Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, this beloved autumn gathering draws over 250,000 visitors annually to celebrate the grape harvest season. Cedar Creek Settlement, the former woolen mill turned winery, serves as the festival's main hub, where attendees can sample local wines, including the signature Cedar Creek Winery varieties and specialty harvest wines from surrounding Wisconsin vineyards. More than 300 local artisans and food vendors line the streets, including popular spots like The Chocolate Factory, Amy's Gourmet Apples, and The Farmstead, offering everything from gourmet cheese plates to freshly baked apple pies. The Silver Creek Folk Stage and Cedar Creek Settlement Courtyard showcase continuous live music performances from regional favorites like The Acoustix and The Flood Brothers Band throughout the weekend. The festival features unique attractions such as grape stomping competitions, a grape spitting contest, hay rides through the historic district, and the crowd-favorite Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off where local growers compete for bragging rights. Festival-goers can also enjoy guided tours of the Cedar Creek Winery's underground cellars, where masters explain the wine-making process while offering samples of their award-winning varieties.