December at the Holiday: Lights, Live Music & Last-Minute Magic
December in Sturgeon Bay has its own kind of soundtrack. Holiday lights glow a little brighter against the early sunsets, music spills out of lounges and waterfront venues, and small-town streets fill with shoppers, cocoa in hand, searching for just the right gifts.
Here at the Holiday Music Motel, we’re closing out the year the way we love best, celebrating local creativity, supporting our neighbors, and pointing you toward the can’t-miss events that make Door County feel extra magical this time of year.
Third Avenue PlayWorks is bringing festive cheer back to Third Avenue this season with A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play, running Dec. 3–28 at the Steve and Jackie Kane Theatre. This family-friendly 1940s-style radio production features colorful characters, inventive sound effects, and a talented cast under the direction of Elyse Edelman. Performances include evening shows, Sunday matinees, and a special pay-what-you-will preview benefiting TAP’s education program.
Holiday Shopping in Sturgeon Bay
December is the perfect time to turn a Sturgeon Bay getaway into a holiday shopping adventure. With locally owned boutiques, bookstores, galleries, and specialty shops just down the street, you’ll find plenty of ways to check off your list while supporting local, Door County businesses.
Christmas Gifts, Holiday Music Motel-Style
If you’re shopping for someone who loves music, stories, or a good bit of Holiday quirk, start right here at the motel. Our Holiday Music Motel storefront is stocked with an eclectic mix of merch, from T-shirts, mugs, and other Holiday-branded favorites. It’s a great stop for Holiday Music Motel fans, and the perfect way to bring a piece of your memorable stay back home.
Explore Downtown Shops
Step outside the motel and you’re just minutes from a downtown that’s made for wandering with a warm drink in hand. Sturgeon Bay’s small but mighty shopping district is rich with locally owned spots where you can find everything from antique treasures to contemporary design.
Pop into Within Things or The Pearl of Door County for artful curiosities and creative goods, browse Novel Bay Books and OtherWorlds Books for new reads, or hunt for unique décor and gifts at Varlets, The Marketplace, Dancing Bear, and Bayside Bargains. For something a bit more special, Peninsula Jewelers and Wilkens and Olander offer pieces that feel like keepsakes from the peninsula. Round things out with a stop at Madison Avenue Wine Shop for a bottle to share and Healthy Way Market for local treats and stocking stuffers.
From thoughtful one-of-a-kind finds to simple little surprises, downtown Sturgeon Bay makes it easy to finish your list while supporting local businesses along the way.
Holiday Happenings Across Door County
December is full of small-town celebrations that stretch from one end of the peninsula to the other. If you’re up for a scenic drive, you’ll find tree lightings, markets, music, and plenty of ways to lean into the season all month long.
Head a little farther up the shoreline for Harbor Holiday in Baileys Harbor on December 6, a celebration that blends community, nature, and seasonal cheer. Activities at The Ridges Sanctuary, family fun throughout town, caroling, and a tree lighting bring neighbors and visitors together in a way that feels both relaxed and deeply rooted in place.
Fish Creek’s Hometown Holiday on December 6 leans into simple, old-fashioned traditions: photos with Santa, bake sales, holiday crafts, and an evening tree lighting and caroling in Noble Square, complete with cocoa and treats. It’s low-key in all the best ways, and a wonderful choice if you like your holidays full of small gatherings and familiar faces.
In Ephraim, Christmas in the Village on December 6 brings classic holiday charm to the waterfront. Families can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides through the village, festive activities inside the Village Hall, and visits with Santa and his reindeer before gathering in Harborside Park for the community tree lighting. Bonfires, s’mores, and open houses at local businesses round out a day that feels like a living holiday card.
Over on the lakeside, the Jacksonport Community Christmas Party invites residents and visitors alike to the town hall on December 13 for an evening of tree lighting, music, refreshments, and dinner. Guests are encouraged to bring canned goods for donation, tying the spirit of the season to taking care of one another. Even if it’s your first time in Jacksonport, this gathering has a knack for making you feel right at home.
Taking place December 5-7 and December 12-14, the Door County Christkindlmarkt transforms Sister Bay’s Corner of the Past Museum into a European-style outdoor Christmas market. Wander through rows of artisan booths, sample traditional German- and Nordic-inspired fare, sip something warm, and take in the sight of historic buildings wrapped in lights. It’s a beautiful blend of Old World charm and Door County character, and a great place to pick up handcrafted gifts while you’re at it.
Step Into A Cherry Pie Christmas
If you’ve ever watched a cozy holiday rom-com and wished you could walk right into it, Door County’s new Christmas Movie Trail Pass makes that dream a reality. Destination Door County’s free, mobile-based pass guides you to real filming locations from A Cherry Pie Christmas (also titled A Wisconsin Christmas Pie), a holiday movie filmed entirely in Door County.
The trail highlights stops like coffee shops, bookstores, markets, and even Door County Christkindlmarkt, which all make appearances on screen. Watch the movie back at the Holiday, then spend a day visiting the places that brought it to life. It’s an easy way to turn a winter stay into a little “movie location” adventure.
New Year’s Eve: From Waterfront Bashes to Cherry Drops
When December winds down, Door County offers a few different, but equally memorable, ways to welcome the new year. Whether you’re in the mood for a waterfront bash or an outdoor countdown under the stars, you’ll find something that fits your style.
Right here in Sturgeon Bay, the Stone Harbor Resort New Year’s Eve Bash brings together dinner, live music, and a midnight celebration on the bay. Their NYE event typically features a special menu and a band that keeps the dance floor full well into the night. It’s an easy pairing with a stay at the Holiday: tuck into your cozy room, get ready at the motel, then head down to the harbor for a festive send-off to the year.
Farther north, Sister Bay’s Cherry Drop has become a signature Door County New Year’s tradition. The village celebrates with shopping and dining specials, ice skating, bonfires, and an early fireworks show before everyone gathers downtown to watch a giant sparkling cherry descend at midnight. It’s quirky, joyful, and very Door County. The perfect option if you like the idea of bundling up, counting down with a crowd, and starting the new year under the winter sky.
Looking Ahead
As the year comes to a close, December feels like a gentle blend of reflection and celebration. From shopping local and exploring holiday markets to catching live music and tracking down movie locations, there are plenty of ways to make your time in Door County feel special.
We’re grateful for everyone who has stayed, played, performed, and created with us this year at the Holiday Music Motel. As the calendar turns, we’ll keep the lights on, the rooms cozy, and the creative energy ready for whatever comes next.
Whenever you’re ready for your next escape, whether it’s a quiet winter weekend or a return trip in the warmer months, we’ll be here, letting the music play on.
