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
Celebrating Winter on Washington Island
Feb. 9 – 17, 2019
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
Feb. 16-17, 2019
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.
Blessing of the Fleet Festival
May 19, 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. Details>>
Season of Blossoms
Countywide
Spring, 2019
A celebration of spring in Door County. As the peninsula’s natural splendor comes to life, so do local lodging establishments, galleries, and restaurants with special packages to welcome you back to the Door. Special events include self-guided tours, community celebrations with arts and crafts, food and music. Get a guide to spring blossoms here>>
Door County Festival of Nature
Countywide
May 25 – 28
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.
Door County Lighthouse Festival
June 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 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 16, 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 28th 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, paired with complimentary cheese, and relaxing music. This year’s event will be held at Martin Park in Sturgeon Bay. For more information visit doorcountywinefest.com.
Egg Harbor 4th of July Parade and Celebration
Annual parade, fireworks, food and beverages on the bay at Harbor View Park.
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
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
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
Late July, 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 on Saturday July 29, 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, which offer the first rights of purchase of paintings on July 29.
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
August 1 – 5, 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
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 Aug. 5 – 13.
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 22, 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, Bailey’s 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 6 – 8, 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 6 – 8, 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 6 – 8, 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 6, 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
October 6 – 8
The Door County Maritime Museum is offering a couple of its most popular tours Columbus Day weekend.
Sister Bay Fall Festival
October 12 – 14, 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
Oct. 26-28, 2018
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
Oct. 27, 2018
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
Nov. 16-18, 2018
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
Nov.23-24, 2018
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
Nov. 23 – 24, 2018
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 1, 2018
Featuring fun family crafts, soup and chili, and a meet-and-greet with Santa and his sled dogs.
Harbor Holiday in Baileys Harbor
December 1, 2018
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, 2018
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, 2019
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.
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2019 Door County Runs and Rides
We’ve made your planning easy with this guide to getting active with 2019 Door County runs and rides to check out. If you want plan to take on many runs, consider signing up for the Run the Door race series. Door County has become a hotbed for silent sports competition and experiences. Whether you want […]
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The New Year’s Eve Cherry Drop event is adding more fun activities to ring in the New Year. Watch a professional ice sculptor carve unique designs; ice skate with friends and family; see a fireworks show; get your picture taken at the Cherry Drop photo booth; buy Cherry Drop gear; listen to a live broadcast […]
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34 Things We Love About Winter in Door County
I used to hate winters. Though some friends loved the day when the tourists disappeared, the restaurants cleared out and the shops closed for the winter, I dreaded it. The Monday after Fall Fest was always one of the most depressing of the year. But after returning to Door County in 2017 after living in […]
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On Dec. 31, the Friends of the Kress Pavilion will host its second annual New Year’s Eve Party. The event is aimed to raise funds for the 100+ free programs that take place throughout the year. The evening will begin with live piano covers by Fran the Piano Man and a wide array of heavy […]
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Jingle, Jingle, Mix & Mingle Gala
On Dec. 11, 5:30–8:30 pm, the Door County Maritime Museum’s (DCMM) Merry-time Festival of Trees culminates with the popular Jingle, Jingle, Mix & Mingle Gala. Guests will enjoy live seasonal entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Thyme Cuisine, along with a live and silent auction and tree raffle drawing. The gala offers a fun evening at […]
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Natural Christmas Saturday, Dec. 8 The Ridges in Baileys Harbor will once again hold its annual Natural Christmas event, 3-6 pm. Spend a few hours this holiday season surrounded by the natural beauty of The Ridges Sanctuary. Stroll down the softly lit Hidden Brook Boardwalk, enjoy an outdoor campfire, and listen to music in the […]
