Here’s how to celebrate all holiday week

DOOR COUNTY – If you’re looking for different ways to say goodbye to the year 2024 and hello to 2025, Door County’s got you covered.

During the run from Christmas to Jan. 1, you’ve got your giant cherry counting down the year on New Year’s Eve, special trolley rides, outdoor activities that range from serene to wet and wild to quirky, a last chance to check out decorated holiday trees, and a couple of unique holiday shows at local theaters.

Here’s a quick look at some of the fun things you can do during the last holiday week of 2024 and the first day of 2025.

Countdown with a cherry, maybe with one on your head

If there’s a Door County way to ring in the New Year, it would be with a cherry. Especially a 300-pound, 6-foot-around cherry.

And that’s just how hundreds of residents and visitors have counted down to the end of the year and the start of the next one on New Year’s Eve since 2017 during the spectacular The Lodge Cherry Drop.

Sponsored by rock radio station FM 106.9 The Lodge, the now-traditional Dec. 31 event is centered around the 300-pound metal cherry that’ll be lighted and dangling about 120 feet above ground that night from a crane outside The Garage at Husby’s Food and Spirits, 10641 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay.

Revelers are more than welcome to party throughout the night, with DJs from the radio station playing party music live and on the radio from the site, which the station calls Ground Zero, starting at 10:30 p.m. A photo booth will be on site and Central Standard Distillery returns with cocktails made from their liquors including their Door County Cherry Vodka, made with locally sourced cherries. Fireworks and other special events take place throughout the village (see below).

Then at 10 seconds to midnight, the giant cherry will descend to the ground with a countdown to bring in the New Year 2025, like the giant ball that drops in Times Square in New York and in other New Year’s celebrations around the world.

And, there’s something new this year for those who can’t make it to the celebration but want to celebrate anyway. The radio station partnered with Cellcom for a live video stream from Ground Zero that can be watched by clicking links for it on The Lodge’s website or Facebook page.

Also new is the Cherry Drop’s answer to the cheeseheads donned by Green Bay Packers fans – yep, foam cherry hats, complete with stems, to wear on your head while ringing in the New Year (and possibly at other cherry-themed festivals in Door County throughout the year). They’re for sale at The Lodge’s office in Ephraim, along with other Cherry Drop souvenir merchandise like knit hats, sweatshirts and long-sleeve tees, and some are expected to be available at the celebration.

For more on the Cherry Drop, call 920-746-1069 or visit fm106thelodge.com or the “fm 106.9 The Lodge” Facebook page.

Fireworks for New Year’s Eve, too

Among the special happenings in Sister Bay preceding the Cherry Drop is the county’s only New Year’s Eve fireworks show, sponsored by the Sister Bay Advancement Association. That takes place at 8 p.m. over the ice rink at the Sister Bay Sports Complex, off Mill Road at 2124 Autumn Court.

The Sports Complex also will have a bonfire and be open for ice skating (both weather permitting), and village restaurants and bars will offer special menus and other specials before and after the fireworks. Holiday light displays throughout the village and at the beach and Waterfront Park, including the community’s tunnel of lights, will be in full glow. A free shuttle bus will run every 30 minutes between the Cherry Drop party and select locations in Sister Bay from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

For more information, call 920-854-2812 or visit sisterbay.com.

Drinks, lunch on the (heated) trolley

Those who want to spend the day of New Year’s Eve sampling local foods and beverages without having to drive can take one of three tours available Dec. 31 (as well as the Saturday before and after New Year’s, Dec. 28 and Jan. 4) on a Door County Trolley.

• The trolley’s Wine, Spirits and Brew Tour, departing at 10 a.m. and lasting almost five hours, features tastings at a county winery, distillery and microbrewery.

• Also departing at 10 a.m. and running about four and a half hours, the Winter Wine, Chocolate & Artisan Cheese Tour features a tasting at a local winery, a stop at a cheese shop shop to sample locally crafted cheeses and a visit at a local chocolatier for handmade chocolates.

• The four-hour Cocktail Tour that starts at 11 a.m. allows riders to have an adult beverage at three Door County establishments.

Trolley cars are heated, and lunch and dessert from a local restaurant are included on all of these tours.

All tours depart from the Door County Trolley Station, 8030 State 42, Egg Harbor. Cost of each tour is $89.95, and tours are for ages 21 and older only (IDs will be checked). Reservations are strongly recommended for these and all Door County Trolley tours, which frequently sell out; space was available for Dec. 28 and 31 and Jan. 4 on these tours as of Dec. 18. Alternate pickup and drop-off sites are available for an additional cost.

For reservations or more information, call 920-868-1100 or visit doorcountytrolley.com.

Hike into the New Year

Several Wisconsin State Parks and Door County nature preserves offer hikes during the holiday week, including on New Year’s Eve and Day. In all cases, hikers should dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for the conditions.

