Door County 4th of July: Fireworks, Parades & Celebrations

Door County does not celebrate Independence Day with just one big fireworks show. It stretches the holiday across the peninsula, with celebrations in Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, Sturgeon Bay, Gills Rock, Washington Island and Sister Bay.

Whether you are a veteran or a first time Door County visitor, you can catch fireworks over the water on multiple nights, mix in small-town parades, cherry picking, fish boils, lighthouse climbs and goats on a roof, and turn the Fourth of July into a full Door County getaway.

For more help planning the trip, start with our complete Door County family travel guide, Door County with kids guide, and Door County 4th of July guide.

Door County 4th of July Fireworks Schedule

Thursday, July 2: Fish Creek

Fish Creek kicks off the holiday stretch on Thursday, July 2, 2026, with a USA 250th celebration at Clark Park from 5 to 9 p.m. Big Mouth performs live, followed by fireworks over Fish Creek Harbor at dusk.

This is a great first-night option if you are staying in Fish Creek, Ephraim or Peninsula State Park. For a full village guide, see our Fish Creek family guide.

Friday, July 3: Egg Harbor

Egg Harbor hosts one of Door County’s signature Independence Day celebrations on July 3–4. July 3 festivities begin at 4 p.m. with food, live music and fireworks over the harbor at dusk. The celebration continues July 4 with the parade along Highway 42 at 1:30 p.m., followed by the UW Marching Band’s Fifth Quarter performance.

Egg Harbor is one of the easiest Door County villages for families because you can combine the fireworks with the beach, restaurants, shops and nearby attractions. Use our Egg Harbor guide to plan the rest of the day.

Saturday, July 4: Baileys Harbor

Baileys Harbor delivers one of the most complete single-day celebrations on the peninsula. The day starts with the Fire Department pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m., followed by arts, crafts and food vendors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Strawberry Fest at Town Hall, the 10 a.m. parade on Highway 57, live music in Kendall Park, and fireworks at dusk from Anclam Park. Anclam Beach itself is not open for fireworks viewing because of the fallout area, but the fireworks can be seen throughout the harbor.

Saturday, July 4: Sturgeon Bay

Sturgeon Bay celebrates at Sunset Park beginning at 5 p.m., with food and drinks, live music by Glas Hamr, and fireworks at dusk. This is a smart option if you are staying in or near Sturgeon Bay, or if you want a shorter drive back toward Milwaukee after the show.

Saturday, July 4: Gills Rock

Gills Rock offers the quieter, northern Door County version of the Fourth. The celebration begins around 5 p.m. with music, food, drinks, a fish fry fundraiser for the Death’s Door Maritime Museum, and fireworks at dusk.

This is the pick if you want a smaller, more local-feeling celebration and do not mind being near the very tip of the peninsula.

Saturday, July 4: Washington Island

Washington Island turns the Fourth into a full-day adventure. The official 2026 listing includes a Fire Department pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. and fireworks at dusk at the Washington Island Ball Park. The ferry ride from Northport Pier to Washington Island takes about 30 minutes each way, so plan your ferry timing before committing to island fireworks.

For more island planning, read our Washington Island family guide.

Saturday, July 11: Sister Bay Freedom Fest

Sister Bay closes out the holiday stretch with Freedom Fest fireworks on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Fireworks are scheduled for dusk over the waterfront near Marina Park.

Sister Bay is one of the best Door County bases for families who want restaurants, beach time, sunsets and walkability. Use our Sister Bay guide before you go.

Fireworks by Kayak or Boat

For a unique view, Door County Adventure Center offers an Egg Harbor fireworks kayak tour on July 3, 2026. The tour meets at Egg Harbor Village Beach, with an 8 p.m. arrival time and fireworks expected around 9:30 p.m.; the listed price is $75 per person.

If you prefer a less active option, check local scenic boat tour operators in Fish Creek and Sister Bay for fireworks cruises. These tend to sell out quickly around the holiday.

Cherry Season, Goats on the Roof and Family Activities

Fourth of July weekend lands close to the start of Door County cherry season. Sweet cherries typically ripen first in early to mid-July, while Montmorency tart cherries usually follow from mid-July into mid-August. Always call or check the orchard before promising kids a picking trip, because weather and crop timing change quickly.

Choice Orchards in Sturgeon Bay offers pick-your-own cherries and apples, a 10-acre evergreen maze, picnic tables, an orchard museum and a children’s playset. Lautenbach’s Orchard Country in Fish Creek is another classic family stop, with a market, bakery, winery and seasonal cherry products.

