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
Countywide
May 24 – 26
Learn about the flora and fauna of the Door with several days of tours, paddles, hikes, lectures, and educational sessions from local and regional experts. Visit some of the peninsula’s most revered landscapes. More info>>
Jacksonport Maifest
May 25-26, 2019
The first of the summer Door County festivals includes a parade Saturday morning with Flag Ceremony honoring our servicemen and women to follow, plus children’s activities, live music, horsepull, 10K and 2 mile fun run, a variety of food and beverages, and of course, the art fair.
Roping with Chewy at the Jacksonport Maifest.
Blessing of the Fleet Festival
June 1, 2019
Celebrate the Blessing of the Fleet on two days packed with activities in Baileys Harbor. Tour the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, enjoy an arts and crafts fair, stock up at the farmer’s market, and enjoy the annual Scottie Dog Rally through town.
The blessing of the fleet ceremony takes place at the marina at noon, followed by music and food throughout the afternoon! Learn about the fisheries with presentations from longtime fishermen Dennis Hickey and Charlie Henriksen, plus author Trygvie Jensen.
Door County Lighthouse Festival
June 7-9, 2019
Boat excursions and guided land-based tours to all 11 historic Door County lighthouses giving visitors access to lighthouses that aren’t typically open to the public, including Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point lighthouses.
Goat Fest
June 8, 2019
Live music outside by Cardinal Harbor, fun kids games, Swedish pancake eating contest, goat drop contest, food and beverages available.
Photo by Justin Anderson.
Fyr Bal Festival
June 15, 2019
Artists, food, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor welcome the arrival of summer. Hop on the trolley or stroll through the village and visit Ephraim’s iconic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants.
Photo by Len Villano.
Door County Beer Festival
June 15, 2019
A celebration of craft beer, culinary artisans, and live music on the shores of Baileys Harbor. Meet Wisconsin’s leading brewers, Door County’s top chefs, and expand your ale horizons. Sample from more than 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. Cyclists can join the fun in the morning at the 31st annual Peninsula Century Spring Classic ride that takes place in conjunction with the festival.
Beer Fest. Photo by Len Villano.
Uncork Summer
June 22, 2019
Celebrate the county’s great selection of food, wine, beer, cider and music at the fourth annual Uncork Summer, taking place at the Wickman House in Ellison Bay.
Door County Wine Fest
June 22, 2019
Enjoy unlimited tasting of award-winning Door County wines from eight local wineries and live music. This year’s event will be held at Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay. For more information visit doorcountywinefest.com.
Egg Harbor 4th of July Parade and Celebration
July 3-4, 2019
Annual parade, fireworks, food and beverages on the bay at Harbor View Park. Visit eggharbordorcounty.org for details.
The Main Street Market crew performs “death-defying” stunts at the 2017 Egg Harbor 4th of July parade. Photo by Len Villano.
Baileys Harbor 4th of July Celebration
July 4, 2019
Kick off the fourth in Baileys Harbor with the 4th of July parade, live music, great food, arts, and crafts.
The 4th of July Parade in Baileys Harbor draws thousands. Photo by Myles Dannhausen Jr.
Belgian Days
July 13-14, 2019
Excitement and fun for all ages. Big Dogs baseball tournament, coed volleyball tournament, Cooyah Card tournament, live music, parade, food & beverages, and 1, 2, and 4 mile walk/run. $2 raffle ticket to enter grounds. All profits go to charitable causes.
Door County Plein Air Festival
July 21-27, 2019
Free events throughout the week at various Door County locations provide attendees the opportunity to meet featured artists at their easels; this includes the Featured Artists’ Quick Paint, followed by a live auction at noon of the festival artists’ freshly created work. Among ticketed events are the Collector’s Preview and Gala Auction.
Carlsville Day
July 27, 2019
Parade, craft fair, music, food, pie eating contest, doggie contest, cherry stomp, free waterslides, pet psychic readings and more fun for the whole family.
Door County Fair
July 31 – August 4, 2019
John Miles County Park, Sturgeon Bay
Old-school, small-town fun at the fair. Carnival rides, food stands, 4-H animal barns, grandstand events, kids and family tents.
Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week
August 3 – 11, 2019
Sturgeon Bay
The City of Sturgeon Bay will once again honor its rich maritime heritage with a diverse collection of entertaining and fun-filled events.
August 9-11, Algoma
Featuring a parade, car cruise and show, 150+ arts and crafts & street fair vendors, 5k walk/run as part of the Bellin Title Town Series, food, beach volleyball tourney, fireworks, kid’s area, fishing contest, book sale and entertainment for the entire family.
Sister Bay Marina Fest
Aug. 31 – Sept. 1, 2019
Live entertainment and music at the Sister Bay stage next to the beach, food & drinks, wooden boat show, kid’s carnival, and fireworks over the bay (Saturday).
Egg Harbor Ale Fest
September 14, 2019
Egg Harbor
A beer lover’s escape in Egg Harbor! Enjoy unlimited sampling of more than 40 brewers and 120 different craft beers, live music, with free trolley shuttle service.
Sturgeon Bay Harvest Fest
September 21, 2019
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. Preview unique street art and attend the live auction at 5:30pm.
