Welcome To Festivals of Cedarburg

The many annual events sponsored by Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc. are located in downtown Historic Cedarburg and are known throughout the Midwest for rollicking good times, terrific music and entertainment, juried arts and crafts fairs, wacky contests and great food.  The entire downtown of Historic Cedarburg was named to the National Register of Historic Places in the mid-1980’s.  The charm of old stone houses, churches and retail establishments coupled with handsome Victorian buildings, constructed in the mid-1800’s and lovingly restored, is why Cedarburg was named winner of the “Most Distinctive Architecture” designation in the Wonders of Wisconsin competition sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.  Forbes Magazine named it “One of the Prettiest Small Towns in America”.  This architecturally charming city makes a lovely backdrop for Cedarburg Festivals.

The first event our Festival season is Winter Festival, which was started 40 years ago as an antidote to cabin fever.  The dates for the next Winter Festival are February 15 & 16, 2014.  There is always a silly theme for this weekend festival.  Attendees will enjoy viewing the Ice Carving Contest and Bed Racing on Ice Contest.  There is also a Chili Contest, a Parade, Hayrides, Pancake Breakfast, the Cool Brew Beer Tasting event and more make up this fun family weekend.

Summertime fun in Cedarburg celebrates the strawberry.  The 28th Annual Strawberry Festival, always the fourth weekend, will be June 22 & 23, 2013.  It’s all about the “Arts on the Avenue” arts and crafts shows, the Plein Air Painting Competition and of course, everything strawberry.  Cedar Creek Winery highlights their Strawberry Blush wine while delicacies range from strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, strawberry slush, chocolate-covered strawberries and even strawberry brats.  There is live music throughout the Historic District all weekend long.  Kids will have fun in the park with special activities, entertainment, and the CedarQuacker Rubber Duck Races.  Strawberry Contests will take place at Cedar Creek Settlement.  About 100,000 happy festival-goers attended last year.

Our beautiful autumn weather is a perfect way to celebrate the 41st Annual Wine & Harvest Festival, September 21 & 22, 2013.  This colorful weekend is loaded with the bounty of fall.  A Farmer’s Market, “Arts on the Avenue”, Cedar Creek Winery’s award-winning wines, a Scarecrow Contest, Giant Pumpkin Regatta, Live Bands, Food Courts, Grape Stomping, Hayrides. Exhibits at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts and activities for kids make this a must for a beautiful fall getaway.  

Our newest festival is Oktoberfest (formally German Festival), celebrating the German heritage of Cedarburg’s founding fathers.  The 6th Annual Oktoberfest will be located under a huge tent in downtown Historic Cedarburg, October 12-13, 2013.  Authentic German Bands, Dancers, a Sheepshead Tourney and Contests, including Wife Carrying, Beer Carrying and Sauerkraut eating contests, will demonstrate the fun-loving side of our friendly hospitality, known as Gemuetlichkeit.  Come polka with us!  Delicious German foods, desserts and specialty beers will be featured throughout the festival.  The Merchant’s Marketplace will showcase various products.  On Sunday morning there will be an ecumenical worship service, open to all.