Above: Families roast marshmallows over a bonfire at Dewey Beach. Photo: VisitSouthernDelaware.com.
By Amy Watson Bish
Few need more motivation to visit the Delaware beaches than fun, sun and surf. But there are plenty of other reasons, from arts festivals to concerts to annual traditions. Following is an overview of major beach events planned through mid-summer.
Dewey’s Golden Jubilee
May 9 & 10 | Rehoboth & Dewey Beach
This celebration of Golden Retrievers brings together hundreds of goldens and their owners for a weekend of tail-wagging fun. On Friday, enjoy the GoldRush Parade through the town of Rehoboth, and then, on Saturday, a romp on Dewey Beach in the morning and a snuggle around a bonfire that evening. It’s pure golden joy by the sea!
— Visit DeweysGoldenJubilee.com
14th Annual Dewey Arts & Fun Festival
Saturday, May 10 | Dickinson Street, Bayside Dewey Beach
This annual outdoor art festival features more than 40 vendors offering art and handcrafted items, plus live music, children’s activities and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick out a unique gift for Mother’s Day.
— Visit DeweyBusinessPartnership.com
Lilith Fest – A Tribute to Lilith Fair
Friday, May 16 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
Presented by Project HERA, this night honors Sarah McLachlan’s iconic music festival, and features an all-female backing band with female vocalists covering chart-topping hits from such artists as Alanis Morissette, Tracy Chapman, Liz Phair and more.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
5th Annual Rehoboth Beach Arts Festival
Saturday, May 17 | Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach
This annual arts festival, presented by Rehoboth Art League and the City of Rehoboth Beach, features local artists showcasing and selling their work to collectors from across the Mid-Atlantic.
— Visit RehobothArtLeague.org
Dogfish Head’s 2nd Annual Picklebrawl! Fest
Saturday, May 17 | Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton
It’s a full day packed with pickleball, great brews, and tasty bites. Enjoy casual court time, an exciting exhibition match, pickle-centric eats, and the debut of PickleBrawl! Brew — a crisp American-style lager with a twist. Whether you’re playing or spectating, it’s a dill-lightful event you won’t want to miss.
— Visit Dogfish.com/Events
10th Annual Bethany Beach Poseidon Festival
May 23-25 | Downtown Bethany Beach
The unofficial start of summer kicks off with this three-day fun festival that celebrates the sea and prepares the community for potential coastal emergencies. The weekend includes pirates and mermaids, marine-based educational activities, live music, a costume parade, skimboard competition, and luau show. All events are free and sponsored by the Town of Bethany Beach.
— Visit TownOfBethanyBeach.com
Blood Sweat & Tears
Saturday, May 31 | Freeman Arts Pavillion, Selbyville
Blood, Sweat & Tears brings their legendary fusion of rock, jazz, and blues to the Freeman Stage. With more than 50 years of touring, Grammy wins, and a legacy of musical innovation, their timeless sound continues to inspire and captivate audiences.
— Visit FreemanArts.org
Coastal Delaware Restaurant Week Supports the Red, White, & Blue on the Culinary Coast™
June 1-6 | Coastal Delaware
Coastal Delaware Restaurant Week is the premier dining event in Delaware. Dozens of the area’s finest restaurants showcase their talents and give diners an opportunity to sample the best cuisine Coastal Delaware has to offer, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the military and first responders. Diners will enjoy menu discounts or pre-fixe menus at restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Lewes, and Coastal Delaware.
— Visit Beach-Fun.com/Restaurant-Week
Party Like It’s 793 Festival
June 6-8 | Brimming Horn Meadery, Milton
Delaware’s only Viking and heavy metal themed event celebrates the start of the Viking Age in the West with a party at the Brimming Horn Meadery. This festive weekend includes Viking reenactors, live music, food and craft vendors, and every Viking’s favorite drink … mead!
— Visit RigrCrafts.com/PartyLikeIts793
Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
June 7 & 8 | Lewes Historical Society, Lewes
More than 70 regional and local sea glass and coastal-themed artists showcase everything from jewelry and home décor to sculptures and paintings. Bring your favorite pieces of sea glass and learn its history, shop from a collection of sea glass, or enjoy a glass-blowing demonstration. The weekend also includes live music, food, children’s activities, and educational presentations.
— Visit HistoricLewes.org
KidsFest
Sunday, June 8 | Schellville, Rehoboth Beach
Celebrate National Children’s Day at Schellville’s with a fun-filled day of roller skating, bounce houses, train rides, crafts, magic shows, and more. It’s all about joy, play, and making memories together.
— Visit SchellBrothers.com/Promotions/Schellville-Events
34th Annual Lewes Garden Tour
Saturday, June 21 | Lewes
Take a self-guided tour of several select private gardens throughout Lewes, plus enjoy a Garden Market in Zwaanendael Park with garden-related items for sale during the hours of the tour. Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
— Visit LewesChamber.com
3rd Annual Lavender & Lambs Festival
June 21 & 22 | Brittingham Farms, Millsboro
Due to its popularity, this festival has expanded to two days of fun for more to enjoy. Spend a relaxing day strolling Brittingham Farm’s lavender field, meeting the farms’ lambs, treating yourself to lavender-infused snacks and beverages, and enjoying live music, sheep shearing demonstrations, and more.
— Visit BrittinghamFarms.com
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
June 27-August 28 | Clear Space Theater, Rehoboth
Carole King is the voice of a generation — but before she was a hit-maker and a household name, she was a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. Her journey is the ride of a lifetime, a trailblazing saga filled with such unforgettable anthems as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Natural Woman,” and more.
— Visit ClearSpaceTheatre.org
Annual Running of the Bull
Saturday, June 28 | The Starboard Restaurant, Dewey Beach
Every year hundreds of people gather at The Starboard dressed in red bandannas to celebrate, then parade through the streets of Dewey, and onto the beach where they are chased by “the bull” (two people in bull costume) for several blocks. The chase concludes with a bullfight played out at The Starboard, followed by festivities into the night. Proceeds benefit the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company.
— TheRunningOfTheBull.com
Millsboro Stars & Stripes
Saturday, June 28 | Millsboro Little League Fields, W. State Street, Millsboro
This annual community celebration features vendors, entertainment, activities, and food trucks, and culminates with a professionally-staged fireworks show at dusk.
— Visit MillsboroChamber.com
The Bacon Brothers – Freestanding Tour
Sunday, June 29 |Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
The Bacon Brothers blend folk, rock, soul, and country into their signature sound they call “forosoco.” With their new album Ballad Of The Brothers, Kevin and Michael Bacon continue decades of genre-bending storytelling and rich, roots-driven musical exploration.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
The City of Lewes Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 28 | George H.P. Smith Park, Lewes
This free community event, hosted by Lewes African American Heritage Commission, celebrates African American heritage and culture and features food trucks, dancers, live music and more.
— Visit LewesChamber.com
75th Annual Cottage Tour
July 8 & 9 | Select homes around Rehoboth Beach (TBA)
The Rehoboth Art League’s popular self-paced tour features select homes in the Rehoboth Beach area with a variety of landscapes, interior and architectural designs, ranging from historically significant to contemporary and sleek. Some homes have quite an evolving history and many homeowners showcase memories, artwork, and collections in creative ways. As parking can be limited, the Art League provides a shuttle service to each location for ticket holders.
— Visit RehobothArtLeague.org
