Visitors meandering under colorful flags at the Door County Fall Fest, celebrating the season amidst a backdrop of lush green trees

Door County Fall Fest: Everything To Know For 2024

Planning on attending the Door County Fall Fest?

Then, you’ve come to the right place as I love going to the Door County Fall Fest every year!

It is one of the largest festivals in the county’s diary and is the most-loved by most locals, myself included- and it’s easy to see why!

I know all about the festival and am ready to give you some of my best tips and tricks for your visit.

Read on to find out why you should put the festival on your fall itinerary and how you can make the most of the celebrations.

What Is The Door County Fall Fest?

The Sister Bay Fall Festival in Door County is one of many fall festivals that are hosted in the region on an annual basis but it is definitely the most popular of them all, with people traveling from all over Wisconsin to attend.

Even when I’m not at home, I always make sure I’m back in the county for the Fall Fest.

The festival started as an event to celebrate the hard work of all those in the tourist industry as they came to the end of their busy summer season but the tradition stuck and has grown into one of the biggest events of the year – now known as the ‘grand-daddy’ of the county’s annual festivals!

Rows of colorful bumper cars waiting for riders under a red canopy at the Door County Fall Fest

The Sister Bay Fall Festival is full of fun things to see and do so if you find yourself on the peninsula when it is running then I highly suggest you go!

With car shows, parades, live music, amazing food and fantastic local vendors, there’s something for everyone at the Door County Fall Fest.

The timetable of events varies from year to year but there are a number of attractions and activities that make the final cut annually like the Ping Pong Ball Drop and Boxcar Derby, which is my personal favorite.

Humorous homemade boxcar designed to look like a vintage car in a soapbox derby with a smiling driver

When Is The Door County Fall Fest?

As the Door County Fall Fest follows the tradition of marking the end of a hectic tourist season, the festival is held in the middle of October – when most tourists have made their way home and it’s only the local Wisconsinites left.

It is usually a three-day event and is held on the weekend after Indigenous People’s Day. It usually falls in the second or third week of October, but these dates are subject to change.

In 2024, the festival will be held from 18th-20th October.

Due to the time of year, there’s usually some spooky Halloween-themed fun going on too!

Variety of pumpkins and gourds on hay bales at a pumpkin patch at the Door County Fall Fest.

Where Is The Door County Fall Fest?

The Door County Fall Fest takes place in Sister Bay, a small peninsula in the northwest of the state of Wisconsin.

Two people sitting on a rocky pier overlooking a serene Sister Bay with thin ice on the water and dry grass in the foreground

The scenic backdrop makes it perfect for the celebrations of fall, with beautiful towns that still have a local feel and the changing trees really set the scene.

The activities are held throughout various towns on the peninsula, allowing you to see a wide range of locations – all hosting different attractions.

It’s important to note that there’s not one set location where the festival takes place. It’s not like a music festival in that sense.

Sister Bay Fall Fest Tickets

There are no explicit tickets for the Sister Bay Fall Fest general admission to the event is free.

As the Door County Fall Fest is designed to be a community event, there are no fees to attend, allowing visitors from all over the region to join the fun.

And since the fun takes place in lots of different spots, it would be hard to ticket the event.

There may be a small number of attractions and events during the festival that require payment but these vary year on year.

Classic red and white Helter Skelter ride towering over a fairground with games and attractions at its base

Amusement rides and activities will often incur a small fee, so make sure to bring cash if you want to take part in any of these.

It’s also useful to check the Sister Bay Fall Fest website as the event approaches to see if there are any special ticketed events or performances that you might need to reserve a space for!

You’ll also want to check the website as the festival approaches to catch the release of the itinerary so you can start planning your visit!

Things To Do At Door County Fall Fest

What I love about the festival is that every year is different. There are always plenty of amazing things to do at the Door County Fall Fest whether you can only stop by for a while or want to spend the whole weekend enjoying the festivities.

Here are some of the best things to do that you can’t miss out on which make up part of the festival year after year:

1. Watch the Parade

If you’re planning on visiting the Sister Bay Fall Fest then you cannot miss out on the opportunity to watch the grand parade on Saturday morning.

The parade is the highlight of the whole event and gives off such a great community atmosphere. I love watching it!

Local school bands, trucks and floats from individuals and businesses all parade down State 42 as crowds cheer them on and get into the fall spirit.

2. Enjoy a Pancake Breakfast

The Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Station is a great tradition that is held during the Fall Fest and is a very popular attraction.

There are multiple ‘big feeds’ during the festival but the Pancake Breakfast is by far the most delicious!

Plus, it’s pretty cool being able to eat in a Fire Station, right? If you have kids, I’m sure they will love it.

A person holding a plate of rolled pancakes adorned with slices of kiwi, raspberries, and blueberries

3. Witness the Ping Pong Ball Drop

The Ping Pong Ball Drop is the highlight of the festival for many children and it is an exciting event to witness whether you’re with kids or not!

The ball drop is exactly like what it sounds, thousands of ping pong balls are released from up in the sky, raining down on the scrambling adults and children underneath – all desperate for a great prize.

Each ball has a local business inscribed on the surface which you can then redeem in-store for a special prize. I’ve never won anything amazing, but you might get lucky!

4. Shop for Christmas Gifts

With arts and crafts stalls all over town and designated slots for fairs, it would be a shame to miss out on finding a unique gift for a loved one.

There are all kinds of crafts on offer at the Fall Fest and with Christmas right around the corner, you’ll find some great stocking stuffers at the booths. 

Typically these fairs run for a good portion of each day making them hard to miss! I really like giving back to my local community and this is one way of doing so.

Assortment of Christmas-themed snow globes with Santa Claus, reindeer, and angels on display at a market

5. Watch the Boxcar Derby

You can’t miss the fun and excitement of the Boxcar Derby at the Sister Bay Fall Fest, where homemade contraptions race along the track, which always brings a lot of laughing and cheering from the crowd.

This event can get very competitive each year with participants investing a lot of time in their marvelous creations in the hope of being crowned the winner!

If you have ever seen a Red Bull Soapbox Race, it’s kind of similar to that – it’s really fun to watch.

Sister Bay Fall Fest: FAQs

Below are some questions related to the Door County Fall Fest along with my answers to each question.

What is the meaning of Fall Fest?

‘Fall Fest’ typically refers to a community event held during the fall season, often featuring festive celebrations and activities such as seasonal food, live music, and local artisanal goods.

Where do you park for Sister Bay Fall Fest?

Parking for Sister Bay Fall Fest is available at various designated areas throughout the town, including public parking lots, street parking, and designated overflow areas. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Sister Bay and Door County Medical Center were both used in 2023 as parking areas.

What is the Sister Bay Fall Fest?

Sister Bay Fall Fest is an annual celebration held in Sister Bay, Wisconsin. It is known for being a family-friendly event with live music, local vendors, arts and crafts stalls and much more!

How many people go to Fall Fest Sister Bay?

Attendance at the Sister Bay Fall Fest can vary year on year but typically there are tens of thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, a complete guide to the Door County Fall Fest event – one of my favorites of the year.

The Sister Bay Fall Fest is a fantastic event that you should 100% put down in your diary to attend.

It’s held in October each year, but remember the dates vary. It is a grand tradition that is loved by many from near and far so if you’re ever planning on passing through the area, you should definitely stop by!

There are lots of fun things to do at the festival and the community atmosphere is incredible. I hope you have an amazing time if you choose to go!


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