You better not pout, you better not cry, because Santa Claus begins making his first visits to Door County next week. Destination Sturgeon Bay kicks off the holiday season with its first of two weekends full of Christmas activities. On November 16th, the Christmas by the Bay Parade begins at 10 a.m. ahead of the Winter Market at Third Avenue Playhouse, a visit from Santa's reindeer at the Door County Community Foundation, and the kickoff of the Door County Maritime Museum's Festival of Trees. On November 22nd, the Unwrapping Community Car Cruise will begin at the Door County Fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. and go through the city as area businesses unveil their holiday window displays. The weekend continues on Saturday with its new Holiday Hop, Sip, and Shop and a visit from Santa at the Door County Historical Museum. Destination Sturgeon Bay's Alexa Soto says no matter the holiday, she is thrilled that the city is welcoming the community to spend it with them.

Door County's other communities follow suit in the subsequent days and weeks. On November 24th, the Ellison Bay Service Club hosts its annual tree lighting at 5 p.m. The weekend after Thanksgiving, you have your choice of Egg Harbor Holly Days or Sister Bay Capture the Spirit, which both boast a host of activities including a visit from Santa Claus. That weekend is also when the Door County Christkindlmarkt opens its fourth season on the grounds of the Sister Bay Historical Society. On December 7th, Santa makes his stops at the Harbor Holiday celebration in Baileys Harbor and the Christmas in the Village event in Ephraim.