From the Delaware State Fair and local music celebrations to fun food and beverage fests, here’s a guide to the Delaware festivals you won’t want to miss.
Music Festivals in Delaware
Lilith Fest: A Tribute to Lilith Fair
May 16
At The Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach, this ode to Lilith Fair features more than 20 female artists paying tribute to acts like Tracy Chapman, Alanis Morrissette, and Erykah Badu. The festival is organized by Project HERA, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting and empowering women in music. Enjoy local and regional talent from acts like Olivia Rubini and Project HERA founder Cathy Ditoro at this celebration of women in music. Find tickets online.
The Bottle & Cork | 1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach
The Ladybug Music Festival
May 30
Continue celebrating female artists this May at the largest free celebration of women in music in the United States. Featuring only female-fronted acts on multiple stages, local food vendors, artisans and more, the Ladybug Festival is the kind of event you just have to experience firsthand. Headlined by Margaret Glaspy, the festival returns to the 400 and 500 blocks of Market Street this May. Keep up with all the updates, the lineup, and more at theladybugfestival.com.
Downtown Wilmington
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Smyrna at Night
June 14
This annual festival is back for the 11th year in Smyrna. Headlined by Magic! supported by Shwayze, the lineup also includes local favorites like Jovon Newman and Spokey Speaky. Along with being Kent County’s largest free outdoor concert, Smyrna at Night is a can’t-miss festival in Delaware. Shop artisan vendors, enjoy great food, and explore downtown Smyrna at this fun family-friendly event.
Smyrna
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The 36th Annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
June 18-21
Returning to Rodney Square, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival remains the largest free jazz fest on the East Coast. The weekend will feature performances by local jazz ensembles and internationally renowned musical greats. Over the course of four days, audiences can bask in the amazing live performances and immerse themselves in the culture and magic of jazz in downtown Wilmington.
Rodney Square, Wilmington
Delaware State Fair/Concert Series
July 17-26
The Delaware State Fair will be an all-out extravaganza this year, with a nine-day celebration including an incredible multi-genre concert lineup featuring Riley Green, T.I., Big & Rich, and more. You can purchase both fair tickets and concert tickets in advance. Visit delawarestatefair.com to get the full concert lineup, information on exhibitors, and more.
Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington
Weekend at Bertha’s Festival
July 25-27
Hosted by the Diamond State Merry Pranksters, Weekend at Bertha’s is an annual event featuring musicians, artists, and numerous vendors during its three-day campout. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit weekendatberthas.com.
Firebase Lloyd, Townsend
Food, Beverage and Street Festivals
Dover Days
May 2-3
Take a journey back in time during the annual Dover Days festival. Enjoy a parade, traditional maypole dancing, tethered hot air balloon rides, historic reenactments, local vendors, great food, and much more at this weekend festival. The historic artisan village will immerse visitors in the lifestyle of colonial Delaware while reenactors dressed as famous historical figures will speak and answer questions. Keep the education and fun going by visiting historic Dover destinations like the Old State House and the Johnson Victrola Museum.
Downtown Dover
Wilmington Street Food Festival
May 17-18
The Wilmington Street Food Festival returns for another year of incredible bites and great times. Some of the area’s top food trucks, restaurants, and bakeries will offer bites for $5 or less. Spend the afternoon sampling food from your favorite eateries and discovering new ones. Tickets include your first drink for free and access to this fun event featuring live music, axe throwing, yoga in the park, outdoor games like cornhole, and eating contests.
Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington
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Holy Trinity Greek Festival
June 2-7
Join the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on a trip to the Old Country. Enjoy Greek food, music, dance, and culture at the church. Look forward to ethnic treats like moussaka, dolmades, spanakopita, gyros, and souvlaki.
808 North Broom Street, Wilmington
St. Anthony’s Italian Festival
June 8-15
Sponsored by St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Wilmington’s Italian Festival is one of the largest Italian-American cultural events in the nation. The Italian Festival is also the primary fundraiser for St. Anthony of Padua Grade School. Enjoy Italian food and culture while supporting the school at this week-long event.
901 N Dupont St, Wilmington
If you know of a festival or fair happening in the First State this summer that’s not listed here, contact our digital editor, Sydney Livingston, at slivingston@delawaretoday.com.
