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Can’t-miss Delaware things to do in October 2024

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Can’t-miss Delaware things to do in October 2024

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Halloween isn’t the only entertainment happening in Delaware this October.

For those seeking more variety, the Small Wonder has plenty to offer. Here’s a sneak peek at some fun events coming up this month.

Rehoboth Jazz Festival, various locations 

It’s feeling like déjà vu at the beach as the annual Rehoboth Jazz Festival kicks off once again, with tickets for the opening night on Thursday already sold out. 

Over two dozen musical acts will groove Rehoboth including world-renowned violinist Damien Escobar, saxophonist Boney James, composer and keyboardist Keiko Matsui, and keys legend Bob James.  

The festival features several stages located at Cape Henlopen High, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, Epworth United Methodist Church, Lewes Farmers Market, Rusty Rudder, Rusty Rudder Deck and Lewes Elementary School.   

Free performances will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Lewes Farmers Market featuring Reggie Harris, plus at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Rusty Rudder Deck with Deanna Bogart.  

Concerts are held in Cape Henlopen, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey and Lewes from Friday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Oct. 20. Tickets for each show vary, from free to $159. Visit rehobothjazz.com or call (800) 595-4849. 

Blackbird Creek Fall Festival, Townsend 

This annual fall staple shows love to estuaries while also shining a light on autumn. 

The Blackbird Creek Fall Festival offers crafts, a scavenger hunt, tractor rides, bird watching, and wares from local artisans and vendors, plus more.   

Blackbird Creek Reserve (801 Blackbird Landing Road, Townsend) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19. Visit dnrec.delaware.gov or call (302) 739-6377. 

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Romeo and Juliet ballet, Wilmington  

First State Ballet Theatre will dance through Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy “Romeo and Juliet,” a tale of two lovers with feuding families.   

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. Tickets start at $37. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.   

Chuck Wicks concert, Smyrna  

Smyrna country star Chuck Wicks is coming back to his hometown to play a benefit concert in support of the Smyrna Boys & Girls Club’s 25th anniversary. An alum of “Dancing With The Stars,” Wicks first made a name for himself with his 2007 breakout hit “Stealing Cinderella.” He’s also dropped notable tunes like “All I Ever Wanted” and “Old With You.”  

Smyrna Opera House (W. South St., Smyrna) at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. Tickets are $50. Visit smynaoperahouse.org or call (302) 653-4236. 

Moms Unhinged comedy show, Wilmington 

Mothers looking for a comedic therapy session might enjoy a night out at the stand-up show “Moms Unhinged,” featuring headliner Ophira Eisenberg (from Comedy Central), along with performers Andrea Marie, Holly Ballantine and Stacy Pederson.  

“Moms Unhinged” is for ages 21 or older and the event offers clean-ish humor and covers topics like marriage, divorce, online dating, motherhood, and other things that annoy mamas.    

Baby Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22. Tickets are $37. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577. 

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Al Roker book talk, Wilmington 

Al Roker, America’s beloved weatherman on NBC’s “Today Show,” is on a mission to cook up good vibes when he talks about his new recipe book at Wilmington Public Library. 

The price for this ticketed event includes his new book “Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By,” a book signing, and free food samples from Roker’s cookbook prepared by popular Black-owned Wilmington restaurant Oath 84.  

After the book talk, guests will head over to restaurant Oath 84 (902 N. Market St., Wilmington) where chef and owner Justin Womack will introduce food samples inspired by the epic weatherman’s new cookbook. 

Wilmington Public Library (10 E. 10th St., Wilmington) at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. Tickets are $33.85. To register, visit tinyurl.com/RokerBookSigning. For more info, visit facebook.com/WilmingtonLibraryDE or wilmington.lib.de.us or call (302) 571-7400.  

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 at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. It begins at Coho’s Market & Loves Liquors at 4th Street and Rehoboth Avenue and continues down the Avenue. There’s also the costumed dog parade where furry friends strut down the boardwalk, starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.  

