Festivals & Events
Adventure and outdoor fun, maritime history, and cultural events – the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation has it all. Our annual community events offer family-friendly activities and hands-on discovery. Our tall ship and facilities provide a one-of-a-kind year-round riverfront venue for private parties and rentals – on ship and shore.
We host a range of events that are open and accessible to our local and regional community and designed for people of all ages. Our ship’s history and Swedish connection also supports the work of preserving and promoting the cultural and maritime heritage of the Delaware Valley. The Copeland Maritime Center offers a unique riverfront venue for any occasion including private celebrations.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our upcoming events schedule and the latest updates from the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.
Second Saturday
Poems in a Bottle
Saturday, April 11, 1:00-4:00pm
How did sailors have fun on long ocean voyages? Take a hands-on poetry adventure with us. Write a mad-lib-style sea chantey that's wacky & fun. Then decorate a bottle & place your chantey inside — just like sailors at sea!
Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Maritime Museum.
- Crafts and activities are included with admission.
- Mark your calendar for
Second Saturdays each month: May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, October 10, and November 14. Note: September 12 will be SCOUT DAY for registered Troops only.
Location:
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Winter Deck Tours
Saturdays through April 25 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Winter deck tours on Kalmar Nyckel are offered on Saturdays through April 25 for an additional $5/adult and $3/ages 3-12 (under 3 are free). Inclement weather and heavy maintenance projects will close the ship when it’s unsafe to tour. The schedule may change without notice.
- Please call the office at 302.429.7447 on Friday or Saturday to check availability.
Location:
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Opening Day with Noramco
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Join us to celebrate the 2026 sailing season and the 250th Anniversary of our country! The Copeland Maritime Center will open with free admisison for self-guided tours and the Tall Ship of Delaware will be open for free deck tours from 12:00-4:00pm. More details coming soon! Special thanks to Noramco, our sponsor, for making this possible.
Location:
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Second Saturday
Native American Food Ways
Saturday, May 9, 1:00-4:00pm
Stay tuned for details of this special program related to the Lenni-Lenape people and their customs. Enjoy experience with our guides.
- Free admission and activities for this event thanks to a generous grant.
Mark your calendar for Second Saturdays these months: June 13, July 11, August 8, October 10, November 14, and December 10. Note: September 12 will be SCOUT DAY for registered Troops only.
Location:
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Captain Kidd’s Pirate Day
Saturday, May 23
Ahoy Mateys! Our 6th annual day inspired by Captain Kidd (who trolled the coast of Delaware) returns with Tall Ship of Delaware ship tours, sword school, pirate crafts, and much more. Family-firendly fun for all! Stay tuned for details.
Location:
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Second Saturday
Great American Beaver Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 13, 1:00-4:00pm
Join us for The Great American Beaver Scavenger Hunt, a family-friendly activity. You or your group can complete a scavenger hunt in Fort Christina Park focused on world trade in early America. At the same time, you will collect pieces to make your own American beaver.
- Free Admission to Fort Christina Park
- Free parking across the road at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. Restrooms are available next door a the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Copeland Maritime Center: Summer admission: $10/adult, $5/ages 3-12), and under 3 is free. Second Saturdays continue on July 11, August 8, October 10, and November 14. Note: September 12 will be SCOUT DAY for registered Troops only.
Location:
Fort Christina Park, 1110 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Second Saturday
What's in a Flag?
Saturday, July 11, 1:00-4:00pm
Join us for The Great American Beaver Scavenger Hunt, a family-friendly activity. You or your group can complete a scavenger hunt in Fort Christina Park focused on world trade in early America. At the same time, you will collect pieces to make your own American beaver.
- Free Admission to Fort Christina Park
- Free parking across the road at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. Restrooms are available next door a the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Copeland Maritime Center: Summer admission: $10/adult, $5/ages 3-12), and under 3 is free. Second Saturdays continue on August 8, October 10, and November 14. Note: September 12 will be SCOUT DAY for registered Troops only.
Location:
Fort Christina Park, 1110 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Second Saturday
Saturday, August 8, 1:00-4:00pm
Join us at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Copeland Maritime Center for a fun activity (included in admisison).
- Summer admission: $10/adult, $5/ages 3-12), and under 3 is free. Second Saturdays continue on October 10, and November 14. Note: September 12 will be SCOUT DAY for registered Troops only.
Second Saturday
Saturday, October 10, 1:00-4:00pm
Join us at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Copeland Maritime Center for a fun activity (included in admisison).
- Fall admission: $10/adult, $5/ages 3-12), and under 3 is free. Don’t miss our final 2026 Second Saturday on November 14.
Halloween Ghost Ship
Saturday, October 17 from 12:00-4:00pm
Join us for a spooky, not scarey, afternoon of pumpkin painting, tours of our indoor Ghost Ship, and deck tours of the real Kalmar Nyckel (outdoors), plus crafts and activities. Check back for details.
Location:
Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801