Summer in Door County isn’t just a season — it’s a series of annual celebrations and experiences that bring the peninsula’s communities to life. From historic America’s 250th birthday festivities and cultural festivals to cherry season favorites, maritime events, art fairs, and harvest gatherings, these are the things to do this summer that are worth planning your trip around.
July is for Fireworks, Festivals, & Summer Traditions
The summer season kicks into high gear with America’s 250th birthday. Add cultural festivals, plein air artists, and charming community gatherings, and you’ll find something new to do every weekend in Door County in July.
July – August Weekly Events
Fish Fri Concert Series
Few things feel more like summer in Door County than live music by the water. The Fish Fri Concert Series brings local and regional musicians to Fish Creek Beach for free Friday evening performances throughout the season. Pack a chair, grab takeout from a nearby restaurant, and settle in for a lakeside concert as boats drift through the harbor and the sun begins to dip below the horizon.
Evenings in Ephraim
Some of Door County’s best summer evenings happen on Mondays in Ephraim. Browse Bondemarked (Norwegian for farmers market) for locally made goods, fresh produce, candles, jewelry, baked treats, and more, then grab a blanket and head to Harborside Park for the free concert series featuring talented local musicians. With waterfront views and a sunset over Eagle Harbor to close out the night, it’s a simple recipe for a memorable summer evening.
Fireworks & Live Music, Egg Harbor
July 3 – 4
Make a holiday weekend of it in Egg Harbor, where two days of Independence Day festivities fill the waterfront with music, food, shopping, and family fun. Kick things off with live music and the Rhythm & Roots Marketplace before watching a fireworks show illuminate the harbor from a barge at dusk. On July 4, line the streets for the village’s award-winning parade, then stick around for refreshments and a spirited performance by the UW Marching Band in Harbor View Park. It’s a classic Door County Fourth of July with an Egg Harbor twist.
4th of July in Baileys Harbor
July 4
Independence Day in Baileys Harbor is an all-day affair. Fuel up with a pancake breakfast before the annual parade rolls through town, then spend the afternoon exploring arts and crafts vendors, enjoying strawberry shortcake at Strawberry Fest, and listening to live music in Kendall Park. Food vendors and a beer tent can be found at the Town Hall front lawn and parking lot until 4 p.m. Fireworks light up the night sky over Lake Michigan from Anclam Park at dusk. It’s everything you love about a classic summer Fourth of July, wrapped into one unforgettable day on the waterfront.
Sturgeon Bay Celebrates 4th of July
July 4
Pack a lawn chair or blanket and head to Sunset Park to see how Sturgeon Bay celebrates the 4th of July on the waterfront. Hear live music by Glas Hamr, grab dinner and drinks from local vendors, and relax along the bay as excitement builds toward a dazzling fireworks show at dusk. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening in Sturgeon Bay.
Gills Rock Celebrates 4th of July
July 4
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Gills Rock with live music, food and drinks, and a traditional fish fry fundraiser benefiting the Death’s Door Maritime Museum before heading to the waterfront for one of the event’s highlights—a festive boat parade in the harbor. Watch the boats parade through the harbor before gathering along the shoreline for a fireworks display over the water at dusk. It’s a classic North Door summer tradition with a distinctly maritime twist.
47th Annual Door County Folk Festival
July 9 – 12
Experience cultures from around the world without leaving Door County at the 47th Annual Door County Folk Festival. This four-day celebration brings together live music, dance parties, singing workshops, cultural presentations, and hands-on dance lessons led by instructors from across North America and beyond. Add in fish boils, fish fries, and opportunities to connect with visitors from around the world, and you’ve got a beloved festival unlike anything else on the peninsula.
Belgian Days
July 10 – 12
Honor Door County’s Belgian heritage at Belgian Days in Brussels, a three-day festival packed with live music, authentic Belgian food, family-friendly activities, and small-town traditions. Feast on local favorites like Belgian waffles, booyah, and Belgian pies, stick around for live entertainment throughout the weekend, and join the crowds lining the streets for the Belgian Days parade. It’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture, flavors, and community spirit that make this corner of Door County so unique.
Door County Plein Art Festival
July 19 – 25
For one week each summer, Door County becomes an open-air art gallery during the Door County Plein Air Festival. More than 30 nationally acclaimed artists gather to paint the peninsula’s shorelines, villages, orchards, and natural beauty on location. Watch paintings take shape with every brushstroke and discover fresh perspectives on some of Door County’s most iconic views. Lectures by renowned artists and collectors offer a deeper look into the world of plein air painting, while the thrilling Quick Paint competition in Fish Creek puts artists’ skills to the test in real time. Kids can even get in on the action with grab-and-go painting kits available from PenArt.
Celebrate Carlsville
July 25
Celebrate one of Door County’s most charming communities at the 20th Annual Carlsville Day. The festivities last all day, featuring a craft fair with over 40 local vendors and artisans, a parade, the kids’ carnival, food trucks, and live music. There is even a cherry pie eating contest with brackets for kids and adults. It’s a classic small-town summer celebration with plenty of Door County flavor.
