Downtown and county
A dated starter calendar for newcomers — this week’s listings plus the monthly rhythm of First Fridays, the farmers market, fairgrounds energy, and summer nights on Winter Street. Listings are curated from Main Street Delaware, Visit Del Ohio, and the County Fair — always confirm before you go. This is the Ohio city, not the state.
Sources: mainstreetdelaware.com, delawarecountyfair.com, boardmanartspark.org, and Visit Del Ohio. Themes and dates change — always double-check official pages before you go.
Dated cards for what’s next in town (refreshed Oct 26, 2026). Times are America/New_York.
7:30–9:30 p.m. · doors 7:00 p.m.
Gray Chapel, Ohio Wesleyan University · 61 S Sandusky St
Great Britain’s newly crowned national champion brass band makes its only Ohio stop of its 2026 North American tour, hosted by Dublin’s championship Dublin Silver Band. Reserved seats $35–$65; a $30 VIP add-on includes a meet-and-greet and post-concert reception.
9:00 a.m.–noon
Sandusky St between William & Winter · business list at the Welcome Center, 20 E William St
Come in costume and trick-or-treat at every Farmers Market vendor and participating downtown businesses during the last market of the 2026 season. Pick up the list of participating shops at the Welcome Center that morning or watch Main Street Delaware’s social media.
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Neighborhoods across the City of Delaware
Delaware is holding trick-or-treat on Halloween itself this year (some Columbus-area suburbs, including Columbus and Dublin, go Thursday Oct 29 instead). Porch light on to welcome trick-or-treaters. Hours are confirmed by local news roundups (10TV, Delaware Source); check the city’s site for any weather updates.
Parade 3:00–4:45 p.m. · Social & Expo from 11:30 a.m.
Starts at Delaware County Fairgrounds main gate · 236 Pennsylvania Ave · through downtown on N Sandusky to Wilmer St
Ohio’s largest Veterans Parade — more than 1,600 participants and 90 entries, with bands, antique cars, entertainers, and veterans from every era. Less-crowded viewing along Pennsylvania Ave. Before the parade, a Veterans Social & Expo runs from 11:30 a.m. in the Jr. Fair building (light lunch, music, a 250th celebration, Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth David, military-themed kickoff at 2:00 p.m.). Veteran marchers preregister at DelawareOhVeteransParade.com.
6:30–9:00 p.m.
The Strand Theatre · 28 E Winter St
Free screening of the 1998 Jim Carrey film (rated PG), part of OWU’s Ross Art Museum “Communication, Surveillance & Democracy” talk series. Admission is free for everyone.
4:00–9:00 p.m.
Delaware County District Library · 84 E Winter St
The library’s 9th annual comic-con-style night: fandom-themed décor, cosplay, activities, trivia, and more. All events are free and all ages are welcome. Runs the same night as First Friday — part of Sandusky St is closed, so plan on downtown parking lots or side streets.
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Downtown Delaware
Nonprofits and service orgs, City Paint-a-Plow display, pie eating contest at Fresh Start, and a downtown food-drive challenge (Battle of the Businesses collecting 1 lb pasta boxes Nov 6–15). Details keep updating closer to the date.
6:00–9:00 p.m.
Oak & Brazen Wine Co. · downtown Delaware
Ticketed community dinner — starters from local restaurants, a Two Chicken Farm Thanksgiving-style meal, and desserts by Wildwood Farm Bakes. $75 per person or $120 per couple; confirm tickets on Main Street Delaware.
Fri from 4:00 p.m. · Sat 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (21+ after party until midnight)
Downtown Delaware · Welcome Center area, 20 E William St
Gilmore Girls–inspired weekend with 40+ participating downtown businesses — Kirk’s Egg Hunt, a town-wide Knit-a-thon, a Saturday vendor market on W Winter St (11 a.m.–4 p.m.), and a Luke Look-Alike Contest at the downtown gazebo (Sat 5 p.m.). Hep Alien’s John Cabrera and Todd Lowe headline three ticketed experiences, including a Saturday 7 p.m. concert in OWU’s Gray Chapel. Fan-run by Late Night Delaware.
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Chappelear Drama Center, Ohio Wesleyan · 45 Rowland Ave
OWU’s Orchesis Dance Company on the Main Stage, directed by Katherine Moore. Tickets $10 general admission, $5 seniors, via owu.edu/PerformingArts starting two weeks before the show; box office (740) 368-3855.
3:00–7:00 p.m.
Beanbag Books (25 W Winter St), Delaware Pottery Studio & Staas Brewing Company
Pick up a punch card and stop at all three Winter Street businesses to be entered to win prizes from each. An easy early start on holiday shopping.
