Blitzen Bar Holiday Pop-Up Wilmington November – December 24th Wilmington’s pop-up Christmas-themed cocktail bar is reopening for the festive season! Cozy up by fireplace for pre-dinner cocktails or stay all night for the reindeer games. Open through Dec. 24. Fire & Ice Festival Bethany Beach January 27th – 29th Experience the Quiet Resorts, Delaware as you never have before at the Fire & Ice Festival – Lights, Camera, Action! Enjoy a weekend of winter festivities...
Fire & Ice Festival: January 26th - 28th
When the magic of winter settles in, the Delaware beaches come alive in celebration of what mid-winter does best – turning water into ice. At the annual Fire & Ice Festival, you’ll see the Bethany Beach boardwalk and surrounding small town sidewalks display beautiful ice sculptures of every shape and size during this free festival.
The Ice Sculptures
Each year, the Bethany Beach Fire & Ice Festival takes on a new theme and brings more than 20 ice sculptures to life! This year’s weekend of music, performances, skating, inflatables, tastings, bonfires, fireworks and, of course, ice sculptures, is themed “Into the Wild!”
Ice sculptures that will seem out of this world in their size, weighing between 300 and 3,000 pounds, are each sculpted by professionals and illuminated by LED lights from 5 to 9 p.m. every night. If you’re wondering how such intricate sculptures are created, attend a live demonstration to see professionals work their magic with chainsaws and ice picks. But, ice is not the only thing that gives this festival a spark.
More Things to Do
It's no question that browsing the ice sculptures is made better with a big bucket of warm, freshly popped caramel corn from Fishers Popcorn. After you pick up your tasty bucket, be sure to warm up with your favorite family-friendly boardwalk activities like sitting by the fire and sipping on s'mores-flavored hot cocoa at Turtle Beach Cafe. Or, browse downtown shops for unique finds like incredible artwork at Gallery One, books galore at Bethany Beach Books and kid-approved everything at Candy Kitchen.
For more fun with the kids, enjoy bounce houses and inflatables, a 3D movie on the bandstand or a performance from professional juggler Cascading Carlos! A few miles from the beach, you'll find some more “cool” things to do with the entire family at Millville Boardwalk. This festive boardwalk includes ice sculptures, karaoke, s’mores and ice cream specials. Also in Millville, grab a pair of skates and hit the ice for the 2024 Skating Rink.
Enjoy a meal at festival food trucks or local restaurants like Bethany Blues, where cocktails and plates will follow the theme of the festival. Or, taste new flavors at the festival's Chili Cookoff that will include up to 20 tastings! After dinner, head to the beach for a warm beach bonfire and delicious s’mores.
Grownups will also have the chance to enjoy a drink competition and a tasting tour! Sample signature cocktails from over 10 participating bars and restaurants around the area, and vote for your favorite sample to be named the official drink of the Fire & Ice Festival for the year! Visit past cocktail winners like Good Earth Market for a sip on their porch with a cozy blanket.
Finish off the festival with a grand finale! Don’t miss the fireworks at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night to celebrate a fun and exciting weekend!
Where to Stay
The free festival spans through Bethany Beach, Ocean View and Millville, providing an excellent opportunity to experience all the beaches have to offer during the winter! Cozy up with a sweet festive stay at Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, Fenwick Shores or Hyatt Place Dewey Beach. For a unique stay, consider the Farm Cottages at Good Earth Market or Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront Inn, but be sure to book early!
Prepare to be wowed and begin planning your visit today! Learn more about the festival here.