Dive Into Summer at the 10th Annual Bethany Beach Poseidon Festival!
May 23–26, 2025 | Bethany Beach Bandstand
Get ready to make waves—because Memorial Day Weekend is about to get a whole lot more exciting! The 10th Annual Bethany Beach Poseidon Festival returns with four days of FREE family fun, live music, beach competitions, pirates, mermaids, and ocean education. This year’s milestone celebration is packed with more entertainment, more hands-on experiences, and more reasons than ever to head to the beach.
🎉 Friday, May 23 – Festival Kickoff!
🎀 Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
4:45 p.m. | Bandstand
Celebrate a decade of Poseidon Festival fun with the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce.
🎶 Caiso Steel Band | 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
The CAISO Steel Drum Band (pronounced ki-e-so) has been spreading joy through music since 1979. Made up of former members of the Trinidad & Tobago Steel Band of Washington, DC, CAISO plays an energetic mix of jazz, rock, calypso, Latin, and original tunes. Their infectious rhythms will have the whole town dancing!
🪁 Community Kite Fly | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Fly a kite with your neighbors as the sounds of steel drums fill the air. The first 100 attendees get a free kite! Designated flying zones will be marked off on the beach, and Tidepool Toys will be selling special Poseidon-themed kites all week. Bonus: Build your own kite at the Nature Center on Saturday, May 17!
🧜♀️ Saturday, May 24 – Pirate Invasion & Luau Magic
🏴☠️ Pirates on the Plaza | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Captain Jack and his wild crew will be storming the Bandstand Plaza with sword fights, pirate tales, and high-seas antics.
🧜 Mermaid Mania | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Watch mermaids perform underwater tricks and enjoy unique photo ops as they share their undersea secrets.
🎭 Costume Parade & Contest | 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Dress as a pirate, mermaid, or your favorite sea creature! Lineup begins at 1:45 p.m. in front of Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, then parade down to the Bandstand to win prizes.
🎶 3 Hour Tour | 1:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Delmarva’s top Yacht Rock band will serve up smooth, melodic hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s a party you won’t want to miss!
🏄 Super Jam Bash | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Bethany Surf Shop hosts a beach bash with pro skimboard and bodyboard demonstrations off Garfield Parkway.
🌺 Aloha Summer Luau Show | 7:30 p.m.
Say aloha to summer with thrilling dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand—plus an unforgettable fire knife performance. You’ll even get to learn the hula!
🌊 Sunday, May 25 – Ocean Discovery & Emergency Prep
🏴☠️ Pirates on the Plaza | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The pirate crew returns for another day of exciting action and interactive fun.
🧜 Mermaid Mania | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Mermaids glide back in for more photo ops and magical tales.
🔬 Marine Science by the Sea | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
New Logic Marine Science Camp invites you to explore shark anatomy, fossils, and deep-sea creatures in a hands-on, open-air classroom.
🐢 MERR Institute Exhibit | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Learn about the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute’s mission to rescue sea turtles and marine mammals.
🎶 Chris Sacks Band | 1:00 & 3:00 p.m.
Feel the beach vibes with Chris Sacks’ unique blend of Americana and island music. Chris has opened for country legends and shared the stage with Jimmy Buffett’s bandmates!
🚨 First Responder Meet & Greet | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Meet Bethany’s lifeguards, police, and fire crews. Learn coastal emergency tips and check out the Sussex County Command Post and rescue vehicles.
🎸 U.S. Navy Country Current | 7:30 p.m.
Finish your weekend with high-energy country and bluegrass from the Navy’s premier ensemble. These musicians bring Nashville-level talent to the beach stage!
🇺🇸 Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day Tribute
🎖 Memorial Day Service | 11:00 a.m. | Bandstand
Join VFW Post 7234 as they honor the true meaning of Memorial Day. A respectful and solemn tribute to those who served.
🌟 Why You Should Go:
-
Completely FREE and open to all ages
-
Live music, beach games, marine science, & cultural shows
-
A perfect mix of entertainment and education
-
Costume contests, kites, pirates, and mermaids—what’s not to love?
👉 For full details, visit townofbethanybeach.com
Come make unforgettable memories by the sea—Poseidon is calling! 🌊
