Memorial Day weekend is coming up, with an endless array of fun things to do from the top of the state down to the beaches. Here are some highlights:
New Castle County
Delaware Today magazine just ran a feature story about fun happenings in the Wilmington area https://delawaretoday.com/things-to-do/memorial-day-northern-delaware/. Top billing went to the Beer Garden at Whitehall in Middletown, which will feature live music on Friday and Saturday night next weekend. It’ll be super fun if you’re an outdoorsy type, with food from Bivouac Pizza, yard games and an astounding collection of quality brews. Get the goods at https://www.beergardenatwhitehall.com/.
Constitution Yards https://www.constitutionyards.com/ is another seasonal beer garden, scenically located on the Christiana River. You’ll get some great music vibes this Friday with live music with Something Like That from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday and See Alice from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
If the weather’s right next weekend you’ll have a fabulous time sailing on the Kalmar Nyckel, a faithful reproduction of the circa 1638 Tall Ship that brought settlers from Sweden to Delaware. It’s a beautiful vessel offering 2.5 hour cruises on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend. Learn more at https://www.kalmarnyckel.org/.
You can also spend some time on the water with a Tiki Cruise on a custom boat with a full bar and great music via Paradise Tiki Tours. There are a few different variations this weekend, including family-friendly sails, Aloha Hour adventures and sunset cruises. Learn more at https://tikitourboat.com/
Celebrate the magic of the European renaissance at the Philly Faire, taking place just over the Pennsylvania line in Philadelphia. This is a fabulous event for your whole family, with three full days of costumed entertainment with folk singing, magic shows, knife throwing (no, you’re not too old) and archery along with wonderful food and beverages. It’s happening Saturday through Monday. Learn more at https://www.phillyfaire.com/event-details-registration/saturday-may-25th-2024.
Kent County
Have fun getting spooked at the Haunted Dover Lantern Tour on Friday evening with a stroll through First State Heritage Park. Well-informed interpreters will tell you all kinds of tall tales about historic hauntings with the glow of firelight. Get the details at https://cca.cdcc.net/EvtListing.aspx?dbid2=DECDEL&evtid=10185812&class=B
Sussex County
If you’re into flowers, shrubs and gorgeous gardens, you’ll love the Lewes in Bloom Garden and Flea Market Sale. It takes place Saturday, May 25th at the organization’s Schley Avenue warehouse and features annuals, perennials, herbs and pollinator plants along with all kinds of planters and garden tools. Details are at www.lewesinbloom.org.
All kinds of fun will be mixed up at the Bethany Beach Poseidon Festival, taking place May 24th through 26th downtown. This weekend event will feature a luau show, a marine science camp, pirate shows, live bands with a performance by the U.S. Navy County Current, a chance to meet Bethany’s lifeguards and, rumor has it, a landside appearance by local mermaids. Learn more at www.townofbethanybeach.com.
Milton Memorial Park is the site of the Annual Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival, taking place on Saturday, Mary 25th. It happens from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features educational exhibits, activities for kids, food trucks and other types of fun. Learn more at www.historicmilton.com
Also on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., is the Henlopen Spring Fest at Hudson Fields on Route 1. The event includes a car and truck show, a cornhole tournament, live bands, kids activities and lots of food trucks. Learn more at www.henlopenspringfest.com.
If you love history and appreciate lovely out-of-the-way places, you’ll have a great time at the Bowers Beach Maritime Museum’s Buccaneer Bash from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live entertainment, a scavenger hunt, and craft and period vendors celebrating 18th Century Pirate life. Learn more at www.bowersbeach-delaware.gov and at https://www.facebook.com/events/854138796467252/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22search_results%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D.