New Year’s Events Primer

It’s almost time for the giant cherry to signal another new year. Photo by Myles Dannhausen Jr.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Here’s your guide to New Year’s Eve activities throughout Door County as of Dec. 20, 2021. Check DoorCountyPulse.com for the latest updates! 

Cherry Drop in Sister Bay

The giant cherry is bouncing back to Sister Bay for New Year’s Eve, when the Cherry Drop, presented by FM 106.9 The Lodge, will return to Husby’s Garage Bar as the clock runs down on 2021. 

The six-foot-wide, 300-pound cherry – made of lights, no less – will be suspended roughly 120 feet above Husby’s Garage on Dec. 31 as revelers wait for it to make its descent to ring in 2022. The crew from FM 106.9 The Lodge will be onsite playing party tunes beginning at 10:30 pm as the crowd gathers between Husby’s and the Sister Bay Bowl. 

If the weather cooperates, skate at the Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink beforehand – fireworks will launch at 8 pm. 

Whiskey Ditch at the Carrington Pub

9 pm • Carrington Pub at the Landmark Resort, 7643 Hillside Road in Egg Harbor

Ring in the new year with Whiskey Ditch playing classic and contemporary rock (9 pm – 1 am), or join Cheryl Simon for karaoke. Get more details at facebook.com/thelandmarkresort.

VideoStar at Stone Harbor

9 pm • Stone Harbor Restaurant & Pub, 107 N. 1st Ave. in Sturgeon Bay

Rock out to live music by VideoStar in the Harbor Ballroom, plus enjoy a balloon drop, complimentary hats and horns, and a champagne toast at midnight. 

Hip-Hop at Cherry Lanes 

10 pm • Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar, 127 N. 4th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay

Is hip-hop your thing? Take in live performances beginning at 10 pm.

New Year’s Eve Fish Boil

5 pm • Waterfront Mary’s Bar & Grill, 3662 N. Duluth Ave. in Sturgeon Bay

Waterfront Mary’s is celebrating the holiday with its first New Year’s Eve fish boil (at 5:30 pm; call for reservations) and live music by Dirty Deuce, the musical mathematicians of rock and roll. Drink specials, champagne and party favors will be provided.

Country Celebration at Log Den

8:30 pm • The Log Den, 6626 Hwy 42 in Egg Harbor

The Modern Day Drifters will play classic rock and country, with a champagne toast at midnight. 

NEW YEAR’S DAY

New Year’s Day Outdoor Exploration

9:30 am – 12 pm • Whitefish Dunes State Park

Not the plunging-into-a-lake type? Enjoy a hike, snowshoe or ski at Whitefish Dunes State Park. Meet other hardy folks outside the picnic shelter around a roaring fire, and warm up with some hot chocolate or hot cider. The event is free, but a park pass is required.

Jacksonport Polar Bear Plunge

12 pm • Lakeside Park, Jacksonport

The granddaddy of Door County polar plunges returns to the shore of Lake Michigan. Join hundreds of other brave souls to dodge chunks of ice and earn your stripes as a polar plunger. No tan? No problem. You won’t see many at this beach. Registration begins at 10:30 am, with the plunge at 12 pm. Donations to Feed My People will be collected.

Waterfront Mary’s Polar Plunge

12 pm • Waterfront Mary’s Bar & Grill, 3662 N. Duluth Ave. in Sturgeon Bay

This event is smaller than the plunge in Jacksonport, but it’s still fun – especially if you don’t want 1,000 people checking out your pasty white thighs to start your new year. Emerge from the icy waters for a free T-shirt and loaded Bloody Marys or hot chocolate. Proceeds benefit the Southern Door Fire Department. 

Egg Harbor New Year’s Day Parade

1 pm

If you can get dried off and warmed up from the plunge in time, head over to Egg Harbor for the always-goofy Egg Harbor New Year’s Day Parade. Grab a warm drink and take in the parade – or join in the parade!