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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2021 Baileys Harbor Autumnfest (Sept. 25)
Are you a car buff? Do you have a car, truck or motorcycle that you’d like to show off? Check out the Classic Car Show at Baileys Harbor Autumnfest Sept. 25. Even if you don’t have a vehicle to enter, grab the family and head to Baileys Harbor for a great event including arts and […]
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Maritime Week Kicks Off in Sturgeon Bay
It’s time once again to salute the U.S. Coast Guard during Sturgeon Bay’s Maritime Week. Events began Aug. 5 with a golf outing at Idlewild Golf Course and will continue through Aug. 15. Want to see everything the event has to offer? This guide will get you started. Aug. 6: Coast Guard vs. City Allstars […]
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Sunshine Resources’ Sunflower Fest Returns
Since 2002, Sunshine Resources of Door County has hosted its annual Sunflower Fest (formerly Corn Fest) as its largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s free festival will be held Sept. 11, 10 am – 5 pm, at Sturgeon Bay’s Martin Park. The funds raised support programs and services for people with special needs and […]
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The Belgian Heritage Center’s Kermiss Is Back
The Belgian Heritage Center (BHC, belgianheritagecenter.org) will host its annual Belgian Kermiss on Sunday, Aug. 15, 11 am – 4 pm. A kermiss is a traditional harvest festival featuring Belgian food, beer, music and camaraderie that’s open to the whole community. The variety band Mad Cats will perform its mix of country, rock and pop […]
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Resilience: 150 Years of the Door County Fair
When the carnival rides hum to life, the sweet smell of funnel cakes wafts through the air, and the county’s youth unload their pigs, cows and crafts along the midway at the Door County Fairgrounds on July 28, the 150-year legacy of the Door County Fair will live on. Behind the entertainment and thrills rests […]
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Fall Fest Soap Box Derby Is Back
Among the many events that are returning in 2021 is the Soap Box Derby on Oct. 17, 10 am, on Highway 42 in downtown Sister Bay. It will be part of the 75th annual Fall Festival, slated for Oct. 15-17. Girls and boys ages 7 to 13 may build (with adult assistance) and race their […]
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Fall Fest Soap Box Derby is Back
The Fall Festival Soap Box Derby is coming back for 2021. The Sister Bay Advancement Association announced the derby will be held at 10 am, Oct. 17. The Derby Race will be held on Highway 42 in downtown Sister Bay. Girls and boys age 7 to 13 can build (with assistance from an adult) and […]
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Holy Name of Mary Classic Car Show and Picnic
The Holy Name of Mary Classic Car Show and Picnic will be held July 18, 10 am – 3 pm, in Sturgeon Bay. Enjoy music by the Modern Day Drifters, 11 am – 3 pm. Burgers, brats, trippe, booyah, desserts and refreshments will be available. Kids can play free games with prizes, jump in a bounce […]
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The Brussels Lions Club’s 60th Belgian Days Festival is returning live this year, July 9-11. The community festival features three days of ethnic food, music and more. On Friday, July 9, there will be free admission for music by The Third Wheels, 7-11 pm. The gates will open at 6 pm, and food and beverages […]
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2021 Door County July 4th Events
For many, it’s the highlight of summer: Independence Day in Door County, the holiday made for Small-Town USA. Cookouts, goofball parades with local flavor and fireworks sending rainbows over the lake. And it’s reunions – bumping into friends in the crowd along the parade route or on the dance floor at Husby’s. Gathering with family […]
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Open Door Pride Celebrates (Mostly) Virtually
The fifth Open Door Pride Festival will be held virtually – for the most part – on Saturday, June 26, but festival founder and chair Cathy Grier expects that some people will gather at Martin Park in Sturgeon Bay for a smaller celebration. “We’re not encouraging crowds, but people are going to come,” she said, “and […]
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July Fourth Is Just around the Corner
Let’s get back to it Already planning your Independence Day weekend? Here are a few things to know before next week. If you’re all in for fireworks, you have plenty of options during the July Fourth weekend and even beyond. On July 3, Egg Harbor will shoot off its display over the harbor after music […]
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Beer Fest is sold out, but you can still get in The Door County Beer Festival is sold out, but you can still join the tasting and fun by filling a volunteer shift. Shifts run 11 am – 1:30 pm and 1:30-4 pm. When you fill a shift, you’ll get a pass to hang out and […]
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The Blahniks have maintained the Chambers Island Lighthouse for 45 years Mary Ann Blahnik remembers the day her husband, Joel, pitched the idea of becoming caretakers of the Chambers Island Lighthouse. “I wasn’t thrilled,” she said without hesitation. But at the same time, she understood why the Town of Gibraltar’s ad for volunteer lighthouse caretakers […]
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Search for new leadership falls short The Haunted Mansion is closing its doors. During the search for new community members to join the core leadership team, a number of people did volunteer, but not enough to fill the vacant core leadership positions. Although the group has the assistance of more than 500 volunteers annually, much […]
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Tickets Available for Spring, Fall Lighthouse Festivals
Tickets for the 2021 Door County Spring and Fall Lighthouse Festivals are now on sale. The festivals include air, land-based, boat and adventure tours that, together, reach all 11 of the county’s lighthouses and – new this year – three to the south. Many of the tours are exclusive to the festivals and provide access to several […]
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Fyr Bal Festival Canceled for Second Year
The Ephraim Business Council will not be holding the Fyr Bal Festival in 2021 out of concern for the health and safety of the community and visitors. It was a difficult decision to postpone the event for a second year, but the council looks forward to safely bringing back the music, artisans, games, dancers, chieftain, […]
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Easter Egg Hunt April 3 at Sister Bay Sports Complex
Head to the Sister Bay Sports Complex, 2155 Autumn Court, for an Easter egg hunt (sisterbay.com) April 3, 10:30 am. Get your photo taken with the Easter bunny, hunt for colorful eggs with candy inside and find a Golden Ticket egg to win a special prize basket! Participants should take their own baskets or bags […]
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Jacksonport’s Maifest Canceled for Second Year
Since 1973, Jacksonport has hosted Maifest – Door County’s unofficial summer kickoff festival during Memorial Day weekend at Lakeside Park. Pandemic-related public-health concerns forced organizers to cancel the 2020 event and, now, the 2021 event as well. Leaders of the Jacksonport Advancement Corporation hope the parade, arts-and-crafts fair, food booths, kids’ activities, live music, run and […]
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Ice carvers braved the chilly elements Feb. 13 during the Fire & Ice ice-carving contest to create original “ice-terpieces” out of 300-pound ice blocks, and judges walked the streets of Sturgeon Bay to determine the winning sculptures. In the beginner category, Collin Richter received first place for his gnome sculpture; Meghan Lampereur took second for […]