Arts and Entertainment in Wilmington, Delaware: A state guide of museums, theater, galleries, music, dance and film

Galleries

Carspecken-Scott Gallery
1707 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington, 655-7173, carspeckenscott.com
Carspecken-Scott has exhibited artwork by contemporary Eastern and Mid-Atlantic artists.

Center for the Creative Arts
410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn, 239-2434, ccarts.org
This community arts center is devoted to art enrichment.

Christina Cultural Arts Center
705 N. Market St., Wilmington, 652-0101, ccacde.org
The CCAC serves as a professional arts training and education center for people of all cultures. The annual student show is a highlight of the year.

- Advertisement -

Delaware College of Art and Design
Toni & Stuart B. Young Gallery, 600 N. Market St., Wilmington, 622-8000 dcad.edu
DCAD mounts curated exhibits featuring work of regional and national significance.

Delaware Art Museum
2301 Kentmere Pkwy., Wilmington, 571-9590, delart.org
In addition to its famous Pre-Raphaelite collection—the largest outside England—the museum houses Brandywine artists N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Howard Pyle and Edward Hopper, as well as the Copeland Sculpture Garden. June 23-Sept. 16, see “100 Works for 100 Years” as part of the museum’s centennial celebration.

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
200 S. Madison St., Wilmington, 656-6466, thedcca.org
Seven galleries and several artist studios bring a variety of contemporary art to the Wilmington riverfront in 30 annual exhibitions. Through Feb. 5, see “Excavatum” by Christopher Manzione and “Masters of the Visual Universe,” the biennial MFA juried group show. Amanda Burnham’s “Walkshed” shows until Feb. 16.

Delaware Children’s Museum
550 Justison St., Wilmington, 654-2340, delawarechildrensmuseum.org
The museum on Wilmington’s riverfront builds imaginative minds through play and informal math-, science- and technology-based learning.

Delaware Division of the Arts | Mezzanine Gallery
820 N. French St., Wilmington, 577-8283, artsdel.org
This state-run gallery exhibits local artists at the mezzanine level of the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington.

- Partner Content -

Delaware History Museum | Historical Society of Delaware
504 Market St., Wilmington, 656-0637, hsd.org
Trace Delaware’s history to the 1600s. The museum houses exhibits of items made, used or collected by Delawareans. See an exhibit about the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts Feb. 16-June 16.

Delaware Museum of Natural History
4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, 658-9111, delmnh.org
Dinosaurs, birds and other cool natural resources share space with an impressive collection of seashells from around the world. See “Giants: African Dinosaurs” until Feb. 26 and learn about energy use through “Conservation Quest” March 10-June 1.

Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame
801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, 425-3263, desports.org
Find the best Delaware athletes from throughout the decades at this shrine in Frawley Stadium.

Gallery 919
919 N. Market St., Wilmington, 229-3266
The gallery hosts works by area artists. Shows change monthly.

Kalmar Nyckel
1124 E. Seventh St., Wilmington, 429-7447, kalmarnyckel.org
Tour the replica Swedish ship that brought the first settlers to Delaware. Check for dates to sail, since the Kalmar summers in Lewes.

- Advertisement -

Nemours Mansion & Gardens
850 Alapocas Road, Wilmington, 651-6912, nemoursmansion.org
This 300-acre du Pont estate features formal French gardens and a classical French mansion of more than 70 beautifully appointed rooms. Its holiday tour should not be missed.

New Wilmington Art Association
thenwaa.org
This organization supports new and emerging artists. Exhibits are staged throughout the city, especially along Market Street.

Rockwood Museum
610 Shipley Road, Wilmington, 761-4340, rockwood.org
This 70-acre Victorian English Gothic country estate features original furnishings, a conservatory and garden.

Toni and Stuart B. Young Gallery
Delaware College of Art and Design, 600 N. Market St., Wilmington, 622-8000, dcad.edu
The gallery mounts exhibitions of students, faculty and curated shows.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
4832 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, 888-4600, winterthur.org
The former home of Henry Francis du Pont is the premier museum of American decorative arts with 175 rooms and galleries.

 

Dance

First State Ballet Theatre
818 N. Market St., Wilmington, 658-7897 ext. 3851, firststateballet.com
FSBT presents major ballets choreographed by internationally recognized talent who specialize in classical Russian technique.

Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance
1709 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington, 656-8969, wilmingtonballet.org
The troupe features choreography from the Royal Imperial Russian School.

 

Film

Theatre N
1007 N. Orange St., Wilmington, 576-2135 theatren.org
This independent theater in the Nemours Building offers films by emerging and local talent and first-run movies.

WilmFilm
690-5555, wilmfilm.com
This offshoot event offers selected films and times for one weekend each fall, concurrent with the Newark Film Festival. Includes the OUTFlix festival of LGBT films.

