinary artisans, and live music on the shores of Baileys Harbor. Sample over 150 beers from dozens of Door County, Wisconsin, Michigan and Midwest breweries, enjoy food from some of the best restaurants on the peninsula, and enjoy live music at the Maxwelton Braes grounds. The Peninsula Century Spring Classic bike ride takes place in conjunction with the festival.
Door County Wine Fest: June 24
The Door County Wine Fest, located on the grounds of Maxwelton Braes, showcases the eight wineries on the Door County Wine Trail. Tickets include unlimited tasting of up to 58 different kinds of wine. There will be food trucks and live music throughout the event, from 12pm – 4pm.
Fourth of July Celebrations
Egg Harbor 4th of July Parade and Celebration: July 3 & 4
Enjoy live music (5-9pm), food & refreshments (4-9pm), and fireworks (dusk) on July 3. On the 4th, come watch the Parade, which runs south along Hwy 42 from the north end of Church Street to Hwy T at 1:30. Food and Refreshments all day.
Baileys Harbor Celebrates the 4th: July 4
Celebrate our country’s birthday the Baileys Harbor way! The day starts with a Fire Department pancake breakfast from 7:30 am – 10 am at 2404 Park Road. The Independence Day Parade starts at 10 am, and runs from Ridges Road to Summit Road on Hwy 42. Stick around for an arts and crafts fair, food, and music all day at Kendall Park. Enjoy fireworks, live music, beer and food vendors at Anclam Park at dusk to end the fun-filled day!
Sturgeon Bay Independence Day Celebration: July 4
Sturgeon Bay Celebrates presented with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding —Join the 4th of July fun and festivities at Sunset Park! Food and drinks available beginning at 5 pm along with live reggae music by Unity leading up to a spectacular firework display at dusk!
Gills Rock Celebrates: July 4
Celebrate the 4th with music, food & drink, a fish fry fundraiser for the Deaths Door Maritime Museum and of course FIREWORKS! The celebration begins around 5pm. The boat parade is typically about an hour or so before sunset and the fireworks begin at dusk.
Door County Plein Air Festival: July 23-29
Watch artists from across the country paint Door County from July 23 to 29. Artists will be on location 11am – 2pm at Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Fish Creek and The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim July 24, July 25 at Jacksonport Farmer’s Market, Downtown Jacksonport and Downtown Baileys Harbor, July 26 at Horseshoe Bay Farm, Egg Harbor and The Garden Door – UW Extension, Sturgeon Bay, and July 27 at Downtown Ellison Bay and Hidden Acres Farm, Beach Rd, Sister Bay. End the weekend with a quick paint from 9am – 11am in Fish Creek, and live auction at 12:30.
Door County Fair: August 9-13
The 151st Door County Fair is an experience the entire family will love, with old-school, small-town fun. Enjoy carnival rides, food stands, 40H animal barns, and grandstand events. Grandstand attractions include stock car races, a demolition derby, and motorcycle racing. Carnival rides, concession stands & exceptional bands fill the fair midway. Hundreds of art, crafts, and animal entries showcase the talents of Door County exhibitors.
Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week: August
The City of Sturgeon Bay honors its rich maritime heritage.
Attend the Door County Classic & Wooden Boat show August 5 & 6 at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay.
Celebrate Lake Michigan with the city of Algoma August 11 through 13. Enjoy live music Friday, August 11 from 4pm – 8pm, before the Shanty Days 5k run/walk Saturday, August 12. Enjoy a parade, car cruise and show, 150+ arts and crafts & street fair vendors, a beach volleyball tourney, fireworks, kid’s area, fishing contest, book sale and entertainment for the entire family all day Saturday and Sunday.
Sister Bay Marina Fest: September 2-4
Highlights of the Sister Bay Marina Fest are a vintage boat show and performance by Jerry Voelker and the Jolly Gents Saturday, September 2 at the Sister Bay Marina. This Labor Day celebration includes live music at the Marina, a kids carnival and boatbuilding, and a food court at the Sister Bay Village hall pavilion.
