Beyond Halloween, Delaware’s Oct. 23-25 weekend features live music, comic books, fall festivals, history, cycling, charity races and family adventures across all three counties.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Halloween may dominate the calendar, but Delaware residents looking for something different this weekend have plenty of options.

From the streets of Rehoboth Beach to historic New Castle, the Delaware State Fairgrounds and the farms of Kent County, communities are celebrating the final full weekend of October with festivals, performances, outdoor activities and family entertainment.

Runners and walkers also have several opportunities to support local causes, including breast cancer awareness, education and community organizations.

Here are Delaware LIVE’s top picks for Oct. 23-25.

Sea Witch brings three days of fun to Rehoboth Beach

One of Delaware’s biggest fall traditions returns this weekend as the 36th annual Sea Witch Festival fills downtown Rehoboth Beach with parades, live entertainment, shopping and family activities.

Running Friday through Sunday, the festival draws visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic for a combination of Halloween celebrations and traditional beach-town festivities.

The centerpiece is Saturday’s costume parade, beginning at 11 a.m. along Rehoboth Avenue. Elaborate costumes, decorated floats, community organizations and families are expected to fill the downtown streets.

Beyond the costumes, visitors can enjoy artisan vendors, live entertainment, seasonal shopping and local restaurants.

The festival also includes Sunday’s Sea Witch 5K Classic and one-mile Fright Walk, giving visitors an opportunity to participate in the celebration.

When: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-25

Where: Downtown Rehoboth Beach

Learn more: Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce

Blue Hen Comic Con brings pop culture to Harrington

Comic books, anime, gaming, cosplay and pop culture take center stage Saturday and Sunday as Blue Hen Comic Con returns to the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington.

The two-day convention brings together comic creators, artists, vendors, celebrity guests and fans for a celebration of entertainment and creativity.

Activities include cosplay competitions, Artist Alley, interactive gaming, panels and workshops.

Families with teenagers, comic enthusiasts and anyone interested in movies, superheroes or gaming will find an alternative to the traditional fall festival.

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington

Admission: $15 Saturday, $13 Sunday or $21 for the weekend.

William Penn Day celebrates Delaware’s beginnings

History takes center stage Saturday in Old New Castle as the New Castle Court House Museum commemorates the arrival of William Penn in 1682.

William Penn Day offers a glimpse into Delaware’s colonial history through educational presentations, historical interpretation and live music.

The day begins with a presentation by the Iron Hill Science Center about the Indigenous people and natural environment encountered by early European settlers.

At 2 p.m., musicians from the Suzuki Academy of the Delaware Music School will perform Baroque music reflecting the colonial era.

Visitors also can explore the museum and historic streets of Old New Castle.

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: New Castle Court House Museum, New Castle

Learn more: Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs

Acclaimed pianist opens Coastal Concerts season

Music lovers can spend Saturday afternoon in Lewes as internationally acclaimed pianist Awadagin Pratt opens the Coastal Concerts 2026-27 season.

Pratt has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center and with major orchestras across the United States.

His program, “America 250,” features works by American composers Florence Price, George Walker, Nathaniel Dett and Julius Eastman.

The concert offers a cultural alternative to the weekend’s crowded festivals and an opportunity to experience internationally recognized musical talent in coastal Delaware.

When: Saturday, 2 p.m.

Where: Bethel Fellowship Hall, 129 W. Fourth St., Lewes

Learn more: Coastal Concerts

Fifer Orchards offers classic fall family fun

Families looking for a traditional fall outing can visit Fifer Orchards near Wyoming, where Fall Fest continues Saturday.

The farm offers pumpkin and apple picking, a five-acre corn maze, outdoor attractions and seasonal favorites such as apple cider, cider doughnuts, kettle corn and ice cream.

This year’s attractions include an interactive Minion Maze and expanded children’s play area.

Fall Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with visitors asked to leave by 5 p.m. Admission is $18 online or $24 at the gate for ages 3 and older.

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where: Fifer Orchards, Wyoming

Learn more: Fifer Orchards

Broad Creek Bash combines cycling and community

Cyclists will take to the roads of western Sussex County Saturday for the second annual Broad Creek Bash in Laurel.

Organized by the Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce, the event offers 25-, 50- and 65-mile routes through scenic countryside, historic communities, and waterways.

Riders will pass through a region known for its rural landscapes, historic sites and outdoor recreation opportunities.

An after-party at Janosik Park will feature live music and food trucks, giving friends and supporters a chance to join the celebration even if they are not cycling.

Online ride registration has closed, but visitors can still check with organizers about the community festivities.

