The second weekend of May is bringing a little bit of everything to Coastal Delaware, from live music and local fundraisers to farmers’ markets, festivals, and plenty of Mother’s Day brunch options. 

Whether you are staying close to Lewes, heading to Dewey, or making plans around Bethany and Fenwick, there are lots of ways to enjoy the weekend around the Delaware Beaches.

Dewey’s Golden Jubilee

Dewey’s Golden Jubilee brings one of the happiest sights of the season to Dewey Beach, with golden retrievers gathering for a weekend full of tail-wagging fun. 

The event supports the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, one of the largest canine health studies in the United States, which helps researchers better understand the factors that influence long-term canine health. 

The weekend has a relaxed feel, with a casual group walk from Lake Gerar Park into Rehoboth, off-leash beach play near Van Dyke Street, and a beach bonfire where people can bring chairs, blankets, and snacks while the dogs wind down after a full day. 

Don’t forget to bring fresh water, keep an eye on tired paws, wear a visible collar or bandana, and have a light-up tag for the evening.

• Dates: May 8th & 9th 
• Dewey Beach – Various hours & locations

Image: Wayne Farrell Photography

Nunsense II: The Second Coming at Milton Theatre

Nunsense II: The Second Coming brings the Little Sisters of Hoboken back to the Milton Theatre with more music, comedy, and show biz mischief. 

The story picks up after the sisters’ first benefit, with the nuns returning to put on a thank-you show for everyone who supported them. 

This time, they are a little more polished and a lot more excited about being on stage, but things do not stay calm for long. 

Chaos starts to build when two Franciscans arrive to claim Sister Mary Amnesia, who has won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, while the sisters also learn that a talent scout may be in the audience. 

This musical keeps the laughs coming with Sister Amnesia's crazy bingo game, the funny duet "What Would Elvis Do?" and the big finale "There's Only One Way to End Your Prayers and That's to Say Amen!".

• Date: May 8th-10th
• Hours: 2 pm & 7:30 pm
• Address: 110 Union Street, Milton

Genealogy Group at South Coastal Public Library

South Coastal Genealogy Group is a meetup for adults who are interested in family history, whether they are just getting started or have already spent years digging through records. 

The group is set up as a discussion, so attendees can share current projects, ask questions, trade tips, and learn from one another. 

Meeting facilitator Nancy N. also demonstrates selected genealogy resources, which can be especially helpful for anyone trying to figure out where to search next or how to make better use of the tools available through the library. 

South Coastal Public Library offers several useful resources for family history research, including access to Ancestry Library Edition on public computers with a library card, Newspapers.com access, the Delaware Collection, the Genealogy Collection, and a free genealogy course through Universal Class. 

• Date: Friday, May 8th
• Hours: 10:15 am to 12 pm
• Address: 43 Kent Avenue, Bethany Beach

Burley Oak Brewing Co. Dinner at Matt’s Fish Camp Fenwick

Chef Tim's carefully planned menu for the Burley Oak Brewing Co. Dinner pairs coastal food with craft beer in a four-course meal. 

Bryan Brushmiller, the founder and owner of Burley Oak, will be there that night to talk about the Berlin, Maryland brewery that makes the beers that will be served. 

The menu starts with tuna sashimi rolls made with crisp veggies, sesame, smoked soy, and fried garlic, paired with Sea Heathen, a pilsner with lime. 

From there, guests can enjoy hot honey deviled eggs with mustard whipped yolks, candied bacon, Old Bay, and baby celery alongside Lost IPA, followed by sweet and sour pork ribs with crunchy Napa and butter lettuce salad, sugar snaps, cilantro, cashew crunch, and coconut milk ranch paired with Fuzzy Slippers stout. 

The dinner finishes with warm carrot bundt cake served with white chocolate goat’s cheese ice cream and sugar crisp carrots, matched with J.R.E.A.M., a carrot cake cheesecake fruited sour.

• Date: Friday, May 8th
• Hours: 6:30 pm to 9 pm
• Address: 700 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island

Image: Matt's Fish Camp

The Legwarmers at Bottle & Cork

The Legwarmers are bringing their full 80s tribute experience to Bottle & Cork. 