Sturgeon Bay Harvest Fest & Street Art Auction: September 16
Usher in the spirit of autumn on Third Avenue in Sturgeon Bay starting at 8 am. Features include a classic car show, craft show, food booths, in-store specials, the “Tapping of the Firkin” stein holding contest, and live entertainment. Preview the “Bass Around the Bay” Street Art Project at Martin Park before the virtual auction closes at 5 pm.
Baileys Harbor AutumnFest: September 23
Celebrate fall in Baileys Harbor with live music, food and drinks, and and arts and crafts fair. Highlights of Pin-Ups and Pistons day include a Classic Auto and Motorcycle Show and pin-up photoshoot, plus the Hey Hey 5k Run at Door County Brewing Co. Remember to bring your classic car or motorcycle to when you visit Autumnfest!
Autumn Lighthouse Festival: September 29-October 1
Discover Door County’s 11 lighthouses by land, air, and boat again this Columbus Day weekend. Visitors will have access to unique excursions and exclusive access to lighthouses that aren’t typically open to the public, including Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point lighthouses. A portion of proceeds will go to the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society.
Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival: October 7 & 8
Egg Harbor celebrates fall with one of the year’s largest festivals. Fall food favorites, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, silent auction, live music, scarecrow and pumpkin displays, magicians, food, refreshments and more at the Kress Pavilion Lawn and Harbor View Park.
Sister Bay Fall Festival: October 13-15
Close out the season with Sister Bay’s annual fall bash! Featuring live music all over the village, a huge arts and crafts fair, games and activities for kids, and food, including the Lion’s Club Fish Boil and Pancake Breakfast. Join the Fall Fest Parade Saturday morning, and don’t miss Sunday’s annual Ping Pong Ball Drop and Derby Race.
Jack O’Lantern Days: October 28-30
This festival puts the “eek!” in Fish Creek! A true, hometown Halloween festival at Fish Creek’s Top of the Hill Shops, Jack O’ Lantern Days will entertain little witches and goblins of all ages. Highlights include a festive costume contest, town hall games, town-wide trick-or-treating, a costume parade, live owls, mask making and so much more! This festival is full of surprises and will give your family a Halloween filled with good memories they’ll remember forever.
Thrills and Chills: October 28
A day of festive Halloween fun for the entire family! Start the holiday with a Costume Parade begins at 10 am from the Old Bell Tower and concludes at Martin Park in Sturgeon Bay. Activities include making your own trick-or-treat bags, costume parade, haunted house, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating throughout downtown Sturgeon Bay from 10 am-3 pm.
Sturgeon Bay Christmas by the Bay: November 17-19
Unwrap Sturgeon Bay with Christmas by the Bay Weekend presented in partnership with Door County Daily News. Join in the community car parade as Sturgeon Bay stores “unwrap” their festive storefronts to kick off the holiday season followed by the annual tree lighting ceremony near the Old Bell Tower on Third Avenue on Friday, Nov. 17! The fun continues Saturday, with a parade and meet and greet with Santa. The weekend comes to a close during brunch with Santa at Stone Harbor Resort on Sunday.
Sister Bay Capture the Spirit Festival: November 24 & 25
Celebrate the season with a holiday arts and craft fair and cookie decorating at Sister Bay Village Hall, visit with Santa’s elves and reindeer. Watch Santa arrive to turn on the holiday lights and read a wintertime story on Friday, November 24. Create holiday craft projects at Sister Bay Library, Saturday November 25.
Egg Harbor Holly Days: November 24 & 25
Enjoy an old-fashioned winter weekend with children’s activities, horse-draw wagon rides, caroling, tree-lighting, and more. Meet Santa and Egg Harbor’s Therapy Dogs Friday, November 24 for tree lighting and caroling. Saturday, November 25, meet Santa for breakfast and Bingo with the Egg Harbor Historical Society at Kress Pavillion. Join One Barrel Brewing for a fun run, before an elf-hunt, hot chocolate bar, and photos with Santa, and live music.
Ephraim Christmas in the Village: December 2
Celebrate with Santa and his reindeer with holiday crafts and snacks at the Village Hall December 2 from 3-5:30. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the village and join Santa at Harborside Park with his elves and reindeer to light the Christmas tree. Visit Ephraim business’s open-houses all day.
