Above: The Wilmington Grand Prix returns for its 18th year, May 15-17. Photo by Jim Coarse/Moonloop Photography.
By Amy Watson Bish
After a cold winter, spring is finally beginning to bloom. From outdoor festivals and family-friendly fun to arts, music, and community events, this guide highlights the season’s best ways to get out, explore, and enjoy warmer days ahead.
March
62nd Annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show
March 7 & 8, 10am-6pm (Sat.), 11am-5pm (Sun.)
DoubleTree Hotel, North Wilmington
This family-friendly show features educational mineral, fossil, and lapidary exhibits, dealers offering gems, jewelry, and supplies, plus a children’s area where kids can purchase affordable mineral and fossil specimens.
—Visit DMSrocks.org
11th Annual LEGO Shipbuilding Day
Saturday, March 1
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, Wilmington
LEGO Shipbuilding Day is a fun, free event for all ages — no registration required. Unleash your creativity by building your own imaginary ship — either bring one from home or create it on-site — and enter contests. Plus, learn to build STEM-based LEGO models of historic and naval vessels, including the Tall Ship of Delaware.
— Visit KalmarNyckel.org/LegoDay
Shine A Light: 1986
Saturday, March 7, 6pm
The Queen, Wilmington
One of Delaware’s most anticipated nights is back featuring more than 60 of the tri-state area’s best musicians performing a setlist of the biggest chart-toppers of ‘86. Proceeds from the annual benefit concert support music education programs for the state’s underserved youth.
—Visit LightUpTheQueen.org
Maple Sugar Festival
Saturday, March 14, 9am & 11am
Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin
Savor a pancake breakfast with toe-tapping live music from The Sugar Maples, explore maple themed vendors and crafts, and head outdoors to learn the age-old tradition of turning sap into syrup.
—Visit DelawareNatureSociety.org
Bank to the Bend
Saturday, March 14, 10am-3pm
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Greenville
Celebrate early spring on Winterthur’s March Bank with a day of garden-inspired activities. This seasonal tradition honors the du Pont family’s flower-spotting walks and includes access to a plant sale, guided Director’s Garden Walk, and guided and self-guided tours showcasing the season’s first blooms throughout the garden.
—Visit Winterthur.org
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Loop
Saturday, March 14
King Street, Downtown Wilmington & City Nightspots
Get your green on and celebrate all things Irish. The 48th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at noon and is followed by the Hooley hosted by the Irish Culture Club of Delaware. The party continues with a pub crawl around Wilmington for the 35th Annual St. Paddy’s Loop, presented by Out & About. Sláinte!
—Visit IrishCultureClubDe.com and OutAndAboutNow.com
CHILD, Inc. Rocks The Queen
Friday, March 27
The Queen, Wilmington
This high-energy night out for a meaningful cause is headlined by the ’90s alt-rock band Spin Doctor, known for their hits “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.” Paul Cullen, former Bad Company bassist, will perform an acoustic set during the VIP Reception. Proceeds support CHILD, Inc.’s vital work providing crisis response, shelter, counseling, and family support services for Delaware’s children and families.
—Visit ChildIncRocksQueen.cbo.io
April
Wilmington Blue Rocks Season Opener
Friday, April 3
Frawley Stadium, Wilmington Riverfront
Cheer on the Wilmington Blue Rocks as they take on the Jersey Shore Blue Claws in an action-packed season opener. Join fan-favorites Rocky Bluewinkle and Mr. Celery for a night of family-friendly fun as the first pitch is thrown at Frawley Stadium.
—Visit Milb.com/Wilmington
RenaisSCIENCE Fair
Saturday, April 11, 9:30am-4pm
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, Greenville
Hear ye, hear ye, all are welcome to the museum for a day of adventure, fun, and science! Try hands-on experiments, craft like a Renaissance artist, and uncover the curious science that sparked a new age of discovery. Dress in your best festival attire for this magical and enlightening event. Food truck fare available for purchase.
—Visit DelMNS.org
Red, White and Brew
Saturday, April 11
Nightspots throughout Wilmington
Wear your red, white, and blue and hit the town as Wilmington nightspots come together to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. From patriotic shirts to creative flair, show your spirit while enjoying music, drinks, and bar-hopping fun. One $5 cover grants access to all participating clubs.
—Visit OutAndAboutNow.com
21st Annual City Restaurant Week
April 13 – April 19
Restaurants throughout Wilmington
For one delicious week, enjoy exclusive two-course lunch specials for $20, or three-course dinners for $35 or $55 (plus gratuity). Don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in creative cuisine and unforgettable dining experiences.
—Visit CityRestaurantWeek.com
The Art of the Cocktail: High Stakes
Saturday, April 17, 7pm
Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington
Derby-day elegance meets casino-night excitement at this spring soirée. Dress in florals, seersucker, bow ties, and bold hats while enjoying cocktails and appetizers, dancing to the DJ, trying your luck at casino tables, and bidding in the silent auction for a chance at high-stakes winnings.
