93rd Annual Dover Days Festival and Parade Set for May 1–2 in Downtown Dover

The 93rd annual Dover Days Festival and Parade, presented by the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, will return May 1–2, 2026, bringing a weekend of history and community activities to downtown Dover. (Photo courtesy of Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce.)

The 93rd annual Dover Days Festival and Parade will return May 1–2, 2026, bringing a weekend of history, entertainment and community activities to downtown Dover.

Presented by the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, the two-day event will take place around Legislative Mall and The Green, with festivities beginning Friday evening and continuing through Saturday.

The festival will kick off Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. with food trucks, historical walking tours and a fireworks display at dusk. Organizers say the opening night is designed to highlight local food vendors and introduce visitors to Dover’s historic downtown.

Saturday’s events will include the Dover Days Parade, which steps off at 9 a.m. and travels through the city, featuring local organizations, businesses and community groups. Participants often dress in costumes or as historical figures, reflecting Delaware’s history and culture.

Throughout the day, visitors can explore a historical artisan village, where costumed volunteers demonstrate trades and crafts from the colonial and Revolutionary War periods. Additional programming includes historical reenactments, traditional maypole dancing and a variety of local food and craft vendors.

Organizers said the festival aims to bring Dover’s history to life while offering family-friendly activities and opportunities for community engagement. The event is also part of Delaware’s DE 250 commemorations, marking the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial.

Applications for vendors and parade participants are available online, with organizers encouraging community involvement in this year’s event.