Category: 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.
Sturgeon Bay Christmas by the Bay
Nov. 19-21, 2021
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.
This year, the parade will begin Friday, Nov. 19, 6 pm, at Sturgeon Bay’s Sawyer Park, with Santa leading the procession, followed by the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department. As Santa passes, participating businesses will “unwrap” their storefronts, revealing their festive winter holiday decorations.
At 8 pm, following the parade, the community is invited to gather at the Door County Community Foundation square for the tree-lighting ceremony.
Then, it’s on to Saturday, Nov. 20, when the fun continues with a holiday parade throughout downtown Sturgeon Bay at 10 am. Kids can get their photo taken with Santa at the Door County Historical Museum, 11 am – 1 pm, and take your Christmas gift list along because Saturday is the day to shop locally.
If you missed him at the parade, and again at the museum, fear not, you’ll have a chance to have breakfast with Saint Nick on Sunday, from 9am – 11am at Stone Harbor.
Sister Bay Capture the Spirit Festival
Photo by Len Villano.
Nov. 26-27, 2021
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, his elves and his favorite reindeer, holiday cookie decorating and a holiday arts and crafts show.
3-5 pm. Enjoy hot chocolate and treats before Santa arrives at 4:30 pm to light the village Christmas tree and holiday light display; then join Santa in singing traditional Christmas carols.
You can have more family fun while making holiday crafts at the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Library, 2323 Mill Road, on Nov. 26 and 27, 11 am – 2 pm. Also shop at the Friends of Gibraltar’s Holiday Art Fair at the Sister Bay Village Hall, 10693 Hwy 42, on Nov. 26 and 27, 10 am – 4 pm.
Egg Harbor Holly Days
Photo by Len Villano.
Nov. 26-27, 2021
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.
Festivities will kick off Friday, Nov. 26, with some new and returning activities. Kids of all ages will be on the lookout for elves hidden in participating businesses. When they find and record 10 elves on their entry form, they may turn it in at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. – on Nov. 26 between 10 am and 1 pm and on Nov. 27 between 10 am and 2 pm – in exchange for a prize.
The Kress Pavilion will help kids write letters to Santa, Nov. 26 – Dec. 12; and Big Easy will be creating coffee- filter snowflakes.
Ephraim Christmas in the Village
Dec. 4, 2021
Featuring fun family crafts, soup and chili, and a meet-and-greet with Santa and his sled dogs.
Tour downtown Ephraim on a complimentary, horse-drawn wagon, 2:30-4 pm. Santa will arrive on a fire truck at 3 pm at the Village Hall, 9996 Hwy 42, and will be available to greet visitors inside. Take home a bit of holiday cheer
by creating a free holiday craft, 3-5 pm. Santa’s reindeer and elves will visit Olson Park, 3-5 pm, and at 5 pm, Santa will make his way to the Harborside Park gazebo to light the Christmas tree.
Children can pick up a craft bag and book at the Ephraim Library, adjacent to the Ephraim Village Hall, 10 am – 2 pm; and don’t miss out on learning about Scandinavian holiday traditions by walking Tomte’s Reindeer Trail at the Ephraim Historical Foundation, 12-3 pm. This new outdoor activity – designed for ages 3-10, but fun for all ages – will be held rain or shine. Children who complete the trail will receive a complimentary tomte activity bag. After walking the trail, stop inside the Anderson Barn to create a tomte ornament. Masks will be required inside the building.
The Ephraim Moravian Church, 9970 Moravia St., will be offering
a drive-through ADVENTure, 1-3 pm, when you can pick up a make- your-own wreath kit, Moravian sugar cake, candle and 2022 Watchwords. Moravian stars will also be available for purchase. The church will also be accepting donations for Secret Santa to help local residents with heating bills this winter.
The traditionally decorated Eagle Harbor Inn, 9914 Water St., will feature live local Christmas trees, festive wassail and holiday sweets, 1-4 pm. Ephraim ornaments and gift certificates will be available for purchase as well.
Harbor Holiday in Baileys Harbor
Dec. 4, 2021
Harbor Holiday will kick off at 6 pm on Dec. 4 with a parade to the town hall. Santa, his elves and his reindeer will gather to light the tree at 6:30 pm, followed by caroling, hot cocoa and a few more surprises.
Fish Creek Winter Tour of Lights
Dec. 4, 2021
Fish creek will be extra merry and bright this winter courtesy of new holiday light displays throughout town. Last year, the Fish creek community came together to purchase 70-plus new holiday decorations, so look for and enjoy the new light additions: a snowflake arch in clark Park, lights in the new noble Square gazebo and a flagpole christmas tree in Fish creek Park.
Kick off the holiday season at the Gibraltar Historical Association’s annual holiday tree-lighting and caroling event Dec. 4, 5 pm, at noble Square. Sing carols by candlelight, and ring
in the spirit of the season with “o Tannenbaum.” Afterward, stroll to the blue Horse beach cafe, 4113 main St., to enjoy cocoa and cookies. Santa’s elf mentioned that a special guest will be visiting to spread holiday cheer.
