Door County Memorial Day weekend 2026 Guide

Memorial Day weekend marks the grand seasonal awakening of Wisconsin's beloved Door County peninsula, and 2026 shapes up as a spectacular time to visit.

Three confirmed festivals — the Jacksonport Maifest, Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair, and the Festival of Nature — anchor a weekend packed with parades, live music, art, and nature programming. Cherry and apple blossoms should be at or near peak bloom across the peninsula's 3,000 acres of orchards, dozens of seasonal businesses throw open their doors, and the full suite of outdoor recreation launches for summer. With highs in the low-to-mid 60s and long daylight hours, the weekend offers ideal conditions for hiking, biking, kayaking, and exploring — though Lake Michigan's water remains far too cold for comfortable swimming.

Door County's 75 miles of shoreline, 11 lighthouses, five state parks, and charming village-hopping culture along Highways 42 and 57 draw visitors from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison each year. Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff, and 2026 will be no exception.

Confirmed festivals headline the weekend

The 53rd annual Jacksonport Maifest (May 23–24) is the marquee community celebration. Saturday's schedule opens at 9 AM with a juried art fair featuring 50+ artists and a concession stand serving brats, cheese curds, and baked goods. The Maifest Parade rolls down Highway 57 at 10:30 AM Saturday, followed by a family midway with inflatables, face painting, live music from Second Hand Stereo and Tally Ho Brass Band, and a noon Memorial Day ceremony with VFW Post 3088. Sunday brings the 42nd annual Maifest 10K Run and 2-Mile Fun Run at 9 AM, more live music from the Modern Day Drifters, and the Frontier Farmers Horse Pull in the afternoon. Admission is free.

The 28th annual Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair (May 23–24) fills Martin Park with 80+ juried Midwest artists working in sculpture, glass, painting, jewelry, fiber, and ceramics. Free admission, DJ entertainment, food vendors, and a beer tent make this an easy Saturday–Sunday stop. Hours run 10 AM–4 PM Saturday and 10 AM–3 PM Sunday.

The 24th annual Door County Festival of Nature (May 21–24), headquartered at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, offers 70+ guided field trips — birding tours, wildflower hikes, kayak excursions, and mushroom foraging walks — spread across the entire peninsula. Registration is required and the full 2026 field-trip schedule will be posted in spring. Contact The Ridges Sanctuary at 920-839-2802 for details.

Monday ceremonies honor the fallen

Door County communities hold traditional Memorial Day services on Monday, May 25 at multiple locations. The Sturgeon Bay Fire Department ceremony at 10 AM features speakers from Door County Veterans Services, the reading of names of fallen Door County veterans dating to the Civil War, a rifle salute by American Legion Post 51, and Taps. The Skyway Drive-In in Fish Creek hosts a 10:30 AM ceremony, and Washington Island's service takes place at Schoolhouse Beach at 11 AM. On Sunday, the Forestville American Legion Post 372 firing squad conducts memorial services at more than 20 southern Door County cemeteries beginning at 7:20 AM — a solemn tradition that spans Forestville, Namur, Brussels, Clay Banks, and many smaller communities.

Seasonal openings transform the peninsula

Memorial Day weekend is when Door County flips the switch from quiet off-season to full tourism mode. Here are the key openings confirmed or expected for 2026:

• Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park reopens May 22, 2026 with self-guided tours daily 11 AM–4 PM ($7/person)

• Cana Island Lighthouse and Shoreline Boat Tours both open Memorial Day weekend (confirmed on their websites)

• Peninsula State Park Golf Course reopens its fully reconstructed hole 7 green for Memorial Day weekend

• Nicolet Beach Camp Store, Kitty's Coffee Truck, Backbone Food Truck, and bike/boat rentals all open for the season at Peninsula State Park

• The Farm (living museum of rural America, 4 miles north of Sturgeon Bay) opens daily 9 AM–5 PM through mid-October — bottle-feed baby goats, watch chicks hatch, explore pioneer log buildings

• Plum Loco Animal Farm in Egg Harbor opens daily 9:30 AM–4:30 PM with 60+ animal species

Simon Creek Vineyard traditionally opens on Memorial Day weekend (daily 10–5 through November 1), while Red Putter Mini Golf in Ephraim and Salty Seagull Mini Golf in Sturgeon Bay shift to summer hours. Egg Harbor Fun Park fires up its go-karts, arcade, and batting cages. The Washington Island Cherry Train Tours (2-hour narrated open-air tours, $25 adults/$10 children) historically begin Memorial Day weekend, though visitors should confirm 2026 availability.

Many restaurants, ice cream shops, and boutiques in Fish Creek, Ephraim, and Sister Bay that close for winter reopen around this time. Al Johnson's famous roof goats in Sister Bay typically ascend in late May — Memorial Day visitors have a strong chance of spotting them, though the formal "Roofing of the Goats" parade usually falls in early June.

