Calendar of Events

Steel Bridge Songfest

Steel Bridge Songfest is the “Greatest Original Songwriters’ Festival in the Midwest.” Songwriters of national, regional, and local acclaim come together to write songs inspired by Sturgeon Bay’s Historic Steel Bridge. Their slogan is “Music so fresh it hasn’t been written yet!”

Over 200 musicians perform at Steel Bridge Songfest each year. Live performances take place across several venues around Sturgeon Bay, showcasing all of the newly written music as well as past favorites. A list of performers can be found on the festival website.

Founded in 2005 by musician Pat MacDonald (of Timbuk3 fame) and his sister, Steel Bridge Songfest began as part of a grass-roots campaign to restore the historic “Steel Bridge” – the original route of Highways 42 and 57 as they crossed Sturgeon Bay.

It begins with a week long collaborative songwriting workshop (known as the “Construction Zone”) where participants write songs inspired by the bridge. The songs are recorded on-site at the Holiday Music Motel and released as compilation albums. You can also listen to Steel Bridge Radio here or by clicking on the icon.

Steel Bridge Songfest runs from Thursday, June 8th through Sunday, June 11th in venues across Sturgeon Bay. Highways 42 and 57 bring you there. The city will be buzzing with creative artists working on making music throughout the town. While there, check out everything both Sturgeon Bay and the Door Peninsula has to offer, from the beautiful sights, museums like the Door County Maritime Museum, tour a shipbuilding yard, rent a boat, or explore Potawatomi State Park and other natural attractions in this uniquely beautiful area.

Check the Steel Bridge Songfest website here for the latest lineup and details, including the always-growing list of songwriters and the separate list of performers. This is truly a unique event!

Here’s a taste of last year: