Running of the Bull: Dewey Beach's Wildest Day of the Year
Picture this: hundreds of people dressed head-to-toe in white, red bandannas tied around their necks, packed into The Starboard at 11 AM on a Saturday morning. The music is deafening. The energy is electric. And somewhere in the middle of it all, two runners in a pantomime bull costume are getting ready to chase the entire crowd down the beach. Welcome to Running of the Bull, the event that perfectly captures everything Dewey Beach is about.
Now in its 29th year, this beloved tradition takes over Dewey on Saturday, June 27, 2026, and if you’ve never experienced it, this is your year.
How It All Started
In the summer of 1994, a couple of Starboard regulars traveled to Spain for the Festival of San Fermin, the real Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. The experience stuck with them. Three years later, in the spring of 1997, they were back at The Starboard with a beach housemate when the idea finally came together: why not bring the running of the bulls to Dewey Beach? Minus the actual bulls, of course.
They rented a two-person bull costume, rounded up 35 friends, and ran down the beach. That was it. No sponsors, no schedule, no plan. Just a costume, some white clothes, and the kind of “why not?” attitude that Dewey was built on.
By year two, 90 people showed up. By year five, it was hundreds. Nearly three decades later, Running of the Bull is the signature event of Dewey Beach summer and one of the most talked-about traditions on the Delaware coast.
The 2026 Schedule
Kids’ Running of the Bull: 10:30 AM
Dagsworthy Street on the Beach
The little ones go first. Starting at 10:30 AM, kids gather at Dagsworthy Street for a dance party with popular mascots, games, and free t-shirts before the “bull” leads a silly chase across the sand. It wraps up around 1 PM.
Insider Tip: Get there early to stake out your spot. Parents line up with cameras, and watching the little ones try to decide whether to run toward or away from the bull is genuinely one of the funniest things you’ll see all summer.
The Pre-Party: 11 AM
The Starboard, 2009 Coastal Highway
This is where the real event begins. The Starboard opens its doors at 11 AM, and the crowd starts building fast. Loud music, cold drinks, costumes everywhere, and that unmistakable “something big is about to happen” energy. If you’ve ever wondered what Dewey’s party scene is all about, this morning will answer that question definitively.
What to Wear: The tradition is white clothing with a red bandanna, just like Pamplona. But this is Dewey, so creative costumes are not only welcome, they’re encouraged. You’ll see everything from full matador outfits to people dressed as the bull’s dinner.
The Run: 2 PM
On the Beach
At 2 PM, the crowd migrates from The Starboard to the sand. Two runners in a pantomime bull costume charge through the crowd, chasing participants down the beach and back. After the chase, there’s a staged showdown between the “bull” and a “matador” that’s equal parts theatrical and ridiculous.
Why It Matters
Running of the Bull isn’t just a party, it raises real money for real people. A $10 donation is encouraged from every participant, and proceeds benefit the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, the first responders who keep our beaches safe all summer long.
Over 29 years, the event has raised significant funds for local emergency services while growing from a goofy idea at a beach bar into a full-blown cultural institution.
Before You Go: Event times and details can change from year to year. Always confirm the latest schedule on The Starboard’s website before heading out.