Pumpkins, mums, the seasonal wardrobe change, and the stress of selecting the perfect Halloween costumes are just a few of the harbingers of the fall season, but there’s also the fall festivals to consider! From the Sea Witch Festival to Apple-Scrapple and everything in between, fall is the perfect time of year to explore Southern Delaware.
Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival
When: September 29, 12pm-4pm
Where: Independence Hall 23767 Samuel Adams Circle, Millsboro DE
First on the agenda is the 4th Annual SoDel Fest! Benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, Children & Families First Delmarva, and Creative Coastal Connections, the full-day event features a sampling from some of the best local restaurants paired with 40 wines, craft spirits, and beers from around the world. On top of all that delicious fun, there’s an epic lineup of musical entertainment. Good eats, lively libations, and local music? Sure seems like a perfect way to welcome the fall season!
Oktoberfest at Lewes Canalfront Park
When: Saturday, October 6, 2pm-6pm
Where: Lewes Canalfront Park
What’s the month of October without a good old fashioned Oktoberfest celebration!? In Lewes, we take history seriously, and the fall we do it byway of an authentic Munich feel, with German fare from local restaurants, special edition craft beers, oom-pah band, dancing and more. This is a ticketed event, so plan ahead!
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival
When: Thursday, October 11 – Sunday, October 14
Where: Various Locations; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
For music lovers, the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival is a must. For four days, artists from around the world will converge on our resort beach town. Now in its 29th year, the festival just gets better and better with each passing year. Don’t wait to purchase tickets, many of the shows are already sold out!
Apple-Scrapple Festival
When: Friday, October 12 (opens 4pm) & Saturday, October 13 (open at 9am)
Where: Downtown Bridgeville, DE
For you Delaware-newbies, you might not be familiar with the ever-popular breakfast meat that is a staple around these parts. You also might not be aware that one of the more popular brands, RAPA, got its start in Bridgeville, Delaware in 1926. 26 years ago, the town decided to launch a small festival in honor of their two mainstays, scrapple and apples, and what started as just a few hundred attendees has blossomed into an annual attendance of 25,000! Expect lots of delicious local fare (don’t worry there’s more than apples and scrapple if that’s not your forte), rides, games, and streets jam-packed with over 500 local vendors.
Sea Witch Halloween
When: Friday, October 26- Sunday, October 28
Where: Downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE (various locations)
It’s the 29th year for the annual Sea Witch Festival and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year’s festivities. Rehoboth Beach turns into Halloween headquarters for three-full days, with costume parades (and that includes a costume pet parade too my friends), an incredible array of activities for the kids, crafts & merchandise, food vendors, and more, including the fiddler’s convention! This is definitely an event that caters to all ages, and one you won’t want to miss this year as we set up our very own Spookacular Kids Zone at First Street Station. Try your hand at our bean bag toss, decorate a mini-pumpkin, or snap a photo in Dracula’s lair, all while enjoying the festivities free of charge! But arrive early! Schell Brothers will be providing prizes and trick-or-treat bags while supplies last.
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival
When: November 1-11
Where: Various Locations; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Now in it’s 21st year, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (RBIFF) is the oldest and largest event of its kind in Delaware. A mid-Atlantic fall destination event for film enthusiasts, the 9+ day event offers a wide variety of American and international features, documentaries, and short films. It’s the perfect event to enjoy with family, friends, or even solo when the weather turns cold. And with 9 days of showings, there’s plenty of showtimes for you to catch, but act early, prime tickets go quickly.
We’ve only just scratched the surface on fall fun in our area, but this should get you well on your way to exploring the tastes, sights, and sounds of our beautiful state. Get outside and enjoy it, before old man winter arrives in town to put a damper on the fun…