The band leans all the way into the decade, from the Simmons electronic drum kit to the checkered Vans, skinny ties, big energy, and Aqua Net-level nostalgia. 

Their shows are known for turning the stage into a full throwback party, with the songs, the sound, the attitude, and the wink that made the 80s feel so over the top in the best way. 

Fans can expect a performance packed with familiar favorites, playful theatrics, and the kind of crowd energy that makes it feel like prom night, a John Hughes movie, and a rock tour all rolled into one. 

Bottle & Cork is already one of Delaware’s classic concert venues, and this show should be a fun one for anyone who loves 80s music, dancing, and a little bit of retro chaos.

• Date: Friday, May 8th
• Hours: 8 pm to 11:45 pm
• Address: 1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach

MERR Yard Sale Fundraiser

MERR’s annual yard sale in Lewes is a great chance to browse for useful finds, enjoy homemade treats, and support a local organization doing important work for Delaware’s marine life. 

The sale typically includes a mix of home and garden items, gently used pieces, baked goods, and refreshments. 

Proceeds help support the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute, a nonprofit that rescues, rehabilitates, and helps protect marine mammals and sea turtles across Delaware. 

MERR is on call around the clock as the state’s first responder for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles and also plays a major role in teaching students and local groups about coastal wildlife and conservation challenges.

So when you shop at this yard sale, it helps support both emergency rescue work and long-term protection for marine life.

• Date: Saturday, May 9th (rain date May 16th)
• Hours: 8:30 am to 12 pm
• Address: 801 Pilottown Road, Lewes

Plant Sale & Pollinator Festival at Epworth UM Church

If you want to make your yard, garden, or outdoor space more welcoming to pollinators, the Plant Sale & Pollinator Festival is a great place to go. 

The event is all about native plants and hands-on learning, and it will teach you how the choices you make when landscaping can affect the health of pollinators. 

People who come can learn about cultural practices, invasive species, ecological restoration, native planting, and the Dark Skies initiative in a way that is easy to understand and helpful. 

The Delaware Beekeepers Association will be there with a teaching hive and an observation hive featuring live bees, giving people a closer look at how bees live and why they matter. 

The Sussex County Master Gardeners will also be available with their Garden Smart, Garden Easy program and can help answer a wide range of gardening questions. 

With additional participants like Inland Bays Garden Center, Tributaries Ecological Restoration, Blooming Meadows Nursery, and Delaware Naturally, this is a great event for gardeners and nature lovers.

• Date: Saturday, May 9th
• Hours: 9 am to 12 pm
• Address: 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach

Don’t Tell Comedy in Bethany Beach 

If you love the thrill of a surprise, Don’t Tell Comedy in Bethany Beach delivers a live show experience unlike anything else around town. 

The exact restaurant will stay under wraps until the morning of the event, when ticket holders receive the full details, adding a layer of excitement before you even walk through the door. 

Once inside, you will find a welcoming indoor setup with chairs provided and drinks & food available for purchase. 

The comedians remain a secret until they step on stage, but the lineup is carefully curated with four to seven comics, blending emerging talent with seasoned performers from across the country. 

The result is a diverse, high-energy show that runs about seventy to ninety minutes and keeps the audience guessing in the best way. 

• Date: Saturday, May 9th
• Hours: doors open at 6 pm
• Location: restaurant in Bethany Beach

Image: Don't Tell Comedy

Camp Hope of Delaware Fundraiser at Tommy Town

The Camp Hope of Delaware Fundraiser brings a Vintage Americana theme to Harbeson for a good cause, with classic cars, movie cars, vintage signs, antiques, food, a 50/50 raffle, and more. 

The event is designed to raise money for underserved children in the community through Camp Hope, which helps provide kids with summer activities, meals, and field trips. 

It has the feel of a nostalgic community gathering, with plenty to look at, from old signs and antiques to cars that bring back a reminder of the past. 

Guests can enjoy the atmosphere, grab something to eat, take part in the raffle, and support a local effort that gives children a more active and memorable summer. 

