By Door County Pulse, Peninsula Pulse — November 13th, 2025

Santa and Mrs. Claus ride through Sturgeon Bay during last year’s Christmas by the Bay parade. Photo by Eleanor Corbin.

Destination Sturgeon Bay kicks off the holiday season with two weekends of festive fun on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15-16, and Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22. 

The festivities start with the annual Christmas by the Bay parade on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10 am. 

The parade route begins at Sawyer Park (36 S. Neenah Ave.) to Oak Street, turns right onto Madison Avenue, crosses the Michigan Street Bridge, turns left onto 3rd Avenue, and ends at the intersection of Jefferson Street and 3rd Avenue.

After the parade, attendees can meet and take photos with Santa’s reindeer from 12 to 2 pm at the Old Bell Tower in Community Foundation Square (222 N. 3rd Ave.) 

Additionally, Third Avenue PlayWorks (239 N. 3rd Ave.) hosts its first indoor winter market of the season, featuring local vendors, art and refreshments, from 10 am to 2 pm. The Door County Maritime Museum (120 N. Madison Ave.) presents holiday activities and a chance to meet Santa from 11 am to 3 pm. MUSE Sturgeon Bay (330 Jefferson St.) offers a free holiday concert from 1 to 2:30 pm. A trolley provides rides around town throughout the day. 

The next day, Sunday, Nov. 16, Stone Harbor Resort (107 N. 1st Ave.) hosts breakfast with Santa from 9 am to 11 am. The cost is $7 for ages 4 to 12 or $12 for ages 12 and older.

Christmas by the Bay continues the following weekend with a community car cruise, sing-along and tree-lighting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 21. Festivities on Saturday, Nov. 22 include a Shop Small, Sip Local shopping promotion and visits with Santa at the Door County Historical Museum. Next week’s Arts and Entertainment section will include more details. 

For more information, call 920.743.6246 or visit sturgeonbay.net.

Santa Sets Sail

After appearing in the Christmas by the Bay parade on Saturday, Nov. 15, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an entrance at the Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) by arriving on a U.S. Coast Guard boat.

They’ll do so at 11 am if the weather allows. Afterwards, kids can meet Santa, decorate cookies, make crafts and explore the museum.

Santa’s arrival also kicks off DCMM’s Merry-Time Festival of Trees, a collection of trees, wreaths and displays decorated by local businesses, organizations and residents. Displays remain on view through December and go home with raffle winners.

All kids 17 and younger, accompanied by an adult, receive free admission on Nov. 15. Adult admission is pay-what-you-can, or guests can donate a new, unwrapped toy to enter free.

DCMM is located at 120 N. Madison Ave. in Sturgeon Bay.

Community Concert at MUSE

MUSE Sturgeon Bay will keep the holiday spirit going strong with a concert after the Christmas by the Bay parade on Nov. 15. 

The free show starts at 1 pm and features local ensembles Recorders on the Door, Ukulele Society of Door County and Door County Northwinds. They will play familiar holiday favorites as well as fresh tunes that capture the spirit of the season. 

Refreshments will be served, and donations will support the Door County Food Pantry Coalition. MUSE Sturgeon Bay is located at 330 Jefferson St.