Navigation

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!

  • Door County Classic & Wooden Boat Festival

    Visit the Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) in Sturgeon Bay during the 29th annual Door County Classic & Wooden Boat Festival (doorcountyclassicboatfestival.com), Aug. 10-11. It features historic and beautiful vessels displayed by their owners or builders throughout the museum grounds, along the waterfront and on the lawn. The festival also includes the Sikaflex Boat Building […]

  • Algoma’s Shanty Days

    This annual, weekend-long event is Algoma’s “celebration of the lake,” complete with a parade, 5K run, juried art-and-craft fair, food, live music, beach volleyball, pool tournament, fishing contest, car cruise and more. Food includes Belgian trippe, gyros, walking tacos, roasted corn, mini donuts, roasted nuts, gourmet corn, roasted corn with all the fixings, and ceviche. […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Wooden Boats, Shanty Days and Automobiles

    From Washington Island to Algoma, the peninsula is abuzz with activity. To plan a fun filled weekend for your friends and family, check out the highlighted festivals, celebrations, outdoor activities and musical acts listed below Festivals and Celebrations Shanty Days (August 9-11)  Head to Crescent Beach, Algoma this weekend for the 33rd annual Shanty Days […]

  • Algoma’s Shanty Days

    This annual, weekend-long event is Algoma’s “celebration of the lake,” complete with a parade, 5K run, juried art-and-craft fair, food, live music, beach volleyball, pool tournament, fishing contest, car cruise and more. Food includes Belgian trippe, gyros, walking tacos, roasted corn, mini donuts, roasted nuts, gourmet corn, roasted corn with all the fixings, and ceviche. […]

  • Go Hog Wild at the Ellison Bay Waterfront Pig Roast

    Ellison Bay goes hog wild when the Ellison Bay Service Club hosts a waterfront pig roast Aug. 3 at the Ellison Bay Community Park. All dogs are welcome to enter the “Best” Minster Dog Show at 3 pm, and ribbons will be awarded for the Best Wiggly Butt, Best Floppy Ears, Best Costume and more. […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Celebrations Across the Peninsula

    It won’t be hard to keep busy this weekend! The Door County Fair is in town, offering visitors and residents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Door County. Additionally, the communities of Washington Island, Jacksonport and Ellison Bay are hosting celebrations of their own. Also, be sure to check out the sampling of theater performances, farmers […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Carlsville Day, Cherries and Plein Air Art

    Festivals and Celebrations  Carlsville Day (July 27)  Head to Carlsville this Saturday to enjoy a parade, delicious food, a pie-eating contest, a grape/cherry stomp, free waterslides, pet psychic readings and more! Read more>> Cherry Festival at Seaquist Orchards (July 27, 10 am-3 pm)  Join Seaquist Orchards as they kick off the cherry season in Door […]

  • 18th Annual Carlsville Day 

    On July 27, Carlsville (CarlsvilleDoorCounty.com) will be overrun with live music, a craft fair, events and free family fun! Located seven miles north of Sturgeon Bay on Highway 42, Carlsville will host events throughout the village, and free trolleys will transport attendees among businesses.  Event Schedule 11-3 pm: Live music by Blues Disciples, Roadhouse of […]

  • 2019 Door County Fair Schedule

    The 2019 Door County Fair runs Wednesday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 4, at John Miles Fair Park, 812 N. 14th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. The admission price of $7 includes rides, grandstand programs, Midway Musical Stage attractions and daily activities. In addition to checking out the events listed below, visit the 4-H and Junior […]

  • Midsummer’s Music Continues with Baroque Brilliance Series

    Midsummer’s Music will present a Baroque Brilliance concert series July 24-28. The program includes Handel’s Concerto Grosso in B-flat Major, Op. 3, No. 2 (1734); Albinoni’s Concerto Grosso in C Major, Op. 9, No. 9 (1722); Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052 (1734); and Trio Sonata No. 5 in F Major […]

  • Maritime Week in Sturgeon Bay Begins Aug. 3

    The City of Sturgeon Bay will again honor its rich maritime heritage and the area’s past and present Coast Guard personnel through Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week events. Sturgeon Bay is one of only 20 communities nationwide – and the first and only in the state – to be designated a Coast Guard City. Sturgeon Bay Maritime […]

  • A Party for Lego Lovers of All Ages

    Brick Party by the Bay (cometosisterbay.com) – a celebration of Lego creativity – will return to the Sister Bay Village Hall July 20-21, 10 am – 3 pm, to spark imaginations on the waterfront.  Get inspired by the Wisconsin LEGO Users Group’s amazing creations, including tall ships modeled after those that will be on display […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Cherries, LEGOs and Live Music

     Door County kicks off cherry season with festivals at Lautenbach’s Orchard Winery and Market and Cherry De-Lite Country Ovens. This weekend’s highlights also include Brick Party by the Bay and plenty of live music.  Festivals  Stop by the Summer Cherry Harvest Fest at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery and Market, this Saturday (July 20, 10 am- […]

  • Cherry Celebrations Begin

    The peninsula is beginning to pop with ripe cherries, which means that the markets and cherry festivals are also appearing around the county. Beginning mid-month and lasting through mid-August, you’ll find the orchard markets overflowing with just-picked cherries and lots of goodies to go along with the harvest. Plus, each weekend you can find a […]

  • This Weekend in Door County: Folk Festival, Sea Kayak Symposium and More

    The festivities in Door County don’t stop after the Fourth of July weekend! In fact, we are in the midst of the most happenin’ time of the summer here on the peninsula. Check out this weekend’s highlights below. Festivals and Celebrations Door County Folk Festival  Stop by Baileys Harbor this weekend (July 10-14) to participate […]

  • Midsummer’s Music’s Prescient Youth Series Astounds

    Midsummer’s Music will present the Prescient Youth series of concerts July 10-17, featuring breathtaking works by young composers and child prodigies, including Felix Mendelssohn, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Jacob Beranek, who came to the attention of Midsummer’s Music when he attended a performance in 2015. His enthusiasm for composition was so infectious that he became the […]

  • Optimize Your Fourth of July Celebrations

    The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and as always, there are plenty of activities to attend. But which ones should you go to? Hey, here’s an idea: Why not hit all of them? During a recent Peninsula Pulse meeting when the team was discussing Independence Day content, we tossed around an idea […]

  • 2019 Independence Day Celebrations

    JULY 3 Kewaunee, Lakehaven Hall 12-9 pm: Muskrat City Sportsmen will serve hamburgers, brats and hot dogs. Fried cod, walleye, perch and combo plates will be available at 4 pm. Beverages will also be available. All proceeds will go to scholarship funds and educational programs. 3-6 pm: Performance by The Notables 3-9 pm: Kids’ games, […]

  • A Very Full June Weekend: Bikes, Beer and Fyr Bal

    Stollenwerk Named 55th Fyr Bal Chieftain Jim Stollenwerk was named Fyr Bal chieftain June 15 at Ephraim’s 55th Fyr Bal festival – an event that features the burning of the winter witch and the welcoming of summer to Door County. Stollenwerk was honored for his contributions to the village of Ephraim, which includes serving on […]