• Date: Saturday, May 9th
• Hours: 11 am to 3 pm
• Address: 20104 Doddtown Road, Harbeson

Dockfish Dogs at Dogfish Head Milton Brewery 

Dockfish Dogs is bringing a brand-new kind of spring festival to Milton, with dogs, dock diving, local vendors, food, and plenty of energy all in one place. 

The event is a collaboration between Dogfish Head and Delmarva Dock Dogs, with canine athletes jumping from the dock into the water and competing in categories like Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. 

Guests can watch the action, cheer on the dogs, and enjoy a full festival atmosphere with food from vendors like Uncle B’s Kitchen, MomMom’s Cheesecakes, Taco Reho, Flippin’ Waffles, and Sarcastic Chef. 

There will also be plenty for dogs to enjoy, including The Hoppy Hound, a special dog bar with pup cups, bone broth “beer,” and treats available for purchase. 

Local pet vendors and organizations will be part of the day too, along with Brandywine Valley SPCA and Grass Roots Rescue, who will be there with adoptable dogs. 

• Date: Saturday, May 9th
• Hours: starts at 11 am
• Address: 6 Cannery Village Center, Milton

Lower Case Blues and Sweet Leda at The Listening Booth

Lower Case Blues and Sweet Leda are bringing a night of blues, funk, soul, and jam-band energy to The Listening Booth

This is a great choice for anyone who likes Lake Street Dive, funky grooves, and live music with a little edge. 

Lower Case Blues has been part of the Mid-Atlantic music scene since 2003, building its sound around traditional blues, modern funk, improvisation, and organic instrumentation. 

Sweet Leda adds another layer of energy to the night, blending new-school funk and soul with old-school blues and rock, led by Julie Cymek’s deep, bluesy vocals and lively stage presence. 

• Date: Saturday, May 9th
• Hours: 7 pm to 9:30 pm 
• Address: 18388 Coastal Highway #11, Lewes

Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers’ Market

This is a Sunday market where you can find a little bit of everything, like local fruits and vegetables, honey, jams, arts and crafts, goods made by vendors, live music, and wine made in the area. 

Nassau Valley Vineyards hosts live music every week, with artists such as Jr. Wilson and Chatty, Matt Lafferty, Hot Sauce, Keith Mack, Ed Shockley, and more bringing the soundtrack while guests shop, eat, and hang out. 

There is also a full sangria bar with Nassau's own wines and food from vendors on site, so it's easy to turn a quick trip to the market into a long afternoon outside. 

Families and kids are welcome, and guests can bring their own chairs or get one there, sit back, and enjoy the music with a drink of wine or sangria. 

Dogs can't go inside the market areas or the winery buildings, but they can be walked outside those areas or kept on a leash at the picnic tables.

• Date: Sunday, May 10th
• Hours: 12 pm to 3 pm
• Address: 32165 Winery Way, Lewes

Image generated by AI

Mother's Day Breakfast Buffet at the Cottage Cafe

Mother’s Day Breakfast Buffet at the Cottage Cafe is a classic, family-friendly way to start the holiday with a full spread of breakfast favorites. 

The buffet menu includes baked French toast, Belgian waffles, scrambled farm eggs, house-made sausage, biscuits and gravy, cottage potato and onion hash, hickory smoked bacon, and house-baked muffins and pastries. 

There is also an omelet station where guests can build their own plate with farm-fresh eggs, cheeses like cheddar jack, Swiss, and mozzarella, and add-ins such as sautéed mushrooms, onions, sweet bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, jalapeños, bacon, ham, and sausage. 

With a mix of sweet, savory, and made-to-order options, this is a comfortable choice for families who want a relaxed Mother’s Day.

• Date: Sunday, May 10th
• Hours: 9 am to 1 pm
• Address: 33034 Coastal Highway, Bethany Beach

Mother's Day Brunch at Catch 54

Mother’s Day Brunch at Catch 54 gives families a waterfront-inspired way to celebrate, with an à la carte brunch menu served alongside the restaurant’s full menu. 