—Visit DelArt.org
The Delaware Marathon Running Festival
Sunday, April 19
Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington
The First State’s largest running festival offers races for every age and skill, including the marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. The course winds along the riverfront and through downtown, featuring the scenic Jack Markell Trail. Visit Celebration Village at Tubman-Garrett Park for music, games, food, drinks, and prime finish-line for cheering on family, friends, neighbors.
—Visit DelawareMarathon.org
Wildflower Weekend
April 24 – 26, 10am-6pm
Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin
Experience displays of native blooms at their peak, live music, gardening activities, family-friendly outdoor programs, and more. Browse native plants to add to your garden, and embrace the season with nature-filled fun.
—Visit MtCubaCenter.org/Wildflower-Weekend
8th Annual Hagley 5K Along the Brandywine
Saturday, April 25
Hagley Museum, Wilmington
Lace up for a scenic run (or walk) through history. Runners and walkers of all levels will enjoy a unique course that winds through the du Pont grounds and along the Brandywine River.
—Visit Hagley.org
University of Delaware’s Ag Day
Saturday, April 25, 10am-3pm
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Newark
A longtime UD tradition, Ag Day showcases the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources through more than 90 demonstrations, exhibits, and hands-on activities. Enjoy live performances, plant sales, and a diverse food court, and engaging experiences designed for all ages.
—Visit UDel.edu/canr/about/agday
Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch
Sunday, April 26, 11:30am
Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington Riverfront
Meals on Wheels Delaware’s annual fundraiser, now in its 29th year, features delicious bites prepared by top chefs from across the country, brunch cocktails and fine wine, live entertainment and more. Proceeds support the nonprofit’s mission to ensure no homebound senior goes hungry.
—Visit MealsOnWheelsDe.org
May
Train Day at Auburn Heights
Sunday, May 3, 12:30-4:30pm
Marshall Steam Museum, Yorklyn
All aboard! Whether you’re a lifelong railfan or just looking for a family-friendly day out, Train Day has something for everyone, from rides on the Auburn Valley Railroad and museum tours to model train displays and hands-on activities.
—Visit AuburnHeights.org/Train-Day
5th Annual Brandywine River ShadFest
Sunday, May 3, 11am-4pm
Brandywine Park, Wilmington
Celebrate the Brandywine River and the return of the American Shad. This free, family-friendly event raises awareness of environmental issues, live music, food vendors, all-ages activities including fishing lessons, face painting and more.
—Visit BRRT.org/Shadfest
Wilmington Flower Market
May 7 – May 9
Rockford Park, Wilmington
This time-honored, three-day event has been a rite of spring for more than 100 years. Explore a wide selection of plants and flowers for your garden, shop for gifts from craft vendors, and delight in carnival rides, games, and live entertainment.
—Visit WilmingtonFlowerMarket.org
18th Annual Wilmington Grand Prix
May 15 – May 17
Downtown Wilmington
The Grand Prix is an early stop on the USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar. The weekend kicks off Friday with the Monkey Hill Time Trial through Brandywine Park. On Saturday, the Major Taylor Community Ride is followed by pro-am races through the streets of Downtown Wilmington. On Sunday, the Governor’s Ride and Delaware Gran Fondo offers cyclists from near and far a scenic tour through the Brandywine Valley and some of Delaware’s most prized cultural attractions.
—Visit WilmGrandPrix.com
Bellefonte Arts Festival
Saturday, May 16, 10am-5pm
Brandywine Blvd, Wilmington
Discover the tiny, bohemian town of Bellefonte, just off Philadelphia Pike, at this fun-filled annual outdoor festival highlighting more than 50 local artisans, live music, food trucks, kid activities and more. Rain date Sunday.
—Visit BellefonteArts.com/Art-Festival
Brandywine Spring Festival of the Arts
May 16 & 17, 10am-6pm (Sat), 10am-4pm (Sun)
Siegel JCC Outdoor Campus, Wilmington
Celebrate spring with a weekend of art, food, and community at this family- and pet-friendly outdoor festival. Produced by the team behind the Brandywine Festival of the Arts each fall, the spring event will feature art vendors, food, entertainment, and activities for all ages.
—Visit BrandywineSpring.com
A Day in Old New Castle
Saturday, May 16, 10am-4pm
Historic New Castle
Celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary at the oldest open house and garden tour event in America. This festive day includes tours of museums and historic homes, family-friendly activities, demonstrations, Revolutionary War reenactors, and more.
—Visit HistoricNewCastle.com
The Ladybug Music Festival
Saturday, May 30
Market Street, Downtown Wilmington
Wilmington’s 100% female-fronted, multi-genre music festival returns to Market Street for its 16th year. The country’s largest celebration of women in music is open to all ages and is free to attend. Stay tuned for a lineup of artists.
— Visit TheLadybugFestival.com
Delaware Author Fair
Sunday, May 31
Rockwood Park & Museum, Wilmington
Presented by Huxley & Hiro Booksellers in partnership with Rockwood Museum, the Delaware Author Fair returns this spring for a celebration of books and authors! Enjoy an outdoor marketplace with multiple vendors and food options, meet local authors, and catch author talks inside the museum. Free admission includes entry to Rockwood Museum during the event.
—Visit HuxleyAndHiro.com
