DELAWARE — First Friday, the final Summer on Winter concert, a downtown murder mystery and the weekly Farmers Market are just a few of the events planned in downtown Delaware this August.
For even more local events, check out Delaware Source’s community calendar, where you can browse upcoming festivals, live music, family activities and community gatherings across Delaware County and the surrounding area. Community organizations can also submit events for free.
Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
First Friday: Safety on Sandusky
Main Street Delaware’s August First Friday will feature public safety vehicles, children’s activities, community resource booths and a watermelon eating contest.
The “Safety on Sandusky” event, held in partnership with the Delaware Police Department, is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, in downtown Delaware.
Many downtown businesses and restaurants will stay open late.
The watermelon eating contest will take place outside Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery, 24 N. Sandusky St. Participants of all ages are welcome while supplies last, with cash prizes awarded to winners.
Delaware County Transit’s FLEX service will operate until 10 p.m. on Aug. 7, providing door-to-door transportation anywhere within the city of Delaware. Rides cost $2 each way, or $1 for riders ages 18 and younger or 65 and older.
The extended service will also be available during the remaining 2026 First Friday events and Summer on Winter concerts.
The Momentum Refresh Van, a fully accessible mobile restroom designed for people with disabilities, will also be available during the event.
Designed to go beyond standard ADA compliance, the vehicle is equipped with a motorized wheelchair lift, an overhead ceiling hoist, customizable grab bars, and height-adjustable adult changing tables.
August’s First Friday is sponsored by Newman Roofing and CME Federal Credit Union.
Summer on Winter concert
The final concert in Main Street Delaware’s 2026 Summer on Winter series is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The Thirsty Travelers, a local band, will perform from 7-9 p.m. on West Winter Street between Sandusky and Franklin streets. Prepare your ears for music through the ages, from classic rock to new-age rock.
Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
The series nearly didn’t happen this year after Main Street Delaware sought community support to keep the free concerts going. The nonprofit raised more than $28,000 this spring from residents, businesses and organizations to fund the 2026 season.
“I was fortunate to have such a huge community backing, from the general public sending their Venmo balances to businesses and organizations stepping up to sponsor these concerts,” Executive Director Courtney Graf previously told Delaware Source.
The 2026 series is presented by sponsor Columbus State Community College Delaware Campus and supported by sponsors Performance Delaware, Honda Marysville Motorsports, Raising Cane’s, Newman Roofing, Bandit’s Bar, TTM Mechanical, Bun’s Restaurant, Destination Delaware County, AudioNova, Rosebud’s, North Orange Family Dentistry, Regus HQ, Grodhaus Landscaping, Emergency Plumbing Heating and Air, JREP, and Cap City Staging, as well as in-kind donations from Buckeye Power Sales.
Late Night Delaware hosts downtown murder mystery
Downtown businesses will stay open late for a murder mystery-themed edition of Late Night Delaware on Friday, Aug. 21.
The monthly event encourages adults to shop, dine and socialize in downtown Delaware while participating businesses remain open from 5-9 p.m. August’s event, dubbed “Sporks Out: Shop, Sip & Socialize,” will turn downtown into an interactive murder mystery.
Participants will visit businesses to collect clues, question suspects and solve the mystery for a chance to win a Downtown Delaware prize package.
Late Night Delaware is held on the third Friday of each month and is organized by participating downtown businesses.
Farmers’ Market continues through October
The Main Street Delaware Farmers Market continues from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Oct. 31, featuring local produce, meat, eggs, honey, baked goods, flowers, plants, handcrafted goods and other locally produced items.
This is the first season the market has expanded into South Sandusky Street after Main Street Delaware raised concerns about pedestrian safety, saying crowded sidewalks had led to multiple close calls involving people and vehicles.
After a one-month trial, the City of Delaware approved continuing the street closure between William and Winter streets during market hours for the remainder of the season.
Graf said the new format has been a collaborative effort between the city, vendors, downtown businesses and the community.
“Seeing so many people enjoying Saturday mornings together is exactly what Main Street Delaware is all about, and we look forward to welcoming even more people downtown throughout the rest of the season,” she said.
According to Main Street Delaware, downtown visitation during the market’s first month was modestly higher than during the same period in 2025, though the figures measure overall downtown activity rather than Farmers’ Market attendance specifically.
The 2026 Farmers’ Market is sponsored by OhioHealth, The First Citizens National Bank, Performance Delaware, Honda Marysville Motorsports, Willow Brook Christian Communities, and Marzetti.
