Events & Happenings
Tall Ships
The City of New Castle is proud to host visits from the Kalmar Nyckel at the Delaware Street Pier.
The City is expecting a visit from the Kalmar Nyckel on August 24-25, and again on Sept 23-24. Visit their website for more information.
The Kalmar Nyckel events are weather dependent and based on public health guidelines due to COVID-19. Visit their website, follow them on Facebook.
Battery Park is Open to the Public
Special Events
The City of New Castle hosts many events throughout the year. Due to the Covid situation some events my be cancelled or modified.
Explore the links below for more information
2020
Saturday, October 3, 2020 9 a.m.
The eighth annual River Towns Ride & Festival is being converted into a recreational ride-only event for 2020 due to Covid-19. Riders will visit the historic riverfronts of New Castle, Delaware City and Wilmington, earning medals based on distance completed. This year’s ride will be held Saturday, October 3rd beginning at 9 a.m.
Go to www.rivertownsfestival.com for more information.
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Oak Knoll Book Fest is the first Saturday and Sunday in October (in even numbered years.) For details call (302) 328-7232. www.oakknoll.com/fest
Hauntings in History: Ghostly Walking Tours of Old New Castle
Every Friday and Saturday Night in October
Tours begin at 7:00, 7:30 and 8:30 pm
Beware of goblins, ghosts and poltergeists as you venture out on autumn evenings and discover the darker side of history by taking the only ghost tour of Old New Castle that brings you inside one of New Castle’s most haunted mansions.
Walking tours begin at the historic Arsenal Visitor Center, and include a visit inside the legendary Amstel House, where you may glimpse the famous “Lady in Blue,” who reportedly appears in an upstairs window dressed in a blue silk gown. In addition to visiting the Amstel House, you’ll venture out into the dark, cool night to explore other New Castle myths and tales of the supernatural. Mixed in along with the stories will be plenty of New Castle history – including mourning and funerary practices, cases of murder and early examples of capital punishment.
Hauntings in History tours begin at 7:00, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. on every Friday and Saturday night in October. Tours are held rain or shine and last approximately 75 minutes.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online at website www.newcastlehistory.org or bit.ly/nchshauntingsinhistory19
These tours sell out quickly so reserve your tickets today!
Holidays at the George Read House, and the Amstel and Dutch Houses
December 1st through December 30th.
The George Read House will be open for the Holidays. Once the largest house in Delaware this beautiful home has been carefully restored and is now a museum. The Read House will be decorated as it would have been in the early 1800’s. For hours and information please call (302) 322-8411.
The Amstel House will be decorated for a traditional holiday celebration in colonial times, showing off a “dessert board” of the period, and featuring traditional 18th century customs during the period of Governor Nicholas Van Dyke’s residency. At the Dutch House, experience a celebration of St. Nichols’ Eve, a tribute to the legend of Saint Nicholas, Dutch patron saint. Included with regular admission to the museums. For hours and information please call (302) 322-2794 or go to www.newcastlehistory.org/
Spirit of Christmas (Citywide Event)*
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Presented by New Castle Presbyterian Church & the Visitor’s Bureau
Tour historic homes and museums in Old New Castle decorated for the holiday season. Enjoy holiday concerts including Simple Pleasures (a cello, viola, flute and harp quartet) from 10 – 11 a.m., Hand Bell concerts at 1 & 1:30 p.m., and the New Ark Chorale at 3 p.m. Free to the public. For more information go to www.facebook.com/spiritofchristmasDE
New Castle Spirit of Christmas/Dickens Experience
Due to expected rain New Castle Historical Society has made a couple of changes to our planned activities.
They will be selling wreaths decorated by the Arasapha Garden Club in front of the Arsenal throughout the day. Stop by early to take home the perfect wreath.
They are moving the performances of “A Christmas Carol” inside the New Castle Court House Museum instead of using the band shell on Market Square – the performance times are the same….11:30 am and 2:00 pm.
The planned Victorian Marketplace outside the Arsenal has been cancelled due to the rain. Please be sure to visit all the wonderful shops and restaurants here in New Castle.
Fezziwig’s Ball
The Arsenal in New Castle – 30 Market Street (on the Cobblestones)
Friday Night
The New Castle Arsenal transforms into the Fezziwig house from A Christmas Carol for one night. This Victorian Ball will have period music from Susquehanna Travelers , a Dance Master and assistants from the Victorian Dance Ensemble calling the dances and giving instructions, and refreshments. Period clothing is encouraged, but not required.
Tickets available by clicking here. A free dance rehearsal will be held prior to the ball. For tickets or more information please call (302) 322-2794 or go to www.newcastlehistory.org/
The New Castle Arsenal 30 Market Street (on the Cobblestones)
Saturday
As part of the Spirit of Christmas & Dicken’s Experience enjoy a festive Victorian Tea at The Arsenal. For tickets or more information please call (302) 322-2794 or go to www.newcastlehistory.org/
Guest Bartender Night at Jessop’s Tavern*
Jessop’s Tavern
114 Delaware Street
New Castle Senior Center
Guest Bartender Night
Mid January
Proceeds benefit the New Castle Senior Center.
May Market* (First Friday & Saturday in May)
Friday, May 1st & Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 – This event is cancelled
Market Square – Behind New Castle Town Hall
201 Delaware Street, New Castle DE
Are you looking for the perfect plant for a special corner of your garden? Are you looking for a special herb plant for your kitchen, or something unique for your home? How about a bargain, or the perfect Mother’s Day gift? You’ll find all this and more at May Market, a New Castle tradition held on the first Friday and Saturday of May. Make this the start of a lovely day in historic New Castle. Come early for the best selection! Free expert gardening advice is available and credit cards are accepted. Proceeds benefit the gardens of New Castle’s historic Amstel and Dutch Houses.
Annual A Day in Old New Castle* (Third Saturday in May)
May 16th, 2020 This event is cancelled
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
- Beer Garden on the Wharf
- Deck tours of Tall Ships, as available (included with ticket)
- and much more!
Separation Day & Colonial BBQ Competition* (Second Friday & Saturday in June)
This event is cancelled
Friday, June 12, 2020 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. Separation Day Kickoff Party
Saturday, June 13, 2020 11:30 Parade on Delaware Street
Saturday, June 13, 2020 Noon Colonial BBQ Competition Starts
Saturday, June 13, 2020 Noon in Battery Park, Music, Crafters, Rides, Food ending with a concert at 8:00 p.m. and Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
This unique event celebrates Delaware’s Birthday, when we “separated” from Great Britain and Pennsylvania on June 15th 1776.
Summer Solstice
“Dining in the Street”*
“Dining in the Street” Join your friends and enjoy Dining in the Street. Good food, good friends and music in the heart of Historic New Castle. Tickets can be purchased on www.eventbrite.com, just click on “Dining in the Street”, tickets will also be available at Jessop’s Tavern and the New Castle Senior Center. Hurry, seating is limited.
 Wednesday Night Summer Concerts in Battery Park*
Free to the public, this is always the summer’s hottest ticket! Each week features a different music group, State Covid-19 guidelines will be followed. Signed Waiver is your entrance ticket (click on the link below for a printable waiver.)
Art on the Green is an annual Art & Craft Show in Historic New Castle Delaware |
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*Annual Event
