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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AutumnFest Returns to Baileys Harbor Sept. 23-24
Are you a car buff? Do you have a car, truck or motorcycle that you’d like to show off? Baileys Harbor would love to have you attend the Classic Car Show during AutumnFest, Sept. 23-24. Register for the car show by downloading a form at baileysharbor.doorcounty.com/play/events/autumnfest/ or register the day of the show from 9 […]
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Sturgeon Bay’s Harvest Fest, Bench Auction Return Sept. 16
Sturgeon Bay’s Harvest Festival and Bench Art Auction returns Sept. 16 with festivities running 9 am – 5 pm on Third Avenue. The auction begins at 5:30 pm. There are a couple new draws for this year’s event: Chalk the Bay! and a special appearance from the Milwaukee Bucks Statewide Tour Showcase. The fun begins […]
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Grape Stomp, Food Vendors Highlight Parallel 44 Harvest Fest
Come celebrate the upcoming grape harvest at Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery during their annual Harvest Fest Sept. 9 from noon – 5 pm. Recently awarded Winery of the Year and Top 40 Wine in the World, Parallel 44 is celebrating its grape-filled vineyard just waiting to be harvested with an event that fittingly showcases […]
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Registration Now Open For Fall Light House Fest Tours
Reacting to the popularity of the Door County Lighthouse Festival each June and a positive response to the first two installments of an abbreviated Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival, the Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) is again offering some of its most popular tours Columbus Day weekend. Reservations are now being taken for these nautical […]
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Big Winners at the DC Classic And Wooden Boat Fest
Andy and Lisa Munao of Hinsdale, Ill., received the Best of Show award with their 17-foot Century Resorter at the Door County Maritime Museum Classic & Wooden Boat Festival Aug. 12 & 13 in Sturgeon Bay. Other class winners in People’s Choice voting: Non-Powered Craft – Dale and Dean Wingert’s 1927 16-foot Thompson Indian Canoe; […]
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Sister Bay Celebrates Labor Day With Marina Fest
Sister Bay’s celebration of its waterfront returns Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 – 4, with Marina Fest. The festival brings a fabulous wooden boat show, street food, beverages, live music, activities all along the waterfront, plus fireworks Saturday night. Bring kids to enjoy the carnival with bouncy castles and rock climb, camel rides and a […]
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2021 Sister Bay Marina Fest (Sept. 4 – 6)
Sister Bay Marina Fest, traditionally held on the Saturday before Labor Day, is highlighted by a fabulous wooden boat show and water ski show by The Waterboard Warriors.
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Valmy Thresheree Puts Antique Massey-Harris Tractors in Spotlight
Fields in harvest season have become home to some pretty big, fancy machines in the past 20 years. Not even 60 years ago, though, farm equipment was being developed that made just as big of an impact on how farmers went about their work. The 35th annual Valmy Thresheree this weekend brings these old dinos […]
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Thresheree, Peninsula Music Festival and More Weekend Plans
Get ready for this weekend. Live music accentuates each day as long-standing traditions celebrate Door County heritage and arts. Be sure to make it up in August to see the summer season come to a spectacular close. Friday, Aug. 18 “Bobby is Dead. Long Live Bobby.” Imagine what Robert F. Kennedy would say if here […]
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Sturgeon Bay Honors Coast Guard With Maritime Week
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. Officially titled “Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week: A Salute to the U.S. Coast Guard,” the celebration includes many long-standing annual waterfront events along with a growing list of new activities. […]
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Jacksonport Celebrates 23rd Annual Cherry Fest Aug. 5
Come to Lakeside Park, along Highway 57 in Jacksonport, for the 23rd Annual Cherry Fest. The celebration is Aug. 5, 8 am – 4 pm. The day is packed with fun for the whole family. Savor the great food including fresh cherries, cherry brats and cherry hamburgers as well as an assortment of cherry desserts. […]
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Ash Family Has Deep Roots in Door County Fair
In 1871 – just a decade after Door County was officially organized – the first county fair was held, which meant area farmers had become established enough on the peninsula to want to participate in livestock judging and other displays of agricultural prowess, techniques and technology. Farming has always been the core of county fairs. […]
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Burning Cow Music Festival, Semi-Pro Football & More Weekend Plans
The arts and entertainment in Door County continue with more offerings to the public as we wrap up July. From music festivals to new theater productions, and even a little semi-pro football, there are more than enough events to keep the whole crowd entertained. Sneak up for a getaway to enjoy the sunshine and all […]
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Artisan Art Crawl, Summer Cherry Harvest and More Weekend Plans
Midsummer is here in Door County. If you haven’t started hitting the beaches on the bay side, now may be the time to start. To complement your weekend fun in the sun, here’s a list of this weekend’s top festivals and attractions. Friday, July 21 Birch Creek Jazz 1 Concert Series Birch Creek Music Performance […]
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“All Things Lavender” Festival Blooms July 21-23
Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm & Shop will host its third annual “All Things Lavender” Festival July 21-23. Festival hours are 10 am to 5 pm Friday and Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm Sunday. The festival takes place among 14,000 blooming lavender plants, an aromatic sea of purple. Festival highlights include daily seminars presented by […]
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Door County Folk Festival, Cathy Grier And More Weekend Plans
Ever wanted to learn how to square dance? How about escaping the heat and spending time at a park doing fun activities for the whole family? There’s even a golf tournament for fans of the game to sink their teeth into. Come on up and enjoy mid-July with us on the peninsula and on Washington […]
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Independence Celebrations, Blacksmith Demos & More Weekend Plans
The Fourth is almost here. Every village has their own festivities planned. Everyone celebrates in their own way. The rest of the calendar is just as full as usual: live music, theater, and a birds of prey. Here are some suggestions to round out your weekend plans. Friday, June 30 Art/Speaks Hosted by Edgewood Gallery […]
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2017 Door County 4th of July Events
Door County 4th of July Parades 10 am: Baileys Harbor 1:30 pm: Egg Harbor Fireworks July 1 Fish Creek July 3 Egg Harbor Maplewood July 4 Baileys Harbor Gills Rock Sturgeon Bay Washington Island July 8 Sister Bay Egg Harbor 4th of July Parade and Fireworks All activities take place in Harbor View Park, 7809 […]
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Baileys Harbor Independence Celebrations July 3-4
This year a ton of activities are planned for the 166th Baileys Harbor Independence Day Celebration, July 3 & 4, including horseback riding, food, drinks and live music. There will be two days of the arts & crafts fair, a pancake breakfast, Strawberry Fest at the Town Hall, pony rides, a parade and fireworks. The […]
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Door County Renaissance Faire 2017 Opens June 24
Saturday, June 24 – Sunday, June 25 Saturday, July 1-Sunday, July 2 Step back into Olde Worlde Europe for the opening weekend of the Door County Renaissance Faire. Shop, eat and revel with a cast of colorfully costumed, exotic and intriguing characters in a re-creation of an early 16th century European country market faire. Feast […]