That’s right… we said BEST festival. Door County has lot of fall festivals and we have not been to all of them. But for this family, there’s one in particular that stands out. We’ve been going to Fall Fest in Sister Bay for what seems like forever. Keep on reading and at the end we’ll list all the other fall festivals the peninsula has to offer. Pick one that fits best with your schedule, because no matter what, fall in Door County is magical. Here’s a quick glance at the colors.
The fall leaves are stunning. Inland and along the shoreline. Go on a scenic drive or hike to take them all in. But we are here to talk about Sister Bay’s Fall Fest. And for us, it begins with the parade. (Second to, or maybe tied with, the Baileys Harbor 4th of July parade!)
Sister Bay Fall Fest
We always try to arrive Saturday morning in downtown Sister Bay early enough to get a good spot outside of Husby’s and a bloody mary before parade time! And we are not alone. It’s a popular spot for both tourists and locals. The drinks are great, and as you can see they make them by the hundreds!
Sister Bay Fall Fest is also just good ol’ family fun. Our children have loved it. There are floats with goats. Lively bands. Surprise guests. And plenty of candy to fill their bags.
The parade is really the kick off to a whole day of fun. (Unless you’ve already started with the pancake breakfast at the fire station.) Post parade there are a ton of things to see and do. The cutest food vendors line the streets selling everything from pumpkin-pie-in-a-cup, and Door County apple slices with caramel, to corn on the cob, chili, and cheese curds. Many of the food booths are fundraisers for local causes.
Live music is happening all around you as you walk up and down the main drag. You’ll pass a giant arts & crafts fair, bounce houses and games for the kids. We’ve also seen balloon artists, face painting and even a ferris wheel at the fest. The people watching is pretty great, too.
If you stick around until Sunday, you can catch the Fall Fest Derby in the morning and the Ping Pong Ball Drop at 2 in the afternoon. That’s right, ping pong balls. Dropping from the sky. With coupons written on them. It’s hilarious.
Door County’s Fall Festival Line-up
Sister Bay Fall Fest falls toward the end of the festival line up. Here’s a glance at the other big ones!
*Baileys Harbor Autumn Fest. Saturday, September 14, 2024. Enjoy a beautiful fall day looking at classic cars, motorcycles and pinups. The festival also has arts & crafts, food vendors, and live music in the park.
*Sturgeon Bay Harvest Fest & Street Art Auction. Saturday, September 21, 2024. Once again you can enjoy classic cars, a craft show, food and live music. You’ll also find in-store specials and the “Tapping of the Firkin”stein holding contest.
*Autumn Lighthouse Festival. October 4-6, 2024. Discover Door County’s 11 lighthouses by land, air, and boat. Visitors will have access to the lighthouses that isn’t typically open to the public. There are tours for all levels of activity and accessibility.
*Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festival. October 11-13, 2024. Whereas Sister Bay has the parade, Egg Harbor has carnival rides. The highly popular festival also offers food, live music, arts & crafts, face painting, pumpkin & scarecrow displays and raffles.
*Fish Creek Jack O’Lantern Days. October 26, 2024. Highlights of this hometown Halloween festival include a costume contest and parade, town hall games, and town-wide trick-or-treating.
Make the most of fall by booking your Door County getaway with Northern Door Vacations.