The special brunch options include smaller bites like Old Bay candied bacon with sriracha maple drizzle, a big buttermilk black pepper biscuit with honey butter and sea salt, avocado toast with cherry tomato, citrus, shaved radish, and sweet basil, and a lox platter with pickled onion, veggie crema, capers, and bagel chips. 

For something more filling, guests can choose from dishes like the Catch 54 crab scramble with garlic, spinach, Old Bay Texas toast, and house hash, chicken and waffles with banana butter and sticky cider bourbon maple glaze, or a spring farm veggie frittata with asparagus, chevre, basil, tomato salsa, and house hash. 

There is also vanilla cheesecake with strawberry maple drizzle, fresh mint, and lemon curd for anyone who wants to end brunch with something sweet.

• Date: Sunday, May 10th
• Hours: 10 am to 3 pm
• Address: 38931 Madison Avenue, Fenwick Island

Mother’s Day Brunch at Harvest Tide Lewes

Mother’s Day Brunch at Harvest Tide Lewes offers a special brunch experience built around chef-curated stations, fresh seafood, and classic favorites prepared with a little extra care. 

The spread includes charcuterie boards with premium cheeses and cured meats, a fresh fruit station with yogurt, granola, and honey, and a seafood station featuring shrimp, clams, mussels, and baked salmon. 

Guests can also enjoy brunch staples like Eggs Benedict, bacon, sausage, and roasted potatoes, along with a carving station serving prime rib and honey baked ham. 

To finish things off, the dessert selection includes options like chocolate raspberry cake, cheesecake, and more. 

It is a polished but still comfortable choice for celebrating Mother’s Day in Lewes, especially for families who want a full brunch menu with plenty of variety.

• Date: Sunday, May 10th
• Hours: 11 am to 2 pm 
• Address: 410 E Savannah Road, Lewes

Image: Harvest Tide

Mother's Day Brunch at Bluecoast Bethany

Mother’s Day Brunch at Bluecoast Bethany offers an à la carte brunch menu with a mix of coastal flavors, fresh spring ingredients, and classic brunch comfort. 

Starters include buttermilk biscuits with whipped butter and jam, a berry parfait with vanilla Greek yogurt, chia seed granola crumble, and local honey, bagels and lox with smoked salmon, pickled red onion, capers, dill, and horseradish crème fraîche, and crab avocado toast on sourdough with heirloom cherry tomatoes, pickled ramps, and micro basil. 

The main dishes bring even more variety, from baked French toast with candied walnuts, whipped honey butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, and bacon to a three-egg French omelet with asparagus, spring peas, maitake mushrooms, chevre, and Yukon Gold hash. 

Guests can also choose the spring harvest quiche with melted leeks, Gruyere, spinach, shaved asparagus, tomato jam, and greens, or the colossal crab eggs Benedict served on a toasted buttermilk biscuit with pancetta, spinach, avocado, Old Bay hollandaise, chives, and Yukon Gold hash.

• Date: Sunday, May 10th
• Hours: 10 am to 3 pm
• Address: 30904 Coastal Highway, Bethany Beach

Mother's Day Brunch at Bluecoast Rehoboth

Mother’s Day Brunch at Bluecoast Rehoboth brings a creative à la carte menu to the holiday, with dishes that feel a little more playful than a standard brunch spread. 

The menu includes fried dumplings filled with lobster, Milton scrapple, soft scrambled eggs, caramelized onions, and spicy ketchup, along with a Cinnabon casserole topped with cream cheese icing, candied pecans, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. 

Guests looking for something savory can try the latkes and lox with lemon dill crème fraîche, smoked salmon, poached egg, capers, home fries, and fresh fruit, or the fried chicken and biscuits with buttermilk-soaked chicken thighs, house biscuits, and andouille gravy. 

For a seafood-forward brunch option, the big fat crab cake Benedict comes with a poached egg, spinach, English muffin, hollandaise sauce, Old Bay, home fries, and a citrus side salad. 

The menu also includes strawberry rhubarb crisp with oatmeal streusel, vanilla ice cream, and crème anglaise, making it a fun choice for families who want a Mother’s Day meal with bold flavors.

• Date: Sunday, May 10th
• Hours: 10 am to 3 pm
• Address: 30115 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach

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