Sea Witch festivities are in multiple locations in Rehoboth (including at 305 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) from Friday, Oct. 25 to Sunday, Oct. 27. For more info, visit beach-fun.com or call (302) 227-2233 or (800) 441-1329.  

La bohème, Wilmington  

OperaDelaware and Baltimore present their fourth co-production with “La bohème.” In the show, a poet and his roommate painter are struggling artists who burn their art to keep warm during the winter. Things start to heat up after the poet meets a cute neighbor.  

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. Tickets start at $29. Visit operade.org or call (302) 442-7807.   

Delaware Renaissance Faire, Townsend 

This year the Delaware festival is open an extra day on Veterans Day, extending it to seven days over three weekends, which means there will even be more 16th-century-themed shenanigans and mead.  

Entertainment features over a dozen diverse performers such as The Harlot Queens (who sing naughty songs), Swashbucking Mercenaries for Hire, and a favorite like Krystal Younglove (she isn’t afraid to eat fire and lie on a bed of nails). 

Over 100 craft and food vendors will offer merchandise ranging from Renaissance-era-themed clothing to jewelry and cosmetic items, plus others. In addition to mead, there will be food options like barbeque, pizza, baked goods and other treats. Guests also will have the option to test their archery skills, plus check out pottery and blacksmithing demonstrations, sword fighting and more. 

Single Day Pass: adult (ages 15+) $25; youth (ages 5-14) $10; special admission $20; VIP: $40; season pass $70; VIP season pass $85.  

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; Monday, Nov. 11. Each day is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Faire is open rain or shine. For tickets and more info, visit delafaire.com.  

Delaware Hip Hop Cultural Summit, Wilmington 

Time is money and rap icon Flavor Flav knows it best, famously wearing clocks around his neck as a bold fashion statement. Soon the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will headline the second annual Hip Hop Cultural Summit at Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington. 

Registration is required for this free event. The summit is presented by AllHipHop, Guerrilla Republik and the Delaware Art Museum.  

Last year’s event attracted 1,000 guests and this year’s hip-hop celebration is looking to be bigger and better. This includes a competitive series of battles involving emcee, DJ, graffiti and breakdancing, judged by experts.  

There are also three exhibits that include T. Eric Monroe’s storytelling of hip-hop through photography. Another exhibit is from the Victrola Museum that spotlights the invention of the record player. Additionally, there’s a showcase of local visual artists examining the theme “Art of Activism and Social Justice.”  

Guests celebrities will be on tap for a panel discussion including Chuck Creekmur (panel moderator and co-founder of AllHipHop.com), Hakim Green (co-founder of 24 Hours of Peace), Pam Africa (renowned activist) and Yasser Arafat Payne (University of Delaware scholar). 

Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Free admission, registration is required. For more info, visit delart.org or call (302) 571-9590. 

Spaceboy Clothing’s Halloween party, Wilmington 

Over the years, Spaceboy Clothing has hosted everything from live original concerts to stand-up comedy. 

This time around, a lineup of DJs will headline for a Halloween bash, including Shadylady, PSYBOD, 3WEM and DJ Ed Efex. Costumes are encouraged for the all-ages event.  

Spaceboy Clothing (205 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Admission is $10. Visit spaceboyclothing.com

Frightland, Middletown  

The king of Delaware’s haunted attractions is still on the throne, waiting to punk more revelers for its 28th chilling season. 

Frightland features several evil attractions including a zombie prison, cemetery, haunted barn, zombie, town, haunted house, and more. This haunt has a lot of clout, having gained praise from media outlets like Forbes, Travel Channel and Huffington Post.  

Frightland (309 Port Penn Road, near Middletown) has ticket booth hours from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, and from 6-10 p.m. on Saturdays. The last day of the season is Saturday, Nov. 2. General Frightpass is $45 (online) on Thursday, Friday and Sunday; $55 (online) on Saturday. VIP pass is $85 (online). Visit frightland.com

News Journal reporter Ryan Cormier contributed to this report.

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

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