Blossoms, trails, and five state parks beckon outdoors

Cherry and apple blossoms are the hidden gem of a Memorial Day visit. Door County's 2,500 acres of cherry orchards and 500 acres of apple orchards typically peak mid-to-late May. Based on recent bloom patterns, visitors during May 22–25 should catch cherry blossoms at or near peak in northern orchards around Fish Creek, Ephraim, and Sister Bay, while apple blossoms — which bloom about a week later — may be in full display. Drive Highway 42 north from Sturgeon Bay for roadside orchard views, or book the Door County Trolley's Spring Blossom Tour for a guided carriage ride through blooming orchards with wine tasting and lunch included.

Peninsula State Park is the crown jewel — 3,775 acres with Eagle Tower's canopy walk offering panoramic Green Bay views, the newly restored Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, the paved Sunset Bike Trail past marshes and harbor views, and new purpose-built mountain bike trails (7+ miles completed in Phase 1, with Phase 2 adding up to 12 more miles targeted for 2025–2026). Note that Tennison Bay Campground shower buildings are undergoing renovation from April through July 2026, with some campsites closed as staging areas.

Cave Point County Park is free, dramatic, and unmissable — limestone sea caves with crashing waves, a half-mile forest trail, and the peninsula's most popular kayaking launch point. Whitefish Dunes State Park features Wisconsin's tallest sand dunes and a mile of Lake Michigan beach, with trails connecting to Cave Point. Newport State Park, Wisconsin's only designated wilderness state park, offers 30 miles of hiking trails and 11 miles of remote Lake Michigan shoreline. Potawatomi State Park near Sturgeon Bay provides Niagara Escarpment views and an observation tower.

Fishing is prime in late May. Sturgeon Bay ranks as the #1 smallmouth bass destination in America per Bassmaster. Charter captains report 20–40+ fish per day during the pre-spawn period, with trophy 5–7+ pound smallmouth common. Walleye, brown trout, and northern pike are also available. All May smallmouth trips are catch-and-release. A Wisconsin fishing license is required ($8–$65 depending on residency and duration).

Kayak outfitters including Door County Kayak Tours, Door County Adventure Center, and Lakeshore Adventures launch their full seasons around Memorial Day, with guided Cave Point tours as the signature experience. Wetsuits are necessary — water temperatures hover around 45–55°F in late May. Beach access is available at Nicolet Bay, Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, and Whitefish Dunes, but expect beachcombing and sunbathing rather than swimming.

Fish boils, cherry wine, and ice cream

The traditional Door County fish boil — whitefish, red potatoes, and onions cooked over an open fire with a dramatic kerosene-fueled boilover, finished with cherry pie — is essential dining. Key restaurants operating by Memorial Day weekend include the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek (since 1959; $27.75 adults, seatings at 5, 6:30, and 8 PM), Pelletier's in Fish Creek (nightly boilovers at 5, 6, 7, and 8 PM), the Old Post Office in Ephraim (stunning Eagle Harbor waterfront), and Waterfront Mary's in Sturgeon Bay. Reservations are essential on holiday weekends — book well in advance.

Door County's wine trail features roughly 10 wineries, most open by Memorial Day. Door Peninsula Winery in Carlsville is the largest, with 45+ varieties and free tastings daily in its year-round tasting room plus a seasonal outdoor wine garden. Simon Creek Vineyard earned a USA Today "50 Wines from 50 States" Double Gold for its cherry wine. Stone's Throw in Baileys Harbor offers a cozy cellar atmosphere year-round, while Lake Fire Winery is Door County's only waterfront winery on Lake Michigan. The co-located Door County Distillery offers vodka, brandy, whiskey, and gin tastings daily. Hatch Distilling in Egg Harbor pours cocktails on a dog-friendly patio.

For craft beer, Door County Brewing Co. in Baileys Harbor operates year-round with 14 taps, live music, a beer garden with fire pits, and its Hacienda Beer Co. experimental line. Bridge Up Brewing has taprooms in both Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek, and One Barrel Brewing in Egg Harbor pairs craft beer with a Pizza Bros pizza garden.

No visit is complete without Wilson's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor in Ephraim — operating since 1906 with an old-fashioned soda fountain, enormous scoops (one equals three–four normal scoops), home-brewed root beer, and sunset waterfront views. Not Licked Yet in Fish Creek serves frozen custard with a creekside playground. Door County Gelato in Sturgeon Bay offers 18 rotating flavors.

For cherry products, visit Lautenbach's Orchard Country in Fish Creek for fresh cherry pies, donuts, and wines, Wood Orchard Market in Egg Harbor for cherry (and apple cider) donuts with free samples, or Door Peninsula Winery for cherry wine, cherry mimosa cider, and cherry Old Fashioned cocktails. Cherry-picking season doesn't start until mid-July, but prepared cherry products are available year-round.

