If there’s one thing Delray Beach knows how to do, it’s celebrate. Year after year, this vibrant coastal city draws locals and visitors together for events that highlight its art, culture, food, and community spirit. Whether you’re here for a long weekend or you’ve called it home for years, the annual calendar is packed with experiences that make this place so special.
Here’s a guide to some of the most beloved festivals in Delray Beach, the ones worth marking on your calendar well in advance.
Delray Beach Festivals at a Glance
Most of these events return to the same season each year, so you can plan around them no matter when you are reading.
Festival | When It Returns | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|---|
Delray Beach Open (tennis) | February | Feb 13–22, 2026 |
South Florida Garlic Fest | Late February | Feb 28–Mar 1, 2026 |
Savor the Avenue | March | March 23, 2026 |
Delray Affair | April | April 10–12, 2026 |
Art & Jazz on the Avenue | 3 times a year | Feb 25, May 27, plus fall 2026 |
100-Foot Christmas Tree | November–December | Lighting Dec 2, 2026 |
1. Delray Affair (April)
The Delray Affair is the signature spring event, and 2026 marked its 64th year. Held annually in April, this sprawling arts and crafts festival turns Atlantic Avenue into a buzzing, mile-long marketplace nicknamed the "Greatest Show Under the Sun." The 2026 edition ran April 10–12 and featured more than 500 exhibitors from across the country.
You will find everything from fine art and handmade jewelry to home decor and specialty foods, all set to live music and food vendors. Admission is free. It is less a shopping trip than a celebration of creativity, local talent, and Delray's role as a hub for the arts. The festival winds right through the Pineapple Grove arts district, one of the city's most walkable creative neighborhoods.
2. Delray Beach Open (February)
Every February, the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center hosts the Delray Beach Open, drawing tennis fans from around the world. The 2026 tournament, the event's 34th edition, ran February 13–22 as part of the ATP Tour, pairing top-ranked players with legendary pros across high-stakes matches and crowd-pleasing exhibitions.
The atmosphere is relaxed yet electric, giving spectators a rare chance to get close to the action, meet players, and enjoy food and drinks from local vendors. It is a signature event for sports lovers and a real source of pride for the community.
Local Tip: Stadium seats sell out fast for the marquee evening matches, but grounds passes earlier in the week are an affordable way to catch rising stars and the Champions Tour legends.
3. Savor the Avenue (March)
Each spring, Savor the Avenue sets the nation's longest dining table down the center of Atlantic Avenue. The 2026 event, held March 23, stretched 1,349 feet across 153 beautifully styled tables and seated roughly 950 guests for a multi-course feast under the stars. Now in its 17th year, it is one of the city's most anticipated nights.
Some of Delray Beach's top restaurants present specially crafted menus paired with wine or cocktails, so you can experience the city's culinary range in one evening. Proceeds often benefit local charities, which makes the tradition as meaningful as it is memorable. Hungry for more? See our seafood lover's guide to Delray Beach.
4. Art & Jazz on the Avenue (Three Times a Year)
Art & Jazz on the Avenue turns downtown into a showcase of music, art, and community spirit, and it happens three times a year in rotating districts. In 2026 it ran February 25 on West Atlantic Avenue and May 27 on the Beachside stretch, with a third date scheduled for the fall.
Local and regional artists line the sidewalks with outdoor galleries of paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted jewelry, while live jazz drifts down the avenue. You can chat with artists about their work, buy one-of-a-kind pieces, and soak up the small-town feel that makes Delray so inviting. If live music is your thing, our roundup of the best places to experience live music in Delray Beach is a natural next read.
5. South Florida Garlic Fest (Late February)
Nicknamed "The Best Stinkin' Party in Town," Garlic Fest has grown from a small fundraiser into one of South Florida's most beloved culinary events. The 27th edition returned to the Old School Square campus on February 28 and March 1, 2026, with kids under 10 admitted free.
Everything revolves around garlic, from gourmet dishes by top chefs to garlic-eating contests. Between bites you can browse artisan market stalls, catch live cooking demonstrations, and see nationally recognized acts on the main stage. The theme is playful, but the food is crafted with real skill, which is why food lovers refuse to miss it.
6. 100-Foot Christmas Tree and Holiday Festivities (November–December)
The holiday season in Delray Beach begins with the lighting of the city's 100-foot Christmas tree at Old School Square, a towering landmark glowing with more than 217,000 lights and 13 miles of garland. The 2026 lighting is set for December 2, kicking off a month of festivities that runs through December 28.
Families can browse holiday markets with 60-plus vendors along Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove, ride the carousel, and enjoy food trucks, a silent disco, and seasonal events leading up to Christmas. Walking through the tree is free. The whole celebration turns downtown into a winter wonderland with a coastal Florida twist.
Main Takeaway: Delray Beach gives you a marquee event almost every season, so wherever your calendar lands, there is usually something worth showing up for downtown.
Why Festivals Matter in Delray Beach
These are more than dates on a calendar; they are part of what shapes daily life here. They bring residents together, support local businesses, and give the city its strong sense of pride. For homebuyers, the steady stream of festivals points to an active, community-focused lifestyle, and it is one of the things that sets the city apart, as we cover in what makes Delray Beach different from Boca Raton or Palm Beach. Want to put down roots in it? Here is how to get involved in the Delray Beach community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest festival in Delray Beach?
The Delray Affair is the largest, drawing more than 500 exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of visitors to Atlantic Avenue each April. The 2026 edition, its 64th year, ran April 10–12 and was free to attend.
When is the Delray Beach Open?
The Delray Beach Open is held every February at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. The 2026 tournament ran February 13–22 as part of the ATP Tour.
What is Savor the Avenue?
Savor the Avenue is an annual spring dinner that sets the nation's longest dining table down Atlantic Avenue, where top local restaurants serve multi-course menus to hundreds of guests. The 2026 event was held March 23 and stretched 1,349 feet.
Are Delray Beach festivals free?
Many are. The Delray Affair, Art & Jazz on the Avenue, and walking through the 100-foot Christmas tree are all free, while ticketed events like the Delray Beach Open, Garlic Fest, and Savor the Avenue charge admission or seating fees.
What festivals happen during the holidays in Delray Beach?
The holiday season centers on the 100-foot Christmas tree lighting at Old School Square, set for December 2 in 2026, followed by a month of holiday markets, carousel rides, and seasonal events through late December.
Discover the Delray Beach Lifestyle with Candace Friis
If you are thinking about a move, it is worth seeing how the city's events fit into the bigger picture of your lifestyle. Candace Friis brings deep knowledge of both the market and the community as a top Delray Beach real estate agent, helping buyers find homes that balance location, amenities, and neighborhood culture. From beachfront condos to historic homes near downtown, Candace is ready to guide you toward a Delray Beach property that keeps you close to the festivals you will want to enjoy year after year. Reach out today to get started.
