Step into fall with a night of line dancing, seasonal beverages, and tasty autumn treats. Learn new moves from our line dancing instructors, enjoy games on the lawn, and relax on hay bales under the crisp autumn sky. $50; $12 for children 12 and under. Includes welcome cocktail (nonalcoholic option available), line dancing instruction, and access to the garden. Rain date October 3.
Blog
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Truck & Tractor Day
Get up close to big equipment, suit up in firefighter gear, take a hayride, and more on this day of farm-style fun. Included with admission. Members free. This is a rain or shine, drop-in event, although you may register in advance.
Photos by Suchat Pederson and Bob Leitch
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Dewey Goes Pink 5k
As part of the Dewey Goes Pink breast cancer fundraiser, the 5k course includes paths in city limits. Click here to register and see what streets are affected.
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RBVFC Hook & Ladder Coastal Oktoberfest
The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company is hosting an Oktoberfest fundraiser in the Convention Center.
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Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Co. Annual Fire Prevention Day
This is an event to teach and encourage Fire Prevention during Fire Prevention Week.
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Fire Prevention Day
The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, along with other local emergency personnel, will be sharing safety tips at the Bandstand Horeshoe.
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Blessing of Animals
St Edmond’s Church is hosting a blessing of animals at Laurel Street near the corner of King Charles Avenue (In between St. Edmond Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church)
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Fall at Longwood Gardens – Extended Hours (October 2–25, 2026)
Fall at Longwood & Chrysanthemum Festival 2026
Open Wednesday–Monday. Closed Tuesdays except for special events.
This fall, nature picks up her brush and transforms Longwood Gardens into a living canvas of amber, crimson, and gold. Towering trees ignite in color, ornamental grasses shimmer in the breeze, and late-season blooms hold their own against the crisp blue sky. It’s the season when artistry and agriculture meet—when master gardeners, designers, and scientists showcase what careful planning and bold imagination can achieve.
Wander the Flower Garden Walk, where autumn perennials and textured foliage create layered ribbons of color. Explore the Hillside Garden, a quieter, contemplative space where horticultural rarities and thoughtful plant pairings reveal subtle beauty. In the expansive Meadow Garden, sweeping fields of goldenrod, asters, and native grasses glow in the afternoon light, creating one of the most photogenic landscapes in the region.
The Ornamental Kitchen Garden offers another kind of bounty. Here, edible crops mix with decorative plantings, proving that productivity can be beautiful. Heirloom vegetables, vibrant peppers, and richly colored greens demonstrate that form and function aren’t rivals—they’re partners.
Chrysanthemum Festival 2026
Beginning October 16, 2026, Longwood’s artists and scientists stretch horticultural limits during the celebrated Chrysanthemum Festival. This isn’t a simple flower show. It’s a feat of botanical engineering.
Expect:
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Cascading chrysanthemum towers
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Intricate trained forms
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Sculptural displays cultivated over many months
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Rare varieties grown exclusively for the exhibition
Longwood has cultivated chrysanthemums for nearly a century, building a reputation for precision growing techniques and dramatic presentation. Each plant is trained, pruned, and shaped to create architectural forms that seem almost impossible—proof that patience is powerful.
Tiny trivia: Some chrysanthemum specimens are trained for nearly a full year before they bloom on cue. Talk about sticking to a growth plan.
October 2–25, 2026
Gardens Open
10:00 am–6:00 pm
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday10:00 am–9:00 pm
Friday, Saturday, SundayClosed Tuesdays
October 26–November 15, 2026
Gardens Open
10:00 am–5:00 pm
Wednesday–MondayAutumn at Longwood blends sweeping landscapes with fine detail. From golden meadows to meticulously trained chrysanthemums, the season offers both grand vistas and intimate discoveries. If summer dazzles with fountains, fall answers with fire—this time in the leaves.
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Blood Drive
The Blood Bank of Delmarva is hosting a blood drive at the Convention Center. Sign up for a timeslot here.
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Wellness Yoga
Activate your internal energy and strengthen your body and spirit as you practice slow, easy motions to get into the rhythm of nature. Led by Beth Sheehy. Bring a yoga mat, small towel, and a water bottle. Wear layers appropriate to the season.
Drop-in classes; held in the garden, weather permitting. In inclement weather, location will move indoors. Locations will be posted by the main gate and outside Brown Horticulture Center. Members only. $15 per Member per class; cash only. For more information, contact Beth Sheehy at [email protected].
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Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market
Every Tuesday rain or shine, the Rehoboth Beach Farmers’ Market offers a variety of fresh food, local produce, flowers, handmade goods, and more from local sellers in our community. The Farmers Market will be back in Grove Park, but please note: the Grove Park Parking Lot will be closed for public parking and through traffic, as vendors will be using this space in addition to park space.
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Off the Shelf: Marginalia
Notes, doodles, little pointing hands…people of the past weren’t shy about marking in their books, and historians appreciate it! Join us to learn about the history and importance of marginalia and see some examples of the art from the library’s collections. Free. Reservations required; limited to 30 participants.
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Member Bloom Report Guided Garden Walk
Exclusively for Members! Discover the beauty of the early fall garden on a walking tour led by Collin Hadsell, lead horticulturist. See what’s in bloom and explore unseen or off-the-beaten-path areas of the garden. Members free. Reservations required; limited to 50 participants. Walks leave promptly from the Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. In case of inclement weather, a decision will be made the day prior. If the decision is made to cancel, all registered participants will be notified.
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IRUG16: 16th Conference and Workshop of the Infrared and Raman User’s Group
For over three decades, the Infrared and Raman Users Group (IRUG) has been at the forefront of advancing spectroscopic analysis in cultural heritage conservation. Every few years, this vibrant international community gathers to share groundbreaking research, innovative techniques, and the latest developments in infrared and Raman spectroscopy for the analysis and conservation of cultural materials. In October 2026, IRUG 16 will bring together an international cohort of conservation scientists, conservators, researchers, and industry specialists working across diverse collections. This conference will showcase cutting-edge research and methodologies that are essential for advancing our understanding and preservation of cultural heritage materials.
