Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Delaware
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) in Delaware, including events in Rehoboth, Odessa, Dover and Milton.Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival
May
Milton, Delaware
Timed to correspond with the spawning cycle of the horseshoe crab on area beaches, and the shorebirds who come to feed on horseshoe crab eggs before they continue their three-day, nonstop flight to their summer home,the Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival celebrates this extraordinary event.
Apart from live music and delicious food, attractions of the festival focus on educating visitors about the area, the crabs and shorebirds, and local wildlife, while having fun with artwork, an educational play about horseshoe crabs and shorebirds, the Horseshoe crab/Shorebird Express Train, a pontoon boat ride on the Broadkill River and hay-wagon tours.
For more information visit: www.ecodelaware.com/event.php?id=54
Dover Days Festival
May
Dover, Delaware
Celebrated since 1933, the Dover Days Festival is a three-day celebration of the First State’s Capital City and features a huge parade, maypole dancing by children dressed in colonial costumes, historical reenactments, a car show, free admission to many museums, live music and entertainment on three different stages, a pet parade, 200 craft and food vendors, an antique and collectible show, and so much more --all for free!
Held on The Green and Legislative Mall, two beautiful outdoor parks in the historic downtown district, traditional elements and new components bring in thousands of visitors each year with attendance reaching 25,000.
For more information visit: www.doverdaysfestival.com
Delaware State Fair
July
Harrington, Delaware
First held in 1920, the ten-day, annual Delaware State Fair is held in Harrington at the end of July. Today the fairgrounds offer more than 300 acres of agricultural exhibits, rodeo, races, a midway, and other typical stair fair demonstrations and events.
Concert events have included the likes of Gloria Estefan, New Kids on the Block, Tammy Wynette, Travis Tritt and Bill Cosby.
The Midway Slots and Simulcast, Harrington Raceway and The Centre Ice Rink are also nearby
For more information visit: www.delawarestatefair.com
Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival
August
Seaford, Delaware
Established to promote the diverse cultural arts of African-Americans, the two-day Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival in Henry Nutter Park, Seaford celebrates African-American culture and history with music, pageants, cultural and food vendors, parade, children's events, dance, entertainment and more.
There is also a Pre-Festival Basketball Competition & Fish Fry on the Thursday before the festival.
For more information visit: www.easternshoreafram.org
Amish Country Bike Tour
September
Dover, Delaware
A tradition entering its 25th year, the annual Amish Country Bike Tour in Dover offers fun for cyclists of all ages and fitness levels with a choice of 15, 25, 50, 62, and 100 mile loops through the beautiful Amish countryside in west Kent County.
Food stops along the way offer home-baked Amish Pies and cookies as well as non-stop live entertainment by local musicians. Cyclists also enjoy an after-tour party on Legislative Mall complete with a picnic lunch, fun activities and live music!
For more information visit: www.visitdover.com/events.htm
Boast the Coast Maritime Festival
October
Lewes, Delaware
Boast the Coast Maritime Festival & Lighted Boat Parade is an annual event held in conjunction with the University of Delaware's annual Coast Day celebration in historic Lewes that was started to emphasize the importance of local marine life.
Activities throughout the town celebrate the town’s nautical heritage and include seafood tasting and children’s shows. Attracting more than 10,000 people each year, the highlight of this event is the lighted boat parade on the canal that runs through town.
For more information visit: www.ecodelaware.com/event.php?id=52Nanticoke Indian Powwow
September
Millsboro, Delaware
A powwow is an annual gathering of native people and a celebration of culture – a secular event in which the history of the powwow passes from generation to generation.
A tradition since 1978, the Nanticoke Indian Powwow features singing, drumming, dancing, arts and crafts vendors ( including jewelry, pottery, moccasins, ribbon shirts, shawls, dream catchers, and paintings), native foods, visiting tribes and a Sunday morning outdoor worship service.
For more information visit: www.nanticokeindians.org/powwow.cfm
Apple-Scrapple Festival
October
Bridgeville, Delaware
Typically made of hog offal, Scrappel is like a pork meatloaf and is best known as a regional food of Delaware.
The Apple Scrapple Festival takes place during the 2nd weekend in October in Bridgeville, a small town in Sussex County, and celebrates both scrapple and the apple harvest.
Festivities start with a carnival and street dance on Friday night and continue on Saturday morning with a wide range of activities including games, like scrapple carving, live entertainment, carnival rides, and food - everything from apple fritters to scrapple sandwiches.
There are also live bands playing bluegrass, country, rock, and soul music.
For more information visit: www.applescrapple.com
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival
November
Rehoboth, Delaware
Since it began over ten years ago, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival has grown to become one of the most respected cultural events of the Mid-Atlantic. The five-day Festival presents about 100 of the best American and international films including features, documentaries, and shorts.
Film enthusiasts enjoy the convenience of seeing all the films at one, multi-screen location.
The Festival also offers informative seminars, opportunities to converse with celebrity guests, as well as special events including Children's Cinema Corner for elementary school-aged children.
For more informatioin visit: www.rehobothfilm.com/festival.html
Christmas in Odessa
December
Odessa, Delaware
Created more than 44 years ago to raise money to fund college scholarships for local high school seniors, Christmas in Odessa is a self-guided walking tour of historic Odessa’s private homes and public buildings, many dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, decorated for the holidays.
In addition to the house tour there are many special events like the Christmas Craft & Antique Show Horse, carriage rides on Main Street,, the Newark Fife and Drum Corp and Christmas concerts at Old St. Pauls Church.
For more information visit: http://christmasinodessa.com
