From the Delaware State Fair and local heritage 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
The 36th Annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
June 21-24
Returning to Rodney Square, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival will features performances by Angelique Kidjo, Boysie Lowery Living Jazz Ensembles, Kamasi Washington, Mark Guiliana, the Clifford Brown Festival Orchestra and many more. Over the course of five days, audience can bask in the amazing live performances and immerse themselves in the culture and magic of jazz.
Rodney Square, Wilmington
Delaware State Fair/Concert Series
July 20-29
The Delaware State Fair features an all-out extravaganza this year with a nine-day celebration including an incredible concert and comedy lineup featuring Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Nelly, Riley Green, Lainey Wilson and others. 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
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Return to Weekend at Bertha’s Festival
July 28-30
Hosted by the Diamond State Merry Pranksters, Return to Weekend at Berthas is an annual event featuring musicians, artists and numerous vendors during its two-day campout. Artimus Pyle will bring his band to Delaware on Friday July 28, playing two hours of the best of Lynyrd Skynyrd. On Saturday, the festival welcomes DOSE HERMANOS, the psychedelic Avant Garde project from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member pianist Tom Constanten and electronic composer Bob Bralove. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit weekendatberthas.com.
Firebase Lloyd, Townsend
The Ladybug Music Festival
June 2, September 30
This annual festival is the largest 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 always fun and empowering. Wilmington’s June festival was a major success, and now we look forward to the Milford date on September 30. Keep up with all the updates, the lineup and more at theladybugfestival.com.
Downtown Wilmington | Downtown Milford
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Food, Beverage and Street Festivals
Holy Trinity Greek Festival
June 5-10
Join the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on a trip to the Old Country. Enjoy Greek food, music, dance and culture at the church. Enjoy ethnic treats like moussaka, dolmades, spanakopita, gyros, souvlaki and more while watching the Greek Terpsechorian Youth Folk dance group perform traditional folk dance.
808 North Broom Street, Wilmington
Wilmington Street Food Festival
July 15-16
Enjoy the best of local street food at the Wilmington Street Food Festival. Some of the area’s top food trucks, restaurants and bakeries will be offering bites for $5 or less. Spend the afternoon sampling food from your favorite eateries and discovering some 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
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Delaware Beer Wine and Spirits Festival
August 26
The Delaware Beer Wine and Spirits Festival celebrates its 13th year this August. Enjoy libations from local favorites like Big Oyster, Dogfish Head, Bellefonte, Liquid Alchemy, Harvest Ridge, Painted Stave and many more. Plus, local food vendors keep you fueled so you can continue to sample and enjoy. Live music performances, games and other fun activities are sure to keep you entertained while you enjoy all that Delaware brewing and distilling has to offer. For more information, visit debeerwinespirits.com.
Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village, Dover
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.
Related: 10 Great Beer Gardens and Outdoor Lounges in Delaware
