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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2020 Door County Fair Canceled
The Door County Fair Board and County Board have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Door County Fair. The decision was made with the safety of all those who are involved with the Fair is the highest priority. The Board also recognizes the economic impact COVID-19 has had on our community. Many of the […]
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Algoma Cancels Some Summer Festivities
After careful consideration, the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce is canceling some of its summer festivities due to the uncertainties related to COVID-19. Because of the economic impact the Algoma business community has felt, the Chamber of Commerce did not think it was appropriate to make sponsorship requests at this time. The Algoma City Wide […]
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As our communities work toward figuring out a “new normal” going into the busy season, the organizers of the traditional community events and festivals of May and June are also having to adapt. Many have canceled, postponed, rescheduled or modified their events. Here’s the status of festivals: • May 15-16: Annual Door County Scottie Rally in […]
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Early Summer Festival and Performance Updates
As our communities work toward figuring out a “new normal” going into the busy season, the organizers of the traditional community events and festivals of May and June are also having to adapt. Many have canceled, postponed or rescheduled events. Here’s the status of festivals: Festivals • May 15-16: Annual Door County Scottie Rally has been […]
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Lighthouse Festival Tickets on Sale Now
Tickets for the 2020 Door County Spring (June 12-14) and Fall (Oct. 3-4) Lighthouse Festivals are now on sale. The festivals include land-based, boat and adventure tours that together reach all 11 of the county’s lighthouses. Many of the excursions are unique to the festivals and provide exclusive access to several lighthouses that are not […]
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Tickets on Sale for Two Lighthouse Festivals
Tickets for the 2020 Door County Spring (June 12-14) and Fall (Oct. 3-4) Lighthouse Festivals are now on sale. They include land-based, boat, adventure and now air tours with options to reach all 11 of the county’s treasured lighthouses. Many of the tour excursions are unique to the Lighthouse Festivals and provide access to several […]
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St. Patrick’s Day Festivities 2020
It’s time for some spring fun, right? Wear your best green finery when you check out these festivities in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. March 14 Sturgeon Bay CANCELLED: 11 am: The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin in Sawyer Park. Participation is free. 12 pm: The Door County Folk Alliance will present LibraryLIVE, […]
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Saturday in Sturgeon Bay: Fire & Ice
Visit downtown Sturgeon Bay to watch snow and ice carvers turn blocks of snow and ice into works of art beginning at 9 am on Feb. 15! This citywide snow- and ice-carving competition welcomes novice, intermediate, advanced and professional winter artists from all over the Midwest. Carvers will create their masterpieces in front of Sturgeon […]
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Ellison Bay Groundhog Day Parade on Feb. 2
The ninth annual Ellison Bay Groundhog Day Parade will roll again on Feb. 2, 2 pm. To participate, just show up at the Nicolet Bank and Ellison Bay Post Office parking areas at 1:15 pm, and parade organizers will help you line up. The theme for the 2020 parade is football and the Super Bowl, […]
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The 33rd annual Fish Creek Winterfest is happening this weekend, Feb. 1-2, on the shore of Green Bay in Fish Creek. It’s a chance to get outside, get goofy and enjoy some great food, family fun and fireworks! Then keep the good times rolling with the Fruit Loop Run on Sunday morning. SCHEDULE Saturday, Feb. […]
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Fish Creek’s Winterfest Offers Plenty of Fun
Celebrate winter in Fish Creek during Winterfest, Feb. 1-2. It has all the great things people love about festivals: live music, food, beverages, fun, fireworks and more. This long-standing festival tradition also offers some quirky activities that make it a can’t-miss winter event on the peninsula. The first day’s festivities feature trolley rides, game booths, […]
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2020 Door County Short Film Fest
The 11th annual Door County Short Film Fest will take place Feb. 14-15 in the Sister Bay Village Hall, and for the first time, a limited number of advance tickets will be available at doorcountytickets.com. Submitted short films from around the world will be screened Feb. 14, 7-8:30 pm; doors will open at 6:30 pm. […]
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Ice Carvers Needed for 2020 Fire and Ice Fest
Express your creativity in a unique medium – ice! Challenge yourself during Destination Sturgeon Bay’s Fire and Ice event on Feb. 15 and carve an ice sculpture. Destination Sturgeon Bay is seeking beginner, intermediate and advanced ice carvers for the 2020 ice carving competition, 9 am – 2 pm. Individuals and teams of all ages and skill […]
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Get your pass to Door County’s largest beer event of the year. Tickets for the June 20, 2020 Door County Beer Festival are on sale now. Sample from more than 150 beers, meet the brewers of many of the best breweries in the state, enjoy live music and great street food on the grounds all […]
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New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Events
Ring in 2020 with celebratory events throughout Door County! With live music, polar bear plunges, nature hikes and more, there are many and various ways to welcome the new year on the peninsula. Home for the Holidays 2019 Northern Sky’s Gould Theater, Fish Creek Reunite with Northern Sky favorites Eric Lewis, Katie Dahl and Rich […]
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Jacksonport Tree Lighting Dec. 7
The Jacksonport Advancement Corporation and the Jacksonport Women’s Club invite one and all to the annual Christmas-tree lighting Dec. 7, 5:45 pm, at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport. After singing carols around the tree, head to the Jacksonport Town Hall, 3365 Cty V, for a Christmas party featuring food, fun and friends at 6 pm. Admission […]
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Rotary Club’s Holiday Fair: Dec. 7 during Harbor Holiday
The Rotary Club of Door County North will kick off the season with its annual holiday fair Dec. 7, 10 am – 2 pm, at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall. This year the event will be bigger than ever, with more than 20 vendors; Bearded Heart Coffee will be selling coffee and pastries; and Lampert […]
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Baileys Harbor’s Harbor Holiday on Dec. 7
Join the Baileys Harbor Community Association on Dec. 7 for Harbor Holiday. Stroll through downtown before the parade to check out all the trees that local businesses and families have decorated. Then walk along the Highway 57 parade route, following Santa on a fire truck, and visit him at the town hall. The Baileys Harbor […]
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DCMM’s Merry-Time Festival of Trees
Create a new holiday tradition! Visit the eighth annual Merry-Time Festival of Trees at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, where decorated trees and wreaths donated by businesses and individuals will grace the museum’s galleries. Visitors can also purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win one of the beautifully decorated trees. Kids […]
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Noble Square Tree Lighting Dec. 7
Head to Noble Square in Fish Creek on Dec. 7, 5 pm, to watch the snowflakes fall from the sky (maybe), sing carols by candlelight and ring in the spirit of the holiday season with “O Tannenbaum” when the Gibraltar Historical Association continues its tradition of inviting the community to its tree-lighting celebration. Once again, […]