Delaware fall festivals you must hit up in 2024, for kids and adults
Believe it or not, sweater weather is coming to Delaware, and with it will come lots of can't-miss festivals you can check out this fall.
Whether you're a kid or an adult, here's a mix of festivals folks can dive into around the First State in the coming weeks.
Nanticoke Indian Powwow, Milton
From traditional dances and music to cool cultural-themed wares from vendors, Native American heritage will be celebrated over two full days. Car lovers also will have a chance to see a street-rod car show during both days. The 46th annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow includes a church service before the festival starts on Sunday (8:30 to 9:30 a.m.).
Hudson Fields (30045 Eagle Crest Road, Milton) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 8. Admission is $5-$10. Free for ages 10 or younger. Visit nanticokeindians.org (302) 945-7022 or call (302) 945-3400.
Brandywine Festival of the Arts, Wilmington
Forget Halloween, it's not too early to start thinking about Christmas right now. You can begin your holiday shopping with the 15,000 guests who are estimated to visit the Brandywine Festival of the Arts.
This year's event will host about 250 artisans representing multiple mediums. This includes woodwork, painting, jewelry, sculpture, pottery and photography, plus 14 food vendors, OperaDelaware and more.
One of the food vendors is In Jest Events & Catering run by Delaware celebrity chef Robbie Jester, known for besting chefs on Netflix and Food Network shows "Chopped," "Pressure Cooker" and "Beat Bobby Flay."
This year's featured artist is Newark's Sue Ann Cox, a ceramic artist and creator of The Fairy Potter’s exclusive Enchanted Flower Cottages. She makes 19th-century-inspired cottages that a fairy would die for.
Brandywine Park (1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8. Admission is $5 per day. Visit brandywinearts.com.
MickeyFest, New Castle
To help support two siblings diagnosed with "children’s Alzheimer’s," their parents have created the fifth annual MickeyFest to fight for their young lives.
The event will feature a petting zoo, mermaids, Colene's epic Kids' Corner, live music, full bar, food vendors, and other festivities.
MickeyFest is a free event intended to help his young daughter Michaela "Mickey" Merrill and her baby brother, Declan, fight Sanfilippo syndrome, a degenerative disease, which some have nicknamed "children’s Alzheimer's."
Proceeds will benefit Sanfilippo syndrome research.
MickeyFest Battery Park (1 Delaware St., New Castle) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. Visit savemickey.com.
Historic Odessa Brewfest
Over 50 national and regional breweries are on pace to serve you cold drinks at the 11th annual Historic Odessa Brewfest. This includes breweries like Dogfish Head, Twisted Irons, Revelation, Heavy Seas and plenty of others.
Historic Odessa -(202 Main St., Odessa) from noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. General admission is $60 ($70 at the gate); designated driver $15. Visit odessabrewfest.com or call (302) 378-4119.
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Weedstock, Townsend
Three days of smoking weed, live music, arts vendors and munchies will be on tap at the seventh annual Weedstock.
The tagline for the event is "bring your own bud," which is mentioned on the festival’s Brown Paper Tickets’ page. That’s another form of "BYOB" that gives folks the green light to spark up. But guests can't bring their young kids to the festival, as this event is strictly for ages 21 or older.
Fire Base Lloyd (474 Fleming Landing Road, Townsend) at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; and noon Saturday, Sept. 14; and at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. Tickets start at $40 per day (plus fees). Camping starts at $30 (plus fees). Visit weedstock.org or call (302) 497-3833.
Wilmington Hispanic Festival
This parade and street festival is a celebration that aims to unite all Hispanic communities across the state to hang out, and share resources in the heart of Delaware's largest city.
The festival is located in Wilmington (1200 W. Fourth St., Wilmington) at noon Saturday, Sept. 14. For more info, visit facebook.com/NRDELAWARE/.
Maxima Hispanic Fest, Georgetown
An estimated 20,000 revelers came out to celebrate the Maxima Hispanic Fest in Georgetown in 2023, and the party returns this fall. Folks will get to enjoy Hispanic heritage through traditional food, arts and crafts, dancing and performances by international, national and local groups. Some of the music artists include Heider Gonzalez, Los Caminantes de Agustin Ramirez and La Maquinaria Norte?a.
Downtown Georgetown (216 North Race St., Georgetown) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. Visit festivalhispano.org or (302) 858-5118.
