Delaware

Memorial Day weekend 2025 means cool Delaware festivals, concerts & fun

Published

6 months ago

May 19, 2025

Press Room

Memorial Day weekend 2025 means cool Delaware festivals, concerts & fun

Delaware offers a variety of Memorial Day weekend events, including festivals, concerts, and historical demonstrations.
The Poseidon Festival in Bethany Beach features pirates, mermaids, live music, and a costume contest.
Constitution Yards Beer Garden in Wilmington hosts live music performances throughout the weekend.
Other events include the Amish Outlaws concert, a Taiwanese dance performance, and the Buccaneer Bash.

Memorial Day is fun almost here, and the fashion police are already salty – because they’ll have to wait months before they can ticket Delawareans for rocking white after Labor Day.

As a heads up, make sure your pedicure game is strong this summer, since questionable toes in flip-flops or open-toe shoes? That could land you an indecent exposure charge.

As you rummage through your closet for the perfect Memorial Day outfit, here are some can’t-miss entertainment events in the First State where you show off your style over the holiday weekend.

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.

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.

Constitution Yards Beer Garden concerts, Wilmington

The New Constitution Yards Beer Garden is set to bring back live music over the holiday weekend starting May 23 with a concert featuring the Side Hustle. The other concerts include Bad Hombres (May 24) and Nicholas Ray (May 26). All three shows will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. With a new Wilmington location in a larger vacant lot at 308 Justison St., the upgraded Constitution Yards now has a beer garden that’s grown 20% to 25%, and about 35% of the lot will be a field for wiffleball, kickball and more, according to an April report from News Journal reporter Ryan Cormier.

Memorial Day weekend concerts will be held at Constitution Yards Beer Garden (308 Justison St., Wilmington) from 7 to 10 p.m. May 23, 24 and 26. Visit constitutionyards.com or call (302) 407-5192.

Amish Outlaws on the loose in concert, Millsboro

It’s an understatement to say that Delaware likes The Amish Outlaws. The band’s fans adore these Amish rebels, especially when they play Paradise Grill. For newcomers, the Outlaws are a cover band that wears Amish outfits. Some of the members grew up Amish before deciding to leave their community to join the secular world and play instruments. From rap to rock, these men cover it all.

Paradise Grill (27344 Bay Road, Millsboro) at 8 p.m. May 23. Visit amishoutlaws.com or call (302) 945-4500.

‘Amazing Taiwan’ event dances to Wilmington

The National Taiwan University of Sport Dance Company will deliver a performance that shows off a new, professional dance production that merges Chinese and Western dance, music and theatrical artistry. “Amazing Taiwan” brings expressive storytelling to life through a series of attractive vignettes. This 82-minute production is presented by the Chinese American Community Center in Hockessin.

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m. May 23. Tickets are $47. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.

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.

Zerbini Family Circus comes to Smyrna

Long before social media took over, it was common to see spectacles. They were called the “circus” and often featured acrobatics, quirky animal acts and performances by clowns. This tradition lives on as the Zerbini Family Circus hauls their big tent to Smyrna for four performances across three days.

Smyrna Municipal Park (502 N. Main St. Smyrna) at 4 and 6 p.m. May 24; 3 p.m. May 25; and 1 p.m. May 26. Tickets start at $7. Visit zerbinifamilycircus.com.

Love Seed Mama Jump & more bands, Dewey Beach

One of the strangest band names on the planet belongs to the popular Delaware party rockers: Love Seed Mama Jump. The band is royalty in their hometown of Dewey Beach, and they’re set for a kingly performance in their neck of the woods on a Jam Session evening that includes The Gab Cinque Band, Triple Rail Turn, It’s All Good and DJ Knappy.

Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 5 p.m. May 24. For more info, visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.

Hagley Museum fires the cannon, Greenville

Have you seen a live cannon fired? Even if you have, you’re probably overdue. Hagley Museum is known for hosting cannon demonstrations, which is something the average person doesn’t witness every day. These firings run through December. Hagley was recognized for the second straight year as one of the 10 Best Open-Air Museums in the country. Hagley was nominated by an expert panel and voted by USA TODAY readers.

Hagley Museum (200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville) at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. May 24 to 26. Admission is $10-$20. Free for members, and ages 5 and younger. Visit hagley.org or call (302) 658-2400.

We May Be Right: Billy Joel Tribute, Rehoboth Beach

Life’s a beach and this Billy Joel Tribute is looking to make a splash when they perform in Rehoboth. We May Be Right recreates the music of the Piano Man, which amounts to a deep bag of timeless hits.

Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (1 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) at 8 p.m. May 24. Free show. Visit rehobothbandstand.com or call (302) 644-2288.

Mike Hines & The Look storm Rehoboth Beach

Delaware party band Mikes Hines & The Look bring super-sized energy to the stage. The Delaware Rock & Roll Society inductees offer a colorful mix of R&B, hip-hop, pop, old-school funk, Motown and disco to the stage.

Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (1 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) at 8 p.m. May 25. Free show. Visit rehobothbandstand.com or call (302) 644-2288.

Kalmar Nyckel sets sail across Christina River + free deck tour, Wilmington

The Tall Ship of Delaware wants to take you on a sweet ride for one hour and 30 minutes across the Christina River on May 24 (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) and May 25 (1 to 3 p.m.), followed by a free deck tour on May 26 (noon to 5 p.m.). As a heads up, guests interested in either sailing trip must arrive 30 minutes before the ship departs for a check-in, which is already built into the above sail times.

Kalmar Nyckel Foundation (1124 E. Seventh St., Wilmington) from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 24; 1 to 3 p.m. May 25; and noon to 5 p.m. May 26. Tickets for sails on May 24 and 25 are $25-$45 each. The deck tour on May 26 is free. To register and for more info, visit kalmarnyckel.org or call (302) 429-7447.

