5 Music Festivals in Wilmington, DE This Summer

From jazz and reggae to pop and blues, there is a music festival for everyone this summer in Wilmington, DE! We’ve rounded up all the details so that you won’t miss a beat this summer!

Clifford Brown Jazz Festival - June 19 - 22 | Rodney Square

Each year, Wilmington, Delaware remembers a brilliant trumpet player, unforgettable composer, and dynamic entertainer whose name and legacy are celebrated at the annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival. A legend - our legend - whose work offers a moment to laugh, dance, sing, eat, love and experience the ultimate joy music brings. Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, a block party, and more all for FREE!

Ladybug Music Festival - July 18 - 19 | Market Street

Celebrating women in music, the Ladybug Festival welcomes over 100 female artists to Market Street. Featuring the 8th annual block party between 2nd and 4th streets on Thursday as well as the first ever "Bug Crawl" with over 60 artists performing at 15 venues along Market Street on Friday. You won’t want to miss this Market Street festival that is completely FREE and open to the public!

People’s Festival - July 20 | The Queen

The 25th Annual People's Festival kicks off with a street festival at 12pm! Enjoy live music all day indoors and out! It is the mission of People's Festival to bring a world-class Reggae celebration to the community of Wilmington as it was Marley's adopted hometown outside of Jamaica. Click here to purchase tickets.

Riverfront Blues Festival - August 3-4 | Tubman-Garrett Park

The Riverfront Blues Festival features outstanding live music from across the United States. Blues heads the list but other great musical art forms include Jazz, Americana, Folk, Rockabilly, Rock n Roll, Bluegrass, Funk, and Soul and so much more. This festival is truly a music lover's paradise. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Pawpaw Folk Festival - August 19 | Blue Ball Barn

The Pawpaw Folk Festival is a family-friendly day that celebrates the natural and cultural resources of Alapocas Run State Park. The star of the festival is a Delaware native tree, the Pawpaw. Visitors can learn more about this little known plant through hikes, informative displays and tastings. The festival will also have folk craft demonstrations, storytelling and musical performances. The festival is free with paid park admission.

Celebrate Black History Month at the Delaware Historical Society!

The Delaware Historical Society’s, Mitchell Center for African American Heritage announces a month of free programming with a focus on black history!

All events take place at the Mitchell Center, 504 North Market Street Wilmington, DE.

All events are FREE.

Thursday February 15, 2018 - 6 p.m.

Race, Poverty and Delaware Public Education: Policies, Outcomes and Prospects – Part II

 What impact has a racially segregated educational system had on Delaware?  Share your experiences, perspectives and questions at the Delaware Historical Society ‘s Mitchell Center for African American History panel discussion, Race, Poverty and Delaware Public Education: Policies, Outcomes and Prospects.  Elizabeth Lockman, Director of the Parent Advocacy Council for Education (PACE), will facilitate a conversation with Dorrell Green, Director, DOE Office of Innovation and Improvement, and Shana Payne, Director, DOE Office of Higher Education.

FREE Admission – FREE Parking.

Ms. Anna B. Comegys, teacher, 1947

Photo: Delaware Historical Society Archives

February 24, 2018 – 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Family Saturday: Black History Month

We’re turning our whole museum into a playground where children (ages 5 and up) can learn more about African American culture through games, storytelling and crafts. 

Parents and grandparents (and anyone who is young at heart) are invited to take advantage of free admission and explore our new permanent and rotating exhibitions, including Journey to Freedom, that illustrate the unique contributions and experiences of people of African descent in Delaware history.  

Free Admission Courtesy PNC Bank.

Photo: Delaware Historical Society Archives

And in March….

Family Saturday March 10, 2018  - 1:30 p.m.

Celebrating Harriet Tubman Day: Seeking Freedom on the Underground Railroad.

Families can discover what is was like to seek freedom on the Underground Railroad through hands-on activities including writing a telegram in the secret language of the Underground Railroad, and taking a picture with Harriet Tubman and Thomas Garrett!

Free Admission

Photo of Harriet Tubman courtesy  Library of Congress