Local’s summer. The shoulder season. Whatever you call it, the period between Labor Day and Halloween brings with it festivals galore in Delaware.
There’s the ubiquitous Firefly, of course, but have you been to Zombie Fest? Folk Fest? Faerie Fest? And if handmade crafts are your thing, block off your weekends now.
Use our guide to pick and choose your favorite and plan your schedule now:
Broad Creek Bike and Brew
Laurel’s Broad Creek Bike and Brew features local microbreweries, live music, barbecue chicken and bike routes ranging between 15 and 100 miles throughout western Sussex County. Cyclist registration is $50 for adults and $40 for children 16 and under. Tickets for chicken and beer are $25.
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, start between 7 and 9 a.m. (no mass start)
Where: Starting at Laurel Elementary School, 815 S. Central Ave., with finishing party at Janosik Park on Broad Creek, in the 200 block of Front Street in Laurel.
Visit:westernsussexcoc.com
Riverwalk Freedom Festival
The 21st Annual Riverwalk Freedom Festival features vendors, kids activities, a car show, food trucks, a beer garden, live music and fireworks at dusk. Entrance is free.
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to dusk
Where: Mispillion Riverwalk, Milford
Visit: milfordchamber.com
More:Walk this way: 6 places to hike, soak up history, see autumn leaves and maybe a few ghosts
Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village Fall Craft Show
This outdoor event features over 50 vendors. Tickets for kids five and under are free, ages 6-17 are $3 and adults $5
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
Where: 866 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover
Visit: agriculturalmuseum.org
Autumn Art Festival
A free festival spotlighting the local artist community at Delaware Seashore State Park, with food, entertainment and games, as well.
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Indian River Marina, 39415 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach
Visit: destateparks.com/marinalife/indianrivermarina
Peoples Festival Tribute to Bob Marley
“Good Vibes are what you can expect at the Peoples Festival,” according to its website. The 28th annual tribute festival takes place in the city Bob Marley first called home outside Jamaica, featuring nine roots, rock and reggae acts, a ‘Taste of Wilmington Food Bar,’ a cigar lounge, beer and wine, a kids’ area, vendors and more. Tickets are $30 at the gate; children under 10 are free.
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 2 to 10 p.m.
Where: Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park, Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington
Visit: peoplesfestival.com
Alpaca Festival
Alpaca Festival features live Andean music by Carlos Erazo and Ken Schleifer, fiber arts demonstrations, kids’ activities, food and ice cream, vendors and exhibitors. Bring a non-perishable item to be donated the Delaware Food Bank for admission.
When: Sunday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 32236 Omar Road, Frankford
Visit: fouracresliving.com
Community Day
This longstanding event unites the University of Delaware, Christina School District and the City of Newark, featuring a variety of local vendors and organizations, entertainment, food and children’s activities.
When: Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Green, University of Delaware, Delaware Avenue between North College and Academy Streets, Newark
Visit: newarkde.gov/play
Festival Hispano
Festival Hispano is “a great day to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of the Hispanic cultural heritage in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia,” according to the festival website. It features six live music acts and traditional arts, crafts and foods.
When: Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: North Race Street, Georgetown
Visit: hispanicfest.festivalhispano.org
Faerie Festival
At this “magical day celebrating childhood imagination” for children and adults, according to the festival website, enjoy live dance and theater performance, games, crafts, story times, costume parades, vendors and food. There is no admission fee and a free shuttle is offered from Rockwood Office Park at 501 Carr Road.
When: Sunday, Sept. 18, Noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Rockwood Museum & Park, 4651 Washington St. Ext., Wilmington
Visit: visitwilmingtonde.com
More:Dog-friendly places to take your best friend in Delaware
Hispanic Heritage Festival
When: Sunday, Sept. 18, Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Road, Wilmington
Visit: hoyendelaware.com
Enjoy Hispanic arts, traditional music and dances, children’s activities and food at this family-friendly event. The only fee is to enter the state park, which is $4 for Delaware-registered vehicles and $8 for other states.
