Best Delaware festivals and events in July 2024

Besides dancing the night away at a concert, what else is there to do for fun in Delaware in July?

From festivals to theatrical performances and other activities, here are several exciting ways to enjoy the First State this month:

Top 4th of July celebrations

Hockessin

Uncle Sam vibes will take over Hockessin's Independence Day celebration, featuring a beer garden, food trucks and live music.

At about 8 a.m., relay races will begin, organizers said. The parade starts at at 3 p.m. at Old Lancaster Pike and heads down to Valley Road.

At dusk, the fireworks launch. The main viewing area to see the display is Swift Park, Piedmont baseball fields, Hockessin Library and Artesian soccer fields.

Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit hockessin4th.org or call (302) 239-6900.

Wilmington

Delaware's largest city will do it up this Fourth of July with family activities and live performances in Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, including tours on the Kalmar Nyckel ship, starting at 4 p.m. Around 9:30 p.m., fireworks begin.

Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington) from 4 to about 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit cityfestwilm.com or call (302) 576-2100.

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Dover

The Capital City will ring in America's birthday with a parade, music, vendors, fireworks and more. The parade starts at 6 p.m. on Hazel Street, heads south on State Street, and ends at Water Street. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Event will be held near The Green (25 The Green, Dover) and Legislative Hall (411 Legislative Ave., Dover) from 10 a.m. to around 10 p.m., Thursday, July 4. For the full schedule, visit dover4thofjuly.com .

Rehoboth

Keep in mind, Rehoboth Beach's fireworks display is on the weekend. People will be able to see the sparks fly from Rehoboth's beach and boardwalk.

At 6 p.m., road closures begin around the bandstand, and at 7 p.m. on Henlopen and Surf avenues. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., vehicles won't be able to cross Rehoboth Avenue at the circle. Rehoboth Avenue eastbound and Church Street from Route 1 will be closed at 8 p.m., according to organizers.

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk (8 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach). Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Visit cityofrehoboth.com or call (302) 227-6181.

Float-in, Seaford

While the Nanticoke Riverfest is no longer, the spirit of the festival will live on through the annual float-in activity . The float-in was a popular event at Riverfest, and this year's float begins at noon. The launch site is at First State OMS in Seaford, adjacent to Route 13 south across from Seaford Ice Plant.

A shuttle service will be available from Water Street to the launch site starting at noon. There won't be a shuttle for cars left at the launch. Floaters are invited to park downtown. All floaters under the age of 16 must wear a life jacket, according to event organizers.

Float-in registration starts at noon on Saturday, July 13. The launch site is at First State OMS (9096 Riverside Drive, Seaford). Admission to float is $2 (only cash is accepted). Visit seafordde.com or call (302) 629-9173.

Shady Grove Music Fest, Arden

The artful Arden community is drawing up another fan-favorite Shady Grove Music Fest. This year's festival has performances by Death by Indie, Von Holden, Queasy, The Lunar Year, Pink Blush, Red Smith & Friends and more. Guests may bring a chair and blanket to this festival, which offers food trucks, beer and wine. But you can't sneak in your own beer or pets.

Arden Gild Hall (2126 The Highway, Arden) at noon, Saturday, July 13. Tickets are $29. Visit ardenconcerts.com .

Delaware Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar,' Wilmington

During the tyrannical reign of Julius Caesar, a group of leaders, led by Cassius and Brutus, plot and carry out a major assassination.

Shakespeare in the Park: Delaware Shakespeare's Julius Caesar offers examination of tyranny

Delaware Shakespeare will deliver a gender-expansive cast in their portrayal of the classic Shakespeare production of "Julius Caesar," held outdoors. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair, blanket, pack a picnic, enjoy pre-show entertainment, and the main event. This festival, which is wheelchair-accessible, is held Wednesday to Sunday from July 18 to Aug. 4.

Rockwood Park (4651 Washington St. Extension, near Wilmington) from Thursday, July 18, to Sunday, Aug. 4. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., except Sunday shows, which begin at 6 p.m. (July 21, July 28 & Aug. 4). Tickets are $23-$45. Visit delshakes.my.salesforce-sites.com or call (302) 468-4890.

Delaware State Fair 2024, Harrington

Fans can already smell the deep-fried Oreos, barbeque and sweaty excitement that the 105th annual Delaware State Fair will bring this year.

The 10-day fair offers everything from finger-licking food and amusement rides to concerts from major acts.

This year's concert lineup on the M&T Bank Grandstand features headliners Rick Springfield (Thursday, July 18), Jon Pardi (Friday, July 19), Ludacris (Saturday, July 20), Jordan Davis (Sunday, July 21), Cooper Alan (Monday, July 22), We the Kingdom (Tuesday, July 23), Brantley Gilbert (Wednesday, July 24) and Turnpike Troubadours (Saturday, July 27).

Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington) Thursday, July 18, through Saturday, July 27. General admission tickets are up to $10 in person or $10.50 (online). Concerts on the Grandstand are extra, and prices vary. Visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.

’Circle of Truth’ art show, Dover

"Circle of Truth" is a new art exhibit that's like the game of Telephone, where a message whispered from person to person becomes so distorted that the final version hardly resembles the original.

"Circle of Truth" began with a painting by co-curator Shane Guffogg , sent anonymously with a blank canvas to the next artist. Each artist in this "Circle" then received the previous anonymous painting, a blank canvas, and instructions to paint their response to the "Truth" they perceived, according to the exhibit's description. This continued through 49 artists over nine years.

Biggs Museum of American Art (406 Federal St., Dover) from Thursday, July 25, to Sunday, Sept. 22. Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Admission is $2-$10. Free for ages under 18, college students (with valid ID), active military and dependents, plus companions or caretakers or people with disabilities. Visit thebiggsmuseum.org or 674-2111.

Paranormal Cirque, Dover

Halloween begins in July as zombies, sexy vampires and creepy ghosts hit the stage in Paranormal Cirque. This dark-themed cirque show includes adult language and other content that requires guests under the age of 17 to be accompanied by an adult who is 21 years or older. Paranormal Cirque features aerial stunts, contortion and more under a giant tent in the mall's parking lot.

Dover Mall (1365 N Dupont Highway, Dover) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27; 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 28. Tickets are $20-$60. Visit paranormalcirque.com or (941) 704-8572.

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Downtown Newark Food & Brew Fest

Folks can cool off with their choice from over 40 craft beers paired with fun food offerings from a dozen Newark restaurants, as part of the annual Downtown Newark Food & Brew Fest. Tickets aren't required as patrons will travel from restaurant to restaurant at this pay-as-you-go festival. The first 2,000 guests receive an NFB 20th annual commemorative 5 oz.-tasting mug. It's available at the info booth at Academy Lawn (Academy & Main streets).

Downtown Newark from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Visit outandaboutnow.com .

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com . Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters .

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Best Delaware festivals and events in July 2024