Delaware’s Fire & Ice Festival 2026: Your Weekend Guide from Rehoboth Beach
A couple checked in last January with plans to “maybe drive down and see a few ice sculptures.” By Sunday, they’d photographed 40, warmed up at three different fire pits, and booked the same weekend for this year. That’s how the Fire & Ice Festival works – what sounds like a quick afternoon turns into a full winter weekend you’ll actually remember.
The 2026 Fire & Ice Festival runs January 30 – February 1, 2026 across Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Millville, and Frankford. This year’s theme – “In the First State” – celebrates Delaware’s 250th anniversary with sculptures honoring the state’s history. General admission is free. Rehoboth Beach sits 15 minutes north, making it the ideal base: close enough for easy access, far enough to escape the crowds when you’re done.
What You’re Actually Getting
Over 60,000 pounds of ice carved into Delaware-themed sculptures. Fire pits with s’mores. A skating rink with a live DJ. Beer gardens. Food trucks. Live ice carving demonstrations. It’s free to attend – you can walk the ice trails, sit by fire pits, and watch demonstrations without spending anything.
The paid events (Tasting Tour, Chili Cook-Off, Drink Competition) typically sell out in early-mid January. If you miss those, you’re not missing the core experience. The ice sculptures are the draw, and they’re available to everyone.
The Four Festival Locations
Bethany Beach – Main Hub
The densest concentration of sculptures sits along Bethany Beach’s boardwalk and bandstand area. You’ll find the skating rink (210 Garfield Parkway), the Inflatables Kingdom for kids, live entertainment, and the largest ice displays. Plan 2-3 hours if you’re hitting everything. Bethany Beach event details
Parking fills by noon Saturday. Arrive before 10 AM or after 6 PM to skip the worst of it. Friday evening and Sunday offer the same sculptures with half the crowds.
Ocean View – John West Park
John West Park (32 West Ave, Ocean View) hosts 12+ sculptures, a 900-square-foot inflatable beer garden, food trucks, and live music. This location offers the most reliable parking and consistently smaller crowds than Bethany Beach. Ocean View event details
Millville – Evans Park
Millville emphasizes the “fire” part – multiple fire pits, s’mores stations, and the Magma Volcano demonstration. The Chili Cook-Off happens at Millville Volunteer Fire Company (35554 Atlantic Ave). More laid-back than Bethany Beach, better for families wanting less walking. Millville event details
Frankford – Salted Vines Vineyard
Salted Vines (32512 Blackwater Rd, Frankford, 302-436-1500) features the famous ice drink luge – a 900-pound sculpture that channels your drink directly into your glass. Live ice carving demos, DJ, food trucks, live music. Dog-friendly outdoor space. Easiest parking of any location. Salted Vines event details
Ticketed Events (Usually Sell Out Early January)
Drink Tasting Tour – Visit up to 12 restaurants, sample themed cocktails, vote for your favorite. Usually $35.
Chili Cook-Off – Saturday at Millville Volunteer Fire Company. Local restaurants and home cooks compete. Limited tickets, two time slots.
Drink Competition – Pre-festival event where bartenders compete with themed cocktails. Proceeds benefit local healthcare.
Taste of Bethany – Walking tour of downtown Bethany Beach with food samples. Usually $25.
VFW Chicken Dinner – Walk-in, no reservations. Classic comfort food fundraiser.
Check fireandicede.com in early January 2026 for ticket sales. These events enhance the experience but aren’t essential – the free festival offers plenty.
Planning Your Day from Rehoboth Beach
Saturday itinerary (the busiest day): Leave Rehoboth Beach 9:30 AM. Hit Bethany Beach first – boardwalk sculptures, skating rink, entertainment. Lunch break at Ocean View around 1 PM (John West Park beer garden, lighter crowds). Back to Bethany Beach 4:30 PM for evening ice reveals and live music. Return to Rehoboth Beach by 8 PM. You’ve covered the highlights without burning out.
Friday alternative: Drive to Salted Vines around 4 PM. Ice luge, live carving demo at 5:30 PM, dinner at a participating restaurant. Back to Rehoboth Beach by 8 PM. Quieter preview of the festival.
Sunday option: Same locations as Saturday, half the crowds. Most activities that ran Friday and Saturday repeat Sunday. Better for families with young kids or anyone who prefers a more relaxed pace.
Dog-Friendly Details
All outdoor ice trails, fire pit areas, and parks welcome leashed dogs. Salted Vines, John West Park, and Evans Park work particularly well for dogs. Indoor venues (magic shows, some restaurants) don’t allow pets. Bring a blanket for fire pit sitting, water bowl, waste bags. Consider booties if temperatures drop.
After the festival, Rehoboth Beach’s winter trails offer excellent evening walks away from crowds.