Village Fest
The first Village Fest will include family-friendly activities, food, drink and live entertainment from The Funsters. It’s also an opportunity to meet and learn more about service providers at Milford Wellness Village.
When: Friday, Sept. 23, 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: 21 W. Clark Ave., Milford
Visit:milfordwellnessvillage.com
History Book Festival
This festival is “a first-of-its kind way to hear more than 20 best-selling authors of current non-fiction and fiction about history,” according to its website, for “history buffs and readers ranging from the more serious to the more casual.” It’s hosted by the Greater Lewes Foundation. Most talks are free but some require tickets.
When: Friday, Sept. 23 to 25
Where: Throughout Lewes
Visit:historybookfestival.org
Art on the Green
The annual New Castle Hundred Lions Club arts and crafts show features over 200 vendors and food.
When: Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Battery Park, 3rd and South streets, New Castle
Visit: artonthegreende.net
Historic New Castle Belgian Beer Festival
Enjoy over 30 types of Belgian brews to benefit the New Castle Historical Society. General admission tickets are $50.
When: Saturday, Sept. 24, Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Battery Park, Historic New Castle
Visit: historicnewcastle.com
Delaware Taco Festival
The sixth annual taco festival boasts over 25 taco and food vendors, a giant margarita bar, a tequila expo, kids games and activities, “lucha libre” wrestling, hot chili pepper eating contest, live entertainment and more.
When: Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25
Where: Tubman Garret Riverfront Park, Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington
Visit: delawaretacofest.com
Auburn Heights Invitational Classic Car Show & Garden Party
See “exceptional motor cars from the dawn of the automotive age through 1969,” according to the event website, in support of the Marshall Steam Museum. Food, wine and beer also will be available. Tickets are $25 at the gate.
When: Sunday, Sept. 25, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 3000 Creek Road, Hockessin
Visit:auburnheights.org
More:This Delaware zoo has swimming with otters, yoga with kangaroos & breakfast with monkeys
Willey Farms Annual Fall Craft Fair
A free event with over 50 arts and crafts vendors, alpacas, kids’ activities, live music and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Willey Farms, 4092 Dupont Parkway, Townsend
Visit: willeyfarmsde.com
Old-Fashioned Community Carnival
The sixth annual community carnival is for “kids of all ages,” according to the Lewes Public Library website. All are invited to play old-fashioned carnival games for free prizes, as well as for live entertainment and food.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lewes Public Library, 11 Adams Ave.
Visit:lewes.lib.de.us
Wings and Wheels
Check out airplanes and cars, new and old, at this free festival. In addition to vendors, food trucks and live music, a Naval Academy parachute team will parachute in and an airplane “flour bombing” competition will be held. Parking is $5 at the Marvel Museum, at 510 S. Bedford St., with trams and buses transporting festival-goers to the airport.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Delaware Coastal Airport, 21553 Rudder Lane, Georgetown
Visit: wings-wheels.com
Boast the Coast Maritime Festival
Boast the Coast was created to complement the University of Delaware’s Coast Day and to “showcase Lewes’ nautical heritage,” according to the festival website. Numerous free activities, including boat rides, will take place at 1812 Park. Vocalist Jgar Helwig will perform and Full Belly Bistro will offer food for sale.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 1812 Memorial Park, Lewes
Visit:leweschamber.com
Southern Delaware Wine, Food and Music Festival
According to the website, the 7th Annual Southern Delaware Wine, Food and Music Festival is “a way to feature the very best tastes, sounds, people and passions of coastal Delaware.” Tickets are $150 and include all you can eat and drink from around 150 vendors, as well as a “chef throwdown.” Music includes Decade80, Taylor Knox and, performing together for the first time, Paul Cullen and David Aman.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1, Noon to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Hopkins Heartland Covered Bridge, 30249 Fisher Road, Lewes
Visit: sodelfest.com
Lewes Fall Craft Fair
The Lewes Fall Craft Fair is well-curated selection of arts and crafts vendors, food and music. Admission is $5, except for for children 12 and under, who may enter for free.