Families find endless diversions across the peninsula

PC Junction in Baileys Harbor delivers meals by model train — voted Door County's #1 kids' spot. The Farm north of Sturgeon Bay lets children bottle-feed baby goats, lambs, and piglets. The Ridges Sanctuary offers boardwalk nature trails and Festival of Nature youth programming. The Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay features an interactive lighthouse tower, guided tours of the restored 149-foot tugboat John Purves, and shipbuilding exhibits (the Peterson Gallery reopens May 2026 after renovation). Hands On Art Studio in Fish Creek offers drop-in ceramics, mosaics, fused glass, and painting in five studios — no reservation needed.

The Washington Island Ferry is an adventure in itself — a 30-minute crossing through the legendary Death's Door passage to explore Schoolhouse Beach (unique smooth limestone rocks), the Farm Museum, and Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm. Mini golf options include Red Putter (Ephraim), Salty Seagull (Sturgeon Bay), Evergreen (Fish Creek, with nighttime Glow Ball), and Egg Harbor Fun Park with go-karts and an arcade. The Skyway Drive-In in Fish Creek — one of America's last drive-in theaters — runs seasonal double features.

Book lodging early and pack layers

Memorial Day weekend is Door County's most competitive booking period. Reserve lodging 3–6 months in advance, especially for Peninsula State Park camping (468 sites across five campgrounds that sell out within minutes of release). Hotels and vacation rentals along the Fish Creek–Ephraim–Sister Bay corridor command premium rates; Sturgeon Bay offers better availability and lower prices while still placing you within 20–30 minutes of northern villages. Many properties enforce 2–3 night minimums on holiday weekends. Average nightly rates run $150–$250 depending on property class.

Key lodging options span the spectrum: the historic White Gull Inn (Fish Creek) for B&B charm with legendary breakfasts, Ephraim Shores Resort for family-friendly waterfront rooms with an indoor pool, Landmark Resort (Egg Harbor) for resort amenities, and Rustic Timbers (Egg Harbor) for private campground glamping with a pool, waterslide, and jumping pillows. Vacation rentals through VRBO, Airbnb, and local agencies like Northern Door Vacations offer waterfront cottages and multi-bedroom options ideal for families.

Weather in late May averages highs of 62–65°F and lows in the mid-40s to low 50s, though variability is significant — recent years have seen Memorial Day highs range from 57°F to 75°F. Pack layers, a light jacket, and rain gear. Lake breezes cool shoreline areas noticeably in afternoons. Evenings can dip into the 40s.

Getting there and getting around

Door County sits at the tip of a 70-mile peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan. Sturgeon Bay is roughly 1 hour from Green Bay, 2.5 hours from Milwaukee, 3 hours from Madison, and 4–4.5 hours from Chicago, all via I-43 to Highway 57. Green Bay's Austin Straubel Airport is the closest commercial airport.

Within the county, Highway 42 traces the scenic west (Green Bay) shore through Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Ephraim, and Sister Bay — the more developed, harbor-town route. Highway 57 follows the quieter east (Lake Michigan) shore through Jacksonport and Baileys Harbor. Both highways merge in Sister Bay. Driving the full loop is a quintessential Door County experience.

The Washington Island Ferry operates year-round from Northport Pier at the end of Highway 42. By late May, expect departures roughly every 1–1.5 hours from 8 AM to 5 PM. Round-trip fares run approximately $15 adults, $8 children 6–11, $30 per car. Arrive 15 minutes early; tickets are first-come, first-served.

Practical reminders: a Wisconsin State Parks vehicle sticker is required ($8 daily or $28/$38 annual for in-state/out-of-state). Cell reception is spotty in northern Door County and on Washington Island. Some farm stands and smaller establishments are cash-only. Stock up on groceries in Sturgeon Bay or Sister Bay. Make restaurant reservations early — fish boils and popular spots book solid on holiday weekends. Expect heavier traffic entering the peninsula Friday evening and Saturday morning, with return congestion Sunday and Monday afternoons. No specific 2026 road construction has been announced, though the winding stretch of Highway 42 near Northport always demands careful driving.

Conclusion

Memorial Day weekend 2026 in Door County hits a sweet spot: the peninsula is fully awake but not yet at peak-summer saturation. The three confirmed festivals — Maifest's 53-year-old parade and horse pull, Sturgeon Bay's 80-artist fine art fair, and the Festival of Nature's 70+ guided field trips — provide structured entertainment, while the real draw is the peninsula itself. Cherry and apple blossoms should be blooming across thousands of orchard acres, smallmouth bass fishing is at its annual best, and newly expanded mountain bike trails in Peninsula State Park add fresh terrain to explore. The strategic play is to book lodging immediately if you haven't already, secure fish boil reservations at your preferred restaurant, and plan a mix of festival-hopping, orchard-driving, state park hiking, and village-strolling. Bring layers for cool evenings, leave the swimsuit expectations at home (the lake won't cooperate until July), and budget time for at least one sunset over Green Bay with a scoop from Wilson's in hand.