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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Baileys Harbor Cautiously OKs Celebrations
With no certainty about the containment of COVID-19 this season, the Baileys Harbor Town Board instructed its community association to proceed cautiously with event planning for 2021. The board gave the go-ahead on Monday for Brynn Swanson, Baileys Harbor Community Association (BHCA) director, to take reservations from vendors and food-truck operators for a July Fourth […]
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Don’t Miss Fire & Ice Festivities Feb. 12-13
The annual Fire & Ice weekend will kick off Feb. 12 with the Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe at Crossroads at Big Creek, 6-8 pm. Then on Feb. 13, join or watch the 16th annual Fire & Ice ice-carving competition in downtown Sturgeon Bay. Between 9 am and 2 pm, individual carvers and carving teams of […]
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Fish Creek Cancels Winter Festival, Launches Winter Tour of Lights
The Fish Creek Civic Association has canceled the annual Fish Creek Winter Festival, planned for Feb. 5-7, and all associated events have been canceled as well because of COVID-19 concerns. Despite the cancellation, the association still promises a bright and merry winter season through its self-guided Winter Tour of Lights. After a successful fundraising campaign […]
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Ephraim Alters Dec. 5 Christmas in the Village
Because of recent health advisories, the Ephraim Business Council has made changes to the Dec. 5 Christmas in the Village celebration. Instead of the tree-lighting ceremony, Santa will spread holiday cheer from the porch of the Ephraim Village Hall, 5-5:30 pm. Please remain in your vehicle and drive by to wave to Santa. Eagle Harbor […]
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Ephraim Modifies Christmas in the Village
The Ephraim Business Council will hold a modified Christmas in the Village celebration Dec. 5. Santa Claus will arrive in Harborside Park at 5 pm in an Ephraim Fire Department vehicle, and he’ll light the Christmas tree in the gazebo to welcome the holiday season. Attendees should wear masks and maintain social distancing. Eagle Harbor […]
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See a Show of Scarecrows in Egg Harbor
Although the annual Pumpkin Patch Festival is not happening this year, members of the Egg Harbor Business Association (EHBA) wanted to keep a special tradition alive: the annual pumpkin and scarecrow display contest. “The pumpkin and scarecrow displays are a long-standing tradition of Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch Festival and one that is beloved by residents […]
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Thrills on Third is back, and new this year will be the Sturgeon Bay Spooky Scavenger Hunt! Pick up a scavenger hunt map at the Destination Sturgeon Bay welcome center beginning Oct. 5, and return it to the center no later than Nov. 6 for a chance to win a Destination Sturgeon Bay gift certificate. […]
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Door County Delivered Partners with Sister Bay to Offer Fall Fest in a Box
Sister Bay’s Fall Fest is a beloved annual event for many visitors, and it’s a great way to cap the summer season for locals and seasonal workers. Sadly, it’s another event that has been canceled for 2020, but the Sister Bay Advancement Association came up with a way for would-be fest goers to infuse some […]
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Fall Lighthouse Festival Better Than Ever
The Door County Maritime Museum (dcmm.org) will host the Fall Lighthouse Festival Oct. 3-4: a weekend of air, land, boat and adventure tours that, together, will reach all 11 of the county’s treasured lighthouses. Many of the excursions are exclusive to the festival weekends and provide visitors with lighthouse access that is not typically available […]
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Destination Sturgeon Bay Cancels 2020 Harvest Festival
Destination Sturgeon Bay has canceled the 2020 Harvest Festival in the interest of participants’ safety. The event is a destination festival that can attract up to 7,500 attendees and features more than 50 vendors statewide. Cherries Jubilee – the 20th annual street-art auction – will still take place virtually Sept. 19. More details regarding this live auction […]
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Drive-Through Kermiss at Belgian Heritage Center
The Belgian Heritage Center, 1255 Cty DK in Brussels, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and will host a drive-through kermiss Aug. 16, 11:30 am – 2 pm. Burgers, trippe, jutt and Belgian pies will be on the menu, and the center’s famous booyah will be sold by the bowl, quart and gallon. Find out how […]
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Baileys Harbor Cancels Some Events
The Baileys Harbor Community Association has canceled events through Sept. 30 because of the pandemic. Concerts in the Park, Food Trucks & Floaties, and Autumnfest have been postponed to 2021. The association’s staff and board value the community, visitors, the service industry and medical workers. The Town of Baileys Harbor has passed a resolution supporting […]
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Pumpkin Patch, Other Egg Harbor Events Canceled
The Egg Harbor Village Board of Trustees and Egg Harbor Business Association (EHBA) have canceled the Door County Sports & Classic Car Show on Aug. 8, Egg Harbor AleFest on Sept. 19, and Pumpkin Patch Festival on Oct. 10-11. The safety of visitors, residents, volunteers and staff members was the primary factor in this decision, […]
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Preview: 15th Annual Door County Plein Air Festival
During these times of social distancing, painting “en plein air” (French for “in full or open air”) is, in some ways, the ideal activity. One imagines the solitary artist standing in a field, alone and at one with nature, squinting her or his eyes to better discern blocks of light and holding a paintbrush at […]
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Experiencing Maritime History Aboard the Belafonte
Peering over the sides of the inflatable Belafonte raft, I could see massive, mossy beams stacked underwater like a fallen tower of giant Jenga blocks. The sunken remains of the schooner Grape Shot – sitting under just eight feet of water near Plum Island – seemed close enough to touch. While aboard the Belafonte – captained by Matt […]
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Arguably one of Door County’s most recognizable festivals, Fyr Bal lights up the shore of Eagle Harbor every June. It’s inspired by traditional Norwegian celebrations of the summer solstice, so it marks the end of winter and the triumph of summer – a transition symbolized by the burning of the proverbial “winter witch.” Although the […]
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Steel Bridge Songfest Goes Virtual
The 2020 Steel Bridge Songfest – heading into its 16th year – is going virtual June 12 and 13 at 7:30 pm each day. The festival was founded in 2005 to benefit the preservation of Sturgeon Bay’s Michigan Street Bridge. Now the weeklong event centers around a focused writing and recording collaboration called Construction Zone, which […]
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Steel Bridge Songfest Goes Virtual
Adaptability and spontaneity has been baked into the DNA of Steel Bridge Songfest since its inception in 2007. Each event has been drastically different from the one before, which is, in fact, a large part of its appeal. The Songfest has inhabited many venues throughout the years – a yacht club, a parking lot and […]
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Ridges Sanctuary Reschedules Festival of Nature
The 18th annual Door County Festival of Nature has been rescheduled for Sept. 3-6. Because of COVID-19 concerns, staff at The Ridges Sanctuary decided in April to reschedule the festival and extended the overlap time to ensure that those who had registered for programs could be contacted to reschedule their experience. The festival’s partners are […]
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2020 Door County Fair Canceled
With concern for the safety and health of the community, exhibitors and their families, vendors, carnival workers, the general public and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Door County Fair Board and County Board have canceled the 2020 Door County Fair. “The future of social gatherings and safety guidelines are constantly changing, and we, as […]