Do Door CountySister Bay's 80th Fall Fest took over the village October 16–18, 2026: three days of parade, craft fair, kids' carnival, fish boil and live music up and down Highway 42, put on by the Sister Bay Advancement Association. Fall Fest typically draws an estimated 30,000–40,000 people over the weekend, according to organizers, in a village of fewer than 900 residents. Locals call it the last hurrah of the season, and this one opened with a blustery Friday that reshuffled the schedule before the weekend got going.
2026: how the 80th Fall Fest went
Friday was the rough day. With rain and high winds in the forecast, organizers called off the day's Arts & Crafts Show and Ferris wheel rides and moved both to Saturday. The rest of the evening carried on: the Lions Club fish boil served from 5 to 7pm at the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove fire station, and the weekend's live music kicked off at Al Johnson's and the Stabbur beer garden.
The sun came out for the rest of the weekend, and Saturday was the big day. Highway 42 closed through downtown at 9am, the fire department served its pancake breakfast, and at 11am the Fall Fest Parade rolled through the village with the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department as grand marshal. Nearly 100 vendors set up for the Arts & Crafts Show on Mill Road, and the Ferris wheel finally turned at the Dörr Hotel that afternoon. Bands played tents and bars into the night, from Husby's and The Garage to Peach Barn Brewing and Boathouse on the Bay.
Sunday wound things down under more sunshine. Local kids raced sponsored cars down the Sister Bay hill in the morning Derby Race: Jacob Peterson won in the Bridenhagen's Landscapes car, Maverick Olson took second in the G.O. Handyman car and Dante Werner finished third in the Wood Rabbit Acupuncture car. The 50/50 raffle was drawn at 1pm, and the weekend closed with the Ping Pong Ball Drop downtown, a tradition plenty of locals remember from their own childhoods, with a kids-only drop at the Dörr Hotel first.
Creators posted the weekend from the parade route to the vendor booths. A few of their posts are below.
- Wind and rain cancelled Friday's Arts & Crafts Show and Ferris wheel; both ran on Saturday instead
- After a cold, windy Friday, Saturday and Sunday were sunny
- The 80th Fall Fest Parade stepped off at 11am Saturday, led by the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department as grand marshal
- Nearly 100 vendors filled Mill Road for the Arts & Crafts Show
- The Lions Club fish boil and the fire department's pancake breakfast fed the crowds on Friday night and Saturday morning
- Derby Race winners (Sunday, Oct. 18): 1st Jacob Peterson (Bridenhagen's Landscapes car), 2nd Maverick Olson (G.O. Handyman car), 3rd Dante Werner (Wood Rabbit Acupuncture car)
- Live music played all weekend at Al Johnson's and the Stabbur, Door County Creamery, Husby's and The Garage, Peach Barn Brewing, Sister Bay Bowl, Boathouse on the Bay and more
From creators
If you go in 2027
- Dates: expected Friday to Sunday, October 15–17, 2027 (not yet announced). Fall Fest lands on a mid-October weekend: October 16–18 in 2026 and October 17–19 in 2025.
- Crowds: organizers typically estimate 30,000–40,000 people over the weekend, so arrive early or use the Park & Ride.
- Road closures: in 2026 Highway 42 closed through downtown on Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 9am to 3pm, with a signed detour. Plan for the same.
- Parking: the Park & Ride at the former Shopko lot (2541 Hwy 42) ran shuttles into the village. The Sports Complex (2155 Autumn Ct, enter on Woodcrest Rd) and the Marina lot (2279 Scandia Rd, with ADA spaces) also had parking.
- Getting around: the Fall Fest Bus looped the village about every 30 minutes, until 2am on Friday and Saturday and midnight on Sunday.
- 21 or older? Wristbands were free with a photo ID at the info booth, an ID booth or any booth serving alcohol.
- Pack layers. 2026 went from a cold, wet and windy Friday to a sunny Saturday and Sunday, which is typical of mid-October on the bay.
Questions people ask
Where do you park for Sister Bay Fall Fest?
In 2026 the main lot was the Park & Ride at the former Shopko site, 2541 Hwy 42, with shuttles into the village. The Sports Complex (2155 Autumn Ct) and the Marina lot (2279 Scandia Rd, with ADA spaces) also had parking.
Does Highway 42 close during Fall Fest?
Yes. In 2026 it closed through the village on Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 9am to 3pm, with a detour around downtown.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The festival goes on, but outdoor events can move. In 2026, high winds cancelled Friday's Arts & Crafts Show and Ferris wheel; both ran on Saturday instead.
Is Fall Fest good for kids?
Yes. In 2026 there were inflatables, bungee jumping, pumpkin bowling and the goat toss north of the Village Hall, a Ferris wheel, the Sunday Derby Race and a kids-only Ping Pong Ball Drop.
When is Sister Bay Fall Fest 2027?
Fall Fest 2027 is expected to run Friday to Sunday, October 15-17, but the dates have not been announced or confirmed. It usually lands on a mid-October weekend: October 17-19 in 2025 and October 16-18 in 2026.
Is there a bus or shuttle at Sister Bay Fall Fest?
Yes. In 2026 the Fall Fest Bus looped the village about every 30 minutes, until 2am on Friday and Saturday and midnight on Sunday, and the Park & Ride at the former Shopko lot ran shuttles into the village.
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