Ladybug Music Festival Returns Under New Leadership

Rise and Shine, 302. Hope you enjoyed the first snowfall of the year. My weekend highlight was building a Lego kit and binging the Home Alone movies with a 7-year-old who thinks Kevin is a genius.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

If Christmas Day hosting is on your calendar, Uncle John’s BBQ is offering a simple way to take cooking off your list. They are now accepting pre-orders for Christmas meals, with convenient pickup available from 12 to 3 PM on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

This option is ideal if you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal without spending the day in the kitchen. Their holiday menu focuses on smoked meats and familiar favorites, including ham, turkey, brisket, chicken, and all the traditional sides that belong on a holiday table. It works just as well for a full family gathering as it does for a smaller, low-key celebration.

Pickup will be on Christmas Eve at Uncle John’s BBQ, located at 2509 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE.

You can find menu details and ordering information directly on their Facebook page. Call or text (302) 743-9737 to place your pre-order or ask any questions about the holiday menu and pickup details.

A practical solution for a relaxed and enjoyable Christmas Day.

Monday is getting a gentler start for families across Delaware. After the weekend winter storm and a blast of frigid air, many school districts are delaying opening times to allow roads and sidewalks to improve. In New Castle County, Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Christina, Colonial, Red Clay, and Vo-Tech are all opening two-hours late. Central and southern districts are making similar calls, with most opting for two-hour delays and a few choosing shorter adjustments.

It is a safety-first move that gives bus drivers, walkers, and morning commuters a little extra daylight and traction. If your routine suddenly feels less rushed, this is why.

One of Wilmington’s signature summer traditions is coming back, with a fresh team behind it. The Ladybug Music Festival will return in 2026 under new nonprofit leadership, as Igniting Delaware Edutainment Association, known as I.D.E.A., takes over stewardship of the longtime event.

Founded in 2012, Ladybug has grown into the nation’s largest free celebration of women in music, drawing thousands to Market Street each year and welcoming artists from across the country and beyond. This marks the first leadership transition in the festival’s history, with founder Gayle Dillman passing the torch after more than a decade of building Ladybug into a cultural staple.

I.D.E.A. says the goal is not reinvention, but thoughtful growth, including expanded programming and possibly more Ladybug events throughout the year, all while keeping the festival free, women-led, and rooted in Wilmington.

If your December errands include a lot of windshield time, here is a small but welcome win. Delaware’s average price for regular gas has dropped to about $2.80 a gallon, down more than ten cents from last week and the lowest it has been in four years.

That puts the state comfortably below the $3 mark as holiday travel ramps up. Some warehouse clubs in northern Delaware are even dipping closer to $2.60, which feels almost nostalgic. Lower prices mean road trips, family visits, and last minute shopping runs hurt a little less than they did last year. It is not often gas news feels this friendly, so we will take it.

This is one of those stories that just feels good to read. A 9-year-old Newark student turned a fall hobby into a once-in-a-lifetime trip by collecting every single Newark Police trading card. Will Batts showed up to school visits, community events, races, and meetups until he completed all 100 cards in the department’s program.

That dedication paid off. Will was one of 125 kids who completed the full set and was entered into a prize drawing, where he won the top prize: a Disney World trip for his entire family. The program is designed to help kids feel comfortable meeting officers and building positive connections, and by all accounts, it worked exactly as intended.

Sometimes persistence really does come with fireworks at the end. The full story is worth your time in this Newark Post feature.

Here is a stat that might surprise you. Delaware ranked fourth in the country for outbound moves this year, according to a new Atlas Van Lines study tracking relocations nationwide.

The data looks at moves between November 2024 and October 2025 and points to affordability and limited housing inventory as major factors keeping people in place, or nudging them elsewhere. But here is the twist: even with a high share of people moving out, Delaware is still seeing one of the strongest population growth rates in the region. That suggests many of these moves are short hops, seasonal shifts, or balanced out by new residents coming in.

In other words, people are leaving, but plenty are still choosing to land here. You can dig into the full context in this Delaware Business Now breakdown.

If you heard Concord Mall was quietly listed for sale, you are not alone. The Brandywine Hundred staple briefly appeared online with a $30 million asking price before the listing was pulled. Ownership later confirmed it was posted in error by a leasing broker and the mall is not actually on the market.

