11 Of The Most Welcoming Towns In Delaware
From charming coastal communities to close-knit historic towns, Delaware offers far more than scenic drives and tax-free shopping. It's a place where friendliness still feels like a way of life. Delaware blends small-town warmth with rich history, walkable downtowns, and a strong sense of community that makes newcomers feel at home from day one. Whether you're considering a move, planning a weekend visit, or simply curious about where hospitality shines brightest, these 11 welcoming towns in Delaware stand out for their neighborly spirit, local pride, and inviting atmosphere.
New Castle
The small New Castle County town of New Castle, Delaware, is just nine miles from the larger city of Wilmington and 37 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its atmosphere, however, is miles away from that of a big city. One of the oldest cities in the US, founded in 1651, New Castle’s walkable historic district and location along the Delaware River attract many visitors. Others come to attend its many annual community events.
Each May, the town celebrates a Day in Old New Castle. 2026 will be the 101st year for this event, which includes a paid tour of some of the town’s historic houses, gardens, museums, and churches. Free events that day include an antique car show, children’s activities, and a farmer’s market.
In June, New Castle holds Separation Day, a two-day commemoration of Delaware’s independence from Pennsylvania and the British Crown. The 250th anniversary of this event occurs in 2026. Attendance is free, except for purchases of food and beer. The festival includes a parade, rides, a market, food, a beer garden, and live music, capped off with fireworks over the Delaware River.
Every September, New Castle hosts its Annual Block Party on the Green in Downtown Historic New Castle. Attendance is free. A cash bar, music, and an art auction are featured, and guests are encouraged to bring their own food. All of these events foster New Castle’s welcoming spirit, which extends to newcomers as well as long-time residents.
Lewes
In Sussex County, the town of Lewes sits where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. This popular resort town is close to Cape Henlopen State Park. Lewes is Delaware’s oldest town, settled in 1631. People visit Lewes for many reasons, including time by the water and its family-friendly beaches. Although it is a historic, water-oriented town, Lewes is quite welcoming to visitors, as evidenced by its annual events.
For 17 years, Lewes has held its Tulip Celebration over three weekends in April. A Tiptoe to the Tulips Map is provided to attendees so they can see the 31,000 tulips and 5,000 spring bulb plantings across the town. While parts of the festival are free, there is a small fee for walking tours. Tulips may also be purchased.
The Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival is held in June. The modest admission price allows visitors to see more than 75 sea glass and coastal artists from Delaware and other states. Music, food, and a sea glass exhibit are also included.
In December 2026, Lewes will hold its 94th annual Christmas Parade. This free, traditional event centers around a theme and offers prizes for the best groups, marchers, and cars in the parade. The Lewes Christmas tree is illuminated in Zwaanendael Park by Lewes’ mayor at the end of the parade. Lewes’ events celebrate its small-town, community feel, showing that it is not just a beach town.
Bethany Beach
Another family-oriented Sussex County beach town, Bethany Beach, is quieter than some of the other Delaware beach towns. It sits along the Atlantic Coast of Delaware between Miller Creek and Indian River Bay. Originally established as a church campsite, the town's communal spirit remains today.
Delaware Fire and Ice Festival, hosted by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce at the end of January or/beginning of February. Occurring over a weekend, the free festival features ice sculptures, food trucks, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities that draw visitors from other parts of the state as well as the nation. May sees the arrival of the Bethany Beach Poseidon Festival, a free celebration of the sea including music, mermaids, marine science exhibits, pirates, and more. Bethany Beach also hosts Movies on the Beach, free movies shown outdoors to the public on Monday nights in the summer and Thursday nights in the fall. Bethany Beach's original community atmosphere continues through these family-oriented events.
Milford
The Southern Delaware town of Milford sits in Kent and Sussex Counties and is bisected by the Mispillion River. It is about 25 miles north of Rehoboth Beach and is often considered the gateway to the Delaware beaches. Many pass through Milford on their way to the beach. Those who stop in this small town can experience its strong sense of community.