Also walk or drive through town to take in the Winter Tour of Lights. Pick up a map highlighting extra-festive locations and photo ops at the visitor Information center, 4097 Hwy 42; at select businesses; or at visitfishcreek. com. The Winter Tour of Lights will wrap up following the return of the annual Winterfest, set for Feb. 5-6.
Christkindlmarkt
Weekends from Nov. 26 – Dec. 12
This year the Sister Bay Historical Society will welcome Advent with Door County’s first Christkindlmarkt.
The event will be held at Corner of the Past Museum, 10310 Fieldcrest Road in Sister Bay, as a re-creation of a pioneer homestead during the late 19th century. Vendors will include weavers, knitters, potters, photographers, jewelers, painters, woodworkers, glass blowers, and makers of maps, clothing, furniture, candles, leather goods, puzzles, health products and more. A wide range of Door County food vendors will also occupy the “food court” inside the property’s large Koessl Barn.
Christkindlmarkt events always feature Glühwein – a spiced, hot red wine – and the historical society will serve the popular drink in a special drink booth along with hot chocolate, hot apple cider, coffee and Kinderpunsch: the hot, mulled, nonalcoholic cider that’s a regular fixture at Christkindlmarkt events throughout the world.
The market will be held over three weekends: Nov. 26-28, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12. On Fridays, the event hours are 11 am – 9 pm, and the shuttle hours are 10 am – 10 pm. On Saturdays, the event runs 11 am – 10 pm, and the shuttle runs 10 am – 11 pm. Attend the event on Sundays 11 am – 3 pm, when the shuttle runs 10 am – 4 pm.
Celebrating Winter on Washington Island
2022
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
2022
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 2022
For one day each year, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and CenterPointe Yacht Services open their doors to the public for tours of the shipbuilding industry.
RESCHEDULED – Door County Festival of Nature
Jacksonport Maifest
May 23-24 2022
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 6 2022
Celebrate the Blessing of the Fleet 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 12-14 2020
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.
Roofing of the Goats & Goat Fest
June, 2022
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, 2022
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 18, 2022
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 25, 2022
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 25, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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-August 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 2022
The City of Sturgeon Bay will once again honor its rich maritime heritage with a diverse collection of entertaining and fun-filled events.
August 2022
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
Labor Day Weekend
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).
Sturgeon Bay Harvest Fest
September 18, 2021
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.
Bailey’s Harbor AutumnFest
September 25, 2021, 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.
Autumn Lighthouse Festival
Oct. 1-3, 2021
The Door County Maritime Museum is offering a couple of its most popular tours Columbus Day weekend.
Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival
October 9-10, 2021, 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.
Townline Art Fair
October 9-10, 2021, 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.
Sister Bay Fall Festival
October 15-17, 2021, 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. Details>>
2016 Sister Bay Fall Festival. Photo by Len Villano.
Jack O’Lantern Days
Oct. 29-31, 2021
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 and Chills
Oct. 30, 2021, Sturgeon Bay
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.
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Egg Harbor Holly Days Nov. 26-27
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 the One Barrel 2.62 fun run! Festivities will kick off Friday, Nov. 26, with some new and returning activities. Kids of all ages will be on the lookout for elves hidden in participating […]
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Jacksonport Thanksgiving Day Parade
Jacksonport will celebrate its 25th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 25, 10:30 am, in downtown Jacksonport. “What’s great about it is [that] it really helps out a local charity and someone in the community who’s in need,” Pete Thelen said. The proceeds will benefit the food pantry at Sister Bay’s Door of Life […]
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Gather ’Round the Tree in Ellison Bay
The Ellison Bay Community Tree Lighting will take place Sunday, Nov. 21, 5 pm, in the visitors’ center parking area across from the Viking Grill in downtown Ellison Bay. Visitors can enjoy the tree lighting from the comfort of their car by parking along the road and tuning their car radio to 89.1 FM to […]
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Santa Kicks Off DCMM’s Merry-Time Festival of Trees
We all know Santa is quick. He’s able to make it to every home in the world all in one night, so it’s no wonder he can be in so many places in Door County this month. His stops will include the Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) to kick off its 10th Merry-Time Festival of […]
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Get Ready to Unwrap Sturgeon Bay
Last year’s successful event returns to kick off Christmas by the Bay While plans for the inaugural Unwrapping Sturgeon Bay event were forming years ago, 2020 seemed like the perfect time to try something new. If it was successful, great – maybe the organizers would bring it back in the future. If it wasn’t, at […]
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Sister Bay Bowl Scores with Fall Fest Float