 

Music

Brandywine Baroque
brandywinebaroque.org
This quintet performs baroque music on period instruments across the state, though the Barn at Flintwoods is its home. Hear the group  March 10 (Rehoboth Beach) and March 11 (Flintwoods).

Chorus of the Brandywine
410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn, 655-SING, chorusofthebrandywine.com
The chorus represents the Wilmington chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Delaware Symphony Orchestra
824 N. Market St., Suite 102, Wilmington, 656-7442, delawaresymphony.org
Led by conductor David Amado, DSO offers a classical series at The Grand Opera House, a chamber series at the Hotel du Pont, a series for kids, chamber ensembles and concerts downstate. Hear and see “Struggles & Glories,” featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, March 23-24. Indentical twins Christina and Michelle Naughton join as guest pianists.

Dickinson Theater Organ Society
1801 Milltown Road, Wilmington, 995-5630, dtoskimball.org
Each season, DTOS presents several concerts by artists with a variety of styles on a traditional Kimball theater organ. Hear Brett Valliant on March 17, Clark Wilson on April 28 and Nathan Avakian June 9.

First & Central Presbyterian
1101 Market St., Wilmington, 654-5371, fandc.org
The music staff presents diverse programs and Thursday concerts at noon.

The Grand Opera House
818 N. Market St., Wilmington, 652-5577, thegrandwilmington.org
The Grand offers comedians, orchestral performances, opera, dance, traditional and contemporary music, both in the main hall and the baby grand. See Ladysmith Black Mambazo Feb. 12 and a tribute to bluegrass giant Bill Monroe on April 18.

HildaMan Chorale
P.O. Box 486, Wilmington, 762-4085, artsdel.org
A 50-member volunteer chorale performs spirituals and other musical selections.

Mélomanie
PO Box 7216, Wilmington, 764-6338, melomanie.org
Early and contemporary works on period instruments.

The Music School of Delaware
4101 N. Washington St., Wilmington, 762-1132, wilmingtonmusic.org
In addition to student recitals, the school presents the Music Masters series featuring faculty and heralded guest artists.

OperaDelaware
818 N. Market St., Wilmington, 658-8063, operade.org
International opera stars and newcomers perform. See “Porgy and Bess” May 6 and May 11-12.

Rainbow Chorale of Delaware
P.O. Box 1467, Wilmington, (888) 512-5093, therainbowchorale.org
The 60-member group of men and women celebrates diversity with concerts in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach. “This is Our Moment” will be performed March 31.

Wilmington Children’s Chorus
800 N. French St., Wilmington, 762-3637, wilmingtonchildrenschorus.org
Talented youngsters perform several concerts a year across New Castle County.

World Cafe Live
The Queen Theatre, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, 994-1400, queen.worldcafelive.com
Hear the best in local and national musical acts, as well as other artists. Chris Smither and Ellis Paul play Jan. 14.

 

Theater

Bootless Artworks
980 Justison St., Shipyard Shops, Wilmington, 887-9300, bootless.org 
Enjoy works that are artistically challenging and innovative.

City Theater Company
4 S. Poplar St., Wilmington, 220-8285, city-theater.org
The City Theater Company offers cutting-edge shows. See short plays by Delaware native David Robson in March. “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” runs in May.

Delaware All-State Theatre
2208 Van Buren Place, Wilmington, 559-6667, dastonline.com
See the best of young local actors in an annual musical performed each June at the DuPont Theatre.

Delaware Children’s Theatre
1014 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, 655-1014, dechildrenstheatre.org
Presents four classic children’s stories and two productions for babies and toddlers. See “Cinderella” April 15, 21-22, 28-29 and May 5-6. “Winnie the Pooh” plays May 13 and May 19.

Delaware Shakespeare Festival
P.O. Box 7567, Wilmington, 764-0113, delshakes.org
Watch a Shakespearean play outdoors at Rockwood Park. This season: “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

Delaware Theatre Company
200 Water St., Wilmington, 594-1100, delawaretheatre.org
This professional resident company produces classic theater as well as new works. See “Time Stands Still” Jan. 18-Feb. 5 and “Crowns” April 11-19.

DuPont Theatre
DuPont Building, 1007 N. Market St,, Wilmington, 656-4401, duponttheatre.com
Broadway’s best comes to this elegant Victorian theater. See “La Cage” March 6-11 and “Lord of the Dance” March 20-25. There is also a children’s series.

Wilmington Drama League
10 W. Lea Blvd., Wilmington, 764-1172, wilmingtondramaleague.org
The community group presents several shows and pillow plays for the very young each season. March brings “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” See “And a Child Shall Lead.” “The Best Little Whore House in Texas” runs in May.

Our Best of Delaware Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!

Holiday flash sale ... subscribe and save 50%

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.