One popular gathering spot in Milford is the Riverwalk Farmers’ Market, the longest-running farmers’ market in the state of Delaware. Now in its 31st year, the farmers’ market is open from May through October. Seasonal produce is sold here.
Milford’s Bug & Bud Festival, held each April, celebrates two of the town’s and the state’s most cherished symbols. In 1973, an elementary class from Milford petitioned the Delaware General Assembly to make the ladybug the official State Bug. The “bud” part of the festival honors Arbor Day and Milford’s Tree City USA designation. The festival includes children’s activities, live entertainment, and a parade, and is free to attend.
Another event that draws members of the community as well as visitors from other parts of the state is the Holiday Stroll and Christmas Market, held on the first Saturday in December. Admission to the event is free. Shops, restaurants, and galleries are decorated throughout Milford’s downtown area. Wagon rides, carols, and music also take place during this long-standing holiday event.
Selbyville
Located in Sussex County, southern Delaware, near the Maryland border, the town of Selbyville is a historic, tight-knit rural community. Known for its strawberry farming history, Selbyville is also referred to as a gateway to the beaches, as the beach town of Fenwick Island is just 11 miles away.
One of Selbyville's annual holiday traditions is its Christmas Parade, now in its 65th year. The parade, which is free to attend, features floats, marching bands, fire trucks, and Santa Claus, with food and drink available. In June, the town holds its Old Timers' Day Classic Car Show and Family Festival, drawing attendees from all over Delaware as well as other states. Over 100 classic vehicles, live music, food, and activities are included. The festival, now in its 69th year, is free to attend. Another Selbyville establishment that attracts visitors from Delaware and elsewhere is Freeman Arts Pavilion. This open-air theater hosts lectures, films, and performances by nationally and internationally recognized musicians (James Taylor, Brooks & Dunn, and Maren Morris are just a few of the artists who have performed here). Admission to some events may be free, but most require a paid ticket to attend.
Newark
The college town of Newark in New Castle County borders Maryland and Pennsylvania and is home to the University of Delaware. This town, just 15 miles southwest of Wilmington and 45 miles from Philadelphia, contains a diverse collection of residents of all ages and backgrounds. Newark hosts many community events that celebrate its residents and their diversity.
Thousands attend University of Delaware sports events each year. Its football team, the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens, fills its 18,000-seat stadium each home game week during football season, with attendees from all over. Tickets may be purchased per game or per season.
The annual Downtown Newark Food & Brew Fest, held each July, includes more than 40 beers paired with food from some of the town’s best restaurants. Tickets are not required at this pay-as-you-go event.
Newark’s Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade is held on the third Sunday in May and features a ceremony on the green honoring the nation’s veterans. The parade down Main Street includes marching bands, veterans, and more. This event is free to attend.
Bridgeville
The logo of the small, agricultural-oriented town of Bridgeville in Sussex County is, "If you lived here, you would be home now." This welcoming, community feel extends throughout this Southern Delaware village. Bridgeville is 30 miles south of the state capital of Dover and 26 miles north of Salisbury, Maryland. Its community events draw attendees from Delaware, Maryland, and other states.
Bridgeville is most famous for its Annual Apple Scrapple Festival on the second weekend of October, now in its 34th year. Over 20,000 attend from all over to taste local scrapple, participate in events like the Apple Toss, and enjoy live entertainment, carnival rides, and more. Admission to the festival is free, but some events may carry a fee. Each December, Bridgeville hosts its Holiday Parade. Also free to attend, a different theme is given to the parade each year (2025, for example, was the "Parade of Lights.") A local business that attracts many golfers from all over the state, and perhaps the world, to Bridgeville is Heritage Shores Golf Club. The Par 72 golf course includes a selection of five tees for all skill levels. The course is open year-round, weather permitting.