Baileys Harbor Holiday & Tree Lighting: December 3
Meet Santa and his elves and reindeer at Baileys Harbor Town Hall. Taking place from 6 – 8 pm Saturday, December 3, enjoy crafts, family activities, and tree lighting all with hot chocolate and cookies.
Christkindlmarkt: November 24-26, December 1-3, December 8-10
Located at the Corner of the Past Museum in Sister Bay, shop local weavers, knitters, potters, photographers, jewelers, painters, woodworkers, glass blowers and more! At Door County’s traditional European Christmas market, enjoy a warm, spicy mug of Glühwein and delicious winter food. The Market is open from 11am – 7pm Friday and Saturday of weekend’s one and two, and 11am – 6pm weekend three. Hours Sunday’s during the season are 11am – 3pm.
Sister Bay New Year’s Eve Celebration: December 31
Sister Bay celebrates New Year’s Eve with shopping, ice skating, dining specials, fireworks, and a bonfire. The FM 106.9 The Lodge Cherry Drop hosts the evening, with music and fun. Leading up to midnight, watch the giant sparkling cherry cherry drop to welcome the new year!
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Halloween Events In Ellison Bay
Two haunting events sponsored by Door County North are planned for Halloween. The Vault will have treat or treat, games and prizes at the Let the Ghoul Times Roll Trick or Treat, Oct. 31, 4-6 pm. Located at 12046 Highway 42, Ellison Bay. Della Porta offers complimentary dayglow sticks, s’mores, caramel apple bar and hot […]
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The Door County Folk Alliance will host a barn dance Oct. 28, 7-9 pm, at the Kress Pavilion. Caller, Tim Jenkins, leads participants through circle and long-line dances. Live music provided by the Sugar on the Floor Barn Dance Orchestra. Free and open to all. Donations appreciated. For more information, visit facebook.com/DCFolkAlliance. The Kress Pavilion […]
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Costume Party Benefiting Local Nonprofit
Drömhus is hosting a Halloween costume contest and party Oct. 28, 6-9 pm. A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to Do Good Door County, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the aging experience in Door County. For more information call 608.333.4553 or email [email protected] Drömhus is located at 611 Jefferson Street, Sturgeon Bay.
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Northern Door Pride Halloween Party
Northern Door Pride is taking over the Sister Bay Village Hall again this year for its Halloween bash Oct. 31, 7 pm. The theme, “A Legendary Halloween,” promises to be the can’t-miss Halloween party of the season. Dress in your best Halloween costume or as your favorite legend of Halloween for the free party. Wine […]
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Race Day at the Fall Fest Derby
On each of the past two Fall Fest Sundays, I’ve rolled into Sister Bay around 7:30 am to a quiet, largely empty village that is still a couple hours from coming back to life after Saturday’s festivities. The folks at Analog are serving a few people coffee, but the sides are still down on the […]
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Crossroads at Big Creek hosts Scott Stoner, Oct. 15, 1-3 pm, for “Retreat on 2 Feet,” a two-hour series of brief meditations, prompts and walks. This offering is part of The Wellness Compass Initiative, a nonprofit organization focusing on whole-person wellness. Stoner is a psychotherapist, spiritual retreat leader and ordained clergyperson. The workshop is non-sectarian […]
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Four Days Remain For Wildwood Corn Maze
Family adventure is afoot just north of Sister Bay at the Wildwood Market zomBEE-themed Corn Maze for just four more days. Find your way through the maze, learn about pollinators in the Bee Waggle game along the way, and make family memories as you meander through the maze. The full maze is 1.6 miles, but […]
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How I Almost Killed the Rhythm Chicken
I wasn’t prepared for this. When my old friend the Rhythm Chicken clucked in my direction in the early days of October of last year, I was happy to answer the floppy chicken’s call. “Yes, it would be my greatest honor to act as your driver in your triumphant return to the Fall Fest Parade,” […]
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2023 Sister Bay Fall Festival Schedule
TRANSPORTATION Shuttle bus running from 8 am – midnight Friday, October 13 10am-5pm: Arts & Crafts Fair 1-5 pm: Ferris Wheel 5-7:30 pm: Lions Club Fish Boil at the fire station Live Music 12-3pm: The Stangs, Door County Creamery 3-6pm: Modern Day Drifters, Husby’s 3-6pm: Blue Cheese Combo, Door County Creamery 5:30pm: Jerry Voelker & […]