What to Pack
- Warm jacket: Wind off the water makes it colder than the forecast suggests
- Phone charger or battery pack: Ice sculpture photos drain batteries fast
- Gloves that work with touchscreens: Essential for photos
- Cash: $40-60 in small bills. Food trucks and beer gardens may be cash-only
- Comfortable walking shoes: You’ll cover 2-3 miles minimum
Why Base Yourself in Rehoboth Beach
Parking and traffic ease up the farther north you stay. Bethany Beach clogs Saturday midday. Ocean View fills by early afternoon. Staying in Rehoboth Beach means you drive to traffic rather than sit in it all day.
Rehoboth’s winter restaurants keep more consistent hours. If you want real breakfast Sunday morning or dinner Friday night that’s not festival-themed, Rehoboth Beach delivers better options.
After a long day walking in February cold, a quiet room where you can park easily matters. You get festival access without living in festival chaos. Morning coffee while you plan, evening return to a room that feels like a retreat. Fifteen minutes south for ice sculptures, fifteen minutes north for quiet beaches.
Winter rates run significantly lower than summer. Beach access stays excellent. The boardwalk becomes yours in the morning before you head south.
Southeast Sussex Historical Trail
Delaware’s 250th Anniversary adds a self-guided historical trail through festival towns. Pick up maps at festival info booths to explore Colonial and Revolutionary War sites. Adds about 30 minutes to your day. Worth it if you’re interested in how these beach towns developed before tourism.
Practical Festival Information
Official website: fireandicede.com
Phone: 302-539-2100 (Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce)
Weather backup: Free activities happen rain or shine. Ticketed events have backup dates if severe weather hits.
Cell service note: Towers get overwhelmed Saturday afternoon in Bethany Beach. Download maps Friday night.
Best times to avoid crowds:
- Friday evening 4-8 PM
- Saturday morning before 11 AM
- Sunday anytime (significantly quieter)
Peak crowd times:
- Saturday 12-6 PM (especially Bethany Beach)
- Saturday 5-7 PM (ice reveals and live music)
The Simple Planning Version
Book a Rehoboth Beach room for the festival weekend (January 30 – February 1, 2026). You get winter rates, easy parking at your lodging, and a quiet base between festival activities.
Plan Saturday as your main festival day. Leave Rehoboth Beach around 9:30 AM. Hit Bethany Beach first, Ocean View for lunch, back to Bethany Beach for evening activities. Return to Rehoboth Beach by 8 PM.
Use Friday evening or Sunday for bonus festival time if you want more. Pack layers, phone charger, cash, comfortable shoes. Bring your dog if you want – outdoor trails welcome leashed pets.
Skip the ticketed events stress. The free festival experience is the real draw.
Fifteen minutes south for ice sculptures and winter spectacle, fifteen minutes north for quiet rooms and empty beaches. That’s the advantage of basing yourself in Rehoboth Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the festival really free?
Yes. Ice sculptures, fire pits, live demonstrations, most entertainment – all free. The skating rink and inflatables work on suggested donations. Only the special food/drink events require tickets.
Do I need advance tickets?
Not for general admission. For ticketed events (Tasting Tour, Chili Cook-Off), buy tickets in early January 2026. The festival itself requires no tickets.
How far is it from Rehoboth Beach?
15-20 minutes to all festival locations. Bethany Beach: 7 miles (15 min). Ocean View: 8 miles (15 min). Millville: 8 miles (15 min). Frankford: 12 miles (20 min).
Which location should I visit if I only have time for one?
Bethany Beach offers the most – 30+ sculptures, skating, inflatables, live entertainment. If crowds bother you, Ocean View’s John West Park gives similar experience with easier parking and fewer people.
What if it’s warm outside?
Sculptures under tents last longer. Even at 60ยฐF, sculptures remain impressive most of the weekend. Evening viewing (when temperatures drop) shows sculptures at their best.
How long does it take to see everything?
Plan 5-7 hours for multiple towns. Bethany Beach alone takes 2-3 hours. Add one other location and you’ve got a full day.
Can I still visit restaurants without a Tasting Tour ticket?
Absolutely. Participating restaurants serve their themed cocktails to regular customers. You miss the “sample all 12 locations” experience but can still order individual drinks.
Where can I find festival maps?
Information tents in Bethany Beach and at John West Park Community Center (32 West Ave, Ocean View). Digital maps at fireandicede.com. Download before arriving – cell service struggles Saturday afternoon.
Where to Stay for Fire & Ice Festival
After hosting festival guests for years, the pattern is clear: staying in Rehoboth Beach beats staying in festival towns.
You’re fifteen minutes from all four festival locations. Close enough for easy access, far enough to escape the crowds when you’re done. Park once at the inn, drive south when ready, return to quiet rooms and empty beaches.
Winter rates run lower than summer. Parking stays easy. Your dog is welcome. And you get a retreat between festival days, not just a place to sleep through amplified music from the bandstand.
The Canalside Inn has rooms available for Fire & Ice weekend (January 30 – February 1, 2026). Book early – winter weekends fill about a month out.
Reserve your room: thecanalsideinn.com
Festival details: fireandicede.com | 302-539-2100
