Unwrap the Season in Sturgeon Bay at Christmas by the Bay

Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome the Christmas season during Sturgeon Bay’s Christmas by the Bay parade. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

Ring in the holiday season with Destination Sturgeon Bay during the 2022 Unwrapping Sturgeon Bay and Christmas by the Bay weekend Nov. 18-20. 

Start by packing up your family and friends to join in the third Unwrapping Sturgeon Bay community car parade, beginning at Sawyer Park on Nov. 18. Cars line up between 5 pm and 5:45 pm, and the parade will start at 6 pm. Get festive, and take your furry friends because Destination Sturgeon Bay will be handing out pup treats.

Participating businesses will “unwrap” their festive storefronts for the first time this holiday season as the parade – led by members of Sturgeon Bay’s fire and police departments, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus – passes by them. Parade spectators are encouraged to park at Market Square and stroll the streets of Sturgeon Bay before the tree-lighting ceremony at Community Foundation Square at 8 pm. 

The fun will continue Nov. 19 with the Christmas by the Bay parade at 10 am. Enjoy classic Christmas carols, and wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus as they pass by. Parade participants will be entered in either the Best Nonprofit or Best Business float competitions. 

Following the parade, Santa will greet visitors, 11 am – 1 pm, at the Door County Historical Museum, 18 N. 4th Ave.; and free trolley rides will be available around Sturgeon Bay, 11 am – 3 pm. 

The weekend will close Nov. 20, 9:30 am – 12 pm, with Breakfast with Santa at Stone Harbor Resort, 107 N. 1st Ave. Learn more about this brunch event by calling 877.746.0700. 

Unwrapping Sturgeon Bay and Christmas by the Bay are presented with Cellcom. Find additional details at SturgeonBay.net.