Fall Harvest Fest
September 21, Fish Creek
Orchard Country Winery and Market, Fish Creek
A great combo with Inside Outside Sales! Enjoy complimentary wine and specialty food tasting, pick-your-own apples, free guided tours, wagon rides, live music, kid’s activities, and more! The fun also includes: Apple Donut Eating Contest and Apple Pie Eating Contest. Free admission.
Bailey’s Harbor AutumnFest
September 28, Baileys Harbor
Baileys Harbor celebrates the fall with live music, food and drinks, arts and crafts, a Classic Auto and Motorcycle Show, plus the Hey Hey 5k Run at Door County Brewing Co. on Saturday morning. Check out the farm market on Sunday from 9am-1pm.
AutumnFest’s car show. Photo courtesy of the Baileys Harbor Community Association.
Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival
October 12-13, Egg Harbor
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, food, refreshments and more.
Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party
October 12-13, Washington Island
Bring your own apples or buy a bucket to press into a gallon of cider. Live entertainment, wagon rides, dip your own caramel apples on the spot, brats, chili, hot and cold fresh pressed cider. Kids old fashioned games on Saturday at 1pm. Hosted by the Washington Island Farm Museum.
Townline Art Fair
October 11-12, Ephraim
Enjoy the display and sale of visual arts and fine crafts featuring over 80 professional juried artists from across the Midwest at Fine Line Designs Gallery in Ephraim.
Seaquist Orchards Apple Festival
October 5, Sister Bay
Apple launching, pumpkin painting, indoor and outdoor mazes, make your own caramel apples, live band, brats, soup and fun at the home of Door County’s largest orchards.
Autumn Lighthouse Festival
Oct. 12-13, 2019
The Door County Maritime Museum is offering a couple of its most popular tours Columbus Day weekend.
Sister Bay Fall Festival
October 18-20, Sister Bay
Sister Bay’s annual end-of-season bash features live music all over the village, a huge arts and crafts fair, games and activities for kids, amazing street food and beverages.
2016 Sister Bay Fall Festival. Photo by Len Villano.
Jack O’Lantern Days
October 25-27, 2019
Both visitors and locals look forward to Fish Creek’s annual Jack O’Lantern Days every year. Enjoy family mask-making, live owls, a costume contest and parade, and trick-or-treating.
Thrills on Third
October 26, 2019
Watch out for the spooky characters you may come across at the 6th annual Thrills on Third event happening throughout historic Third Avenue in Sturgeon Bay on Oct. 28. Enjoy family-friendly activities like pumpkin painting, slime making, the Boys & Girls Club haunted house, and the famous costume parade.
Sturgeon Bay Christmas by the Bay
November 22-24, 2019
Join Sturgeon Bay as they usher in the holiday season during the annual Christmas by the Bay Celebration! This holiday celebration includes a tree lighting ceremony on historic Third Avenue, horse drawn wagon rides, a festive holiday parade and breakfast with Santa.
Sister Bay Capture the Spirit Festival
November 29-30, 2019
Warm up your holiday spirit, tune up your caroling voice, bundle up the kids and join the festivities at the Sister Bay Capture the Spirit event! The downtown will glow with luminaries as you and your family enjoy the Village Christmas tree lighting, storytelling and crafts with Santa, holiday cookie decorating and a holiday arts and crafts show.
Egg Harbor Holly Days
November 29-30, 2019
An exciting old-fashioned winter weekend including Breakfast with Santa, an elf hunt for children, Mistle Dough shopping contest, tree lighting & caroling, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.
Ephraim Christmas in the Village
December 7, 2019
Featuring fun family crafts, soup and chili, and a meet-and-greet with Santa and his sled dogs.
Harbor Holiday in Baileys Harbor
December 7, 2019
Join us for a great community event including a Christmas parade, arts & crafts and a tree lighting ceremony!
Sister Bay New Year’s Eve Celebration
Dec. 31, 2019
Ring in the New Year with Door County’s only fireworks show, an evening skate at the ice rink, and the Cherry Drop.
Egg Harbor New Year’s Day Celebration
Jan. 1, 2020
Enjoy the fantastically goofy New Year’s Day Parade down Main Street and warm up with a beverage and great food to kick off the new year.
Celebrating Winter on Washington Island
2020
Take part in a week long celebration of ice and snow with food, fun, adventure and entertainment at the biggest of the winter Door County festivals. Sample chili entries for $5 at the annual Chili Cook Off, enter a photo contest, or register with the Lions Club to participate in the Fishing Derby and more! Don’t forget the local food specials, bake sales, live music, Island Players performances, and a “surprize” event!
Sturgeon Bay Fire & Ice Festival
2020
Stroll around town or climb aboard the Door County Trolley for a complimentary tour of the community. Witness novice, intermediate, advanced and professional carvers transform blocks of snow and ice into works of art. On Saturday evening, join us for the annual Fire & Ice Dinner, Dance and Auction at Stone Harbor Resort with live music.
Sturgeon Bay Shipyard Tours
May 4, 2019
Your one chance every year to tour Bay Shipbuilding and CenterPointe Yacht Services with guided and semi-guided walking tours. See the massive lakers up close in one of the most active shipyards on the Great Lakes.
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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 […]