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.

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Delaware

Sen. Coons calls appointment of Delaware’s acting U.S. attorney ‘probably illegal’

Published

19 hours ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

Sen. Coons calls appointment of Delaware’s acting U.S. attorney ‘probably illegal’

What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Is Delaware’s “acting” U.S. attorney, a loyalist of President Donald Trump who chaired the state Republican Party immediately before her appointment, serving in the post illegally?

That’s a question now being asked about Julianne Murray as federal courts around the country have ruled that five other U.S. attorneys were unlawfully put in their posts on an “interim” or “acting” basis by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Bondi installed Murray as Delaware’s “interim” U.S. attorney in July. The 120-day limit for interim appointments ended this month, when Bondi changed Murray’s status as Delaware’s chief federal law enforcement officer to “acting.”

But U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that vets candidates for U.S. attorney posts, told WHYY News he thinks the steps Bondi took to keep Murray in the post are “probably illegal.”

The nation’s 93 U.S. attorneys are critical law enforcement administrators who guide prosecutions in their jurisdictions for a wide range of federal cases, including gang violence, narcotics trafficking, firearms crimes, kidnapping, bank fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.

Under the U.S. Constitution, federal law and longstanding practice, U.S. attorneys are nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Bondi, however, has chosen a nontraditional route with some appointments, only to have her end-around maneuvers declared unlawful in New Jersey, Virginia, Nevada, New Mexico and California.

The latest reversal came Monday. In a dramatic decision, a judge ruled that former Trump personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan — an insurance lawyer with no prosecutorial experience before Bondi made her interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September — was illegally installed. Bondi immediately pledged to appeal.

Perhaps more importantly, the judge’s order that Halligan’s appointment was unlawful also dismissed two high-profile cases — the criminal indictments against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump had publicly called for their prosecutions and Halligan, within days of taking the job, obtained grand jury indictments against them.

Meanwhile, the status of Alina Habba, another of Trump’s former personal attorneys who Bondi put in the New Jersey post this year, only to have her actions declared unlawful in August, is also in limbo. The case is now before the 3rd U.S. Circuit of Appeals, whose decisions govern New Jersey and Delaware.

From left, the appointments of Alina Habba of New Jersey and Lindsey Halligan of the Eastern District of Virginia have been ruled illegal. (Associated Press/The White House)

While no formal legal challenge has been brought against Murray’s appointment, the details surrounding her installation have similarities to the others that have been contested and ruled invalid.

Murray and the others have not been nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate.

And like Habba in New Jersey, the judges in the U.S. District Court for Delaware decided not to reappoint Murray to the post after her initial 120-day “interim” status ended Nov. 11.

Federal law says that after 120 days, a district’s judges may put someone in the post until the vacancy is formally filled.

In New Jersey, the judges named Habba’s top assistant to the post, but Bondi promptly fired her. Then, Bondi took several legal steps to make Habba the “acting” U.S. Attorney, using another federal law that lets someone fill a post for 210 days.

Even though a judge ruled Habba’s appointment unlawful in August, she remains in the post while the Trump administration appeals.

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Delaware

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Mayor John Carney vowed to address homelessness in his first year in office. He is proposing allowing unhoused people to camp in one of the city’s parks. But all other encampments would be banned.

“As we attempt to provide support for the unhoused here in Wilmington, we have a responsibility on how, on behalf of the residents of neighborhoods, to ensure that Wilmington operates in an orderly and lawful way,” he said in October.

Raquel Cruz said she doesn’t think the mayor’s plan goes far enough.

“The mayor needs to do much, much more than just shuffle the unhoused around rather than try to pursue better outcomes for them,” she said.

Raquel Cruz and Noel Camacho joined the rally at Wilmington City Hall to advocate for more services for the homeless. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

Housing advocates argue a ban on sleeping outside criminalizes homelessness. They said Wilmington needs more shelter beds and affordable housing.

Carney said city officials would provide restroom facilities and clean water for Christina Park residents and will explore adding a shower facility there. On-site security is also part of the plan.

The city is also working with the Wilmington Housing Authority and the Ministry of Caring to open a dining hall for the homeless at the WHA site a block away from Christina Park.

People marching on the sidewalk and holding up signs — Marchers walk to the Wilmington city hall as part of a progressive movement meant to rally support for homeless services. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

The mayor has also argued that Philadelphia’s efforts to clean up Kensington, an area known for an open-air drug market and homeless encampments, is adding to Wilmington’s homeless population looking for shelter and services.

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Delaware

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Whether you need to grab some last-minute Thanksgiving ingredients or are planning to indulge in the doorbuster deals on Black Friday, you’ll need to know the store hours of your local grocery stores, malls and retailers.

This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 27, and the annual Black Friday shopping rush falls on Nov. 28.

Order from Instacart:

Here’s which Delaware stores and malls are open during Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

What are Christiana Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Christiana Mall near Christiana will be closed for Thanksgiving, but will have special expanded hours on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What are Concord Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Concord Mall in Brandywine Hundred is also closing its doors Thanksgiving, but will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.

What major retailers are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Before racing off to find Black Friday deals, check when these major retailers are open.

Target: Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Walmart: All Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open the following day at 6 a.m. for Black Friday deals.
Boscov’s: Boscov’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Macy’s: Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Best Buy: Best Buy stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Kohl’s: Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
TJ Maxx: TJ Maxx stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.
JCPenney: JCPenney locations will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen Black Friday at 5 a.m.
Nordstrom: Nordstrom stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.

What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?

If you’re looking to get supplies for your Thanksgiving dish or you forgot a key ingredient before the big meal, here are Delaware grocery stores’ hours on Thanksgiving.