What is there to do in Delaware over Columbus Day weekend 2026?
From Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12, 2026, Delaware has the Bridgeville Apple-Scrapple Festival (Oct. 9–10), Pond Fest at Lums Pond State Park (Oct. 10), the Wilmington International Film Festival (through Oct. 11), Delaware State’s homecoming game in Dover (Oct. 10), Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale Fest in Milton (Oct. 10), and Greyhounds Reach the Beach in Rehoboth (through Oct. 11). On Monday, banks and post offices are closed for Columbus Day, but Delaware state offices stay open.
By David Sordelet | October 9, 2026
It’s the first long weekend of fall for a lot of Delawareans — Columbus Day, also observed by many as Indigenous Peoples’ Day — and it lands on one of the busiest festival weekends of the year.
Here’s what’s actually happening, county by county, with dates and details confirmed for 2026. Plans change, so check the event’s own site before you head out.
New Castle County
Pond Fest at Lums Pond State Park (Bear)
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (rain date Sunday, Oct. 11). Free festival with a dozen-plus food trucks, 40+ vendors, a beer garden, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a first-responder block party. Regular park entry applies ($5 Delaware residents, $10 out-of-state). Proceeds support Title I field trips and an adaptive kayak launch.
Wilmington International Film Festival (Wilmington)
Thursday, Oct. 8 – Sunday, Oct. 11, at venues around the city. Saturday includes Delaware Anime Day and the 18th Annual Festival of Shorts, and Sunday wraps with an awards brunch. Most screenings run $15–$25.
Winterthur (near Wilmington)
Friday, Oct. 9, 6–7 p.m.: Shakespeare, Poe, and Fiends — a spooky-season performance (tickets required)
Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.: DelaWild, a family nature day
Saturday, Oct. 10, 1–2:30 p.m.: Director’s Garden & Estate Walk (included with admission)
OperaDelaware: Don Giovanni Portraits (Wilmington)
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m., at OperaDelaware Studios on South Poplar Street. About an hour long, in Italian with English supertitles — an easy way to try opera without committing a whole evening.
Kent County
Fall Fest at Fifer Orchards (Camden-Wyoming)
Open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and closed Sundays — so you can go Friday, Saturday, or on Columbus Day itself. Admission is $18 online ($24 at the gate; 2 and under free) and includes a 5-acre corn maze. Saturdays add tractor-train rides and live music. Pick-your-own pumpkins and apples are extra.
Delaware State University Homecoming (Dover)
Saturday, Oct. 10, 1 p.m., at Alumni Stadium. The Hornets host Franklin Pierce for the first time ever. Homecoming weekend in Dover means a full house, so plan on traffic around campus and Route 13.
Sussex County
Bridgeville Apple-Scrapple Festival (Bridgeville)
Friday, Oct. 9, from 4 p.m. (opening ceremony, carnival, and street dance) and Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. (car show, hundreds of crafters, the skillet toss, apple dumplings, and plenty of scrapple). It regularly draws more than 20,000 people, so expect shuttles and parking lots on Saturday.
Punkin Ale Fest at Dogfish Head (Milton)
Saturday, Oct. 10, starting at 11 a.m., at the Milton brewery. Free to attend, family- and dog-friendly, with food trucks, vendors, live music, and adoptable dogs from the Brandywine Valley SPCA.
Greyhounds Reach the Beach (Rehoboth Beach)
Thursday, Oct. 8 – Sunday, Oct. 11, centered at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, with the greyhound parade on the Boardwalk on Sunday. Even if you don’t own a greyhound, it’s a sight to see.
The Rocky Horror Show at Clear Space Theatre (Rehoboth Beach)
Opens Friday, Oct. 9 (7 p.m.), with shows Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It runs through Halloween.
Lewes history tours
Saturday, Oct. 10: a Mysteries of History walking tour at 2 p.m. and a Haunting History paranormal tour on the Historic Lewes campus from 8–10:30 p.m. ($35). Check the Lewes Chamber calendar for tickets.
What’s open and closed on Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 12)
Delaware doesn’t treat Columbus Day the way the federal government does, which surprises people every year.
Closed: banks, the Federal Reserve, and post offices (no regular mail delivery)
Open: Delaware state offices, including the DMV — Columbus Day isn’t a Delaware state holiday
Open: Kent County and Sussex County government offices
Schools: it varies by district. Check your district’s calendar before you plan around it.
If you’re buying or selling a home and your settlement is anywhere near this weekend, the bank closure matters more than you’d think — loan funds and wires don’t move on Monday. I’ll cover exactly what that means for your closing in Monday’s post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus Day a state holiday in Delaware?
No. Columbus Day is a federal holiday, but it isn’t on Delaware’s list of state legal holidays, so state offices and the DMV are open. Banks, the Federal Reserve, and post offices are closed.
When is the Apple-Scrapple Festival in 2026?
The Bridgeville Apple-Scrapple Festival runs Friday, October 9, 2026, starting at 4 p.m., and Saturday, October 10, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday is the main day, with the car show, crafters, and food.
Is Fifer Orchards open on Columbus Day?
Yes. Fifer’s Fall Fest in Camden-Wyoming is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed Sundays, so it’s open on Columbus Day, Monday, October 12, 2026.
Are banks open on Columbus Day in Delaware?
Most banks are closed because Columbus Day is a Federal Reserve holiday. Wire transfers and most bank transactions won’t process until Tuesday, October 13.
Long weekends like this one are when a lot of people take a second look at where they live — the commute, the space, the neighborhood they keep driving to on weekends. If that’s you, I’m happy to talk through what a move would look like.
If you’re curious where you stand, request your free Home Equity Report — it’ll show you your home’s current value, how much equity you’ve built, and what’s happening with prices and inventory right in your neighborhood. Get your free report at search.teamsordelet.com/seller.
About David Sordelet
Looking for a trusted real estate professional in Delaware or Maryland who can help you make smart choices? Look no further than David Sordelet, Designated Broker of Real Broker Delaware and Team Leader of Team Sordelet.
With over two decades of experience, 1,000+ successful transactions, and 200+ five-star client reviews, David is recognized as one of the region’s leading real estate experts. Licensed as the Designated Broker in Delaware and an Agent in Maryland, he provides unmatched knowledge of Wilmington, Newark, Hockessin, Dover, Middletown, and the Maryland Eastern Shore.
David understands that in real estate, who you work with matters most. That’s why he combines personalized service, clear communication, and expert negotiation with the most modern marketing strategies and cutting-edge technology to achieve exceptional results for his clients.
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a move-up family, an investor, or a seller looking to maximize value, David Sordelet is the proven real estate professional you can count on.
License: RB-0031238-DE / 5013138-MD
Event details were confirmed from organizers’ and tourism sites as of October 6, 2026. Dates, times, and prices can change — check each event’s website before you go.
