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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Griffon Quartet Celebrates One Year
The Griffon Quartet will play at Egg Harbor’s Kress Pavilion on May 25, 7 pm. To conclude and celebrate their first season as Midsummer’s Music’s quartet in residence, Griffon members will perform Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 33, No. 3, “The Bird;” Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 3, “Mishima;” and Brahms’ String Quartet No. 2 in […]
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Final Ship Announced in Tall Ships Event
Windy is the final tall ship of nine to be announced for the Nicolet Bank Tall Ships event. Sailing from Chicago’s Navy Pier, Windy is a 148-foot, traditional four-masted gaff topsail schooner built with modern materials and integrating modern amenities and safety features. But, like old trading schooners and sail training ships, this traditional sailing […]
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2019 Jacksonport Maifest Schedule of Events
The 47th annual celebration of Jacksonport Maifest is taking place on May 25-26. Since 1973, the Jacksonport Advancement Corporation, a non-profit organization committed to community benefit and enrichment, has hosted Door County’s unofficial summer kick-off festival at Lakeside Park, located at the intersection of County V and Highway 57. Event highlights include the grand parade […]
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This Weekend in Door County: Maifest & Memorial Day Events
Kick off the summer season with a long weekend full of events in Door County. Maifest The 47th annual celebration of Jacksonport Maifest is taking place on May 25-26. Since 1973 it has been considered Door County’s unofficial summer kick-off. Festivities take place at Lakeside Park, located at the intersection of County V and Highway […]
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Valmy Thresheree Site Gets New Machinery Storage
On April 16, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the newest building at the Northeastern Wisconsin Antique Power Association’s (NEWAPA) home grounds, where the annual Valmy Thresheree is held. This new building will house the increasing inventory of antique machinery that will be preserved and used for demonstrations at the thresheree. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, […]
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Jacksonport Firefighters and EMRs Support Maifest Parade
From moving equipment to organizing the parade, Jacksonport firefighters and EMRs donate their time to make Maifest successful. They will be on North Cave Point Drive near Highway 57 on May 25 at 9:30 am to help bands, floats and others participating in the 47th annual Maifest parade. No float registration is required.
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Steel Bridge Songfest Seeks Bridge Images
Seeking to take this year’s Steel Bridge Songfest to a new level of community collaboration, festival organizers want to include your favorite images of the Michigan Street steel bridge in the songwriting process and performances. The images will provide inspiration to the songwriters, be projected onto a screen while the songs are performed, used in […]
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Door Kinetic Arts Festival Merges Stage, Cocktail Scenes
Ringing in its fourth year on the peninsula, the Door Kinetic Arts Festival (DKAF) will present its lineup of artists and cocktail connoisseurs June 9-14. This year’s festival will feature an exciting range of evocative artists on the screen, stage and behind the bar. Harold Green is a Chicago-based, multidisciplinary spoken-word poet and performer who’s […]
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Celebrating Lighthouses’ Sesquicentennials
The Cana Island Lighthouse and the Baileys Harbor Range Lights are both celebrating their 150th anniversaries this year, so community-wide festivities will take place throughout 2019 in Baileys Harbor (baileysharbor.doorcounty.com). The Ridges Sanctuary (ridgessanctuary.org) will honor the range-lights anniversary on June 7, 3-6 pm, which coincides with the Spring Lighthouse Festival. The Door County Maritime […]
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Memorial Day Car Show in Sister Bay
The Sister Bay Lions will hold their annual Memorial Day Car Show on Sunday, May 26, 9 am – 3 pm, at the Country Walk Shops in Sister Bay. Admission is free, and all proceeds will support community-service programs in the community. Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard will be at the opening ceremony, which includes a […]
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Rockers and Rollers Drill Team at Maifest
The 4-H Rockers and Rollers Drill Team – a group of eight to 10 riders, plus their horses, coach and parents – will participate in the Maifest (jacksonport.org/maifest) parade on May 25 in Jacksonport. They will do-si-do, circle and complete maneuvers, entertaining the crowd along the parade route. Some of their horses will provide rides in […]
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Changes Announced for Steel Bridge Songfest 2019
The organizers of Steel Bridge Songfest are announcing some significant changes for 2019. In conjunction with changes to the festival, to be held June 14 and 15, the organizers are expanding and rebranding their 501(c)(3) nonprofit Citizens for Our Bridge as the new Steel Bridge Creative Foundation (SBCF). This shift will bring new relevance to […]
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Midsummer’s Music Announces 2019 Season
Midsummer’s Music of Door County announces its 2019 season of diverse cultural, historical and scenic musical experiences, running June 14 through Sept. 2, and featuring 41 concerts performed by world-class musicians. The inspiring concerts – hailed as “exciting, pulse-pounding and riveting” – attract more dedicated followers every year, plus thousands more listen to broadcasts on Wisconsin Public […]
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Wellness Weekend Fills Niche in Door County Festivals
When Kress Pavilion event director Jess Reinke and her team began brainstorming which events they wanted to see come to life at the pavilion’s spacious property, they got excited about the idea of offering a more immersive, multi-day event. “We were looking for something that would be great for the community to be involved in,” […]
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Acoustic Duo Open Tab Returns to Beer Festival
Open Tab’s story is as much about love as it is about music. Love is the common thread that brought the duo together at a bar in 2014. Their chance encounter turned into marriage a year later, with a joint music career to follow. From Wausau, Carmyn and Nick Hoen perform acoustically, creating their own […]
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Door County Wellness Festival May 10-12
With pharmaceutical prices rising and health-care costs a common conversation topic, people are exploring alternative health-care practices and examining their diet. Now Door County will celebrate its burgeoning wellness scene at the Door County Wellness Festival, May 10-12, at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor. The Friends of the Pavilion will welcome practitioners of natural […]
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It’s time once again for Easter egg hunts! April 19• Algoma Public Library, 1-2:30 pm April 20• Baileys Harbor Town Hall, 10 am• Jacksonport, Lakeside Park, 11 am• Ellison Bay, Fitzgerald Park, 12-2 pm• Sister Bay Waterfront Park, 10:30 am• Brussels Town Park, 9 am• Egg Harbor, Harborview Park, 10 am The Egg Harbor Fire […]
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AlgomaThe Algoma Public Library will host a hunt on April 19, 1-2:30 pm. Attendees may search in the library for up to five eggs that have prizes hidden inside, play a game and make a fun Easter craft. JacksonportThe egg hunt will take place in Lakeside Park on April 20, 11 am. BrusselsThe Shining Stars […]
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It’s time for the 12th annual Sister Bay Easter Egg Hunt! On April 20, 10:30 am, look for colorful, candy-filled eggs at Waterfront Park; try to find a golden-ticket egg to win a special prize basket; have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny; then hop over to the library to create a colorful spring […]
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Small Forest to Perform at Every Day Is Earth Day Festival
Small Forest will celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with a free, environmentally inspired concert on April 27, 7 pm, as part of the three-day Every Day Is Earth Day Festival at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor. Small Forest’s roots run deep with love for nature and respect for environmental issues, which inspire the […]