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!
-
Pumpkin Patch Festival: A Food Preview
Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch Festival is a favorite event for many reasons: a variety of great kids’ activities, a schedule of lively live music and an array of delicious food and drink offerings. This week in the Palate section, we hope to get you excited about a fun-filled Pumpkin Patch weekend with a foodie preview […]
-
Don’t Miss 2019 Pumpkin Patch Festival
Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch Festival – a fall family tradition – will return Oct. 12-13 with great live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, face painting, pumpkin and scarecrow displays, kids’ games and activities, food and fun. New this year? Horseshoe Bay Farms is providing a free shuttle that allows visitors to park at Frank Murphy County […]
-
This Weekend in Door County: A Speakeasy, AutumnFest & Oktoberfest
AutumnFest in Baileys Harbor Baileys Harbor’s AutumnFest welcomes the start of fall this weekend with a variety of fun events that seek to offer something for everyone. From a speakeasy casino party to a classic car show, farmers’ market and 5K running event, partake in one activity or do them all for a fun-filled weekend […]
-
Celebrate Oktoberfest Door County Style
Start a new tradition with the Hügel Haus If you have any amount of German heritage – or perhaps you just appreciate a cold fest bier and an enthusiastic polka – it’s the time of year to don your lederhosen and get out the steins for an Oktoberfest celebration. Locations across Wisconsin are happy to […]
-
Get Your Tickets Now for the Fall Lighthouse Festival, Oct. 12-13
Tickets are selling fast at DoorCountyTickets.com for the 2019 Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival, Oct. 12-13, which includes boat and adventure tours to many of the county’s 11 treasured lighthouses. Exciting additions this year include adventurous kayak excursions to view historic lighthouses and Death’s Door adventure rafting. Several excursions are unique to the festival and […]
-
Don’t Miss Baileys Harbor’s AutumnFest Sept. 27-29
Baileys Harbor’s AutumnFest welcomes the start of fall this weekend with a variety of fun events that seek to offer something for everyone. From a speakeasy casino party to a classic car show, farmers’ market and 5K running event, partake in one activity or do them all for a fun-filled weekend on the lake side! […]
-
This Weekend in Door County: Harvest Festivals and Very Stinky Cheese
Harvest Fest in Sturgeon Bay Usher in the spirit of autumn with a bountiful day on Third Avenue. Features include a classic car show, craft show, food booths, in-store specials, children’s activities, and live entertainment. Visit here for the full schedule. Chalk the Bay will take place during the festival as well. Three professional chalk […]
-
Sturgeon Bay Kicks Off Autumn Festivities with Harvest Fest
Friday, Sept. 20 6 pm: Second annual Classic Car Parade, sponsored by the Old Bolts Car Club. The parade will start at Tractor Supply on Egg Harbor Road and end at the Lodge at Leathem Smith. Dusk: The City of Sturgeon Bay and the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center will screen Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Martin […]
-
Are you a car buff? Do you have a car, truck or motorcycle you’d like to show off? Attend Baileys Harbor’s Classic Car Show – part of AutumnFest – on Sept. 28, 9 am – 3 pm, when trophies will go to People’s Choice, Best in Show, Emergency Vehicle, Louie Oldenburg Best Motorcycle and Top Vehicle in each […]
-
Harvest Fest in Sturgeon Bay Sept. 20-21
Get into the fall spirit Sept. 20-21 in Sturgeon Bay! Starting Friday at 6 pm, the second annual Classic Car Parade, sponsored by the Old Bolts Car Club, will leave from Tractor Supply on Egg Harbor Road and end at the Lodge at Leathem Smith. At dusk, the City of Sturgeon Bay and the Sturgeon […]
-
This Weekend in Door: Fall Challenge, AleFest & Wet Whistle Wine Fest
Peninsula Century Fall Challenge The annual cycling event will take 700 riders along rustic roads and scenic vistas in Northern Door. Riders begin at Waterfront Park in Sister Bay where they will embark on a 25, 50, 62 or 100 mile. Riders return to a meal from Thyme Catering, a beer from One Barrel or […]
-
Parallel 44 Celebrates Harvest Fest
After months of pruning, pulling and managing its 10-acre vineyard, Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery (parallel44.com) invites you to join its annual Harvest Fest on Sept. 7, 12-6 pm. Compete in the grape stomp at 3 pm; take a tour of the vineyard and production facility with winemaker Steve; enjoy a wagon ride around the […]
-
This Weekend in Door County: Marina Fest, Sausage Fest & Wilderness Day
Sister Bay Marina Fest All weekend long join the festival of fun in Sister Bay where you can find live music, kids’ carnival, food vendors, a vintage boat show and fireworks. See the full schedule here. Sausage Fest at One Barrel Brewing Company Find an Oktoberfest beer tent from One Barrel Brewing Co., hot sausages […]
-
Water tours and rentals will be available at the boat kiosk and quiet-craft locations throughout the festival. Saturday, Aug. 31 7–10:30 am: Pancake breakfast 8 am – 5 pm: Vintage boat show and Door County Maritime Museum wooden-boat raffle9 am – 5 pm: Used-book sale in the Village Hall, farmers’ market and craft fair, stained-glass mosaic […]
-
The 2019 Wet Whistle Wine Fest will be held Sept. 13, 5-9 pm; and Sept. 14, 10 am – 6 pm, at the von Stiehl Winery (vonStiehl.com), 115 Navarino St. in Algoma. If offers a grape stomp, hearty sandwiches, cider, beer, soda and lots of wine: red, white, rosé, semi-sweet, dry, you name it. Food […]
-
Sunflower Fest: New Name for Sunshine House’s Fundraiser
The Sunshine House’s annual fundraiser is getting a new name and moving to a new location. Formerly called Corn Fest, the new Sunflower Fest will be held Sept. 7, 9 am – 3 pm, in Sturgeon Bay’s Martin Park. The family-friendly event will feature music by WiFEE and THE HUZz BAND, a bake sale, silent […]
-
Algoma’s Soar on the Shore Kite and Beach Festival!
Friends of Crescent Beach and the Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce are once again partnering to present the fifth annual, family-friendly Soar on the Shore Kite and Beach Festival (algoma.org/soar) on Crescent Beach on Aug. 17, 11 am – 4 pm. (All activities are weather-dependent; the rain date is Aug. 18, 11 am – 4 […]
-
This Weekend in Door County: Floaties, Fiddles, Food and Fun
Only in Door County could one weekend feature Nordic fiddles, pig wrestling, professional kite flyers, island adventures, incredible live music and more. There are plenty of activities to keep busy, whether you’re craving an outdoor adventure, an indoor activity or some delicious eats. The events listed below are just a sampling of happenings on the […]
-
Don’t Miss the Belgian Kermiss Aug. 18
The Belgian Heritage Center is hosting its annual Belgian Kermiss – a traditional harvest celebration that’s open to the community, featuring Belgian food, beer, music and camaraderie – on Aug. 18, 11 am – 4 pm. Kermisses were traditionally celebrated in each small community in the Belgian settlement beginning before Labor Day and extending into October. The […]
-
All Things German at Sturgeon Bay’s Heritage Village Aug. 10
Join the Door County Historical Society to celebrate German Festival on Aug. 10, 10 am – 3 pm, at the Heritage Village at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay. Learn some German history; indulge in German foods, from brats to cake; and enjoy German music and demonstrations of blacksmithing, silk dying and knapping. At 11 am […]