• The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor hosts its annual Holiday Luminary Walks from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 26 to 30. Visitors can stroll between the luminarias softly lighting the accessible Hidden Brook Boardwalk and Range Lights Boardwalk. The walks start from the Hidden Brook walk outside the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center and pass through ridges, swales and its namesake brook.

The nature center at The Ridges is at 8166 State 57, Baileys Harbor. Cost to use the trails is $5 for adults, free for members. For more information, call 920-839-2802 or visit ridgessanctuary.org.

• To literally watch the sun set on 2024, Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay hosts its Last Sunset of 2024 Hike from 3:45 to about 5 p.m. Dec. 31. The free guided hike heads out from the Collins Learning Center to The Cove Estuary watch the sunset at 4:18 p.m. The hike is not difficult but, as always, participants are reminded to dress for the weather.

Then, for birding enthusiasts who want to get a jump start on their list of birds they spot in 2025, or those who just want to walk off some holiday calories, Crossroads also is hosting a Start Your Year List Hike to look for birds in its Big Creek Preserve from 8 to 9 a.m. Jan. 2. No birding experience is necessary and loaner binoculars will be available. Participants should meet at the Collins Learning Center.

Crossroads is at 2041 Michigan St., just east of the roundabout on State 42/57, Sturgeon Bay. The nature center is closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1 but trails will be open. For schedule updates and more information, call 920-746-5895 or visit crossroadsatbigcreek.org.

• Also, a number of Wisconsin state parks hold First Day Hikes for walkers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers, conditions permitting, on Jan. 1, including Peninsula State Park between Fish Creek and Ephraim, Whitefish Dunes near Jacksonport and Newport near Ellison Bay. Those with accessibility issues can check with the parks about the trails and possible availability of an all-terrain wheelchair.

Peninsula’s guided First Day Hike will set off from its White Cedar Nature Center at 10 a.m. It is on easy terrain and expected to last 30 to 45 minutes, and an all-terrain wheelchair is available (call the nature center to reserve). The nature center will be open for hikers to warm up before or after the hike with an outdoor bonfire outside, hot beverages and cookies. The park also has plenty of trails for those who want to hike longer or at a different time of the day.

Whitefish Dunes will host a guided hike over easy terrain on its 1.5-mile Brachiopod Trail starting at 10 a.m., and people can head out on self-guided hikes with no specific start or end time during the day. Its picnic shelter will be open from 10 a.m. to noon with a warming fire and warm refreshments available inside. Also at the picnic shelter, kids can get clues to a Leave No Trace scavenger hunt. Ice can be common so hikers are asked to bring something to aid their grip.

The First Day Hike at Newport is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m., covering about 1.2 miles on its Fern Trail Loop and its recently completed boardwalk, with the hike possibly also including the Lynd Point trail. A bonfire, hot beverages and snacks will be available at the shelter at Parking Lot 3. Hikers can park in Lot 3.

Plus, trails will be open at Potawatomi State Park as well as county parks.

A vehicle sticker is required to enter state parks. Hikes may be canceled because of weather conditions. For local information, call Peninsula State Park at 920-868-3258 or visit the “Friends of Peninsula State Park” Facebook page at facebook.com/peninsulafriends; call Whitefish Dunes at 920-823-2400 or visit the “Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park” Facebook page; or call Newport at 920-854-2500 or visit the “Newport Wilderness Society” Facebook page. For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov/Events.

Holiday shows

Two Door County theater companies offer a chance for patrons to get some extra holiday spirit with a concert-style show and a musical based on a familiar holiday tale.

• Held each year between Christmas and New Year’s, Northern Sky Theater’s “Home for the Holidays” shows feature holiday songs, stories and musings by popular Northern Sky members and Door County musicians in a warm atmosphere. The roster has changed almost every year since the first show was held in 2006; this year’s cast features singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Karen Mal, a veteran Northern Sky performer who’s well known to Door County concertgoers over the years, and David Stoddard, an award-winning songwriter who’s been Mal’s musical partner for about 20 years.

“Home for the Holidays” shows are scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 27 to 31 in the Gould Theater on Northern Sky’s Creative Center, 9508 County A, just south of County F, Fish Creek. Tickets are $32 for adults, $20 students and $15 ages 12 and younger; all seats are reserved. Drawings for gift certificates from local businesses will be held at each show, and bakery and hot beverages will be available for purchase. For tickets or more information, call 920-854-6117 or visit northernskytheater.com.

• Also, after two years of producing old-fashioned radio-style shows for the holidays, Third Avenue PlayWorks in downtown Sturgeon Bay puts on a holiday musical with its production of “A Gift of the Magi.”

It’s described as a “chamber musical,” with three actors performing the James DeVita/Josh Schmidt musical adaptation of short story satirist O. Henry’s classic tale about a young married couple determined to get each other the perfect Christmas gift, even though they’re pretty much broke. Christian Davis Aldridge and Allie Babich star as the young couple, with Ray Jivoff playing O. Henry as the narrator along with assorted other characters.

