By our friends at Delaware Beaches Online

Winter at the beach has a reputation for being quiet.
Delaware’s Fire & Ice Festival is the weekend that proves it doesn’t have to be.

Hosted by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, this free, multi-town festival takes over The Quiet Resorts™ from January 30 through February 1, 2026, filling Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Millville, and surrounding areas with ice sculptures, live carving demos, bonfires, food trucks, music, family activities, and a full lineup of things to do.

What makes this festival different

It’s not one event in one spot

This is a weekend-long circuit where you can wander from town to town and keep finding something new—especially the themed ice sculptures placed across host sites.

It’s built for all ages

Skating rink, inflatables, live performers, kids’ activities, and low-pressure walking tours make it easy to show up for an hour… or make a full weekend out of it.

2026 Theme: “In the First State”

This year’s theme ties into Delaware’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, with sculptures and programming designed to honor Delaware history and culture—including a history expo and a self-guided historical trail experience.

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Weekend highlights at a glance

Friday, January 30: Kickoff day energy

Bethany Beach

• Inflatable Kingdom and a skating rink run 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
• Taste of Bethany self-guided walking tour (ticketed) runs 12:00 PM–7:00 PM

Ocean View

• Drink Tasting Tour ticket pick-up runs 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
• A History Trail Kick-Off launches in the afternoon

Salted Vines (Frankford area)

• Food trucks, an ice luge tasting, and an Ice Sculpture Walking Tour into the evening
• A live ice carving demonstration is also scheduled

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Saturday, January 31: The big day

Bethany Beach

• More inflatables + skating (11:00 AM–7:00 PM)
• Live entertainment on the bandstand
• Live ice carving demonstrations
• The main Ice Sculpture Walking Tour in the evening
• A drone show planned around 7:30 PM (weather/wind dependent)

Ocean View (John West Park)

• A packed daytime schedule: ice sculptures, kids’ activities, food trucks, live music, and a beer garden
• A Delaware 250th History Celebration Expo runs during the day

Millville

• Chili Cook-off (ticketed)

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Sunday, February 1: Family-friendly finale

Millville (Evans Park)

• Ice sculptures, kids’ activities, food trucks
• S’mores & fire pits
• Touch-a-Truck with Roxana VFChttps://youtu.be/ZPl7aeFl30o
• Live performances (including Nanticoke performances)
• A live ice carving demonstration plus afternoon live music

Salted Vines

• Live music in the afternoon

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Don’t miss the January “Drink Competition” (ticketed, 21+)

Before the festival weekend, the official Fire & Ice “In the First State” Drink Competition takes place Sunday, January 18 (12:00–3:00 PM) in Bethany Beach. It’s a bartender showdown with judging plus a People’s Choice vote—and it often sells out.

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Smart planning tips (so the weekend feels easy)

• Pick a home base (Bethany Beach or Ocean View are the easiest hubs), then branch out.
• Lock in your “must-do” moments early: the drone show and evening ice tours tend to draw bigger crowds.
• Dress for standing still. You’ll be outside a lot—watching carvings, waiting at food trucks, skating, or walking tours.
• Check the official schedule before you go. Times, locations, and weather-dependent items can shift.

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The simplest way to describe Fire & Ice

It’s a winter festival that doesn’t ask you to “make your own fun.”
It hands you ice art, music, food, fire pits, and a full weekend itinerary—and lets you choose your pace.

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By Delaware Beaches Online.

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This information was sourced from: https://fireandicede.com/