It’s the most famous holiday story ever told — And for nearly two centuries, it has endured because it reminds us that even the hardest of hearts can wake up to a second chance. Beneath the ghosts and the carols, Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is a story about someone rediscovering the parts of himself that once knew joy, connection, generosity, and love.
Project Feed Our Neighbors was born from the government shutdown and the suspension of federal food benefits, but has highlighted a need at local food pantries and the community’s willingness to help their neighbors through the end of the year. “One week of collection and our total is just over 2,500,” said Sue Schwartz, the food drive’s Door County organizer.
With the first snow in the air and the days growing shorter, this time of year our thoughts often turn to gratitude – reflecting on the people, places and experiences that enrich our lives. Here in Door County, we are fortunate to live in a place of such astounding beauty and cultural richness. Creativity surrounds us in every part of the county, from the galleries that illuminate our towns to the performances, classes and cultural gatherings that bring us together in celebration of human expression.
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.
This season we're giving away a weekend getaway in Door County at the unique Holiday Music Motel and four tickets to see A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play at Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay, WI. The winner will receive a two-night stay and four tickets to the show, plus unwrap a festive experience and hand-pour 2 soy holiday candles at Door County Candle. One winner will be drawn the week of Thanksgiving, so register online today or in person at our Indoor Winter Market November 15th at TAP!
The Community Partner for A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play at Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is our very own Education Program. A portion of the proceeds from the Pay-What-You-Will performance on December 3rd will go towards our Community Partner. There will be a donation box in the lobby during the run of A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play, December 3rd through the 28th, 2025. Those interested in attending the preview to support this organization, may arrive as early as 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the performance for general admission seating. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. Donations may be made in cash or with checks made out to Third Avenue PlayWorks. Half of the proceeds will benefit this show’s Community Partner.
Destination Sturgeon Bay is hosting its annual Christmas by the Bay celebration beginning at 10 a.m., featuring a parade through the city, including along 3rd Avenue. The festivities continue after the parade with Third Avenue PlayWorks holding its first Indoor Winter Market.
A Christmas Carol has become a time-honored holiday tradition for many families marking the passage of another year while reminding us to celebrate what truly matters in our lives. First published December 19, 1843 as a novella, the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By the end of 1844, thirteen editions had been released. Charles Dickens, himself revisited A Christmas Carol beginning in 1853 when he began holding public readings of the story, which continued through 1870, the year of his passing.
For years now, Jacob has been wanting to get his long time friend and fantastic Milwaukee based percussionist Nick Lang to be involved on a project with Third Avenue Playworks. When envisioning the music world and genre of this play, I knew it wanted to live in a rock territory. We’ve got a dive bar jukebox slinging hits from the 80’s, 90’s & today. Heck, just being set in a midwest dive bar made me think of my local dive, which always had metal playing. Plus, the story involves a deal with the devil, I mean come on – it’s gotta be rock’n roll baby. I knew that drums would really come in clutch as a centerpiece to the music sound that transitioned us between scenes. Jacob wanted short, snappy transitions infused with energy, and drums are perfect for that. So we reached out to Nick and he was down! I went over to his home studio in Milwaukee for a day and we had so much fun jamming out together on drums and bass. I really love playing this style of music, getting filthy mc nasty on the jazz bass is such a blast. Really made me want to play this music we created live!
Door County audiences may already be familiar with one of our stars in Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night from over two decades of performance history with Northern Sky Theater in Fish Creek where he was best known for playing Marvin in Guys on Ice (a role he performed over 2,000 times!). Although Doug has played many enjoyable roles throughout his long career, he says that he most identified with the role of Marvin. He also loved hearing the audience’s laughter as they recognized Marvin’s traits in their own family and friends.
