Week of June 1-7
Broad Creek Bike & Brew
6/1 • Laurel
Do you have 15, 25, 50 or 100 miles in you? Then come leg it out on one of multiple scenic routes of the Broad Creek Bike & Brew: You’ll cruise by historic attractions, waterways, the Woodland Ferry, Trap Pond State Park and more. Anyone who knows a thing about biking knows that it’s the after-mile-comaraderie that matters most, so once you unclip, there’s all the BBQ and brew you can handle.
Courageous Kids Walk
6/1 • Newark
Glasgow Park hosts an inaugural Walk in the Park for Courageous Kids. Laces up at 10 a.m.
Lighthouse Sunset Cruise
6/1 • Lewes
Bring the kids (or make it a date night if you’d like), and set sail on this enchanted sunset adventure. The cruise heads up the canal out to Breakwater Light and Harbor of Refuge Light. Get those phones (or cameras, if you’re old-school) ready—the dolphins may put on quite the evening show.
Lemonade Days
6/1-6/9 • Statewide
There’s nothing bitter about this fundraiser. Host a lemonade stand or visit one near you during this annual event benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which helps fund childhood cancer research.
First Sundays for Families
6/2 • Chadds Ford, Pa.
Family is all about balance, right? The Brandywine River Museum of Arts gets that, and invites you for a day of big-top fun. Create colorful compositions and play balance games before the main event: the return of the Funicular Circus, a troupe that will amaze with innovative circus arts and a tight-wire crossing of the Brandywine. The party is free and starts at 11.
JCC Sports Classic
6/3 • Wilmington
Tennis, golf or pickleball, anyone? Take your pick at the Wilmington Country Club in support of the Siegel Jewish Community Center.
Greek Festival
6/4-6/8 • Wilmington
If you’ve never tasted spanakopita while amongst the spires of Santorini, we have the next best thing—the Greek Festival, 44 years in the making. There’s only one thing to say to that—Opa! Stop by for homemade Greek goodies, music, dance and activities for all at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Bike & Hike & Brews at Hagley
6/5, 6/12, 6/19, 6/26 • Wilmington
Stroll, jog or cycle your way through Hagley every Wednesday all summer, from 5 to 8 p.m., now until Aug. 28. Once again, Dogfish Head beer will be available for purchase each week, along with Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream. (P.S.: You can bring your fur babies the last Wednesday of every month.)
Garden Party
6/6 • New Castle
Bring on the summer season with a green-thumb bash in the Dutch House gardens, hosted by the New Castle Historical Society.
Jasper Crane Rose Garden Party
6/6 • Wilmington
Party at one of the prettiest spots in Wilmington—the Jasper Crane Rose Garden. This summer sensation boasts hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, live music, a silent auction and horse-drawn carriage rides. Have kids? No worries: This all-ages event includes face-painting and kid-friendly activities. Raise a glass from 5 to 8 p.m. and help the parks—all proceeds benefit Delaware State Parks programs.
Separation Day
6/7-6/8 • New Castle
Celebrate the independence of the little colony that could (that’s us) from Great Britain with a parade, vendors, rides, food, a concert and fireworks. That’s 244 years of independence—take that, Beyoncé.
UD Alumni Weekend
6/7-6/9 • Newark
Birds of a feather flock together, especially at Alumni Weekend. Talk about a Delebration.
Stuart Little
6/7-6/16 • Wilmington
This musical version of E.B. White’s classic tale about a little mouse born into a normal New York family further enhances the charming story of a determined underdog trying to survive in a “real people’s world.” Follow Stuart’s adventures, little and big, at the Wilmington Drama League.
Ekaterina Popova
6/7-6/28 • Wilmington
Russian-born artist Ekaterina Popova has enjoyed international exposure for her paintings. Her show at the Mezzanine Gallery in Wilmington, “Shelter,” focuses on interior spaces; chiefly, her own. She paints and reinterprets her bedroom—as well as others’ interiors—as an exploration of the emotional association she gives each space.
Full Circle
6/7-6/29 • Greenville
The Station Gallery celebrates its 40th year in business with an exhibit honoring Mitch Lyons, the first artist to show at the gallery back in 1979. Lyons built ceramic vessels and pulled clay monoprints, using his original technique on a clay slab he used for more than 40 years. A portion of the sales from this show will be donated to the Mitch Lyons Kiln Fund.
