Festival season is just getting started in Delaware, and will soon be in full swing.

This whirlwind of events will hit every part of the state, and aims to hit every interest.

Here’s a preview of notable fests that will awake from hibernation this spring and summer.

Wilmington Street Food Festival 2025, Wilmington

A snack attack will be served up at the Wilmington Street Food Festival. Guests will experience over two dozen of the area’s top food trucks and restaurants. Menu items will cost $5 or less so guests can sample from plenty of vendors, per the festival’s Eventbrite page. The event also will feature live entertainment, axe throwing, kids’ fun zone and much more.  

Tubman Garret Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington) from 2 to 8 p.m. May 17. General admission starts at $7.99 (plus $2.89 fee). Visit facebook.com/WilmingtonStreetFoodFestival or call (888) 827-8340. 

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A Day In Old New Castle, New Castle  

The community will ring in the 100th anniversary of the event “A Day In Old New Castle,” which will include a new feature: a 1920s Swinging Soiree. That means folks will party in Great Gatsby fashion at Zollie’s Shaw Alley from 7 to 10 p.m. Revelers will enjoy cuisine and dance to jazz, plus drink beverages from the 1920s. Tickets are $65. Proceeds will benefit A Day In Old New Castle, New Castle Community Partnership and many nonprofit partners, according to the event’s website.  

There will be free events and activities that include children’s activities, crafts, Steam Cars from the Marshall Steam Car Museum, antique cars (1900-1940) from the Brandywine Antique Car Club, and more. 

Additionally, A Day In Old New Castle will offer ticketed activities like a dock tour on the Kalmar Nyckel and tours of historic houses, gardens, museums and churches. Guests will receive $1 off for dressing in Colonial or Victorian-era attire.  

The event will be held near 400 Delaware St., New Castle, on May 17. Day of tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for children aged 5+; free for kids under age 5. Swinging Soiree is $65 per person. Visit historicnewcastle.com. 

Poseidon Festival 2025, Bethany Beach  

The 10th anniversary of the Poseidon Festival is a four-day affair with pirates, mermaids, live music, a costume contest and more fun. Some of the highlights include a performance from the Caiso Steeldrum Band (May 23), sword demonstrations from Captain Jack (May 24 and 25), costume parade and contest where you can dressed as a pirate, mermaid or your favorite maritime creature (May 24), a summer luau show (May 24), United States Navy Band concert (May 25) and Memorial Day service (May 26). 

The Poseidon Festival is held in downtown Bethany Beach (near Bethany Bandstand) from May 23 to 26. Visit townofbethanybeach.com/497/Poseidon-Festival or call (302) 539-8011.  

Buccaneer Bash 2025, Bowers Beach  

Fearless swashbucklers will sail to Bowers Beach for a peaceful adventure at the annual Buccaneer Bash. This free two-day festival is known to take seafarers back to the 18th century to experience pirate life through demonstrations, music, petting zoo, food, craft and modern vendors, and activities in downtown Bowers Beach.  

Buccaneer Bash is held in downtown Bowers Beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 and 25. Free event. Visit Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash on Facebook or call (302) 222-6341.  

Ladybug Music Festival 2025, Wilmington 

Over 30 acts will play the Ladybug Music Festival including headliner Margaret Glaspy. The singer-songwriter has drawn attraction from The New York Times and Rolling Stone, NPR and others. 

The Ladybug Festival has been branded as the country’s largest free celebration of women in music. The festival, which started in 2012, has built a unique reputation for featuring 100% female-fronted acts. 

Ladybug Festival is held in downtown Wilmington from 5 to 10 p.m. May 30. Free event. Visit theladybugfestival.com. 

Black Music Festival 2025, Houston

This festival returns for a second year in honor of Black Music Month. The headliner is We Are One X-Perience Band, paying tribute to the legendary Frankie Beverly featuring Maze. Guests can bring their own beer, food, coolers, chairs and tents (10 feet by 10 feet) to the Black Music Festival for a good time.

G & R Campground (4075 Gun and Rod Club Road, Houston) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 7. Tickets for general admission are $50. Visit wilmingtonsgents.com, gandrcampground.com/event-calendar or call (302) 743-3417.

Delaware Pride Festival 2025, Dover 

Dover will be dipped in rainbow hues for the return of the Delaware Pride Festival. This longstanding festival is the biggest Pride celebration in the state.  The event will include drag performers Maddelyn Hatter, Louisiana Purchase and Scarlet Masters. There will be food vendors, beer garden, performers and more. There also will be community organizations sharing resources and support, reinforcing the message of inclusivity.  

Near The Green (Federal Street, Dover) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/DelawarePrideInc delawarepride.org or call (302) 753-2162. 

Dover Con 2025, Dover

Don’t be surprised if you see more Dr. Doom and Fantastic 4 cosplayers this time around at Dover Con. Formerly Dover Comic Con, the free event is family-friendly and great for folks who are new to cosplay and/or want to get a taste of what a comic convention is all about. (The con is also perfect for folks who love to people watch.) 

Lots of vendors and artisans sell wares and items at the convention. There usually are cool vehicles on display like replicas of the Batmobile, “Jurassic Park” Jeep or the Pikabug from “Pokémon.”

Dover Public Library (35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14. Free event. Visit delmarvaevents.net.   

