Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival set for May 30 in Rehoboth Beach

The Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival will mark its 10th year May 30 at the Cambria Hotel Rehoboth Beach, supporting local nonprofits and building on more than $300,000 raised since 2015 by Creative Coastal Connections Corp. (Photo courtesy of Creative Coastal Connections Corp.)

The Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival will celebrate its 10th year on Saturday, May 30, bringing food, music and beverage tastings together in Rehoboth Beach while continuing its tradition of raising funds for local nonprofit organizations.

The event is scheduled from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Cambria Hotel Rehoboth Beach and is hosted by Creative Coastal Connections Corp. Since its launch in 2015, organizers say the festival has brought together thousands of attendees and raised more than $300,000 for community-based causes.

This year’s festival will once again feature small plates from area restaurants, along with unlimited samples of wines, cocktails, mocktails and craft beers. Live music performances from solo artists and bands are also scheduled throughout the afternoon.

A signature element of the event, the chef throwdown competition, will return with two teams of chefs competing in a “chopped”-style challenge that includes a mystery basket of ingredients and judging by guest judges.

Additional features include a silent auction and wine wall, offering attendees opportunities to bid on a variety of items, experiences and bottles of wine.

Each year, the festival highlights a local nonprofit as its beneficiary. For 2026, proceeds will support Celebrate Wellness, an organization focused on mental wellness for hospitality workers. The group provides education, connects individuals with resources and wellness professionals, and offers financial assistance for mental health support.

“In the hospitality industry, well-being often takes a backseat to job demands. Long hours and job pressure can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Our survey revealed that financial constraints are a significant barrier to seeking therapy. With Celebrate Wellness, financial barriers don’t have to stop workers from getting help.”

Festival organizers say the event is designed not only to showcase local culinary and creative talent, but also to generate support for organizations addressing community needs.

Information about sponsorship opportunities and volunteering is available through the festival’s website.