Events & Happenings
Special Events
The City of New Castle hosts many events throughout the year. Explore the links below for more information
Open Mic Night: Held the 3rd Sunday every month. 6:00p.m.-8:30p.m.
(New start & end times)
Location: NC Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall , 25 E 2nd St
Come out for a night of entertainment performed by acoustic singer-songwriters, musicians, and poets.
- Doors open at 6:00p.m.
- Sign-up begins at 6:00p.m.
- Admission $5.00 per person.(cash only)
- Two songs or poems to showcase your talent.
- Drinks & goodies available for purchase.
- All proceeds benefit the Friendship House in Wilmington, DE.
For more information contact James or Charlottie at secondstreetcoffeehousenc@gmail.com
Arasapha May Market
Friday, May 2nd & Saturday, May 3rd 2025
Market Square – Behind New Castle Town Hall
201 Delaware Street, New Castle DE
Looking for great new plant? How about a special herb or a unique bargain for your home? Maybe a gift for Mom? You’ll find all this and more at May Market, a New Castle tradition for over eighty years. Come early for the best selection and stay for a lovely day in Historic New Castle! Free gardening advice is available and credit cards are accepted. Friendly pets are welcome, too, as long as they are leashed! Proceeds benefit New Castle’s historic Amstel and Dutch House Gardens, and support Arasapha programs.
Annual A Day in Old New Castle* Third Saturday in May: May 17th, 2025
Experience Life on the River: Pirates, Colonial Craftsmen, Open Homes & Gardens, and so much more.
- Historical Reenactments
- Plundering Pirates
- Colonial Craftsmen
- Music, Performers
- Open Museums
- Tours of Rarely Open Homes and Gardens
- Deck tours of Tall Ships, as available (included with ticket)
- and much more!
Schedule
Separation Day Kickoff Party
Friday, June 6, 2025 6-9pm
Enjoy live music, beer, wine, seltzers and non-alcoholic drinks along with food trucks in a block-party setting. Admission is free. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Proceeds from sale of alcohol benefit the Good Will Fire Company.
- Featured Performer: BRAD NEWSOM & THE JAGERMINTZ – Guitar-centric classic rock and blues
Separation Day Festival
Saturday, June 7, 2025 1:00PM Start
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
-
- 1:00PM: Parade (Delaware Street)
- 2:00PM: Festival and Artisan & Vintage Market (Battery Park)
Live Music Schedule:
• 2-3:45pm: LESTER’S PEARL – Power trio playing blues-flavored rock originals and covers
• 4 -5:30 pm: TOO TALL SLIM – Rock classics and deep cuts from the ‘60s and ‘70s
• 6 -7:30 pm: BOOTS & SKIRTS – Female duo-based band singing country, roots and pop hits
• 8pm-9:30pm: WHAT THE FUNK – High-energy funk, soul and R&B with horns and multiple singers
- 9:30PM: Fireworks (Battery Park)
Separation Day Parade
Progresses along Delaware Street and culminates at the review stand in front of the Courthouse. This Colonial-inspired parade features re-enactors, bands, dance teams, classic cars, local sports teams and non-profits.
Family Festival
Something for everyone in Battery Park featuring live music, games, kid’s rides, exhibitors, food & drink, beer garden featuring craft beer, wine & seltzers. Admission free. Food, drink & ride tickets available for purchase.
Artisan & Vintage Market
- Offering festival attendees an array of vendors with different talents and passions. These vendors range from pickers, makers, shop keepers, collectors, small businesses, bakers, chefs, organic product specialists, craftsman, seamstresses, creatives that work hard to bring you a handmade and one-of-a-kind item, musicians, crafters, artists and hustlers who work so hard to offer a great product. Whether it is, handmade, hand-painted, up-cycled or found, Artisan & Vintage market vendors all share the love of mixing old and new to create something completely unique to their brand and shoppers.
- Live Music:
Bands will be performing on Separation Day’s Main Stage from 2:00PM until the fireworks at 9:30PM See schedule above - Fireworks:
Spectacular display over the Delaware River beginning at 9:30PM Bring your own blanket and chair.
Annual 4th of July Bell-Ringing Ceremony- July 4, 2025 at 1:30p.m. Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green
Wednesday Night Summer Concerts in Battery Park*
Grab your blanket or a chair for music in the park. Information is available at www.historicnewcastle.com.
Wednesday nights from late June through mid-August
Free to the Public – 6:30 p.m.
6/18/25 The Jimmies
6/25/25 Witchdoctors
7/9/25 Olivia Reynolds
7/16/25 Exit 93
7/23/25 The Launch
7/30/25 Magical Mystery
8/6/25 Cindee & Jimi
* The Concerts take place on Wednesday evenings, from late June through mid-August.
