September
Sept. 4: 32nd annual Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral • Bid farewell to summer beginning on Sept. 1 at 3 p.m. with a silent auction benefiting five local charities. Finish the weekend on Labor Day at 5:30 p.m. for the “End of Summer Celebration” procession on the north end of the Bethany Boardwalk.
Sept. 9–10: 40th annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow • More than 40 visiting tribes will come together in Millsboro for a weekend of tradition. The celebration will include Native arts and crafts as well as powwow drummers and singers. Nanticoke Indian Center, 27073 John J. Williams Hwy., Millsboro.
Sept. 9: 39th annual Sandcastle Contest • Held in Rehoboth Beach between Delaware Avenue and Laurel Avenue with registration lasting from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and judging to start at 3 p.m.
Sept. 9: 39th annual Bethany Boardwalk Arts Festival • From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in downtown Bethany Beach, experience more than 100 artists’ works along with a cocktail party, live radio broadcast, interactive mural and silent auction.
Sept. 9: 11th annual Chocolate Tasting • From 1 p.m.-4 p.m., visit Cape Henlopen State Park at the Biden Center for a fabulous array of chocolates made by local volunteers. For $6, choose up to six different types of chocolate/candy to devour.
Sept. 10: 14th annual Cannonball 5K Run and Trenny Elliott Memorial Walk • The race is designed to be a tour of historic Lewes. Pre-registration is available via Seashore Striders. Day of registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The Lewes Historical Society, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes.
Sept. 16: Arts and Jazz Festival • Beginning at 10 a.m., stop by The Freeman Stage at Bayside to buy a variety of artists’ work and enjoy performances by jazz musicians Joe Baione, Ryan Kerberle + Catharsis, and Melissa Aldana. 31750 Lake View Drive, Selbyville.
Sept. 17: 5th annual Lewes Dragon Boat Festival • Watch 46-foot dragon boats race 500 meters in front of Canalfront Park in Lewes starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds support the capital campaign of Sussex Academy.
Sept. 29–30: Dewey Beach Elvis Festival • Sing along to Elvis’ greatest hits courtesy of the many talented Elvis impersonators performing at the Rusty Rudder. 113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach.
October
Oct. 5–8: Greyhounds • Reach the Beach Spend time with your precious pup in dog-friendly Dewey Beach. Celebrate your greyhound and raise awareness and funds for greyhound foster and adoptive homes. Make sure to register.
Oct. 6–8: Dewey Golden Retriever Jubilee • Greyhounds aren’t the only dog breed with their own celebration at Dewey Beach. Although free of cost, donations are accepted to benefit the Golden Retrievers Lifetime Study. Register online for a chance to win a prize.
Oct. 6–8: 41st annual Fall Sidewalk Sale • Spend your weekend finding the best deals that downtown Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Del. 1 have to offer. Stores’ hours vary, but plan on setting aside time to shop between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Oct. 12–15: 28th annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival • Boney James, Lalah Hathaway and Larry Graham will all be featured during this year’s event. Purchase tickets online.
Oct. 27–29: 28th annual Sea Witch Festival • Experience a weekend of Halloween excitement in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Activities include a dog parade, a costume parade, beach games, a 5K, a horse show, and live band entertainment.
November
Nov. 3–5: World Championship Punkin Chunkin • This nonprofit organization continues its work this year at the Wheatley Farm in Bridgeville. Watch pumpkins fly during the main punkin chunkin competition or take part in the punkin cookin contest, the chili cook-off, or the punkin chunkin pageant.
Nov. 4–5: Rehoboth Beach Art League • 28th annual Holiday Fair Fine Craft Show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fair will feature more than two dozen artisans exhibiting their work. 12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres.
Nov. 3–12: 20th annual Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival • The nine-day event features more than 100 independent and foreign films.
Nov. 24: Dewey Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony • 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
December
Dec. 2: 44th annual Christmas Tree Tour of Lewes • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take a self-guided tour of some of the most festive public and private homes in the historic town of Lewes. Tickets cost $30, and proceeds benefit the Lewes Historical Society.
Dec. 2: Lewes’ 86th annual Christmas Parade • 5-6:45 p.m. Gear up for Christmas with a tree lighting ceremony followed by caroling around the tree. Zwaanendael Park, corner of Savannah Road and Kings Hwy., Lewes.
Dec. 2: Rehoboth Art League’s 8th annual Holiday Open House • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fine art, fine crafts and unique holiday gift items from different art league members will be on display in the Corkran, Tubbs and Ventures galleries. There will also be music from local singing groups and refreshments.
Dec. 1–3, 7–10: Clear Space Theatre Company performs “Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical” • Purchase tickets online or by phone. 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.
