Summer is finally here, and thanks to so much hard work and foresight by home and garden lovers around our beach communities 2026 promises to reveal some remarkably gorgeous landscapes and residences. Whether you’re looking for ideas for transforming your outdoor space or just want to take in the sights, here are some wonderful events happening in the next few weeks.
The season kicks off with the SUMMER LIVING EXPO from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 13th and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14th at Cape Henlopen High School. Admission is free, and there will be more than 100 exhibitors focusing on indoor and outdoor living, along with free health screenings and health and wellness information.
THE LEWES GARDEN TOUR is Saturday, June 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features eight gardens at an array of lovely homes. Pre-event tickets are $30 and those bought the day of the tour are $35. You can order your tickets and learn more about the event – and about the Garden Market in Zwaanendael Park, where you can purchase plants, gardening tools and other items. While every garden will be special, some will feature members of the Cape Artists, who will paint and discuss their work in the gardens. You’ll also find food tents in Zwaanendael Park or enjoy lunch at wonderful Lewes restaurants, including Honey’s Farm Fresh, Nectar, and Eggcellent.
THE MILTON GARDEN TOUR takes place Saturday, June 27th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and also features a self-guided tour of six private gardens and one community garden. The flowers, shrubs, trees and water features promise to be spectacular, and there will also be vendors selling gardening-related items and local artists selling their work.
THE REHOBOTH ART LEAGUE will hold its Cottage Tour, featuring contemporary and traditional homes on Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 7th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will feature a special “Show House” decorated by local designers on the Art League campus, along with Jolly Trolley tours to other local homes with more spectacular gardens. Tickets come in booklets with addresses and descriptions of the homes and are $40.
In BETHANY, THE 34TH ANNUAL BEACH & BAY COTTAGE TOUR takes place Wednesday, July 22nd and Thursday, July 23rd from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with proceeds going to support the South Coastal Library. In-person tours of eight homes will be offered on the 23rd and 24th and you can do a virtual tour of the homes between July 12th and August 2nd. Combination tickets are $50 and virtual-only tickets are $35.
Thank you so much to our returning readers for following along with us each week—we love sharing the very best of our local lifestyle with you! If you found this summer tour guide helpful, please feel free to share it with your friends and family who might be planning a visit or looking for their own garden inspiration.
From all of us here at Active Adults Realty, stay well, friends.
