It's Festival Time at Cedar Creek Settlement!

Cedar Creek Settlement is a major focal point for the four exciting city-wide festivals held annually in Cedarburg’s Historic District; Winter Festival, Strawberry Festival, German Festival and Wine & Harvest Festival.

Additionally, the Settlement sponsors two more celebratory events, Cedar Creek Winery’s Open House, the 3rd weekend in March and Festive Friday Eves, the 5 Friday evenings before Christmas from 5-9 pm.

Winter Festival kicks off the festival year on the first Weekend in February. Events include the infamous Bed Races and Barrel Races on Ice, Ice Sculpting and Chili Contests, the Winter Festival Parade, a Pancake Breakfast, the Stone Cold Art Show and the Cool Brews & Blues event. This two day event is free and family friendly and the perfect antidote to Cabin Fever.

The Cedar Creek Winery/Settlement Open House, the 3rd Weekend of March is your opportunity to learn about and barrel-taste the latest vintages with winemaker Philippe Coquard. There are daily Cooking Demo’s and Samplings with local chefs, Grapevine Pruning demonstrations, Live Jazz and Winery Tours/Tastings. Our interesting and unique specialty shops will showcase Artist Demonstrations, new Spring Merchandise, an Art Show and a display of antique quilts from the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts.

Next up on the festival agenda is Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival held on the 4th Weekend of June. Of course, the strawberry is king during this summer event featuring locally grown strawberries as well as strawberry shortcake, strawberry slush, strawberry wine, chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry delicacies of all kinds. At the Settlement you can enjoy the Sunday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Strawberry Pancake Breakfast in a beautiful outdoor setting overlooking Cedar Creek, with live music from 8:00-11:00 am. There are lots of fun strawberry contests, Arts on the Avenue, the Cedar Quacker 500 Duck Race, a Plein Air Painting Competition and live music all over town. More than 100,000 attend this delightful summer festival.

German Festival is our newest annual event, the 2nd Weekend in October in Cedar Creek Park. Live German music with many authentic German bands, a dance floor for Polka Dancing, daily Glockenspiel Shows, delicious German foods and beers, competitions like Outhouse Racing, Beer Bucket Races, Wife Carrying, Sauerkraut Eating and Best Lederhosen/Dirndl contests and a Sheepshead Tournament.

Wine & Harvest Festival the 3rd Weekend of September is the one that started it all. Celebrating the award-winning wines of the Settlement-based Cedar Creek Winery, Cedarburg is the perfect setting for this colorful autumn celebration. Events include Arts on the Avenue, a Scarecrow Contest, live bands, delicious grilled foods and a Farmer’s Market. Cedar Creek Winery’s Grape Stomping competition is our claim to fame, followed by Grape Spitting and Apple Bobbing.

For the year’s grand finale, the Settlement celebrates Festive Friday Eves. On each of the Five Friday nights before Christmas you will find a specially-themed holiday event that will delight your family and friends. The shops are open until 9 pm and there is always live music, wine tasting, an outdoor cookout and cookies and cider. The first Friday always spotlights ethnic traditions from a different country. Other Fridays include Home for the Holidays, Christmas in the Country (boutique/sale), Santa’s Workshop and a Taste of Christmas. These indoor events are free and geared for families with various special events each week and amazing holiday shopping and dining in our beautifully decorated shops and restaurants.