The peninsula transforms into a charming and picturesque northern wooded paradise during the holiday season. With its quaint villages, festive events, and cozy winter charm, it offers a variety of holiday-related activities that make it a must-visit destination for families, couples, and holiday enthusiasts. Here’s a guide to some of the best ways to experience the holiday spirit in Door County.
Stroll through the Door County Maritime Museum and peruse their winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and decorative displays. Fantastically decorated by local businesses, organizations and residents – each of these extraordinary decorations is adorned with beautiful ornaments and special surprises.
On Tuesday, December 10 the Museum will be hosting a Jingle Mixer Gala where revelers will enjoy food, drinks, auctions, entertainment and the drawings for tree winners. Tickets are limited, and available to the public November 1, and you can secure your tickets early by sponsoring or decorating a tree, wreath or decorative display.
One of the Door County happenings and biggest holiday celebration is Unwrapping Sturgeon Bay & Christmas by the Bay in Sturgeon Bay which will be held November 22-24, 2024. The weekend kicks off with a community car parade as Sturgeon Bay ‘unwraps’ their festive storefronts followed by the annual tree lighting ceremony near the Old Bell Tower on Third Avenue on Friday, November 22.
On Saturday, November 23 the fun continues with a holiday parade at 10 a.m. followed by a meet and greet with Santa at the Door County Historical Museum. The weekend comes to a close during brunch with Santa at Stone Harbor Resort on Sunday, November 24 from 9:30 a.m. to Noon.
Come and enjoy an afternoon of Door County happenings with wine tasting, holiday pop-up shops, live music and merriment at Anchored Roots Vineyard & Winery. Treat yourself to a red wine and chocolate truffle flight while shopping from local Door County makers, bakers and creatives. Learn more about the vendors participating in the event.
Come and celebrate one of the quintessential Door County happenings this holiday season with the Ellison Bay community with a tree lighting at 5 p.m. followed by a community chili supper at the Mink River Basin.
Join friends and family in Ellison Bay on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 28) at 9 a.m. for the fourth annual Gobble Wobble Fun Run/Walk. This event features a 2.5 miles fun run/walk that starts and ends at Fitzgerald Park. Registration is $10 per person and kids 12 and under are free; dogs are welcome and turkey costumes are encouraged. Participants can register here.
Join one of the fun Door County happenings the Jacksonport Community at Lakeside Park for a Thanksgiving holiday celebration at 10:30 a.m. The parade includes eclectic floats and characters mixed with traditional color guard, a Jacksonport fire truck, some horses and maybe a camel, and Santa.
Help Santa light up the Village of Sister Bay with the holiday spirit. See his reindeer and elves, enjoy some hot cocoa, pursue gifts at the arts and crafts show and kids activities while devouring some holiday treats.
Festivities start on Friday, November 29 with a holiday arts & crafts fair at village hall. Santa turns on the lights at 5 p.m. and then story time with Santa starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Sister Bay Library.
Enjoy the holiday season in Door County at the Door County Christkindlmarkt. Starting the last weekend of November, Christkindlmarkt will showcase vendors like weavers, potters, photographers and wood workers selling handcrafted, made-in-Door-County goods along with outdoor fire pits, live music, traditional hot mulled wine, beer and food booths. The event will be held at the Corner of the Past Museum in Sister Bay.
Enjoy the Carlsville Mingle & Jingle event in downtown Carlsville. Shop at your favorite Carlsville businesses like Door County Coffee & Tea Company, Door County Candle Company, Door County Distillery and much more.
Enjoy the Door County happenings, the old-fashioned way this holiday season at Holly Days in Egg Harbor. Enjoy numerous activities throughout the village like horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, an old-fashioned tree lighting, children’s activities and much more.
Lace up your running shoes! The One Barrel 2.62 Fun Run is a family friendly event that takes place in downtown Egg Harbor. Runners are encouraged to wear costumes during the race. Finishers will receive a commemorative shirt, glass and beer at the finish line! This is one of the Door County happenings you don’t want to miss!
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Harbor Holiday in Bailey’s Harbor. The event will include activities at the Ridges Sanctuary followed by family fun at other locations in Baileys Harbor, songs of cheer and a visit from Santa, his elves and reindeer. Join Santa and his elves at the Town Hall tree lighting at 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy Christmas in the Village of Ephraim the first Saturday of December. There will be activity tables of holiday crafts and snacks in the Ephraim Village Hall from 3:00- 5:00 p.m. Outside of Village Hall you’ll have the chance to meet Santa’s elves and reindeer and take a horse-drawn wagon ride through Ephraim! Santa will then make his way over to the Harborside Park gazebo at 5:00 to light the beautiful Christmas tree!
One of the quaintest Door County happenings to day, the Hometown Holiday in Fish Creek is the second-best place to be during the holidays. Enjoy a tree lighting in the park, window shop Fish Creek’s amazing storefronts and make every moment merry, bright, and memorable.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season with those you love at the Jacksonport Community Christmas Party. The Christmas Tree lighting will happen at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Park with refreshments and dinner to follow at 6 p.m.
Sister Bay celebrates New Year’s Eve with a shopping extravaganza throughout the village, ice skating and a bonfire at the Sports Complex, dining specials, and an early evening fireworks show at the Sports Complex. The FM 106.9 The Lodge Cherry Drop portion of the evening starts at 10:30pm with FM 106.9 The Lodge playing some the biggest tunes of all time from Cherry ground zero at The Garage. As we countdown to midnight, we drop the giant sparkling cherry to welcome the new year!
If you’re looking for festive fun and exciting Door County happenings this holiday season, be sure to check out the full Door County Events calendar! From now until the end of the year, Door County is packed with winter events that will get you in the holiday spirit. Whether you’re interested in cozy holiday markets, festive parades, live performances, or outdoor winter adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Book your room at the Fresh Coast Motel and don’t miss out on Door County’s seasonal magic!