Hockessin
The small, quiet town of Hockessin is tiny, but it is filled with community spirit and history. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the town of Hockessin, named for the Lenape word "hokes," meaning "good bark," is considered a suburb of Wilmington and is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, relishing in its community atmosphere.
Mt. Cuba Wildflower Weekend takes place over three days in April at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin. This festival showcases native spring flowers and also includes live music, gardening and family activities, food, and plants for sale. Admission is by ticket only. The annual Hockessin Auto Show in September is a professionally-judged auto show that draws attendees from all over the country. You must pay a fee and register to show an automobile, but attendance at the event is free. Hockessin's Coverdale Farm Preserve hosts festivals year-round that bring the community together and welcome outsiders. They include The Market at Coverdale, a farmer's market open April through November.
Dover
Although Dover is the capital of Delaware, this Kent County community still qualifies as a "small town," with a population of around 39,000. This city on the St. Jones River is the second most populous town in the state (the first being Wilmington). Dover is known for its history (founded in 1683), family-friendly atmosphere, and many community events.
Over the first weekend in May, attendees may celebrate the Dover Days Festival and Parade. One of the state's longest-running, free events, this festival honors the cultural heritage of Delaware. It features a colonial artisans' village, Maypole dancing, historic reenactments, hot air balloon rides, carnival games, and the largest parade of the year in Kent County. The American Bus Association named Dover Days one of its "Top 100 USA Events." Another popular event is the Delaware Heritage Festival, held at First State Heritage Park on the first Saturday in November. Food, drink, living history, trade, and craft demonstrations are all found at this free event. Of course, one of Dover's biggest attractions is Dover Motor Speedway. The NASCAR All-Star Race is held over a weekend in May and draws thousands of attendees from the state, the nation, and other countries. Weekend activities include a truck series race, various NASCAR races, and other activities. Tickets must be purchased for this event.
Rehoboth Beach
The small beach town of Rehoboth Beach in Sussex County beckons thousands of visitors each summer. The town itself, however, has a community spirit that lasts all year long. Rehoboth Beach is known for inclusivity and achieved a perfect score on the 2025 Municipal Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign, the highest in the state.
The Rehoboth Arts Festival, in its sixth year, is held in Grove Park each May. The event attracts over 2,000 visitors from Delaware and elsewhere; features artwork from local, regional, state, and international artists; and is free to attend. Each November on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Rehoboth Beach hosts its annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing Along. Residents and visitors gather and sing Christmas carols while witnessing the lighting of the town's Christmas tree. Boardwalk Walking Tours are held in Rehoboth Beach seasonally. This 90-minute guided walk around town educates visitors about the history of the town, its importance in World War II, and more. Admission for the tour is $10.
Wyoming
The Kent County town of Wyoming in central Delaware is a suburb of Dover, giving its residents access to big-city amenities yet still maintaining its small-town feel. Wyoming is filled with history, as the Wyoming Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Farming is the root culture of this welcoming town.
The Wyoming Peach Festival is one of the town's most popular events, occurring on the first Saturday in August. In addition to peaches, the festival features crafts, food vendors, children's activities, and a peach dessert contest. Admission to the festival is free. Wyoming partners with its nearby sister town, Camden, to present the Camden-Wyoming Christmas Parade each December. Free visits with Santa are available after the parade at the Wyoming Town Hall. Another event that fosters community spirit is the Wyoming Holiday Lights Contest, held during the month of December. Any homes and businesses may enter the contest, and registration is free. The public can vote on the best lights in town via the town's Facebook page. This contest is interactive, involving the townsfolk and others, and encouraging participation.
Friendly Folk in the First State
These 11 Delaware towns are filled with some of the friendliest people you will find in the First State. The diversity and abundance of community events, such as festivals, fairs, and contests, show the strong community spirit present in each town. Whether you are looking for a neighborly small town that serves as a suburb of a larger city or one far removed from urban areas, Delaware offers many opportunities to connect with new neighbors in these welcoming communities.