No Door County family trip is complete without seeing the goats at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay. The goats usually go onto the sod roof in late May and stay through mid-October, weather permitting. For the full story and tips on when to go, use our Al Johnson’s family guide.

Parks, Beaches and Outdoor Stops

Sister Bay Beach

Peninsula State Park is Door County’s classic family park. Eagle Tower is 60 feet high, with the top observation deck 253 feet above Green Bay, and families can climb the stairs or use the 850-foot accessible canopy walk. Nicolet Beach has swimming, sand, a snack bar, kayak and watercraft rentals, and no lifeguard.

Whitefish Dunes State Park protects Wisconsin’s largest and most significant Great Lakes dune landscape. It is a strong Lake Michigan beach-and-hike option, especially if you pair it with nearby Cave Point County Park.

Cave Point County Park is free to visit and is known for wave-worn limestone ledges, underwater caves and Lake Michigan views. Because the rocks can be slippery and the lake can change quickly, I would describe it as a scenic stop and kayak-tour destination rather than promoting cliff jumping.

Lighthouses

Cana Island Lighthouse near Baileys Harbor is one of Door County’s most iconic stops. It is open May through October, seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tower climb at 4:30 p.m. DCMM’s 2026 seasonal notice lists Cana Island admission at $12/person.

For more lighthouse stops, use our Door County lighthouse guide.

Kid-Friendly Classics

PC Junction in Baileys Harbor is a train-themed restaurant where food and drinks are delivered by model train at the counter, and it has an outdoor play area.

Egg Harbor Fun Park has mini golf, go-karts, an arcade, Water Wars, gem mining, batting cages and more, with 2026 season hours listed as 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The Red Putter in Ephraim is a classic 18-hole mini golf course open daily from May through October.

Skyway Drive-In Theatre, between Fish Creek and Ephraim, offers double features, a snack bar, playground and movies under the stars.

Fish Boils

A Door County fish boil is one of the essential first-time visitor experiences. White Gull Inn in Fish Creek serves traditional fish boils Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from May through October, with 2026 adult pricing at $28.75 and children’s pricing listed at $13.50–$17.25. Reservations are recommended.

Pelletier’s in Fish Creek offers nightly boilovers at 5, 6 and 7 p.m., with an 8 p.m. seating in season, making it one of the easier options for families who need more flexibility.

The Old Post Office Restaurant in Ephraim is another classic, with fish boil reservations by phone and a waterfront Ephraim setting. Its boilmaster Jeremy “Torch” Klaubauf helped bring Door County fish boils national attention through Top Chef: Wisconsin.

For more food ideas, see our Door County restaurant guide and Door County brunch guide.

Practical Planning for Families

The drive from Milwaukee to Sturgeon Bay is about 2.5 hours in normal conditions, with another 30 to 45 minutes to Fish Creek, Ephraim or Sister Bay. For 2026, WisDOT notes I-43 resurfacing and ramp/lane restrictions in Sheboygan County through November, and the I-43 Maribel and Denmark rest areas are closed for reconstruction through August 3, 2026. Check 511 Wisconsin before leaving.

If you plan to visit state parks, budget for a Wisconsin state park vehicle admission pass. Current daily vehicle admission is $13 for Wisconsin plates and $16 for out-of-state plates; annual passes are also available. Cave Point County Park does not require a state park pass.

Lodging fills quickly around the Fourth. If Fish Creek, Ephraim, Egg Harbor and Sister Bay are full or expensive, Sturgeon Bay is usually the best backup for more options and easier access from Milwaukee. Use our town-by-town Door County lodging guide to compare bases.

Cell service can be inconsistent in northern Door County, so download offline maps before you leave. Pack layers for evening fireworks because the waterfront can feel cooler than inland Door County, especially after sunset.

Why Door County Does the Fourth Differently

Door County’s Independence Day weekend works because each village has its own personality. Fish Creek gives you a harbor kickoff. Egg Harbor has the big two-day celebration and UW Marching Band energy. Baileys Harbor turns July 4 into a full-day festival. Sturgeon Bay is convenient and lively. Gills Rock feels small and local. Washington Island turns the day into an adventure. Sister Bay gives families one more fireworks show the following weekend.

For Milwaukee families, the best plan is to arrive before the weekend, catch Fish Creek and Egg Harbor fireworks, choose one July 4 community for the main celebration, and save time for a fish boil, Al Johnson’s, Peninsula State Park and at least one beach or lighthouse stop. Door County is busy this week for a reason, but with a little planning, it is one of Wisconsin’s best family holiday getaways.