Earl’s Sister Bay Bowl has been awarded the Best Float honor for its entry in the 2021 Fall Festival parade. The float was a team effort that included repurposing bowling pins, WPS cable spools, white sheeting and other materials to create a giant birthday cake celebrating the 75th Fall Fest. The team’s leaders were Rho […]
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Thrills and Chills Brings Spooky Fun to Sturgeon Bay
Thrills on Third was the Halloween party that was too large to be contained on one street, so this year the festivities have been reborn as Thrills & Chills and are spreading to all of Sturgeon Bay’s downtown waterfront districts. The fun will begin Oct. 30, 10 am, when the kids’ costume parade will head […]
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Jack O’ Lantern Days Haunts Fish Creek
After hosting a virtual event last year, Visit Fish Creek is bringing back in-person activities for the annual Jack O’ Lantern Days Oct. 29-30. This festival, which puts the “Eek!” in Fish Creek, will entertain witches and goblins of all ages. Highlights include a costume contest, town hall games, townwide trick-or-treating, costume parade, mask making […]
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Avery Burress Wins Fall Fest Derby
The morning air was still crisp when the first young racer, Hudson Bridenhagen, took a seat in his derby car for the pre-race weigh-in during the revival of the Fall Fest Derby Race. It had been nearly 20 years since the festival’s last derby race – a pause brought on by a couple of injured […]
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Keep the Party Rolling: Your guide to Halloween parties all around the Door
Yes, there’s been a party every weekend through October. But these are spooky. If you’ve been itching to show off your Squid Game costume, you’ll have plenty of options. Here’s a roundup of every Halloween party we could find, plus some great trick-or-treating spots for your little ghosties and ghoulies. Trail of Terror Oct. 31, […]
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Photo Poll: What’s Your Favorite Fall Activity?
Photos by Rachel Lukas Jacob Blouin “I always like to go to corn mazes and haunted houses.” (From left) Danielle and Blake Rogers “Our favorite activity in the fall is to pick apples and pumpkins.” (From left) Brooke Wilson and and Katie Kasubke “Apple picking.” “Obviously, Pumpkin Patch.” (From left) Joe and Laura Blazer “Eating […]
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Your weekend rundown of who, what, where and when to catch live music in Sister Bay this weekend. More Fall Fest InfoHow to Fall Fest: The 2021 Comeback EditionFall Fest Derby Races ReturnLive Music PreviewShuttles Friday Glashamr starts the day with rock covers under the back tent at Husby’s, 12-3 pm, after which the party […]
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It’s easier than ever to get to and from Sister Bay’s Fall Festival, thanks to shuttles that will run throughout the day Friday and Saturday. Friday’s shuttle runs 5 pm – 2 am, with pickup locations at a dozen area resorts and restaurants every 30 minutes. On Saturday, the shuttle will run 8-10 am, then […]
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How to Fall Fest: The 2021 Comeback Edition
It’s back: the festival we all love (and some joyless souls love to hate). After being canceled because of COVID-19 in 2020, Sister Bay will celebrate the 75th Fall Festival Oct. 15-17. At least we think it’s number 75. Opinions differ on which year constituted the first one, but somebody had to make the call, […]
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Unless you’re behind a bar or working a grill, Sister Bay’s Fall Festival is not synonymous with toil. The weekend when Northern Door lets loose is one of the largest parties of the year, but you don’t get to age 75 without a lot of hard work. Many a Door County festival has come and […]
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A Pumpkin Patch food preview What’s a festival without great food? Here are a few great options to choose from while visiting Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch Festival this weekend. The Dog House will be serving up brats, hot dogs, burgers, pie and that Wisconsin essential: hand-dipped cheese curds. There will be a corn roast benefiting […]
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Fall Fest Is Right around the Corner
When Sister Bay hosts its 75th Fall Fest on Oct. 15-17, it will celebrate the historic occasion by reviving one of the festival’s long-lost, but much-beloved traditions. In addition to staples such as the arts-and-crafts fair, Fall Fest parade on Saturday at 11 pm, and ping-pong-ball drop on Sunday at 2 pm, the soapbox derby […]
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Egg Harbor will look a little different this weekend. From the pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and autumn displays outside businesses, to the carnival rides down at the marina, there will be a lot to see, do and listen to courtesy of the Pumpkin Patch Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Harbor View Park is the place to be […]
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Kick Off Fall, October at Cherry Hut’s Falltober Fest
The Door County Cherry Hut will host its inaugural Falltober Fest – a whole party weekend of free-admission, family-friendly and dog-friendly fun – Oct. 1-3, 11 am – 10 pm. The Cherry Hut will shift all of its draft lines to Märzen-style (Oktoberfest) beers from around the state; offer wine and cider tastings; and serve its full […]
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Lighthouses Shine Brighter Surrounded by Fall Colors
The 2021 Fall Lighthouse Festival, running Oct. 1-3, includes air, land-based, boat and adventure tours that reach all 11 of Door County’s lighthouses and three to the south. Many of the tour excursions take place only during the Lighthouse Festival and provide exclusive access to several structures that are not typically open to the public, […]