“A Gift of the Magi” runs Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 24, at Third Avenue PlayWorks, 239 N. Third Ave., Sturgeon Bay. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays; the Christmas Eve show also is a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $38 for adults, $20 college students, $10 for ages 18 and younger, with a 10% discount for ages 65 and older and veterans. For tickets or more information, call 920-743-1760 or visit thirdavenueplayworks.org.

Check out decorated trees at the museum

Along with community holiday trees and brightly lit home decorations people can visit or drive by all across the county, they also can head to the Door County Maritime Museum to check out its Merry-Time Festival of Trees through the end of the year.

In its 13th year, the Merry-Time Festival collection features dozens of artificial, uniquely decorated holiday trees and wreaths donated and decorated by businesses and individuals in the community. Ornaments and special surprises adorn the trees and wreaths, which are raffled off but remain in display through Dec. 31.

The Door County Maritime Museum is at 120 N. Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay; it also operates seasonal museums in Gills Rock and at the Cana Island Lighthouse. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed holidays. Admission is $15 for adults, $7 ages 5-17, $12 seniors and retired military, free to active military and DCMM members; children are admitted free on Sundays during the festival. For more information, call 920-743-5958 or visit dcmm.org.

Get wet (and probably cold) to start the year

Door County plays host to two polar plunges – participants run into the icy waters surrounding the Peninsula in swimsuits or little clothing, then run back out pretty quickly – on Jan. 1, and people can take part or watch and cheer from the sidelines.

One of these plunges is one of the largest, best-known and longest-running in the country, the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club’s 39th annual New Year’s Day dip into Lake Michigan. The other is the annual Polar Plunge at Waterfront Mary’s Bar & Grill in Sturgeon Bay.

The Jacksonport plunge has grown from just one “swimmer” – 14-year-old J.R. Jarosh, running into the lake to settle a losing bet with his father in 1986 – to three in 1989, to the hundreds nowadays who are expected to take part, along with hundreds of spectators cheering them on. The peak was an estimated 900 swimmers in 2010, and more than 800 people from across the country are estimated to have raced into the lake last Jan. 1. Over the years, they’ve come from 44 states and 16 foreign countries. The plunge also was a focal point of the 2009 movie “Feed the Fish,” filmed mostly in Door County and starring Tony Shalhoub.

Those thinking about taking part who haven’t before should visit the club website, which has an “Tips and Forms” page. The required liability release for swimmers is downloadable from the site, which will save time if filled out in advance. Costumes are not required for participants but certainly are encouraged. While swimmers need to be careful of the temperatures in the water and out, the Jacksonport Fire Department does what it can to make sure they remain unharmed.

Registration and festivities begin at Lakeside Park at 10:30 a.m. in the park shelter closest to the lake, with food and beverages served starting at about 11, all leading up to the 10-second countdown just before noon to send the swimmers into the water. A variety of Jacksonport Polar Bear Club merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies and other items, will be available for purchase at the registration pavilion and online. Certificates of achievement will be available to all swimmers when they register.

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Plunge takes place promptly at noon Jan. 1 at Lakeside Park, State 57 in Jacksonport. There is no charge to participate, but all swimmers must sign the liability release form before participating in the event.

For more information, visit jacksonportpolarbearclub.com or the “Jacksonport Polar Bear Club Ltd” Facebook page.

Also at noon Jan. 1, Waterfront Mary’s will have swimmers run into the channel cutting through Sturgeon Bay for its annual Polar Plunge. Those who jump into the water get a free T-shirt, and the event also offers loaded bloody Marys and hot cocoa, with proceeds benefiting the Nasewaupee Fire & Rescue Department.

Waterfront Mary’s is at Beach Harbor Resort, 3662 N. Duluth Ave. For more information, call 920-743-3690 or visit waterfrontmarysbarandgrill.com or the “Waterfront Mary’s Bar & Grill” Facebook page.

A different kind of New Year’s Day parade

It’s not the biggest Jan. 1 parade but it’s probably one of the quirkiest, definitely fun, and it’s local. And you can march in it instead of just watching.

That’s the 45th annual New Year’s Day Parade held by the village of Egg Harbor and the Egg Harbor Business Association at 1 p.m. Jan. 1.

To participate, dress up, bring your pets, decorate an old car, motorcycle or any piece of heavy construction equipment — the only limit is one’s ingenuity and practicality — and line up at Stella Maris Parish, 7170 State 42. Registration is not required and the parade will take place regardless of weather.

The parade route runs north through the village on State 42, starting at Harbor School Road and marching to County E. Parking is available on Church Street.

For more information, call 920-868-3717 or visit eggharbordoorcounty.org.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Door County: Here’s how to celebrate