A Year-Round Reason to Celebrate
There’s something about Door County that just knows how to throw a good party. Not the loud, flashy kind—but the kind that fills the air with music, the smell of fried food, and that unmistakable small-town buzz. From spring blossom tours to fall pumpkin patches and snowy winter parades, Door County knows how to celebrate the seasons.
If you’re thinking about planning a trip, or just looking for an excuse to come back, these festivals might be the nudge you need.
Spring: Quiet Starts, Blooming Days
Spring in Door County is softer than summer. It’s still waking up. The crowds aren’t quite here yet, but the excitement is starting to build—and the locals are ready to welcome you.
Door County Half Marathon & Nicolet Bay 5K (Peninsula State Park – early May)
Even if you’re not running, this is one of those events that gets people out and moving. The course runs right through Peninsula State Park, which might be the most beautiful place in Wisconsin to break a sweat.
Door County Festival of Nature (Baileys Harbor – late May)
Celebrate the natural beauty of Door County with guided hikes, birding tours, and educational programs during this Memorial Day weekend event.
Spring Festival Details:
Door County Half Marathon & Nicolet Bay 5K
📍 Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek
🗓️ May 3, 2025
🔗 Door County Half Marathon
Door County Festival of Nature
📍 Baileys Harbor
🗓️ May 22–25, 2025
🔗 Festival of Nature
Summer: Festivals with Full Energy
Summer is when Door County shows off. Towns like Fish Creek, Sister Bay, and Egg Harbor are alive with live music, farmers markets, and festivals that spill out onto sidewalks and harbors.
Door County Wine Fest (Baileys Harbor – mid-June)
Local wineries set up right near the lake, and you can spend a sunny afternoon sipping, sampling, and swaying to live music. Not too stuffy, not too loud—just right.
Peninsula Music Festival (Ephraim – August)
If classical music is your thing, this one’s a must. It’s a little more refined, but in the best way. The orchestra pulls talent from all over the country, and the performances are held in a space where the acoustics do the music justice.
Cherry Fest (Jacksonport – first Saturday in August)
Door County and cherries go hand-in-hand, and Cherry Fest is the place to get your fix—pies, jams, fresh-pickings, even cherry bratwursts if you’re feeling brave. The whole town joins in.
Summer Festival Details:
Door County Wine Fest
📍 Baileys Harbor
🗓️ June 21, 2025
🔗 Door County Wine Fest
Peninsula Music Festival
📍 Fish Creek
🗓️ August 5–23, 2025
🔗 Peninsula Music Festival
Jacksonport Cherry Fest
📍 Jacksonport
🗓️ August 3, 2024
🔗 Cherry Fest
Fall: Where It Really Shines
Autumn might be the most magical time to visit. The leaves turn, the air cools, and the festivals take on a cozier, more homespun feel.
Sister Bay Marina Fest (Labor Day Weekend)
It’s the unofficial goodbye to summer, and Sister Bay pulls out all the stops—live music, boat parades, kids’ games, and fireworks over the marina. It’s loud, colorful, and so much fun.
Pumpkin Patch Festival (Egg Harbor – early October)
A classic fall weekend. Carnival rides, pumpkins on every corner, local food, and a whole lot of sweaters and cider. If you’ve got kids (or you just love fall), mark this one down.
Sister Bay Fall Fest (Mid-October)
This one’s a big deal. Thousands show up, but it still somehow feels local. The parade is a highlight, but the whole weekend is packed—crafts, live music, street food, and general joyful chaos.
Fall Festival Details:
Sister Bay Marina Fest
📍 Sister Bay
🗓️ August 30–31, 2025
🔗 Marina Fest
Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival
📍 Egg Harbor
🗓️ October 12–13, 2024
🔗 Pumpkin Patch Festival
Sister Bay Fall Fest
📍 Sister Bay
🗓️ October 17–19, 2025
🔗 Sister Bay Fall Fest
Winter: Cozy and Low-Key, But Still Full of Charm
Even when the snow flies, Door County doesn’t stop celebrating.
Christmas by the Bay (Sturgeon Bay – mid-November)
Think small-town Christmas at its best. The lights, the tree lighting, a parade, and hot cocoa by the gallon. It’s the kind of event that makes you feel like a kid again.
Fire & Ice Festival (Sturgeon Bay – February)
Yes, it’s cold—but that doesn’t stop the fun. Ice carving, fireworks, and cozy indoor events around town keep the energy going. It’s a perfect excuse for a winter weekend away.
Winter Festival Details:
Christmas by the Bay
📍 Sturgeon Bay
🗓️ November 16, 2024
🔗 Christmas by the Bay
Fire & Ice Festival
📍 Sturgeon Bay
🗓️ February 14–15, 2025
🔗 Fire & Ice Festival
Tips from Someone Who’s Been Around the Festival Block
Book early. Especially if you’re coming for Fall Fest or Cherry Fest. Lodging fills up fast.
Park once, walk often. The smaller the town, the harder the parking. Bring comfy shoes.
Support local. These festivals are full of artists, bakers, and makers. Skip the chain stores and buy something unique.
Check the calendar. Weather or crowds sometimes shift things—check the calendar to ensure your day is not ruined.
Why Door County Festivals Are Worth the Trip
What makes these festivals special isn’t the big names or massive crowds. It’s the way they’re rooted in community. You’re just as likely to run into the mayor serving burgers as you are a local kid selling their first watercolor painting. These events have heart.
They celebrate the simple stuff—cherries, pumpkins, music, friendship. That’s what makes them memorable.
Thinking about a trip?
Check out our Door County Directory, or read more about Door County in spring for the quiet-season charm.