St. Anthony’s Italian Festival 2025, Wilmington   

This year the St. Anthony’s Italian Festival celebrates 51 years of bringing Mediterranean cuisine to the First State. The eight-day festival, branded as one of the largest Italian celebrations in the country, dishes up a variety of authentic and tasty food.   

The event is the primary fundraiser for St. Anthony of Padua Grade School in Wilmington.   

St. Anthony’s Italian Festival (901 N. Dupont St., Wilmington) from 4 to 10:30 p.m. June 8; 6 to 10:30 p.m. from June 9 to 13; 4 to 10:30 p.m. June 14; 2 to 6 p.m. June 15. For tickets or more info, visit sapde.org or call (302) 421-3700.

Clifford Brown Jazz Festival 2025, Wilmington

The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, a hallmark summer event, turns 38. The four-day festival hasn’t announced its full lineup yet, but we do know that ’90s R&B star Chantė Moore and The Wooten Brothers will grace the stage.  

This festival has grown into the largest free jazz festival on the East Coast, according to the festival’s website. The main stage of this year’s festival opens on June 18 with a star-studded roster of performances through June 21. Each night after the main stage concerts, Late Night Jam Sessions will be hosted at local establishments throughout downtown Wilmington. 

The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is held on Rodney Square (1000 N. Market St., Wilmington) June 18 to 21. For more info, visit cliffordbrownjazzfest.org.

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June Jam 2025, Houston   

The 47th annual festival is back with a lineup of rocking bands that include Chesapeake Sons, who fans are pumped to see.

June Jam claims to be the longest-running music festival in the nation (since even the pandemic couldn’t stop them). Over the years, proceeds from June Jam have benefited all sorts of causes, from helping people struggling with medical bills to supporting Toys for Tots.

G&R Campground (4075 Gun and Rod Club Road, Houston) and gates open at 10 a.m. June 21. For tickets or more info, visit junejam.com. 

Smyrna at Night 2025, Smyrna

Headlining this year’s Smyrna at Night is the mystical band Magic!, a Canadian band living in Los Angeles that delivers pop, reggae and alternative vibes.

Smyrna at Night is branded as Kent County’s largest free outdoor concert. This year’s event will be spread across three stages with 18 bands. Other notable acts include local favorite Jovon Newman, Spokey Speaky, Mike Hines & The Look, and Shwayze. There also will be food trucks, wine and beer vendors, downtown shops and vendors and kid-friendly activities.

Smyrna at Night will be held downtown from noon to 9:30 p.m. June 14. Free event. For more info, visit facebook.com/smyrnaatnight. 

Juneteenth Freedom Parade and Festival 2025, Wilmington 

The Juneteenth Freedom Parade and Festival in Wilmington is back to honor the emancipation of African Americans. 

The event is on June 14 and starts with a parade at 11 a.m. from Rodney Square (1000 N. Market St., Wilmington) down to the festival that offers music, food, fun and more at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington). Visit Delawarejuneteenth.org or (302) 314-5863.  

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Running of the Bull 2025, Dewey Beach 

The epic Running of the Bull even is back on deck in Dewey Beach. The Starboard’s annual event is charged up for a whimsical fiesta where participants are chased up the highway and onto Dewey Beach by a costumed bull. But this bull is special because it is powered by four human legs.  

The Starboard (2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach) on June 28. Visit thestarboard.com or (302) 227-4600.  

Ice Cream Festival 2025, near Wilmington 

It’s hard not to have a sweet time during the Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood Park & Museum. The event serves up ice cream, food trucks, entertainment, museum tours, over 40 marketplace vendors, carnival games, beer and wine garden, and more fun. Parking and shuttle are available at Rockwood Office Park (501 Carr Road, near Wilmington).  

Rockwood Park & Museum (4651 Washington St. Extension, near Wilmington) from 1 to 9 p.m. June 28. Visit newcastlede.gov or (302) 395-5555. 

Delaware State Fair 2025, Harrington 

Where else can you eat fried Oreos, watch pigs race and catch a comedy show by the juggernaut Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias? There’s nothing like the Delaware State Fair and its 10 days of entertainment.

If comedy and concerts are your thing, this year’s lineup on the M&T Bank Grandstand features headliners Riley Green (July 19), Fluffy (July 20), Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms & Spin Doctors (July 21), CeCe Winans (July 22), Gavin Adcock (July 23) Russell Dickerson with Niko Moon (July 24), T.I. (July 25) and Big & Rich (July 26).  

Aside from concerts, two other mainstage events are Harness racing Harness Racing (July 17) and the Demolition Derby (July 18).

The fair is also known for oodles of amusement rides, games, animals, vendors and other attractions. Not to mention, it usually has weird food like deep-fried Oreos and fried gator.  

Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington) July 17 to 26. General admission tickets are up to $10 in person or $10.50 (online). Concerts on the Grandstand are extra, and prices vary. Visit delawarestatefair.com or call (302) 398-3269.  

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Middletown Old-Tyme Peach Festival 2025, Middletown

Middletown has a fuzzy memory that it can blame on its Old-Tyme Peach Festival. The 32nd annual festival offers more low-hanging fruit in downtown to give folks a juicy time with a parade, food, pie-eating contest, historical exhibits, music, games, lots of peaches and more.

The festival begins with the parade at 8:45 a.m. on Broad Street.

The festival will be held downtown Middletown near Broad Street from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Visit middletownpeachfestival.com or call (302) 378-7466.         

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.