Above: Cape Henlopen Lighthouse. Photo courtesy VisitSouthernDelaware.com.
By Amy Watson Bish
Bethany Beach Seaside Craft Show
Saturday, June 1 | Bethany Beach
Experience over 100 exhibitors at this annual juried fine crafts show along the scenic boardwalk and ocean-lined streets of downtown Bethany Beach. Sponsored by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Committee, the show also features live music by the Joe Baione Trio.
— Visit TownOfBethanyBeach.com
17th Annual Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
June 1 & 2 | Lewes Historical Society, Lewes
Close to 70 regional and local sea glass and coastal-themed artists will feature everything from jewelry and home décor to sculptures and paintings. Bring your favorite pieces of sea glass and learn its history, walk through an amazing collection of sea glass on display, or observe one of the glass-blowing demonstrations offered throughout the weekend. Live music, food, children’s activities, and educational exhibits will also be available.
— Visit HistoricLewes.org
Coastal Delaware Restaurant Week
June 2-7 | 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. A portion of the proceeds benefites local first responder groups including Rehoboth and Dewey Beach Police Departments, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Home of the Brave, and Tunnels to Towers. Diners will enjoy menu discounts or pre-fixe menus at restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Lewes, and Coastal Delaware. Visit the website below for a full list of participating restaurants.
— Visit CulinaryCoastRestaurantWeek.com
Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight
Thursday, June 6 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
Soul legends Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight come together for a captivating evening of timeless hits including “Lady Marmalade,” “You Are My Friend,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” and “Every Beat of My Heart.”
— Visit FreemanArts.org
Mead, Metal and Viking Festival
June 7-9 | Brimming Horn Meadery, Milton
Party like it’s 793! 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
Analog-A-Go-Go
June 8 | Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton
Normally held in November, Dogfish Head is shaking things up by moving its annual event to the start of summer. This year’s festival is all about music: listen to stellar tunes while exploring pop-up record shops and music-related treasures, all while tasting beer and spirits samples. In addition to Dogfish Head, five guest breweries will be pouring on-site, including Dewey Beer Co., Other Half Brewing and more.
— Visit Dogfish.com/Analog-A-Go-Go
Sunrise Fest: Rhythm & Rhinestones
Saturday, June 8 | Schellville, Rehoboth Beach
Dress in your most sparkly summer outfit and get ready to shine at Schellville’s newest event featuring music, food trucks, local artisans, summer sledding on their tubing hill and more. And you’ll no doubt be dazzled with the live performances by contestants from this season of NBC’s The Voice — Julie Roome, Karen Waldrup and Delaware’s own Olivia Rubini.
— Visit SunriseFestDe.com
Rehoboth Beach Pride Film Festival
June 14-16 | Cinema Art Theater, Lewes
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society, in partnership with CAMP Rehoboth, presents this annual film festival spotlighting a diverse range of documentaries, features, and a series of shorts to celebrate cinema and National PRIDE month.
— Visit RehobothFilm.com
33rd Annual Lewes Garden Tour
Saturday, June 15 | Lewes
Take a self-guided tour of several select private gardens throughout Lewes, plus enjoy a food tent and 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
2nd Annual Lavender & Lambs Festival
Saturday, June 15 | Brittingham Farms, Millsboro
Spend a relaxing day strolling Brittingham Farm’s lavender field, while tasting lavender ice cream by The Frozen Farmer and sipping on lavender wine by Salted Vines or lavender beer by Revelation Brewery. You’ll also enjoy picking your own lavender bouquet, live music, vendors, and sheep shearing and fleece dying demonstrations.
— Visit BrittinghamFarms.com
2nd Annual Lookout Music & Arts Festival
June 22 & 23 | Schellville, Rehoboth Beach
Two days of outdoor fun, live music, art, food and beverages at Schellville! The festival will host three bands per day on the main stage, family-friendly activities, local artisans, plus much more!
— Visit SchellBrothers.com/Promotions/Schellville
The City of Lewes Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 22 | 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
Annual Running of the Bull
Saturday, June 29 | 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.
— Visit TheStarboard.com
44th Annual Sandcastle Contest
Saturday, July 6 | Towers Road Ocean Beach, Dewey
From mermaids and dolphins, to pyramids and traditional castles, admire sand creations by teams and individuals at this annual event hosted by the Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
— Visit VisitSouthernDelaware.com
74th Annual Cottage Tour
July 9 & 10 | 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
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Monday, July 15 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
Grammy-nominated New Orleans icon and his bandmates always give an explosive performance that blurs the lines between funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock.
— Visit FreemanArts.org
Jimmie Allen
Tuesday, July 23 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
Delaware’s own Jimmie Allen is back home to share his blend of down-home country and modern R&B with fans. He’ll be performing cuts from his new album Tulip Drive alongside older hits.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
The Struts with Special Guest Barns Courtney
Tuesday, July 30 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
Platinum-selling Brit glam rockers The Struts return to Bottle & Cork with their Pretty Vicious tour. Supported by velvet-edge punk rocker Barns Courtney, the new tour serves as a celebration of the journey so far between The Struts and their beloved and ever-loyal Strutters.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
KANSAS
Wednesday, July 31 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
Fans will hear KANSAS classics such as “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Dust in the Wind,” “Point of Know Return,” “Play the Game Tonight,” “Hold On,” deep cuts, and much more.
— Visit FreemanArts.org