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Tickets to the 2019 Door County Beer Festival are now available at DoorCountyTickets.com, just in time to add them to your Christmas gift list. The festival has earned a reputation as a favorite of beer lovers, with more than 40 breweries represented and more than 150 beers available for sampling. The festival returns to Baileys […]
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Saturday, Dec. 1, will be a busy day in the county. From Sturgeon Bay to Baileys Harbor and Ephraim, there are many options to get in the festive spirit this weekend. Many of the following celebrations are, or are becoming, holiday traditions with families. If you’re really ambitious or just a really big fan of […]
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On Dec. 1, 1–4 pm, the Ephraim Historical Foundation (EHF) will host a Holiday Open House at the historic Svalhus Library, 3060 Anderson Lane. With ornament decorating and heritage games, this event offers fun for the whole family. The historic Norwegian building is decorated for the holidays, with EHF staff on hand to share the […]
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Each year, the Ephraim Business Council holds a Christmas in the Village celebration the first Saturday in December — this year, Dec. 1. In addition to the open houses, kids’ events and the official lighting of the village Christmas tree, the Ephraim Moravian Church holds a special ADVENTure from 11 am to 2 pm at […]
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On Dec. 1, enjoy a Christmas parade of lights, arts and crafts plus a tree-lighting ceremony in Baileys Harbor. Take a stroll through downtown and check out all the trees that local businesses and families have decorated before the parade. Walk along the parade route on Guy Street that follows Santa on a fire truck […]
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Door County Christmas celebrations kick into high gear the weekend after Thanksgiving. Both Sister Bay and Egg Harbor hold their annual celebrations this weekend — keeping Santa busy with plenty of tree lightings. The weekend really starts, however, with the Jacksonport Thanksgiving Day Parade — a parade with a big heart that gives to members […]
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Christmas in the County: Sturgeon Bay Parade, Ellison Bay Tree Lighting
This weekend, Nov. 16–18, kicks off the holiday season in Door County. Festivities start in Sturgeon Bay with the Christmas by the Bay celebration, and Ellison Bay closes out the weekend with a community tree lighting. In the weeks ahead, the Pulse will highlight holiday celebrations taking place throughout the peninsula. Christmas by the […]
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During Egg Harbor’s Holly Days celebration, Nov. 23–24, Chief Oshkosh Native American Arts will hold a trunk show with leather/feather artist Ed Smith of the Ojibwe Nation. He is a self-taught artist who earns his living from his creations. He will have his works for sale and will demonstrate his technique 12–5 pm on both […]
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Egg Harbor’s Holly Days Festival, Nov. 23–24, is a weekend full of old-fashioned holiday fun. Start the weekend with Breakfast with Santa at the Landmark Resort on Nov. 23, 8:30–10:30 am. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, get photos taken with Santa, decorate cookies and create arts and crafts. Holly Days features a Children’s Elf Hunt and […]
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Sturgeon Bay Art Crawl Plans Three-day Weekend of the Arts
Twenty-two local artists are gearing up for the 12th annual Sturgeon Bay Art Crawl, Nov. 16–18. The doors of 20 home or gallery studios will be open from 10 am to 4 pm for visitors to see the artists’ work where it’s produced. The artwork on display ranges from pastels, printmaking and paintings to ceramics, […]
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Thanksgiving Parade Continues Tradition of Giving
The annual Jacksonport Thanksgiving Day Parade & Benefit starts at 10:30 am from the downtown Jacksonport fire station, Nov. 22. Now in its 22nd year, this fun-loving, eclectic parade continues its mission of neighbors helping neighbors once again in 2018 through support for local community member, Paula Symons, who has multiple plasma cell leukemia. “We […]
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Soon the Door County Maritime Museum will sparkle again with the return of the Merry-Time Festival of Trees. During the festival, uniquely decorated trees and wreaths, donated by businesses and individuals in the community, can be found throughout the museum’s galleries. The festival begins Nov. 10 and includes several special events during the month-long extravaganza. […]
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Door County will say farewell to 2018 on New Year’s Eve and welcome in the New Year with the second annual Cherry Drop. The 300-pound, six-foot cherry, donned with tiny red LED lights, is complete with a stem and green leaf. The cherry will reside over Husby’s Food and Spirits until Dec. 31, when it […]
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Come see Santa with his elves and favorite reindeer at the annual Capture the Spirit holiday lighting festivities on Nov. 23, 3–5 pm in Sister Bay. Enjoy hot chocolate and cider at 4:30 pm during the lighting of the village’s Christmas tree and holiday light display. Join in caroling with Santa and then walk to […]