Trash Talk: History in Assemblage
6/7-11/10 • Wilmington
“Trash Talk: History in Assemblage” explores the ephemeral and oftentimes overlooked stuff we give significance to and collect. Working in the modern mode of assemblage inspired by 20th-century artists such as John Chamberlain, Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, Baltimore artist Jim Condron follows the tradition of using found and unconventional materials.
Week of June 8-14
Beebe Beach Bash
6/8 • Lewes
A premier summer event you don’t want to miss—even if it means you’re just there for the spectacular style-watching. The Funsters play while you rock to the motion of the ocean—you will be partying on the docked MV Delaware, after all. Be there when Beebe takes over the grounds of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal. Gangplank down at 6 p.m. for VIP boarding; general boarding at 7:30.
Fairy Tale Sunday: Under the Sea
6/9 • Wilmington
What Sunday Funday is complete without a visit from the Chesapeake Mermaid? She splashes into the Delaware Museum of Natural History for a meet-and-greet and storybook hour. This ain’t just for mer-people, either. Come dressed as your favorite storybook character and find your tribe. Pop in right after lunch—the event runs from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
St. Anthony’s Italian Festival
6/9-6/16 • Wilmington
There’s only one true harbinger of summertime in Wilmington, and you know what it is—capisce? Complement your saganaki from the Greek fest with a panzerotti from the St. Anthony’s Italian Festival, and you’ve got yourself an international buffet. Celebrate the old country with a week of rides, games, authentic Italian food and festivities—and, let’s be honest, people-watching.
Ron Funches
6/13 • Wilmington
Spend the evening with Ron Funches—stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He’s lent his voice to projects like “Trolls,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “Adventure Time.” You also might have seen him on “The Goldbergs,” “Black•ish,” “New Girl” or “Transparent.” Now he’s taking his Comedy Central show on the road with a pit stop at The Baby Grand.
Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra
6/14 • Selbyville
The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, with special guest-starring roles from OperaDelaware, presents “Starry Night Opera.” We can think of worse things to do on a sultry Saturday evening under the stars. Bring your own chair for this 7 p.m. twilight treat at The Freeman Stage.
A Night at Nemours
6/14 • Wilmington
A magnificent gala at Nemours Estate to benefit programs at Alfred I. duPont Hospital? Sounds like a picture-perfect summer evening to us. Get those gowns and tuxes ready—the event is black-tie.
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The Choir School of Delaware is Celebrating 135 years.//photo by Moonloop Photography |
We Are the Music Makers
6/14 • Wilmington​
One of Wilmington’s best-kept secrets is turning 135 years old. The Choir School of Delaware—an after-school program that focuses on professional musical training, leadership and language skills, academic support and college-bound mentoring for Wilmington’s youth—will celebrate during the month of June with its annual gala and concert on Friday, June 14, at DuPont Country Club. Enjoy classic and contemporary choral works from composers Randall Thompson and Ralph Vaughan Williams and a newly commissioned work by Tim Brent titled “We Are the Music Makers.”
—Danielle Bouchat-Friedman
Hagley Fireworks
6/14, 6/21 • Wilmington
You don’t have to wait until Independence Day to get your fireworks fix. Located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine, this historic site is the perfect spot for a blanket and snacks and to let the pyrotechnics blow your mind. If you’ve ever thought about joining Hagley as a member, now would be the time—this is a members-only event. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks show begins at dusk. This event is weather dependent so be sure to check Hagley’s website for postponement announcements.
Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games
6/14-6/15 • Newark
Athletes and unified partners compete in aquatics, bocce, power lifting, softball, tennis and track and field over two exciting days at UD.
Members’ Fine Craft Art Exhibition
6/14-7/21 • Rehoboth
This exhibition showcases a wide variety of imaginative fine crafts that are unique, whimsical and functional, including baskets, ceramics, fiber, glass, handmade paper, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media and wood. Get artsy at the beach with the Rehoboth Art League.
Week of June 15-21
June Jam
6/15 • Houston
Shoot to Thrill, Kategory 5, BarCode, Pistol Whipped, The Jim Cochran Band and more descend on the G&R Campground in Houston for this overnight camping-slash-concert extravaganza that has been rockin’ since 1979.
SoDel Cares 5K
6/15 • Rehoboth
Looking for a new race at the beach? Check out this inaugural event, which starts and ends at SoDel Concepts’ Bluecoast in Rehoboth and takes a loop through Rehoboth Beach Country Club Estates. Post-run, there’s a party on the Bluecoast patio, with build-your-own breakfast burritos and brews for the 21-plus crowd. Get this one in early—it’s a 7:30 a.m. lace-up.
Lewes Garden Tour
6/15 • Lewes
Ever wish you could sneak just a little peek into the magnificent beach house gardens of Lewes? Well, this one’s for you. Nine private gardens are on your shuttled tour, which makes for a heckuva game of I Spy.
Family Fun Night
6/18 • Wilmington
What beats dollar dog night at the ballpark? Dollar dog night at the zoo, you silly monkey! Come dance and play and catch up with your favorite animal pals at the Brandywine Zoo. This DJ dance party—courtesy of 93.7 WSTW—kicks off at 6.
Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
6/19-6/22 • Wilmington
Did someone say free jazz? If you haven’t yet been to the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in Rodney Square, which has been deemed the largest free jazz festival on the East Coast, then what are you waiting for? The festival honors a brilliant trumpet player, unforgettable composer and dynamic entertainer. Come celebrate, laugh, dance, sing, eat and love in Wilmington. Performances start at 6 p.m. on weekdays and noon on Saturday.
Reid Belstock
6/20 • Selbyville
Did you know there was a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College? Neither did we, but we found one hysterical, coordinated and goofy alum—Reid Belstock. A juggler since 15, he honed his craft on a global tour that included more than 2,000 stops. Did we mention he perfected his craft at Disney too? You won’t want to miss this guy do his thing when he makes a summer pit stop at the beach. Bring your own chair to The Freeman Stage in Selbyville. Catch him at 10 a.m., or 7 p.m.
Serafin Summer Music Festival
6/20-6/30 • Wilmington
The 10-day festival features a multitude of sweet summer sounds 18 accomplished artists entertain at The Music School of Delaware, Wilmington Branch. Concerts include “Russian Romp,” “French Foray,” “Finale Fireworks” and “Out of Bavaria.”
Blue-Gold All*Star Football Game
6/21 • Newark
Top local high school athletes, cheerleaders and bands participate to raise money and awareness for the Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities.
Twilight on the Terrace
6/21 • Hockessin
This summer, the third Friday of each month is tailor-made for a twinkling twilight evening. Mt. Cuba Center hosts a special summer soiree for you and your crew (or just for you, if you need a wine-down) that features casual lawn games, live jams and adult beverages. And here’s the best part—getting lost in the gardens at dusk is encouraged. Ditch last summer’s happy hour and be here instead.
Firefly Music Festival
6/21–6/23 • Dover
If you’re heading to the beach this weekend, may we suggest you get a head start before the Firefly frenzy takes over Del. 1? This year’s artists responsible for creating a statewide tizzy include Panic! At The Disco, Death Cab for Cutie, Passion Pit, Young the Giant, Post Malone, Vampire Weekend, Lykke Li, AJR and Tyler, The Creator and more. (Psst: Make sure you hit the smaller stages. The talent pool is intense.)
Week of June 22-28
Fairy House Workshop
6/22 • Chadds Ford, Pa.
Celebrate the beginning of summer and the sheer magic of the natural environment by making a fanciful fairy house for your garden at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. If you build it, the fairies will come. Open to all ages.
Family Fun Day
6/22 • Wilmington
Celebrate the great outdoors at the Delaware Museum of Natural History.. The museum and local partners throw a party on the front lawn, with hands-on activities focusing on outdoor fun in nature. Live animals, trail hikes, science crafts and activities will be a part of the celebration. The special summer exhibit “Wicked Plants” will also be open for exploration. Make a day of it with the family—see you at 9:30 a.m.
Positively Dover
6/22 • Dover
This fan-favorite festival offers African-American cultural and artistic experiences, and features food, music, dancing, vendors and shopping on Legislative Mall.
Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
6/22-6/23 • Lewes
Sea glass treasure hunters, rejoice! The Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival features nearly 70 sea glass artists joined by other coastal artists, including decoy carvers and waterfowl artists. Peruse the work of artists from up and down the East Coast, and as far away as the Virgin Islands. There’ll also be live music and delicious seaside fare. If you’re in the mood for some “Antiques Roadshow” vibes, bring your own glass shards and bottles you’ve collected—specialists will be on-site to help identify the history of your shiny treasures. Hit the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal at 9 a.m.; hit the beach after.