August is for Cherries, Ships, & County Fair Fun
Taste Door County’s famous cherries, explore its maritime heritage, discover local artists, and make the most of all this family fun from carnival rides and demolition derbies to antique tractors and working waterfronts in August.
32nd Annual Cherry Fest
August 1
Indulge in Door County’s most famous fruit at the 32nd Annual Cherry Fest in Jacksonport. Spend the day sampling cherry favorites like fresh-baked cherry pie, kolaches, ice cream sundaes, and jams. Cherry brats, burgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork are on the menu at the food booth. Beyond the delicious treats, you’ll find a juried arts-and-crafts fair, live music in the park, and a vintage car show. You can even meet Miss Cherryland, Miss Door County, and Miss Door County Outstanding Teen at the Penny Hunt and discover even more family-friendly activities that make this one of Door County’s sweetest summer staples.
Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week
August 1 – 7
From classic wooden boats and working waterfronts to our U.S. Coast Guard legacy and visiting ships, the Sturgeon Bay Maritime Week showcases the nautical heritage that helped shape the community. Explore historic vessels, watch or join the hilarious sea trials at the Sikalfex Build-a-Boat contest, attend the Door County Mariner Honors dinner, golf in the Salute to the Coast Guard golf tournament, and so much more. It’s a unique opportunity to dive into Door County’s maritime culture while treating yourself to a whole week of special events.
Door County Festival of Fine Arts
August 8
Stroll the shores of Sister Bay while exploring the work of talented Wisconsin artists at the Door County Festival of Fine Arts. From paintings and pottery to jewelry and mixed media, you’ll find a wide variety of handcrafted pieces available directly from the artists who created them. Hands-on art activities, live demonstrations, and a scenic waterfront setting make this a must-visit event for art lovers and curious browsers alike.
Door County Fair
August 12 – 16
Since 1857, the Door County Fair has captivated hearts with five days of excitement, entertainment, and community spirit in Sturgeon Bay. Meet farm animals, browse exhibits created by local residents, soak up live music, and fill up on everything from cheese curds to funnel cakes. Add in carnival rides, racing events, and the crowd-favorite demolition derby, and it’s easy to see why this annual tradition remains one of Door County’s biggest summer draws.
Valmy Thresheree
August 14 – 16
The sights, sounds, and smells of early farm life take center stage at the Valmy Thresheree in Sturgeon Bay. Watch antique machinery harvest grain, saw logs, crush limestone, and tackle other jobs that once shaped everyday life in Door County. From tractor pulls and mud pig wrestling to live music and family activities, this one-of-a-kind event offers a fun glimpse into the region’s agricultural roots.
Belgian Heritage Center Kermiss
August 16
For a true taste of Door County’s Belgian heritage, head to Kermiss at the Belgian Heritage Center. Sample traditional favorites like booyah, trippe, Belgian pie, and jutt, browse antique farm equipment displays, enjoy live music by the John Welch Band, and take part in raffles and a silent auction. Rooted in a tradition that stretches back more than 165 years, Kermiss offers an authentic glimpse into the customs and culture that helped define southern Door County.
Gills Rock Art Fest
August 29 – 30
Make your way to Gills Rock at the end of the month for the 24th annual Gills Rock Art Fest. This annual art festival brings together talented artists working in a variety of mediums, from painting and pottery to jewelry and mixed media, on the grounds behind Top of the Thumb Gift Shop. Watch artists at work, browse their wares for purchase, catch live music, and savor delicious food, from fried rice and wontons to brats and hot dogs.
September is for Summer’s End and Harvest to Begin
September brings a new energy to the peninsula as summer transitions toward fall. Waterfront festivals, classic cars, local art, Oktoberfest-inspired classics, and harvest-themed events create the perfect excuse for one last seasonal getaway.
Marina Fest
September 5 – 6
Make the most of summer’s final weekend at Marina Fest in Sister Bay. This popular waterfront event features live entertainment, delicious food, activities for all ages, and plenty of opportunities to explore the harbor. From relaxing by the marina to taking in the lively atmosphere downtown, it’s a quintessential Door County Labor Day experience.
Autumnfest Car and Motorcycle Show
September 12
Classic cars, gleaming motorcycles, fall colors, and live music come together at the annual Autumnfest Car and Motorcycle Show in Baileys Harbor. Spend the day admiring vintage vehicles, browsing arts and crafts vendors, trying local food and drinks, and relaxing in the park as live music fills the air. It’s a laid-back way to soak up the sights, sounds, and flavors of autumn in Door County.
Harvest Fest and Street Art Auction
September 19
Welcome fall in downtown Sturgeon Bay at Harvest Fest & Street Art Auction, where classic cars, local art, live music, and Oktoberfest-inspired fun fill Third Avenue. Browse a craft fair, shop downtown businesses, sample festival food, and admire the colorful street art installations that have brightened the city all summer before they’re auctioned off. From stein-holding contests and live entertainment to a bustling car show and the official “Tapping of the Oktoberfest Firkin” by Mayor Ward outside of Starboard Brewing Company, it’s a perfect way to spend a September day.