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“I’m looking for the Baron of Bubbles,” I say, introducing myself to Larry Ripp over the phone. I am quickly corrected – “Just Bubble,” he says. “No S. Bubble is a place. Much like the Land of Oz.” And off we go. I’ve reached Ripp in his van as he drives to Spring Green to […]
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Lions Club Hosts Fish Boil, Brat Fry for Fall Fest
The Sister Bay Lions Club will host its annual Fall Festival Fish Boil on Friday, Oct. 13, 5-7:30 pm at the Sister Bay Fire Station on Mill Road. Lion Cori Shanahan, past president of the club and chairperson of the fish boil, continues the original Scandinavian settlers’ traditional fish boil. Shahahan, along with a group […]
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2023 Sister Bay Fall Festival Schedule (Oct. 13-15)
TRANSPORTATION Shuttle bus running from 8 am – midnight Friday, October 13 10am-5pm: Arts & Crafts Fair5-7:30 pm: Lions Club Fish Boil at the fire station Live Music 12-3pm: The Stangs, Door County Creamery3-6pm: Modern Day Drifters, Husby’s3-6pm: Blue Cheese Combo, Door County Creamery5:30pm: Jerry Voelker & the Jolly Gents, Sister Bay Fire Station6-9pm: […]
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2023 Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Schedule (Oct. 7-8)
One of the great weekends for family fun in Door County returns Oct. 7-8, 2023 with the Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival. Enjoy live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, face painting, pumpkin and scarecrow displays, great food and fun for the whole family! Pumpkin Patch weekend, as locals call it, is one of […]
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Egg Harbor will celebrate its annual Pumpkin Patch Festival on Oct. 7 and 8. The village’s largest annual event features live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, pumpkin and scarecrow displays, lots of kids activities and food and beverages throughout the village. Find a detailed schedule at eggharbordoorcounty.org. One week later the fun moves north […]
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Seaquist Orchards will host Apple Fest on Sept. 30, 11 am-3 pm. Enjoy live music by The Providence Band and activities such as apple launching, pumpkin painting, plus food by Savor BBQ food truck. Seaquist Orchard is located at 11482 Highway 57, Sister Bay.
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Mark Your Calendars For Autumnfest & The Fall Lighthouse Festival
Don’t forget to kick off the fall season with Baileys Harbor AutumnFest, Sept. 23. Celebrate fall in Baileys Harbor with live music, food, drinks and an arts-and-crafts fair. The morning kicks off with the Hey Hey 5K run through the back roads of Baileys Harbor, followed by the Pin-ups and Pistons Classic Car and Motorcycle […]
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Celebrate Autumn in Baileys Harbor Sept. 23!
Baileys Harbor is gearing up for Autumnfest Saturday with a full day of fun centered around the Baileys Harbor Town Hall. Festivities get started with the Hey Hey 5k at Door County Brewing Co. at 8 am, then move to the grounds surrounding the town hall. Classic cars will fill the road on County Road […]
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Explore The History And Flavors Of Apples
The Door County Historical Society will host Apple Fest, Sept. 23, 10 am – 3 pm. This family-friendly event is a day of apple-themed festivities, treats, historical insights and entertainment. There will be apple pies to caramel apple creations and apple-tasting stations to taste different apple varieties. Learn about the apple through time and discover […]
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Seven Can’t-Miss Door County Fall Festivals
Summer does not have a lock on fun. Just when you think it’s all over but the crying, Autumn shows up with its back-to-back, weekend festivals that celebrate fall and the spooky season. It’s one of the busiest times of the year in Door County – and some of the most fun. Here’s what’s coming […]
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Labor Day Weekend Events in Door County
Labor Day weekend brings one last summer hurrah for Door County, with fun for the kids in Sister Bay, a boatload of live music in Egg Harbor and a concert of tradition at Camp David. Here’s a quick guide to some of this weekend’s big events! Sister Bay Marina Fest Yes, this festival was started […]