As the summer sun takes a bow and autumn’s breezes blow in, Delaware’s coastal towns brim with seasonal festivities. Music lovers can indulge in a soulful jazz concert in Rehoboth Beach, while studious types might rub elbows at Lewes’ Annual History Book Festival. No matter your preference, there’s a celebration for all kinds of festivalgoers at the Delaware beaches this fall.
September 7: Kick off the season at the 46th Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival, featuring over 100 juried artists offering paintings, woodwork, metal, clay, jewelry, and more. Don’t miss the Meet the Artist reception and wine tasting from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Bethany Beach.
September 7–8: The Nanticoke Indian Powwow is designed to celebrate, educate, share, entertain, and excite the public about the continent’s First Peoples. Weekend activities held at Hudson Fields in Milton include a car show, Native dancing and drumming sessions, church service, and more. Tickets are available at the gate; $5 for children over age 10, $10 for adults.
September 27–29: The Eighth Annual History Book Festival hosts free and ticketed events at different venues around Lewes. Well-known and emerging authors lead discussions and presentations that cover a broad range of historical fiction and narrative nonfiction works. Grab a bite between sessions from the festival food court’s trucks or take advantage of the event’s free shuttle bus for nearby shopping and restaurants.
October 5: Prime your palate for the annual Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival, a full-day event promising a tantalizing array of flavors from top local restaurants and unlimited samples of wines, cocktails, mocktails, and brews. Enjoy an expert-led bourbon tasting, soulful beats, live art demos, and more at Schellville in Rehoboth Beach. Looking to elevate your festival experience? Reserve one of only eight exclusive Alpenglobes—a private orb that seats up to eight guests.
October 5: Take in Lewes’ nautical heritage at the Boast the Coast Maritime Festival. The annual event, originally conceived in 1996, will mark its 28th year complementing the University of Delaware’s long-established Coast Day. Enjoy boat tours, live performances, and seafood tastings from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lewes canal front.
October 5–6: Celebrate art, craft beer and food, and timeless spirits at Lewes Historical Society’s Crafts and Crafts event. Delaware distilleries and breweries converge to pour their liquid gold while live music inspires patrons to bop to a beat. The weekend showcases over 50 artisans, demonstrations, and workshops, offering a taste of the state’s creativity and craftsmanship. Admission is $10; children age 12 and younger attend free.
October 6: University of Delaware’s family-friendly Coast Day includes tours of UD labs and research vessels, science talks from faculty, marine critter touch tanks, music, and food from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.
October 11–12: More than 25,000 patrons pay homage to the local breakfast meat delicacy at the Bridgeville Apple-Scrapple Festival each year. First celebrated in 1992, this carnival-like fete includes rides, games, craft and trade shows, an apple-tossing contest, and a Little Miss Apple Scrapple pageant.
October 12–13; 20: Paint a pumpkin or skate around hay bales at Schellville’s Fall Harvest Fest. Live music, seasonal treats and classic fall activities make this outing perfect for the whole family.
October 17–20: Gear up for the 35th Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, a spectacular four-day musical extravaganza held at multiple venues across lower Sussex County. This year’s lineup features incredible talents like Acoustic Alchemy, Diego Figueiredo Trio, Boney James, and Catherine Russell. Don’t wait to purchase tickets—many shows sell out quickly.
October 25–27: Join the fun at the 29th annual Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach, which transforms the town into Halloween headquarters for three days of spooky celebrations. This year’s theme, “Paranormal Piranha,” promises excitement for all ages. Enjoy costume parades for people and pets, an array of kid-friendly activities, crafts, merchandise, food vendors, trick-or-treating, and more. Don’t miss the fiddler’s convention.
November 6–10: The Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival—a five-day event showcasing American and international independent films including features, documentaries, and shorts—offers seminars with film industry pros. The complete program, including ticket and festival prices, film descriptions, screening times, details on seminars and events, and additional information is available online starting in mid-October.