Fri 6–9 p.m. (tree lighting 7:30 p.m.) · Sat from 11 a.m. · Sun parade (time being confirmed)
Downtown Delaware · skating rink behind the Welcome Center, 20 E William St
Fri: First Friday tree lighting at William & Sandusky with live music and vendors, free skating (5–9 p.m.), Santa walk-ins at the Welcome Center (7–9 p.m.), and $2 carriage rides (6–9 p.m.). Sat: Dash for Dasher clue hunt (11 a.m.–1 p.m.), Santa (walk-ins 11 a.m.–noon, appointments noon–3 p.m.), learn-to-skate for kids 10 and under (1–3 p.m.) then free skate (3–5 p.m.), and the Great Gingerbread Build Off at COhatch (doors 3:30 p.m., 18 E William St; $25 kit, judging 7:15 p.m.). Sun: skating (1–5 p.m.) and the “Light the Night” Christmas Parade from Mingo Park down Sandusky St to Wilmer St — Main Street’s event listing says 6 p.m., but its Christmas page still lists the time as TBD, so confirm. Main Street’s Season of Shopping card program runs Nov 21–Dec 23.
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. · Santa noon–2:00 p.m.
Delaware County Fairgrounds · 236 Pennsylvania Ave
70+ vendors, food trucks, and pictures with Santa (bring your own camera). Admission $2; kids 10 and under free.
2:00 p.m.
Gray Chapel, University Hall, Ohio Wesleyan · 61 S Sandusky St
Delaware’s own symphony’s family holiday tradition — carols, festive music, and sing-alongs. Program to be announced; tickets through the symphony. (The symphony also presents the concert at the Palace Theatre in Marion.)
Fri Dec 11: carriage rides 6–8 p.m. · Santa Fri 5–8 p.m. & Sat 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (Dec 11/12, 18/19)
Delaware Welcome Center · 20 E William St
Free Santa photos (one print plus a digital copy): walk-ins Fridays 5–6 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m.–noon; appointments Fridays 6–8 p.m. and Saturdays noon–3 p.m. on Dec 11, 12, 18 and 19. A second night of $2 horse-drawn carriage rides (ages 6+) runs Fri Dec 11, 6–8 p.m.
Tour departures 1:00, 2:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Downtown Delaware · boarding location TBD (hosted by Delaware County Historical Society)
Guided trolley ride with vintage-clad guides covering landmarks such as St. Mary Catholic Church, Byxbe House, Old City Hall / William’s Opera House, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. $25 per person; hot beverages and cookies before departure. Confirm boarding and registration closer to the date.
2:00–6:00 p.m. · voucher exchange from 1:50 p.m.
Northwest Neighborhood · exchange tickets at Gallery 22, 22 E Winter St
Self-guided tour of nine stops (eight historic homes plus one bonus location) dressed for the holidays. Tickets went on sale Oct 16 — advance $25; day-of $30 at Gallery 22. Exchange your voucher for a program (official ticket) at Gallery 22 before you start. Proceeds benefit Boardman Arts Park.
Recurring downtown habits that outlast any single date.
Evening downtown gathering, typically 6–9 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. Themes rotate — back-to-school, public safety, harvest, holiday lights, and more. Shops and restaurants often stay open late. It is the easiest monthly ritual if you are new; park once and wander Sandusky / Winter.
Main Street Delaware Farmers Market, Saturdays 9 a.m.–noon in season (recent seasons have run late May through October, with holiday skips). Vendors set up on Sandusky Street between William and Winter. Produce, baked goods, honey, plants, meat, eggs, and handmade goods.
Free outdoor concerts on West Winter Street (between Sandusky and Franklin) in summer. Bring a lawn chair. Series finale is usually mid-August — confirm the year’s dates on Main Street Delaware.
The city hosts a full July 4: daytime downtown energy, evening music (often involving Ohio Wesleyan / Central Ohio Symphony), and fireworks around 10 p.m. launched from the Cherry Street area, with viewing along Henry Street and OWU fields. Confirm the current year’s map with the city.
A big county fair at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, typically mid-to-late September. Home of the Little Brown Jug harness race (run here since 1946) — fairgrounds energy, grandstand nights, and the week many locals plan around. If you just moved here, go once; it explains the county better than a brochure.
Boardman Arts Park (154 W. William St.) hosts concerts, yoga, community festivals, and events such as the Beer, Bourbon & Wine Festival. Check boardmanartspark.org for the current calendar.