When: Saturday, with cycling beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Where: Laurel, with activities at Janosik Park

Learn more: Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Runners and walkers take to Delaware streets for weekend 5Ks

Delaware runners and walkers have several opportunities to get active this weekend, with races supporting breast cancer awareness, education and other community causes.

On Saturday, Wilmington Friends School hosts the 30th annual Smith McMillan 5K, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event benefits a financial aid endowment honoring two former students. A free children’s dash begins at 8:10 a.m.

Other Saturday events include the Boo & Brew 5K and Eternal Rest 5K Run/Walk in Wilmington and the Boo-K It! 5K in Odessa.

Sunday brings two notable races.

The 10th annual Deer Park Goes Pink 5K begins at 9 a.m. at Deer Park Tavern, 108 W. Main St. in Newark. The event supports the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and includes a one-mile fun walk and post-race celebration. Organizers say all race proceeds benefit the coalition.

At the beaches, the Sea Witch 5K Classic begins at 9 a.m. Sunday at Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach. The event also includes a one-mile Fright Walk, providing another way to participate in the festival.

Whether running for a personal best, walking with family or supporting a cause, the weekend’s races offer an opportunity to combine fitness and community involvement.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25

Where: Wilmington, Odessa, Newark and Rehoboth Beach

Learn more: RunSignup or individual race organizers’ websites.

Seaford celebrates the harvest season

Downtown Seaford will host its Fall Harvest Festival Saturday, offering an afternoon of food, shopping, vendors and community activities.

Organized by the Downtown Seaford Association, the festival brings residents and visitors to High Street to enjoy the autumn season while supporting local merchants and small businesses.

The family-friendly event is a good choice for people interested in a traditional small-town celebration rather than a Halloween attraction.

When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: High Street, downtown Seaford

Learn more: Downtown Seaford Association

Explore the stars at Delaware Museum of Nature and Science

Families can travel through the universe without leaving Wilmington this weekend.

The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science will offer Star Lab programs Saturday and Sunday, allowing visitors to explore the night sky inside an inflatable, 360-degree planetarium.

This weekend’s presentations focus on myths, constellations and star lore from cultures around the world.

Programs are scheduled at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. An additional ticket is required beyond regular museum admission.

For adults seeking something more adventurous, the museum also hosts Museum of the Macabre Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., combining science and natural history with a Halloween atmosphere.

When: Saturday and Sunday for Star Lab; Saturday, 6-9 p.m., for Museum of the Macabre

Where: Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, Wilmington

Learn more: Delaware Museum of Nature and Science

Outdoor walks offer a change of pace

Not every weekend adventure requires tickets or a scheduled event.

Delaware’s state parks, nature preserves and public trails offer opportunities to enjoy the cooler weather and changing fall colors.

Brandywine Creek State Park in northern Delaware offers wooded trails and views along the creek. In Kent County, Killens Pond State Park provides lakeside walks and wooded paths.

Farther south, Trap Pond State Park near Laurel offers trails around one of Delaware’s best-known natural areas, with its distinctive bald cypress trees.

Visitors also can explore the Wilmington Riverfront, where walking paths follow the Christina River and connect to restaurants, parks and other attractions.

Delaware LIVE’s best bets for the weekend

Whether looking for a full-day festival, live music, a community race or a quiet afternoon, Delaware has something happening in every corner of the state.

• Biggest festival: Sea Witch Festival, Rehoboth Beach
• Best for pop culture fans: Blue Hen Comic Con, Harrington
• Best for history lovers: William Penn Day, New Castle
• Best for music: Awadagin Pratt, Lewes
• Best for families: Fifer Orchards Fall Fest, Wyoming
• Best for community involvement: Deer Park Goes Pink 5K, Newark
• Best for science lovers: Star Lab, Wilmington
• Best for outdoor adventure: Broad Creek Bash, Laurel
• Best small-town festival: Seaford Fall Harvest Festival

With Halloween celebrations sharing the calendar with concerts, community races, harvest festivals, history and outdoor recreation, this weekend offers a reminder that Delaware’s fall season has something for just about everyone.

TO GO: Delaware weekend roundup

When: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-25, 2026

Where: Locations throughout New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties

Highlights: Sea Witch Festival, Blue Hen Comic Con, William Penn Day, Coastal Concerts, Fifer Orchards Fall Fest, Broad Creek Bash, community 5Ks, Seaford Fall Harvest Festival and Delaware Museum of Nature and Science programs.

Admission: Varies by event. Some activities are free; others require tickets or advance registration.

Planning tip: Sea Witch visitors should expect traffic congestion and parking restrictions in downtown Rehoboth Beach. The Saturday costume parade begins at 11 a.m.

More information: Visit individual event websites for schedules, tickets, parking information and last-minute changes.

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