Where: Lewes Historical Society main campus, 210 Shipcarpenter St.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit:historiclewes.org
Coast Day
Coast Day will finally return this year after a three-year hiatus, with coastal, marine and environmental science-themed fun for all ages. It will feature lectures, chemical magic shows, a marine species touch tank, ship tours, food trucks and vendors.
When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: University of Delaware Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes
Visit:decoastday.org
Greyhounds Reach the Beach
This nearly 30-year-old event brings together greyhounds and their people at the beach for vendors, speakers, numerous gatherings, a parade and a “blessing of the hounds.” The main hub is the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, but you’ll see the pups throughout the area this weekend. Registration is $30.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 5 to Sunday, Oct. 9
Where: Throughout Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach
Visit: grbt.org
Delmarva Folk Fest
The 31st annual Delaware Friends of Folk-hosted festival features camping, vendors, workshops and a host of folk acts, including Zydeco Jed, Stackabones and Shafaat Khan, among others. Weekend passes are $35, with daily passes and various camping options available, as well.
When: Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8
Where: G&R Campground, 4075 Gun & Rod Club Road, Houston
Visit:delfolk.org
The Big Draw Festival
At this celebration of drawing for families, attendees can paint with coffee, sketch a live model, paint a pumpkin, create chalk art or even build a sandcastle on Park Avenue. The Big Draw is a free event.
When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Park Avenue, Milford
Visit: mispillionarts.org
Oktdoverfest
“Downtown Dover’s annual fall block party” features local craft beer, spirits, wine, food and live music. Musical acts include Love & Theft and Tony Jackson.
When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2 to 9 p.m.
Where: Loockerman Street, Dover
Visit:destinationdowntowndover.com
Apple-Scrapple Festival
You’ll find hundreds of crafters and other vendors, a large selection of food trucks, a car show, a pageant and live entertainment at Bridgeville’s signature fall event. Oh, and scrapple! Look for parking signage: a free shuttle will be available Saturday.
When: Friday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 15 at 9 a.m.
Where: Downtown Bridgeville
Visit:applescrapple.com
Blackbird Creek Fall Festival
This free festival celebrates the Delaware Bay with informational booths and displays, vendors, live music, hayrides and kids’ activities.
When: Saturday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Blackbird Creek Preserve, 801 Blackbird Landing Road, Townsend
Visit: de.gov/blackbirdfestival
Frankford Fall Festival
The Frankford Fall Festival is free and features a costume contest, parade, hay wagon rides, games and food. Search for this event on Facebook for more information.
When: Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Frankford Community Park, 30 Clayton Ave.
Zombie Fest
This year’s creepy celebration theme is “Freakshow,” and the event will feature acts like a sword-swallower, a strongman and an aerialist. There will be vendors, zombie makeup stations, kids’ activities and costume contests, as well as three live music acts. The evening culminates with a “zombie walk” through town.
When: Saturday, Oct. 15, 4 p.m.
Where: Milton Theatre, 110 Union St., Milton
Visit:miltontheatre.com
True Blue Jazz Festival
The 10th Annual True Blue Jazz Festival will feature feature the Emmet Cohen Trio, the Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet, The Cookers, Joey DeFrancesco and several others. Each event is individually priced and ticketed.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 12 to Sunday, Oct. 16
Where: Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, 2 Olive Ave., and the Rehoboth Beach Fire House, 219 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach
Visit:truebluejazz.org
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival
“Our festival is local and our artists are global” is this festival’s motto. This year’s acts include the nationally renowned Sheila E, Eric Darius, Gerald Albright, Grace Kelley and more. Ticket prices vary; some shows are free. The festival benefits Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center.
When: Thursday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 16
Where: Multiple locations in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach
Visit: rehobothjazz.com
Hagley Craft Fair
This craft fair “brings together talented artisans from the Mid-Atlantic area to display and sell fine arts, crafts, and gourmet items,” according to its website. Food and drinks will also be available. Tickets are $12 at the gate.
When: Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16
Where: 298 Buck Road, Wilmington
Visit:hagley.org