Fairy Fest, near Wilmington
There's a magical thing going on at the Fairy Fest, a charming event full of activities, games, vendors and entertainment. The mobile stage will feature performances by First State Ballet, Wilmington Drama League, Pieces of a Dream, Delaware Arts Conservatory, Pieces of a Dream, Melodic Movements, Delaware Children's Theatre, and Drama Kids Wilmington.
Rockwood Museum & Park (501 Carr Road, near Wilmington) from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. Visit newcastlede.gov or call (302) 395-5652.
Fall Fest at Fifer Orchards, Camden-Wyoming
Will the Force be with you when you brave the new "Star Wars"-themed corn maze at Fifer Orchards?
Fifer's Fall Fest hosts its many options of cool activities including zip swings, farmer foosball, an apple cannon (Saturday), harvest hoops (basketball), jumping pillows, duck races, apple picking (Friday and Saturday), a pumpkin patch, and much more.
Fall Fest is held at Fifer Orchards (1919 Allabands Mill Road, Camden-Wyoming) starting on Saturday, Sept. 21, until Saturday, Nov. 9. Hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (exit by 5 p.m.). For more info, visit fiferorchards.com or call (302) 697-2141.
Ladybug Micro Music Fest in Middletown
Fans of the Ladybug Festival will get a dose of its new and free Micro Music Fest in Middletown with Hockessin headliner Olivia Rubini, who recently starred on season 25 of NBC's "The Voice."
The micro-fest also features 100% women-led acts that include Kosser, Roberta Faceplant, The Side Chicks and Alyssa Garcia.
The event will be held in downtown Middletown (Main Street, Middletown) from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Visit theladybugfestival.com.
Wags & Whiskers Fall Festival, Milton
Bring your fur babies for a good time at the dog-friendly gathering Wag & Whiskers Fall Festival. The event offers photo opportunities, games, vendors, food trucks, cool demonstrations and more.
Hudson Fields (29763 Eagle Crest Road, Milton) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. For more info, visit facebook.com/yarnandbone or call (302) 423-8889.
Apple Scrapple, Bridgeville
Eating rectangle-shaped pieces of pork is a tradition in Bridgeville, and so is watching people throw it as far as they can at the annual Scrapple Festival. The festival turns 32 this year and normally attracts about 20,000 guests.
The two-day event includes the Little Miss Apple Scrapple Pageant, food and artisan vendors, live music and more. The Invitational Scrapple Sling (or scrapple toss) will be held at the stage area behind the fire hall at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The festival is held at multiple places in Bridgeville (including Union Street) starting at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. Visit applescrapple.com.
Punkin Ale Fest, Milton
'Tis the season for all things "Punkin Ale" at Dogfish Head Brewery. Hence, the brewery's Punkin Ale Fest is rolling out this family-friendly event that features vendors, food trucks, Dogfish ales and spirits, live music, and other fun. This event will benefit the Brandywine Valley SPCA as part of Beer & Benevolence.
Dogfish Head Brewery (6 Cannery Village Center, Milton) at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. Visit dogfish.com.
Family Fest, Hockessin
This family-friendly environment will be full of free candy, prizes and activities. Guests can register online for time slots between 2 to 4 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m.
Trinity Community Church (6580 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin) from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Visit trinitychurchde.com or call (302) 234-8007.
Sea Witch Festival, Rehoboth
The biggest family-friendly Halloween event in Delaware is the Sea Witch Festival, which attracts thousands to Rehoboth Beach over an October weekend. Festivities for the 34th annual event run all three days with activities like live music, a kids' corner, artisan vendors and oodles more.
The main attraction is the costume parade on Saturday in downtown Rehoboth.
Sea Witch festivities are in multiple locations in Rehoboth (including at 305 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) from Friday, Oct. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 29. The full schedule is TBA. For more info, visit beach-fun.com or call (302) 227-2233 or (800) 441-1329.
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Delaware Renaissance Faire, Townsend
More sword fighting, belly dancing and lots of mead is going down at the Delaware Renaissance Faire, an affair that will run for three weeks this fall.
This popular event is known to sell out, so you might want to get your tickets in advance. There are over 100 craft and food vendors, plus nine unique entertainers.
Earlybird tickets are available through 12:05 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Those tickets start at $10 per day.
Fire Base Lloyd (446 Fleming Landing Road, Townsend) on Saturday, Oct. 26; Sunday, Oct. 27; Saturday, Nov. 2; Sunday, Nov. 3; Saturday, Nov. 9; Sunday, Nov. 10. Each day is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. For tickets and more info, visit delafaire.com.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware fall festivals in 2024 that you'll want to dive into
