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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A Film From the County in Cannes
A bit of Door County is keeping some mighty rich company this month at the world-famous Cannes Film Festival. Drew Britton, who has spent much of his life here, submitted Richard’s 32nd, an eight-minute film he wrote, directed, produced and edited. A month later he received an email saying it had been accepted for screening […]
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Baileys Harbor Hosts Blessing of the Fleet Festival, May 21-22
Baileys Harbor is celebrating its maritime heritage with a weekend of historic programs, maritime tours, and culinary specialties at the very first Blessing of the Fleet Festival, May 21 – 22. The maritime industry has thrived on Lake Michigan since the mid-1800s, and was central in the growth of Baileys Harbor, a lakeside town located […]
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New Volunteer Coordinator Needed for Cherry Fest’s Arts & Crafts Fair
For this year’s Cherry Fest, sponsored by the Jacksonport Historical Society (JHS), Vicki Bley is looking for a new coordinator to work with her to organize this year’s juried arts and crafts fair and to take over in 2017. Anyone interested in this volunteer position may contact her at 920.823.2316. Responsibilities of the coordinator begin […]
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Vendors Needed for Olde Ellison Bay Days Festival
The art fair committee of the 50th Olde Ellison Bay Days Festival is looking for more Door County fine artists and fine craftspeople for its art fair. “Artists can share a booth if they wish,” said Diane McNeil, committee member. “We’re always looking for young emerging artists located in Door County. So many of our […]
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Door County Homebrew Championship Returns to Beer Festival
The Door County Homebrew Championship is back for 2016 as part of the Door County Beer Festival. Homebrewers can enter beers in one of 12 categories to be judged by a panel of beer aficionados and experts. Each entry will be judged by at least one Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) judge or industry professional. […]
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Beer & Wine Tasting, Sheepshead & More Weekend Plans
You can feel it in the air…the first weekend of spring is nearly upon us! Celebrate the coming season with a traveling theater show, a taste of some regional brews or an afternoon of Sheepshead to support an upcoming tree planting project. Friday, March 18 Dinner & A Murder Mystery Join the actors of Rogue […]
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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 […]