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.
2023 Door County Festivals
Door County Festival of Nature
May 2023
Enjoy the natural beauty of Door County with the Ridges Sanctuary. Field trips and nature activities for all ages.
Jacksonport Maifest
May 27-28, 2023
Enjoy children’s activities, live music, food, an art fair, a horse pull, a 10K and a 2-mile fun run.
Roping with Chewy at the Jacksonport Maifest.
Door County Lighthouse Festival
June 9-11, 2023
Boat excursions and guided land-based tours to all 11 historic Door County lighthouses. Visitors will have 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 10, 2023
Live music, kids games, a Swedish pancake eating contest, a goat drop contest and a goat parade.
Photo by Justin Anderson.
Fyr Bal Festival
June 17, 2023
Welcome summer with art, food, music & family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor. A bonfire & fireworks wrap up the festival.
Photo by Len Villano.
Door County Beer Festival
June 17, 2023
A celebration of 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. The Peninsula Century Spring Classic takes place in conjunction with the festival.
Photo by Brett Kosmider.
Door County Wine Fest
June 24, 2023
Enjoy unlimited tasting of award-winning Door County wines from eight local wineries and live music.
Egg Harbor 4th of July Parade and Celebration
July 3-4, 2023
Fun and food throughout the village all day.
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, 2023
A patriotic parade, live music, great food, arts, and crafts. Fireworks at dusk.
The 4th of July Parade in Baileys Harbor draws thousands. Photo by Myles Dannhausen Jr.
Sturgeon Bay Celebrates the 4th
July 4, 2023
Food, live music & fireworks.
Door County Plein Air Festival
July 23-29, 2023
Free events throughout the week at various Door County locations. Watch featured artists working at their easels.
Carlsville Day
July 2023
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 9-13, 2023
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, 2023
The City of Sturgeon Bay honors its rich maritime heritage.
August 11-13, 2023
Featuring 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.
Bailey’s Harbor AutumnFest
September 2023
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.
AutumnFest’s car show. Photo courtesy of the Baileys Harbor Community Association.
Autumn Lighthouse Festival
September 29 – October 1, 2022
The Door County Maritime Museum is offering a couple of its most popular tours Columbus Day weekend.
Sister Bay Fall Festival
October 13-15, 2023
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, and street food.
2016 Sister Bay Fall Festival. Photo by Len Villano.
Jack O’Lantern Days
October 2023
Make masks, see live owls, compete in a costume contest and trick-or-treat at local businesses.
Thrills and Chills
October 2023
Paint pumpkins, make slime, venture through a haunted house and walk in a costume parade.
Sturgeon Bay Christmas by the Bay
November 2023
Watch a tree lighting, take a horse drawn wagon rides, watch a festive holiday parade and eat breakfast with Santa.
Sister Bay Capture the Spirit Festival
Photo by Len Villano.
November 2023
Watch a tree lighting, meet, Santa, his elves and his favorite reindeer, decorate holiday cookies and peruse local art.
Egg Harbor Holly Days
Photo by Len Villano.
November 2023
Enjoy an old-fashioned winter weekend including Breakfast with Santa, an elf hunt, tree lighting, caroling & more.
Ephraim Christmas in the Village
December 2, 2023
Celebrate with Santa and his reindeer at the Village Hall. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the village and join Santa at Harborside Park to light the Christmas tree.
Harbor Holiday & Tree Lighting in Baileys Harbor
December 2023
Meet Santa, his elves & reindeer. Then, do holiday crafts, enjoy treats & watch the tree lighting.
Christkindlmarkt
November – December 2023
Local weavers, knitters, potters, photographers, jewelers, painters, woodworkers, glass blowers and more sell their work. Traditional European eats available.
Sturgeon Bay Fire & Ice Festival
February, 2024
Stroll around town or climb aboard the Door County Trolley for a complimentary tour of the community. Watch novice and professional carvers transform blocks of snow and ice into works of art. On Saturday evening, head to the Fire & Ice Gala at Stone Harbor Resort.
Sturgeon Bay Shipyard Tours
May 4, 2024
For one day each year, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and CenterPointe Yacht Services open their doors to the public for tours of the shipbuilding industry.
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Volunteer Voices: Volunteers Always Needed at Door County Festivals
There is never a shortage of special events going on in Door County. You can fill almost any weekend attending or volunteering at various festivals. I sat down with Paige Funkhouser, the new marketing and promotions director of the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center & Convention Bureau, and we talked about what it takes to run […]
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“The Red Thunder” Voted Best of the 2016 Door County Short Film Fest
The 2016 Short Film Festival has come and gone. Using the film search site filmfreeway.com, the film festival received 177 submissions from all over the world. The team of film board members watched more than 200 hours of films and whittled it down to 42 films and seven hours. The festival started on Friday night […]
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Owls, A Story Slam, Cornhole & More Weekend Plans
The events calendar is getting fuller as spring approaches. Looking for some fun on the peninsula this weekend? From local benefits to a celebration of owls, we’ve got our top picks for the weekend ahead. Friday, March 4 Owl-O-Rama Celebrate the fantastic raptor during The Ridges’ Owl-O-Rama weekend celebration, March 4-5. Highlights include crafts, owl […]
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Johnny Cash Birthday Fun, Wine Fest & More Weekend Plans
The final weekend of February 2016 will go out with a bang! Celebrate what would be Johnny Cash’s 84th birthday, help support the Bruemmer Park Zoo, or relax while listening to the beautiful mashup of poets and musicians at DCA’s Words on Fire. Friday, February 26 Johnny Cash Birthday Bash Algoma’s Farm Market Kitchen will […]
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Slideshow: 2016 Door County Pond Hockey Tournament
Len Villano got some great shots of the 2016 Door County Pond Hockey Tournament on Kangaroo Lake in Baileys Harbor Feb. 6.
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Visit Parallel 44’s Snow-Covered Vineyard for Frozen Tundra Wine Fest
Celebrate Wisconsin’s frozen terrain by attending Parallel 44’s 7th Annual Frozen Tundra Wine Fest, the largest outdoor wine fest in the state. This wintry outdoor event at Parallel 44 Winery is slated for the afternoon of Feb. 27, 12 – 6 pm. The winery is located outside of Kewaunee, between Green Bay and Door County. […]
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Ice Sculptures, Fire & Ice Dinner Dance Highlight Weekend in Sturgeon Bay
Carve out some time to visit Sturgeon Bay Feb. 12 and 13 for the 11th annual Sturgeon Bay Fire and Ice weekend. Snow and ice carvers will sculpt masterpieces throughout downtown Sturgeon Bay Friday and Saturday, competing for cash prizes and the recognition of the People’s Choice award (ice carving only). Revelers will dine and dance […]
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Fire & Ice, Short Film Fest & More Weekend Plans
Sturgeon Bay will take its turn hosting a winter festival this weekend as they celebrate their annual Fire & Ice Festival. Staying up north this weekend? Between Newport State Park’s winter programs and the Door County Short Film Fest, you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy during Valentine’s Day weekend. Friday, February 12 […]
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Door County Beer Festival Tickets Now On Sale
Tickets for Door County’s largest craft beer event of the year went on sale Feb. 1. The Door County Beer Festival returns to Baileys Harbor June 18 with more than 150 craft beers, live music, and local chefs. You’ll want to secure your spot in the tent early, as tickets are limited to just 1,200 […]
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41 Films Featured at Door County Short Film Fest
Come to the seventh annual Door County Short Film Festival (DCSFF) in the Sister Bay Village Hall, Feb. 12 and 13. Film Fest premiere night starts at 7 pm on Feb. 12 and will showcase 10 short films. The festival continues on Feb. 13 with sessions at 9 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 4 pm, […]
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“All Things Chocolate” at Old Fish Creek Town Hall on Feb. 6
Can you think of a better way to enjoy a winter day than to have loads of sweet chocolate to choose from? Come by the Old Town Hall in Fish Creek on Feb. 6, 10 am – 3 pm, for the Gibraltar Historical Association’s “All Things Chocolate.” Chocolate covered Oreos, pretzels and cherries, chess pie, […]
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Raise Your Glass with the Happy Schnapps Combo
For nearly three decades, Fish Creek’s Winter Festival has become the Door County event most known for a hodgepodge of random, hokey events and competitions – an oversized kickball tournament, minnow racing, a bike toss, and a Stumpf Fiddle Contest among them. So it’s only appropriate that the fun and games are accompanied by as […]
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How Bob Spielman Became the Winter Fest Guy
It’s about 48 hours before Winter Festival kicks off in Fish Creek and organizer Bob Spielman is wondering how to get the Happy Schnapps Combo van to the stage amidst the beer-drinking bowlers in the main tent. “That’s still kind of a mindblower to me,” said Spielman from his woodworking shop in Fish Creek. “Then […]
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Join the Stumpf Fiddle Contest at 2016 Winter Fest
On Feb. 6 at 2:30 pm, music and entertainment enthusiasts of all ages from near and far are invited to partake in a free, one-of-a-kind Stumpf Fiddle Contest at Fish Creek Winter Festival. Gibraltar Schools’ band director Charlie Eckhardt will emcee the contest. No experience with the Stumpf Fiddle is necessary (or expected) for this […]
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Winter Carnival Brings Icy Fun to Baileys Harbor
Plan on heading to Baileys Harbor on Feb. 5 – 7 for the third annual Winter Carnival, featuring the Door County Pond Hockey Tournament. Friday night kicks off with live music by Brass Differential at Door County Brewing Co. in the Tap Room at 7 pm. Saturday morning begins with the 8th Annual Great Waffle […]
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Winter Festivals, Pond Hockey, Super Bowl & More Weekend Plans
It’s a weekend of celebrating the quiet season in Door County! Head to the lake side to celebrate Baileys Harbor’s Winter Carnival and the 3rd Annual Pond Hockey tournament or head to the bay side for Fish Creek’s 29th annual Winter Festival. No matter where you spend the weekend, you’re sure to stow away some […]
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Door County Beer Festival Tickets Now On Sale
The Door County Beer Festival returns to Baileys Harbor Saturday, June 18 with more than 150 craft beers, live music, and local chefs.
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Winter Wine and Cherry Fest at Orchard Country Winery & Market
Discover the fun of winter at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market on Feb. 6, 10 am – 4 pm. The annual Winter Wine and Cherry Fest will include complimentary wine and specialty food product tasting – featuring the popular tart Montmorency cherry in celebration of National Cherry Month; plus an assortment of food and […]
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Winter Fest is Fish Creek’s Feel-Good Festival
Fish Creek’s annual Winter Festival turns 29 in 2016. From Feb. 5 – 7, visitors and locals from all walks of life will flock to the large, heated tent at Clark Park in Fish Creek to enjoy family-fun games (both on and off the ice), a chili-cook off, exciting stage events, fireworks, and much more. […]
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Bring Your Chili to Winter Fest’s “Smokin’ Hot Chili Cook-Off”
Cooks of all culinary abilities, from novice to expert, are invited to compete for the next “Smokin’ Hot Chili Cook-Off” crown at Fish Creek’s 29th Winter Festival on Feb. 6. Gift certificate prizes and impressive bragging rights will be awarded to the first, second and third place chili winners. All participants should bring a crockpot […]