The Kalmar Nyckel, docked in Historic New Castle
Mark your calendars! The Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel is scheduled to stop in Historic New Castle. Discover the remarkable story behind the Kalmar Nyckel and Delaware’s rich maritime history.
New Castle is a home away from home for the Kalmar Nyckel and is honored to host Delaware’s Tall Ship. The ship docks at the public pier on Delaware Street and will be offering day sails from August 24th through September 7th.
To book a sail, or tour the ship call 302-429-7447 or go online to www.booking.kalmarnyckel.org.
BLOCK PARTY!
Date: September 21st, 2025 from 4:00p.m.-8:00p.m.
The Annual Block Party is an outdoor event held on the Green in Downtown Historic New Castle City. The event will be held on September 21, 2025 from 4 to 8 P.M. . It is a BYOF (Bring your on food) event with a cash bar open to the public. The annual event features, local bands and a live art auction. This event benefits the New Castle Senior Center.
Art on the Green* Saturday, September 27, 2025
Annual Arts & Crafts Show in Historic New Castle Delaware
Art on the Green is an annual Art & Craft Show in Historic New Castle Delaware. Started in 1970, it is the 4th
Saturday in September, in Battery Park, on the scenic Delaware River. Sponsored by the New Castle Hundred Lions Club. For more information visit www.artonthegreende.net
Annual Belgian Beer Fest!
Saturday, September 27, 2025 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This is the 2nd year for this event. VIP and general admission tickets, 30+ varieties to taste. Music by Finn, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets are available at www.historicnewcastle.com
River Towns Ride & Festival Saturday, October 11th 2025 beginning at 9 a.m.
The 12th annual River Towns Ride & Festival provides riders the opportunity to visit the historic riverfronts of New Castle, Delaware City, Wilmington and Chesapeake City, Md. while earning medals based on distance completed. Post-ride will be held in Delaware City’s Battery Park featuring live music, beer, food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Fridays & Saturdays in October Hauntings in History: Ghostly Walking Tours of Old New Castle*
Hauntings in History Walking Tours
If you are brave enough to explore the darker side of New Castle’s history, then join the New Castle Historical Society this October for a journey into New Castle’s supernatural side. You will be guided through New Castle’s darkened streets and alleyways where you will hear macabre tales of hauntings, Victorian death & funeral customs, and crime & punishment that span the almost 370-year history of this Delaware River town.
Visit the New Castle Historical Society’s website for more information on this and their other events and exhibits
Oak Knoll Fest
Oak Knoll sponsors a festival devoted to the book arts and fine printing held in New Castle. Started in 1994, it brings together letterpress printers and book artists, and encourages the artists themselves to represent their work to the public. Held the first weekend in October in even numbered years the festival has typically included: two days of the fine press bookfair, an Oak Knoll bookshop sale, and lectures on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Thursday October 30, 2025 6:30 p.m. (Tentative Date)
New Castle Hundred Lions Club Annual Halloween Parade
Parade lineup starts at 6:00 p.m. at St. Peters School parking lot. Cash Prizes.
A New Castle Tradition Sponsored by the New Castle Lions Club.
Don’t forget to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday
Shop Small Business Saturday 11/29 and throughout the year. Our local shops have a wide variety of unique gifts, including our museum shops. Our restaurants and services offer gift certificates, which are always a great gift.
24th Annual Spirit of Christmas Celebration
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Location: Various Locations Throughout Town
Website: https://www.spiritofchristmasde.com/
Experience the magic of the Spirit of Christmas on Saturday, December 14 in Historic New Castle—a day where history meets holiday wonder. From decorated homes to live music and a bustling marketplace, revel in the season while helping preserve the town’s treasured past. For event information, visit our website: https://www.spiritofchristmasde.com/ find us on Facebook or Instagram or contact us with any questions at info@spiritofchristmasde.com.
Come and visit New Castle and see the houses decorated for the season.
New Castle Historical Society
atTAcK addiction E-Racing the Stigma 5K/Rally*
Saturday, March 7, 2026
On 1st Saturday in March atTAcK addiction E-Racing the Stigma 5K/Rally comes to New Castle.
Visit their website for pictures of the 2022 atTAcK addiction E-Racing the Stigma 5K
Please note that there will be significant traffic restrictions and road closures in town during this event, so check back for updated information regarding traffic restrictions on that morning.
Easter Parade
Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026 – 1:00 p.m. on The Green
The New Castle Hundred Lions will once again hold their annual Easter Parade on the Green.
Don’t miss the candy, fun and prizes!
This New Castle tradition is sponsored by the New Castle Hundred Lions Club.
*Annual Event
