Bayfield, Wisconsin, is buzzing in July! 

There’s so much to see and do when you visit us at Seagull Bay, and we’ve got plenty of recommendations to help you make the most of your time in Bayfield and the Apostle Islands:

• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Fishing

But what about those days when all you want to do is dive into a good book, soak up the sun, and listen to the sounds of summer?

I hear you. 

I LOVE everything this season brings, but if I’m honest, the days I cherish most are the simple ones:

• No laptop in sight
  
• No chauffeuring kids around
  
• No “I’m bored” from my boys (even with a million things to do)

Just me, in a beach chair, watching my boys splash in the water, and unplugging—if only for a couple of hours.

These are the days that refill my cup. Add some live music, and I’m fully soaking up the season.

Bayfield’s summer vibe strikes the perfect balance between rest and adventure. And that’s exactly what this month’s blog is all about—finding the perfect spot to spread your towel and tapping your foot to live music under the stars.

Seagull Bay’s Favorite Public Beach Near Bayfield, WI

We’re pretty lucky here on the Bayfield Peninsula to have easy access to several beautiful public beaches near Bayfield, WI. For our Ultimate Beach Guide, click here.

But our favorite—and the one closest to Seagull Bay—is Bayview Beach, also known as Friendly Valley Beach. It’s a quick 10-minute drive from your room.

Despite the two names, it’s one beach with two entrances.

On the Bayview side, you’ll find a renovated train depot that nods to the old railway line once running along the Lake Superior shore. There’s also a pavilion with picnic tables and vault toilets.

A little farther down the road—about a quarter mile—you’ll come to the Friendly Valley Beach entrance, located across from Friendly Valley Road.

Once you’ve parked and gathered your gear, you’ll walk out onto a sandy shoreline that stretches about a mile. Here, your eyes are met with stunning views of Lake Superior and the distant silhouettes of Madeline and Long Island.

It’s the perfect place to spread your blanket, sink into a beach chair, and take a deep breath. Crack open the book that’s been gathering dust on your nightstand or simply listen to the laughter and giggles of your children as they play in the cool water.

A day well spent, if you ask me. But it doesn’t have to end there…

Listen to Live Music Under the Stars

Bayfield, WI, has had a vibrant music scene since the 1980s, thanks to the launch of Big Top Chautauqua. Since then, the artistry, talent, and variety of performers have grown and spread across venues all over the peninsula.

These days, live music in Bayfield, WI, isn’t just reserved for Saturday nights. 

You’ll find performances happening throughout the week, in settings as unique as the artists themselves—from intimate park stages to the iconic tent at Big Top.

So after a relaxing day at the beach, follow the sound of the music. You’re bound to find a show perfectly matching the laid-back, feel-good vibe of summer in Bayfield.

Seagull Bay’s Favorite Ways to Listen to Live Music In Bayfield, WI

1. Big Top Chautauqua

Big Top has anchored our summers with music, dance, and cultural events since 1986. The big blue tent has hosted everyone from local artists to legendary performers like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, and Bonnie Raitt.

For many of our guests, Big Top Chautauqua is the reason they visit Bayfield and stay at Seagull Bay. It’s also why we’re proud sponsors of the free Big Top Chautauqua Shuttle, helping you enjoy live music in Bayfield, WI, without the hassle.

Click here for the full Big Top schedule and catch the shuttle right from our parking lot.

2. Hoop’s Fish Dockside

Hoop’s Fish Dockside serves up fresh fish and chips and blackened whitefish right on the dock in downtown Bayfield—a short 10-minute walk from Seagull Bay.

They’re open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM (Sundays until 6 PM) or until the fish runs out—so get there early! 

With Lake Superior serving as the stage’s backdrop, you can enjoy live music on Mondays from 4–7 PM and Saturdays from 6–9 PM.

Performers include favorites like The Ringtones, Molly Otis and the Danger Band, Corey Carlson & Family Tradition, and Javier. 

See their full music and event schedule here.

3. Bayfield Winery and Blue Ox Cider

If you want to swap your beach chair for a seat on an outdoor patio, head to Bayfield Winery and Blue Ox Cider. Their outdoor patio is the perfect spot to sip wine, snack on a charcuterie board, and take in live music with vineyard views.

Owners Phil and Jen craft their wines and ciders with estate-grown and regional fruit. And they’ve curated a summer playlist that pairs beautifully with every pour. It feels like Northern California wine country—only five minutes from Seagull Bay, nestled in the heart of the “Bayfield Fruit Loop.”

Catch their Heard It Through the Grapevine concert series every Saturday and Sunday through August (1–4 PM), and Saturdays in September. 

The tasting room is also open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM, May through October.

4. Concerts by the Lake

One of the most beloved summer traditions in Bayfield takes place at Memorial Park, next to the Bayfield City Dock.

Concerts by the Lake, hosted by the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and local sponsors, is a FREE live music series on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6–9 PM, featuring regional and local artists.

The stage—a century-old gazebo—sits right on the shoreline of Lake Superior. 

Kids run through the grass, couples dance under the trees, and blankets and lawn chairs cover the park as the sun sets behind Madeline Island. It’s the stuff summer dreams are made of.

The music ranges from folk and rock to Latin, acoustic, and all your favorite sing-along covers.

Check out this summer’s schedule and plan to grab an ice cream cone or bag of popcorn and let the music carry you into the evening.

With summer concerts in full swing, now’s the time to plan your stay and make sure you’re close to the music—and the lake.

Get All The Summer Feels When You Stay At Seagull Bay

Some of my favorite things about summer are the smell of sunscreen, the sound of waves lapping at the shore, and the joy music brings to my soul. For me, that’s what summer is all about. And it’s the kind of vibe we want every guest at Seagull Bay to experience.

Isaac and I have worked hard to create a place that reflects those summer vibes: accommodations filled with mid-century modern charm, views of Lake Superior, and options to suit both couples and groups up to eight.

So, grab your beach chair, cooler, and a bag of your favorite chips and head to Bayview Beach. Then, as the evening settles in, find your perfect spot to enjoy live music in Bayfield, WI.

It’s not too late to plan your summer getaway. Click here to get started!

Enjoy the view!

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks