Scoot out and relish in some of North Delaware’s most favorite and infamous, world-class, all-star LOCAL spring festivals – most are rain or shine. This happening list is jammed packed and conveniently presented for you in chronological order. Horses, flowers, cars, beer, running, cycling, food, wine, rides, racing, parades, history and music *whew*. MAY you find something here to intrigue your senses. If you don’t, you better run for the hills (no exaggeration there, #justsaying). Mark your calendars and book mark this page on every device. You are in for a WILD ride through New Castle County and slightly beyond this spring! Happy Spring!
Grapes & Grains Wine & Beer Festival
Saturday, May 2nd
Join Middletown for the 1st Grapes & Grains Wine & Beer Festival in Historic Middletown, Delaware. This event highlights local wine, craft beer, spirits and food. Hosted by Middletown Main Street, Inc. For more info, visit Grapes & Grains Wine & Beer Festival
WILMUSIC Fest
Saturday, May 2nd
WILMUSIC Fest is more than just a music festival. This free event features local, emerging artists, food trucks, and vendors—making WILMUSIC Fest the place to be for Delaware-grown entertainment. For more info, visit WILMUSIC Fest
37th Annual Point-to-Point
Sunday, May 3rd
Bask in the pageantry and spectacle of the 37th annual. A festive day of horse racing, family activities, and elegant tailgating. Enjoy all your favorite family fun, including the pony rides, stick horse races, Winterthur Hunt, face painting, and canine-friendly actvities for your dog! For more information, visit 37th Annual Point-to-Point
Wilmington Flower Market
Thursday thru Saturday, May 7-9th
The Wilmington Flower Market benefiting Wilmington’s Children since 1921. This 3 day family-fun event offers a fantastic variety of plants, market merchants, crafters, rides, games, concerts, entertainment, and an incredible selection of FOOD. Great ideas for Mother’s Day Gifts or heck, take Mom to the Market and relish in the festivities together! A FREE admission, rain or shine, event. For more info, visit Wilmington Flower Market
Beers ‘n Gears Festival
Saturday, May 9th
Beers ‘n Gears Car Show and Beer Festival. FREE Event for spectators! Come see Hot Rods, Muscles, Classics, Trucks, Exotics and more. There will be DJ Music and a whole lot of fun for everyone. Cruise through 30 different brewers each showcasing two beers for tasting. For more info, visit Beers ‘n Gears Festival
12th Annual Delaware Marathon™ Running Festival
Sunday, May 10th
The 12th Annual Delaware Marathon Running Festival is Delaware’s largest, oldest, biggest, and best running festival. It’s the biggest field ever, with 3500 participants. For more information, visit 12th Annual Delaware Marathon™ Running Festival
Mid-Atlantic Wine + Food Festival
Wednesday thru Sunday, May 13th – 17th
5 days, 35 events. 4 days of international, national, regional and local food and wine excellence with 60+ chefs and 23+ winemakers from around the world – all creating one unforgettable long weekend. The MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival® celebrates excellence in food, wine and spirits. Join international chefs and winemakers in addition to acclaimed regional chefs at 35 events in and around the Brandywine Valley and coastal Delaware. A rain or shine event. For more info, visit Mid-Atlantic Wine & Food Festival
Wilmington Grand Prix Weekend | Cycling Event & Street Festival
Friday thru Sunday, May 15-17th
Ever see 100 bikes sprint through a downtown at 35 mph? Pro racers from 19 states will be on hand for this 3 day nationally ranked event featuring elite national and international men’s and women’s races and the Gran Prix, a 35-mile course through 13 cultural attractions in beautiful New Castle County. A course made famous during the Tour DuPont. Wilmington Grand Prix is an international cycling event that includes a FREE street festival, a parade, a recreational ride through a dozen world-class cultural attractions, sidewalk and course cafes, and a variety of free family rides and attractions. For more information, visit Grand Prix Weekend | Cycling Event & Street Festival
A Day in Old New Castle Festival
Saturday, May 16th
America’s oldest house and garden tour returns – Visit The Amstel House, Dutch House and Old Library Museums. 18 homes, 25 gardens, Civil War re-enactors, demos, music, carriage rides, childrens activities and more! Step back in time – Each year for the past 90+ years, tourists from across the region have enjoyed the chance to step back in time to the historic era when New Castle served as the capital of the fledgling colony of Delaware. A rain or shine event. For info, visit A Day in Old New Castle
Newark Memorial Day Celebration & Parade
Sunday, May 17th
Grab the family and march onward to Newark for a very special day in May! The Memorial Day celebration and parade honoring hose that have lost their lives in service to our country with marching units representing all branches of the service, veteran’s organizations, schools and community organizations parading down Main Street displaying the pride of our nation. For more info, visit Newark Memorial Day Celebration & Parade
Nascar is Back in Dover & Fan Fest
Friday thur Sunday, May 29th – 31st
Fans from all over the East Coast will head this weekend to the home of the Monster Mile. Race weekend in Delaware isn’t just about racing…it’s about community and a collection of the best sports fans in the world coming together for a weekend-long party in the capital of the First State. Throughout the weekend, fans will find no shortage of fun off the track and with a full docket of driver appearances and autograph sessions, free concerts, monster fun fan zone, and more, you’ll never be bored when NASCAR comes to Dover! For more info, visit Nascar is Back in Dover
Greek Festival Wilmington
Tuesday thru Saturday, June 2nd – 6th
OPA! Enjoy the LOCAL tastes of Greece with authentic homemade delicacies at the 40th annual Wilmington Greek Festival. For 5 days, the parishioners of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church take you on a trip to the Old Country where you can close your eyes and imagine yourself in a Greek village where locals are celebrating an annual event. There will be plenty of “Kefi”, presence of joy and high spirits for you, your family, friends and co-workers to enjoy while attending our annual Greek Festival. A FREE admission rain or shine event. For more info, visit Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
St. Anthony’s Italian Festival
Sunday thru Sunday, June 7th -14th
In the heart of Wilmington’s Little Italy, this week-long family festival is one of the largest around. Featuring home-made pastas and fabulous desserts in addition to amazing entertainment from mid-way attractions, carnival rides and games to traditional Italian dance bands and more. Families and singles alike delight in this city tradition. Come experience Italy in Wilmington’s “Little Italy”. In 2015 the festival will focus on the Abruzzo region. Many Italian-Americans in the St. Anthony’s community, and the Delaware region, trace their ancestry to Abruzzo. A rain or shine event. For more info, visit St. Anthony’s Italian Festival
DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
Saturday thru Saturday, June 13th – 20th
DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is the largest, multi-day, free, outdoor music festival on the East Coast. Taking place in downtown Wilmington. This festival has been the festival to hear artists perform some of Clifford’s work. Past festival patrons have heard Artists like Chic Corea, Jerry Gonzalez, Pete Escovedo and his orchestra, KEM, Jonathan Butler, Lalath Hathaway, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, and Norman Brown have all performed here. A FREE admission rain or shine event. For more information, visit DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
FireFly Music Festival
Thursday thru Sunday, June 18th – 21st
4 days, 4 years, 110+ performers, 7 stages. Along with headliners Kings of Leon and The Killers, and Paul McCartney! The 2015 lineup also features Morrissey, Snoop Dogg, Foster the People, Bastille, Modest Mouse, Zedd, Hozier, Empire of the Sun, Kid Cudi and nearly 100 additional acts performing across 7 stages. Don’t wait too long to purchase tickets. For more info, visit FireFly Music Festival
ENJOY YOUR SPRING FESTIVALS!
Hi ladies, just wanted to mention our festival. One of DE best kept secrets, The Bellefonte Atrs Festival. It is May 16th 9am – 5pm. 2Blks are closed off to traffic, & the street is filled with vendors. There are Art & Merchandise Vendors. Live Music stage, playing all day. And Food Vendors. It’s a great fun, festive day on Brandywine Blvd. Also the weekend after FireFly, their will be Big Barrell…a Country Music Festival. There are many different genres of country music. Altern. Country, Pop Country, Singer/Songwriter & Blue Grass to name a few. This is the first time Big Barrell will be held, but it is fashioned after StageCoach in Indio, CA. The folks that run Coachella & StageCoach have become partners, & will be having to fabulous festivals. Great for the whole family.
JOanna – Thanks for sharing!!! – You can add to the event calendar DIY 24/7 for pick up in our guides http://northdelawhere.happeningmag.com/calendar
Joanna from Eclectica, how can I be a vendor at this event? I am an Independent Consultant with Lilla Rose.
Cathy – Visit our Sponsor page for package details here http://northdelawhere.happeningmag.com/media-kit/sponsor-north-delaware-happeninglist-blue-carpet-bash, order and/or complete the contact form and someone from our team will connect with you.
Don’t forget we have a fabulous lineup of Art,Music, and 6 Food Trucks at Bellefonte Arts Festival ,Our 7 th Year! May 16th 9 am to 5 pm!Park at Bellevue Community Center and walk or grab the Shuttle!The first Bellefonte Farmers Market will be open for business at the Center on May 16th! On Facebook!
Thanks Brenda for sharing. You can add to our event calendar DIY 24/7 here and we will pick up in the Festival Guide http://northdelawhere.happeningmag.com/calendar