Summer Events in Wilmington
The culturally rich City of Wilmington is the place to be this summer! From thrilling baseball games to live music festivals (and more), this vibrant city has something to offer for everyone.
Downtown Wilmington Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays through October 27th
10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Shop for local produce and plants, as well as arts and crafts, unique handmade jewelry, and home-baked goods. Rodney Square offers a beautiful backdrop to a fantastic farmers’ market, inviting you to sit and enjoy live entertainment at one of the café tables.
Curbside Wilmington Happy Hours
Thursdays through August 26th
5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Over twenty restaurants participate weekly in Curbside Wilmington Happy Hours, where the music is bumping, the drinks are flowing, and the streets are crowded with restaurant patrons. Enjoy expanded hours, dining deals, and free parking at multiple access points.
Movies in the Sculpture Garden at the Delaware Art Museum
Fridays through September 10th
8:30 PM-11:00 PM
Spend a summer evening watching a film on the lawn of the Delaware Art Museum’s Sculpture Garden. Bring a chair or blanket and get cozy under the stars, surrounded by world-class pieces of art. Their movie lineup for this summer includes The Color Purple, Key Largo, Rocky, and more.
$5 After 5:00 PM at the Delaware Children’s Museum
Thursdays and Fridays
5:00 PM-8:00 PM
The Delaware Children’s Museum is offering a discounted rate during extended hours, as well as unique programming for all ages to enjoy!
Wilmington and Western Railroad Rides
Weekends through October
Various times
Pack a picnic and enjoy a lovely hour and a half train ride through the scenic hills of Northern Delaware. On Mt. Cuba Meteor rides, you can prepare for a 30 minute layover at the Mt. Cuba Nature Center, which features gorgeous botanical gardens, dense natural forests, and a charming picnic grove.
Blue Rocks Games at Frawley Stadium
Through September 12th
7:05 PM Game Start, 1:05 PM on Sundays
Frawley Stadium is packed with programming this summer! Depending on what day of the week you go, you can find unbeatable drink specials, entertaining pop-culture theme nights, and spectacular fireworks displays.
Drag Diva Brunches at the Queen
July 10th & 17th, August 7th & 21st
Doors open at 10:30 AM
The Queen’s themed Drag Diva Brunches will have you bouncing in your seat while enjoying incredible fare and unique cocktails. They’re serving fun and flirty realness with themes like Destiny’s Child, Spice Girls, and more!
Science Saturdays at Hagley
July 10th & 24th, August 14th & 28th, September 11th
12:00 PM-4:00 PM
Science Saturdays offer themed educational activities for visitors of all ages. These activities are included with admission and are drop-in, so you can come any time between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to experience the fun!
Ladybug Music Festival
July 12th-17th
Various times
Since 2012, the Ladybug Music Festival has been empowering and uplifting women in music with a six-day music festival. Enjoy musical performances by local artists such as Calla Bere & the Attitude, Betty & the Bullet, and more!
Sip ‘n’ Stroll at the Brandywine Zoo
July 14th & 28th, August 4th & 18th
5:00 PM-7:00 PM
Experience a wild Wednesday evening in Wilmington! At the Sip ‘n’ Stroll, you can enjoy craft beverages from local breweries as you meander through the campus of the Brandywine Zoo on a gorgeous summer evening.
Delaware Shakespeare Festival
July 16th-18th, 22nd-25th, 29th-31st
6:00 PM on Sundays, 7:00 PM otherwise
Enjoy three incredible works of Shakespeare, reimagined! These pay-what-you-decide outdoor performances feature professional actors and musicians at the historic Rockwood Park. Pack chairs and a picnic for a beautiful evening of comedy, tragedy, and more.
Opera Delaware’s Al Fresco Arias
July 22nd & 23rd
8:00 PM
Spend one sweet moment of summer listening to opera in the open air of the Wilmington Riverfront. Be sure to bring your own chair or blanket when preparing for this performance under the stars.
Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
August 4th-8th
5:00 PM-10:00 PM
Listen to jazz music played by artists from all over the world and connect with the downtown Wilmington community! Since 1988, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival has been an incredible annual celebration of the music, culture, and art of jazz—aptly named after the Wilmington native and legendary instrumentalist Clifford Brown.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at the Queen
August 19th
8:00 PM
For over ten years, Trombone Shorty has been shaping his iconic jazz sound and picking up musical collaborators along the way. This August, catch him and his crew at the Queen, performing songs from their most recent album “Parking Lot Symphony”.
Delaware Burger Battle
August 28th
12:00 PM-3:00 PM
Mark your calendars for the 2021 Burger Battle, where restaurants from all over Delaware compete for multiple awards and the proceeds go towards Delaware charities. Patrons pay one entry fee to sample countless deliciously fresh hamburgers, craft beverages, and more.
August Quarterly Gospel Concert
August 29th
2:00 PM-7:00 PM
Celebrate and appreciate the music of local, regional, and national gospel groups all day long at the August Quarterly Celebration. There will be food and beverages for purchase, local vendors selling handmade goods, and children’s programming.
Brandywine Festival of the Arts
September 11th & 12th
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Featuring hundreds of artists from all walks of life, this festival is a Delaware tradition that spans over half a century. Now a nationally-acclaimed event, this festival offers more than just tax-free shopping; enjoy craft beverages, live music, a children’s tent, and more!
