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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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 […]
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Washington Island Whitefish Heading to IL for Fish Boil Fest
The second annual Washington Island Fish Boil Festival (WIFF) at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, Ill., is scheduled for Feb. 6. Ken Koyen (KK), Julian Hagen, boil helpers, kettles, firewood, Whitefish with trimmings, Jerry Mann’s brats, and guitars will be leaving the Island for a journey to Berwyn. Fisherman KK will come ashore to conduct one of […]
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Reduced Price for Burning Cow Music Festival Pass Offered for One Week in Feb.
Burning Cow Music Festival will return to Door County July 21 – 23, 2016. The festival will include three days of southern rock, blues, alt-country and jam bands and will climax Saturday night with the burning of another immense wooden cow. Festival organizers will offer a reduced price three-day festival pass for one week only […]
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Ice Carvers Needed for Fire and Ice 2016
The Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center is currently seeking beginner, intermediate and advanced ice carvers for Fire and Ice 2016. The ice carving competition will take place from 9 am to 2 pm on Feb. 13. A panel of volunteers will judge all ice carvings. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded based on competitor level […]
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Night Hike, Mobsters in Milwaukee, Tree Lighting & More Weekend Plans
This weekend, take a break from the stress of the holidays to enjoy a hike under the night sky, classic holiday tunes, an author presentation or folk music by Door County singer Katie Dahl.
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Celebrate Christmas in the Village on Dec. 5
The Ephraim Business Council invites you to celebrate the season at Christmas in the Village on Saturday, Dec. 5. Fun, festive family activities are planned throughout the day. New this year to Christmas in the Village is “Santa Land.” This professionally designed holiday set inside the Ephraim Village Hall will be a prime opportunity for […]
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New Parade in Baileys Harbor for “Harbor Holidays”
This year, the Baileys Harbor Community Association and Baileys Harbor Historical Society are teaming up to bring you “Harbor Holidays” on Dec. 5 from 1 – 6 pm. Come out for a wonderful day full of activities in the heart of Baileys Harbor. Bring the kids out to see Santa, march in the parade, make […]
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Christmas In the Village, Santa on the Tug, Harbor Holidays and More Weekend Plans
A festive weekend on the peninsula is heading your way! From a holiday book sale to a holiday home tour (and two festivals), we’ve got you covered for the weekend ahead.
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Capture the Spirit in Sister Bay, Nov. 27-28
Warm up your holiday spirit, tune up your caroling voice, bundle up the kids and join the festivities at Sister Bay’s Capture the Spirit event, Nov.27-28. The village lights will glow brightly Friday, Nov. 27 beginning at 4:30 pm with the lighting of luminaries around downtown and the Village Christmas tree and decorations at the […]
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Celebrate the Holly Days in Egg Harbor, Nov. 27-28
Egg Harbor’s Holly Days is a weekend full of old-fashioned holiday fun. The festival will be held the weekend of Thanksgiving, Nov. 27 and 28. The event, full of family fun, kicks off the official Christmas season with festive dazzling decorations and holiday activities for all ages. Start the weekend with Breakfast with Santa at […]
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Holly Days, Small Business Saturday, Hip-Hop & More Weekend Plans
This weekend is the official start to the Christmas season in Door County, with Sister Bay and Egg Harbor hosting their hometown holiday festivities and area businesses taking part in Small Business Saturday. Check out our top picks for the festive weekend ahead! Friday, November 27 Capture the Spirit of the Holidays Sister Bay will […]
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Christmas by the Bay Set For Nov. 20-22
Sturgeon Bay’s annual Christmas by the Bay celebration will take place Friday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 22 with a host of family friendly activities. The weekend begins with a tree lighting ceremony at the clock tower on Third Avenue from 6 – 8pm with live music by Josh Gregory, Hervy Hodges and Mike Raye. […]
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Christmas by the Bay, Hunters Stew, Ladies Weekend & More Weekend Plans
Hunting and holidays dominate the upcoming weekend on the peninsula! Check out our top picks for the weekend ahead. Friday, November 20 Celebrate the Holidays in Sturgeon Bay Christmas by the Bay begins with the annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday night and continues throughout the weekend with live music, wagon rides, a Santa parade […]
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Airlifter Brass, Festival of Trees & More Weekend Plans
From a patriotic brass band to the Merry-Time Festival of Trees, we’ve gathered our top picks for the weekend ahead on the peninsula! Friday, November 13 Free Patriotic Performance by USAF Airlifter Brass In honor of Veterans Day, Door Community Auditorium will host six professional musicians of the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America’s […]
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Jack O’Lantern Days 2015 Schedule
It’s a hometown Halloween celebration at Fish Creek’s annual Jack-O-Lantern Days, Oct. 30-31. This family-friendly weekend highlights mask making for kids, pumpkin carving, a haunting Halloween parade, trick-or-treating, costume parties for kids, adults, and dogs, and more! Friday Halloween Adult Art Night at Hands On Art Studio: 6:30pm – 10pm Door County Trolley Ghost Tours: […]