it's party time
Dewey Beach is known as the best nightlife spot in Delaware.
where fun meets sun
In 2023, Dewey Beach formally adopted the town motto, “Delaware’s Favorite Playground,” in recognition of Dewey’s reputation as a magnet for partygoers in the summer months. But it’s also a prime location for daytime fun, beloved for its wide, sandy beach, great food and watersports.
Dewey Beach lies on a small strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Rehoboth Bay and is about a mile long and two blocks wide. Despite its small size and low year-round population of nearly 400, it is not uncommon for 30,000 visitors to descend upon the town during summer weekends.
Dewey is less than 2 miles from Rehoboth Beach, which is larger (about 1,500 permanent residents) and hosts a wide array of family-friendly attractions for all ages, including the magnificent shoreline and historic boardwalk. But for funky events and partying, it’s Dewey all the way.
only in dewey
For more than 27 years, Dewey Beach has enacted its own version of Pamplona's famous Running of the Bulls. In Dewey's "drunk uncle" version of the affair , a costumed bull (singular) is chased through the streets by throngs of apparently inebriated partygoers and then stared down in dramatic fashion by celebrity matadors, who've included local brew masters, politicians, mermaids, and of course, the occasional Elvis impersonator. Because…why again? Actually, what started as a silly lark morphed into a major event complete with flamenco dancers, live music, food and drinks, and raises lots of money for the Rehoboth Fire Department, so there's that. If you're visiting in June, pack your castanets and pencil it in your calendar.
festivals
In August, Dewey Beach hosts the ZAP/PRO/AM World Skimboarding Championships, an intense 3-day competition topped off with awards and — you guessed it — an afterparty.
To celebrate the beginning of the spring and summer beach season, the beaches of Delaware host a Bacon Fest on the third weekend in April. What does bacon have to do with the beach, you ask? The answer is… nobody cares. Bacon Fest features two days of bacon-infused food — and yes, drinks — from top restaurants in the area, inaugurated with a bonfire on the beach and finished with a "Best Bacon on the Beach" award ceremony.
If bacon's not your jam, there's always craft beer — a local speciality. Dewey Beach Localfest, held at The Starboard, features unlimited beer samples from more than a dozen Delaware-based breweries, live music and food. And it's held at the end of January, because beer does not care about the weather.
live music
The music scene here is happening, with a focus on rock and roll at venues such as Bottle & Cork, The Starboard, North Beach, Rusty Rudder and Jimmy's Grille.
If jazz is more your thing, Rehoboth Beach hosts an annual Jazz Festival in October held at intimate venues in and around the Delaware beaches.
food
From casual meals to upscale dining, there’s no shortage of places to eat. For seafood, there's Woody's, Nalu, Henlopen City Oyster House, Salt Air, Fins, Blue Coast and Big Fish. For pizza, there's Grotto's or Louie's. For Mexican, try Mariachi, Agave, or Dos Locos. For Italian, Difebo's, Lupo Italian Kitchen, Sazio or Touch of Italy. Other recommendations include Lighthouse, Shorebreak Lodge, The Blue Hen, Zogg's Raw Bar & Grill, Confucius Chinese Cuisine and The Pines.
beach time
Sure, you can book pretty much any watersports activity in Dewey beach, including jet skiing, parasailing, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and dolphin cruises, but did you know you can book a private beach bonfire? If you forgot to pack your logs, don't fret, you can reach out to a local surf shop to set you up with everything you need for a cozy night at the beach.
There are also free bonfire nights on Wednesdays from mid-June to late August starting at 7 pm at the beach off of Dagsworthy Avenue. On Mondays in summer season, you can catch a free family-friendly movie on the beach there starting at 8:30 pm.
rainy day fun
Rainy days are ripe for indoor adventures. Lefty's Alley and Eats features bowling, axe-throwing, laser tag, gaming, a private karaoke suite, excellent food and more in this highly rated and popular attraction.
You could also spend an indoor day touring and sampling at local craft breweries and wineries such as these, but be sure to call ahead to reserve:
Dewey Beer Co.
Dogfish Head Brewery
Big Oyster Brewery
Revelation Craft Brewing Company
Nassua Valley Vineyard
Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery
Beach Time Distilling
close to everything
In season, a trolley can take you into Rehoboth Beach to check out the boardwalk, shops and attractions, or you walk or bike it.