Wicked Plants: The Exhibit
6/22-9/2 • Wilmington
Inspired by author Amy Stewart’s best-selling book “Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities,” this fun-filled, family-friendly traveling exhibit gives visitors a safe, hands-on experience with some of the world’s most diabolical botanicals. Two- and three-dimensional interactives fill a Victorian-era ramshackle home, where visitors travel from room to room and learn about various poisonous plants that may be lurking in their homes and backyards—Audrey II, is that you? History, medicine, science, legend and lore are brought together to present a treasure trove of bloodcurdling botany.
Relational Undercurrents: Contemporary Art of the Caribbean Archipelago
6/22-9/8 • Wilmington
​This mixed-media show presents 21st-century art by artists with roots in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Curaçao, Aruba, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados and St. Vincent. You’ll find contemporary painting, installation art, sculpture, photography, video and performance by more than 60 artists from the islands of the Caribbean.
N.C. Wyeth: New Perspectives
6/22-9/15 • Chadds Ford, Pa.
Well known during the 20th century for bold, imaginative work that brought new characterizations to classic stories like “Treasure Island” and “The Boy’s King Arthur”, “N.C. Wyeth pursued parallel interests in painting landscapes, seascapes, portraits, still lifes, murals and advertising images throughout his career. “N.C. Wyeth: New Perspectives” will be the first exhibition to examine in depth the entirety of Wyeth’s oeuvre, repositioning him within the greater context of early 20th-century American visual culture. See it at the N.C. Wyeth epicenter: the Brandywine River Museum of Art.
Walk to End Lupus Now
6/23 • Wilmington
Get your crew together and meet at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park for a walk to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Philadelphia Tri-State Chapter.
Mamma Mia!
6/25-9/31 • Rehoboth
The addictive, sun-splashed romp of identity crisis through the Greek Isles is the pitch-perfect summer theater experience. Catch this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship at Clear Space Theatre Company.
June 29-30
Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Festival
6/29-6/30 • Wilmington
If the words “ice cream” and “festival” aren’t tempting enough then we don’t know what is. But it’s not just all ice cream and, well, ice cream. There’s also live music, children’s activities and plenty of food vendors, making this one of the most outrageous (and biggest) family picnics you’ll get to this summer. Bring your blanket and stay for a while, friend—this is summertime in Delaware. Rockwood Park & Museum hosts the fun from noon to 7 p.m.; the rain date is June 30.
Ending this month
Lend Me a Tenor
Thru. 6/23 • Ardentown
Panic arises when legendary opera sensation Tito Merelli, “Il Stupendo,” accidentally takes a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out before opening curtain. But the show must go on, so the general manager forces his hapless assistant, Max, an aspiring singer, into Tito’s costume. Mayhem ensues as Max assumes the role while trying to avoid an ambitious female co-star, the amorous opera guild chair, and even his own girlfriend. Winner of two Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards and the Olivier Award for Best Comedy of the Year, “Lend Me a Tenor” hits The Candlelight Theatre.
The Four Seasons in the Garden
Thru. 6/28 • Newark
Get seasonal at the Newark Arts Alliance with this group show featuring all media.
Throughout the month
Spirit Revealed: New Works by Aaron Paskins
Thru. 7/21 • Dover
Aaron Paskins may be a Dover sculptor, but he’s been making some national noise with his African figures and imagery, which utilize unexpected materials to craft complex pieces that speak to the rich narrative of indigenous tribes with a touch of the fantastical. Celebrate his first solo exhibition at the Biggs Museum of American Art.
Costuming the Crown
Thru. 1/5/20 • Wilmington
There is nowhere else on the planet (literally!) except Wilmington where you can check out 40 iconic costumes worn by the actors and actresses of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series, “The Crown.” Coronation gowns and travel jackets and ball gowns, oh my. While they sound like the crown jewels, check out the little sparkly things in between the jaw-dropping clothes, like the show’s props, costume designer sketches and real-life snippets of royal life. We’ve been there—you could spend a day being dazzled by the wedding gowns alone.
Follies: Architectural Whimsy in the Garden
Thru. 1/5/20 • Wilmington
Step into the imaginative and entertaining world of garden follies at Winterthur. Explore a fantastic display of contemporary and historic architectural features—from a Gothic-inspired tower to American summerhouses to a faerie cottage and more—all set within the majestic beauty of Henry Francis du Pont’s 60-acre garden. This irresistible garden exhibition, featuring 13 vignettes, offers a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience with a twist of fun.
