Submitted by Visit Fish Creek
We’re not quite sure how we got to August already, but here we are! The dog days of summer are upon us, and so is squeezing in that one last summer vacation before the season shifts.
One of the best things about summer in Fish Creek is the vibrant live music scene. Nothing compares to sitting on a blanket on the lawn or gathering around a fire pit or filling an auditorium to listen to live, local tunes as a community. And this August, Fish Creek has plenty of options to help you soak in every last note of your favorite summer tunes.
Fish Creek’s Concerts in the Park
There’s still time to catch Concerts in the Park at Noble Square, featuring an eclectic mix of local, regional, and national talent performed under the gazebo. Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy a variety of musical genres each week from 4 – 6 pm. The last concert in this season’s series is Tuesday, August 22.
And starting today, take a break from your shopping to enjoy the easy listening tunes of DJ Trent Brusky in Noble Square, weekly on Wednesdays from 4 -7 pm.
Music Abounds at Local Restaurants, Bars, and Shops
You won’t be able to walk too far in Fish Creek without hearing live music at our local shops, restaurants, and bars. Here are just a few of the ongoing music events over the next few months:
Tucked into the Settlement Shops, The Ginger House picnic and wine boutique features live music every Sunday from 1:30-3:30 pm. Lay out a picnic blanket, add some snacks, some wine, or your beverage of choice (the Ginger House can set you up with all of the above!), and enjoy the sounds of The Raddatz Family Eclectic. Across the street, Lautenbach’s Orchard Country has live music throughout the next two months on Saturday afternoons as well as a few additional dates (check their website for all the details).
Hill Street in downtown Fish Creek has a band every Saturday through the beginning of September (appropriately named Ketchup), while The White Gull Inn has music on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights for their evening diners. Don’t forget to check the social media accounts of your favorite Fish Creek bar or restaurant—we know there’s plenty more live music over the next few months!
Fishstock
For a one-of-a-kind music experience that’s authentic Door County, plan a Sunday evening at Fishstock, the oldest continuous concert venue in Door County. Take in a toe-tapping mix of artists in the unique and comfortable setting of an old barn. The Jimmy Davis and Eric Lewis & Friends shows on Sunday, August 27, and Sunday, September 3, respectively, are among Fishstock’s most coveted, ticket-wise!)
Door Community Auditorium
Door Community Auditorium (DCA) is known for bringing down the house with nationally acclaimed and popular artists — including those for the youngest music fans. On Sunday, August 13, at 3 p.m. DCA will present “kindie rock” artist Laurie Berkner. The best-selling, award-winning children’s musician, Berkner has been a longtime fixture on TV’s Nick Jr., Sprout, and NBCUniversal Kids channels, with her original songs declared by Newsweek as “groovy, folksy tunes that appeal to the whole family.”
On August 29, grown-ups can enjoy the groovy toons of the Happy Together Tour 2023, featuring the Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV, and The Cowsills. All told, the participating bands have created an incredible 61 Billboard Top 40 hits. Visit the DCA website for the full lineup, including a sneak peek at their late fall series — “Blue, Roots, and Hoots,” a series of shows running from October 22 through November 25.
If former DCA performer Michael Franti is correct that “Music has the power to bring together like no other art form,” we definitely look forward to bringing you together here in Fish Creek. Read on for more fun places and spaces in Fish Creek to make the most of these last sweet days of summer!
How Would You Spend 24 Hours in Fish Creek?
What would you do if you had one day to play in Fish Creek? If you’re not quite sure, we’re here to help. Through the end of the year, we’ll be featuring a monthly itinerary that focuses on introducing you to places you might not know about—or haven’t visited in a bit!
This month’s itinerary is all about getting on the water. Without a doubt, our close proximity to the harbor is one of the best things about staying in Fish Creek, so grab that sunscreen and your beach towel and get ready for a day of fun!
Rise & Shine: Greet the day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee with a waterfront seat at Bayside Coffee. The dog-friendly coffee shop serves a big breakfast menu (or salads and sandwiches for the late riser!), as well as an assortment of baked goods.
Morning Excursions: Now that you’re wide awake, head into Peninsula State Park and venture over to Nicolet Bay Beach to explore the park by the water. Rent canoes, kayaks, hydro bikes, and paddleboards (SUPs), and enjoy all the offerings Nicolet Beach has to offer — including a swimming beach and, for Fish Creek’s youngest visitors, a new playground.
Afternoon Adventures: After playing all morning, grab a “Norzwich” and your favorite beverage at Fish Creek Market to take along with you on a Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tour. The 69-passenger partly open, partly covered tour boat explores three different daytime tours, as well as an evening Sunset Cruise (complete with live music).
Prefer to be the captain of your own ship? Fish Creek Boat Rentals offers a professionally maintained fleet of tritoon boats (3-tube pontoons), plus tubes for towing behind our boats for hours of afternoon fun in the sun.
Magical Evenings: Wind down the day with dinner at your favorite Fish Creek restaurant or, if available, take it to go and snag a picnic table with a waterfront view at either Clark Park or Fish Creek Beach. After supper, stroll the village and grab some ice cream or custard (we have it all) on the way to the quaint, meandering wood-chip-covered path that leads you to Sunset Beach Park. There, sit back, relax, and take in a renowned Door County sunset. (The prettiest in the county, in our humble opinion.)
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Fish Creek Events
There’s plenty happening in Fish Creek beyond August, too. Here are three upcoming events you won’t want to miss:
Inside/Outside Day: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Breathe in the autumn air as you stroll from store to store along Fish Creek’s leaf-swept sidewalks. Grab a bite to eat at one of our many restaurants, visit an apple orchard, and enjoy some music in the park. Fish Creek businesses invite you to celebrate all things fall in addition to offering special promotions at select retailers!
Jack O’ Lantern Days: Saturday and Sunday, October 27-28, 2023
Jack O’ Lantern Days put the “Eek!” in Fish Creek! Highlights of our hometown Halloween festival include a costume parade, kid’s carnival games, townwide trick-or-treating, late-night costume contests, and… back for its third year, the Fish Creek Haunted Trail—a hair-raising 1/8-mile walk through the trails and bridges of Fish Creek Park at dusk!
SAVE THE DATE! Fish Creek Winterfest: February 2-4, 2024
A Fish Creek tradition, this fun-filled, three-day event features live music, great food, games, and various entertainment (including the Stumpf Fiddle Contest and Fruit Loop Fun Run), plus a spectacular fireworks display over the frozen bay.