The unforgettable experience of summer outdoor theater in Door County is the stuff of memories—exactly what vacation-goers to this peaceful peninsula on Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan are looking for.
With three unique Door County theater experiences, each with a distinctive vibe and style, visitors of all ages will find the perfect evening of entertainment to add to their treasure trove of vacation souvenirs.
Northern Sky Theater
Northern Sky Outdoor Theater
10169 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Northern Sky Indoor Theater
9058 County Rd A, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Website
Northern Sky Theater is the quintessential Door County outdoor theater experience. Its two theaters are in Wisconsin’s beautiful Peninsula State Park; one tucked in a wooded setting under the stars and the other an indoor venue.
Northern Sky is unique in that all shows are Wisconsin-themed, family-friendly, and 90 minutes long (no intermission).
No matter the show or stage, a troupe of talented professionals performs a rotating series of productions guaranteed to entertain.
I was lucky to see Love Stings on the outdoor stage this summer, an original musical comedy set on a 1960s bee farm. The catchy tunes and clever dialogue—with plenty of “bee” puns—had me smiling and laughing the whole way through.
The musical is very family-friendly (kids will love it) with plenty of jokes for adults.
The production lasted 90 minutes—no intermission—and the silhouette of the pine trees in the fading glow of the setting sun made the whole Door County outdoor theater experience an unforgettable memory.
For a solely indoor option, the Night Sky Theater’s Gould Theater also rotates live theater productions throughout the summer season. Check the website for the entertainment schedule.
Peninsula Players Theatre
4351 Peninsula Players Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Website
Peninsula Players Theatre is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and typically has a rolling line-up of five productions during a season’s run. The ‘Theatre in a Garden’ is nestled amidst towering cedars and landscaped flower gardens along Lake Michigan’s Green Bay.
The serene lakeside setting of the theater adds extra appeal to the night’s entertainment. Guests are encouraged to come early and enjoy a cocktail in the beer garden and the sunset over the lake before the show begins.
The state-of-the-art theater house has a permanent roof and features rolling wood side walls that open to the fresh air when the weather is nice. The floors have radiant heat for chilly fall evenings.
Productions include Broadway-quality comedies, dramas, and musicals, making it a unique Door County outdoor theater experience.
Skyway Drive-In Theater
3475 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI
Website
For a taste of nostalgia, a night at this Door County drive-in is the way to go.
Relive your childhood or see a drive-in movie for the first time at this Wisconsin drive-in theater—one of the best in the country. Skyway Drive-In has been continuously showing films since 1950. Though a lot has changed (digital projection, high-quality sound, updated bathrooms,) the essence of the original Door County drive-in theater remains, including the snack bar.
It’s still a one-screen drive-in, cartoon ads play before the movies, and traditional speakers on posts are in the first four rows for those who want an authentic throw-back experience.
Other Skyway Drive-in Door County Info
- Open seasonally from approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Most films are family-friendly G, PG, and PG-13 films with an occasional R-rated second feature.
- The entry gate opens at 7:45 pm and closes about 10 minutes after the start of the second show.
- Admission includes two feature films per evening.
- Movies play rain or shine.
- Snack bar and restrooms available.
For more info on the Door County, Wisconsin area, log on to the official Destination Door County website at https://www.doorcounty.com/.
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