The now-removed-listing highlighted redevelopment potential and noted the mall is about 77 percent occupied, which explains why it caught attention so quickly. While store counts have shifted over the years, Concord Mall remains one of Delaware’s largest retail centers and a familiar stop along Concord Pike.

In short, no sale is happening, but the brief listing put renewed attention on the mall’s future and redevelopment potential.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is still months away, but northern Delaware hotels are already paying attention. With six matches scheduled at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Wilmington and nearby areas are close enough to catch overflow fans, media, and possibly teams.

Countries like Brazil, France, and England are all set to play in the region, which could translate into busy June and early July weekends for the local hospitality scene. Tourism leaders are optimistic that Delaware’s easy drive, familiar hotels, and tax-free shopping make it an appealing home base.

The real wildcard will be FIFA’s official team base camp announcements, which determine where teams actually stay and train. There is even early chatter around Hotel du Pont being part of the conversation.

Big win for Wilmington’s dining scene. Bardea Steak has been named one of the 50 Best Steak Restaurants in North America for 2025, and it is the only restaurant from Delaware, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey to make the cut.

The list is published by London based Upper Cut Media House and is often described as the Champions League of steak dining. Out of more than 1,200 restaurants reviewed worldwide each year, only 50 in North America earn a spot. Evaluations focus on everything from meat quality and ageing methods to service, wine programs, and overall experience.

Founded in 2019, Bardea Steak continues to punch far above its weight and put Delaware on the national food map.

After five years of discussion, a state task force is set to vote Tuesday on how Wilmington’s school district lines could be redrawn. The Redding Consortium will send a recommendation to lawmakers that could reshape where thousands of city students attend school.

At the center of the proposal is moving about 1,600 Wilmington students out of the Christina School District and into districts with schools closer to the city. Three options are on the table, ranging from shifting students between Brandywine and Red Clay to combining multiple districts into one.

The proposal has drawn a wide range of reactions across Wilmington and surrounding communities, reflecting just how personal school boundaries are for many families. Lawmakers say they will wait for the final recommendation before weighing in.

You can read the full breakdown in this Spotlight Delaware report.

On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.

Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical at The Playhouse. A beloved holiday story comes to life on stage with Meredith Willson’s heartwarming musical, filled with familiar songs, festive spectacle, and a timeless reminder of believing in a little Christmas magic. Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

Destiny has that quiet confidence that makes you stop and say, 'Yep, she is special.' At just over two-years-old, this medium-sized girl is playful, affectionate, and wonderfully easy to be around. She enjoys getting outside, exploring on walks, and soaking up attention from her people, but she also knows how to settle and just hang out.

Her expressive eyes and gentle personality make her feel like an old soul in a young dog’s body. Destiny is the kind of companion who will happily join your daily routine, whether that means a morning stroll, backyard playtime, or curling up nearby while you unwind.

She is spayed, ready to go home, and waiting to meet someone who is looking for a loving, loyal friend.

You can meet Destiny at the Brandywine Valley SPCA Copeland Center in New Castle. Fair warning: she might steal your heart.

Learn more and apply here: https://bvspca.org/adopt/destiny

Matteo Bocelli: Falling in Love World Tour at The Playhouse. Matteo Bocelli brings his soaring vocals and romantic pop sensibility to Wilmington, blending classical roots with modern songwriting in a polished, emotionally rich performance. Tuesday at 8 PM.

Tinsel on the Town at Kennett Square Downtown Kennett Square comes alive with twinkling lights, decorated storefronts, local shops offering holiday specials, and a festive village-style vibe that is perfect for strolling and browsing. Thursday from 5–8 PM; free admission and parking make this a relaxed, family-friendly way to kick off the season.

Pakt Jones Skolnick Grohowski Motzer at Elkton Music Hall Four boundary-pushing musicians come together for a night of progressive, improvisation-driven music that thrives on risk, spontaneity, and deep musical chemistry. Thursday at 8 PM; 21+ event, with limited VIP tickets available that include early entry, a short private performance, and a meet and greet.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

29 🌡️ 18 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨 WNW 13 mph

36 🌡️ 23 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨 WNW 7 mph

46 🌡️ 26 | ⛅ Partly Cloudy | 7% | 💨 WSW 9 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 46ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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