Christmas is Coming Early to Sturgeon Bay

See Sturgeon Bay sparkle this holiday season. Join the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center, Nicolet National Bank, and the rest of the Sturgeon Bay community as we celebrate the holidays November 22-24 during the annual Christmas by the Bay event. Come and stay in Sturgeon Bay to create holiday traditions and memories for the entire family.

Bring your family and friends to Community Foundation Square on Third Avenue for live holiday music by Josh Gregory, Michael Raye, and Hervy Hodges on Friday, November 22 from 6-8pm. Classic holiday tunes will be sung, so kids of all ages can sing along and dance. At 7pm, a countdown will take place to light the tree at Community Foundation Square as part of the Sturgeon Bay Christmas tradition. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is proudly sponsored by Cellcom. 

During Friday evening’s festivities, free horse-drawn wagon rides around town will be provided from 6-8pm (weather permitting). The pick-up and drop-off location will be in front of Community Foundation Square on Kentucky Street. Wagon rides are compliments of Door County Medical Center. While you shop and stroll the streets of Sturgeon Bay, members of the Sturgeon Bay High School City Rhythm Show Choir will be spreading holiday cheer along Third Avenue for all to enjoy.

Beginning Friday, November 22, children are invited to send letters and wish lists to Santa via Santa’s mailbox located outside the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center, 36 S. Third Avenue. Also available at the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center is a drop-off box for the Big Bundle Up Campaign. Bring a gently used winter clothing item (hat, scarves, gloves, jacket, etc.) for the countywide Big Bundle Up Campaign. The Big Bundle Up Campaign drop-off box will be available at the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center from now until November 25. You may drop off the winter items at any time in the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center 24/7 brochure room. 

Get out the holiday gear out of the closet and enjoy watching the decorated floats go by during the Christmas by the Bay holiday parade on Saturday, November 23 at 10am. Wave to Santa as he rides by on his sleigh, sing along to the Christmas carols, and collect a wide assortment of candy and treats. The parade begins at Sawyer Park, marches up Oak Street to Madison Avenue, turns right at Maple Street and crosses the Oregon Street Bridge. Parade participants will advance down Third Avenue and end after the intersection of Third Avenue and Jefferson Street.

To be part of the magnificent parade, please contact the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center at vacation@sturgeonbay.net, call (920) 743-6246 or fill out the entry form online: www.sturgeonbay.net. Participation in the Christmas by the Bay holiday parade is free and open to all ages. 

Continuing Saturday’s holiday fun is a meet and greet Santa session where kids and families are encouraged to get their picture taken with Santa. Photos with Santa will take place at the Door County Historical Museum from 11am-2pm. No admission cost. Once you get your picture taken with Santa, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides and Door County Trolley rides around town from 11am-2pm for free (weather permitting). Door County Trolley Rides are compliments of Door County Eye Associates and Sherry’s Hallmark Shop. Pick-up and drop-off location will be at Community Foundation Square on Kentucky Street.

Spend more time with Santa on Sunday, November 24 from 9-11am during a special breakfast at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center. Reservations are requested. Please give Stone Harbor Resort a call at (920) 746-0700 for reservations.

One lucky person will win $1,000! Make sure to enter the Moo-La-La Giveaway from November 21-December 11. The Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center will draw multiple winners a day (Monday through Friday) from the entry boxes at participating business to receive a $25 gift certificate. Entry forms are available at participating businesses. The grand prize drawing is December 13! Check SturgeonBay.net for the list of participating businesses and details on giveaway dates. 

For the full line-up of holiday events in Sturgeon Bay during November and December, pick up a copy of the 2019 Christmas by the Bay Holiday Brochure available at local businesses and the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center. Additional information and parade applications can be found at SturgeonBay.net; call (920) 743-6246 or email vacation@sturgeonbay.net. 

Happy Holidays from the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center and member businesses! Thank you for spending the holidays in Sturgeon Bay and for shopping locally.