BETHANY BEACH, Del. - ColoradoDesk -- Cellos return to the beach this August for the Third Annual Bethany Beach Cellofest, presented by the Cello Museum. Running August 5–16, 2026, this year's festival brings free public concerts, musical story times, community programs, and an adult cello retreat to Bethany Beach.

Created as a joyful celebration of cello, Bethany Beach Cellofest shares cello music with audiences of all ages while offering adult cellists a supportive, non-competitive retreat.

Public programs feature cellists Jennifer Kloetzel, Erica Lessie, and Brenda Neece; The BrickHouse Duo, with violinist Peter Wilson and cellist Jennifer Kloetzel; the Cellofest Cello Quartet; and Cellofest cellists.

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"Bethany Beach Cellofest began with the simple idea of bringing the music of my favorite instrument to one of my favorite places," said Neece, founder and director of the Bethany Beach Cellofest.

Free Public Programs

Wednesday, August 5 at 10:30 AM – Cello Story Time
South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach
Musical story time for children and families with Erica Lessie and Brenda Neece.

Thursday, August 6 at 12 Noon – Lunchtime Recital
St. Martha's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall
A free lunchtime cello recital with Lessie and Neece.

Friday, August 7 at 10 AM – "A Whale of a Cello Tale" Story Time
Selbyville Public Library
A musical story time co-presented by the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.

Saturday, August 8 at 11 AM – "Music for the Moon" Story Time
Splash Laundromat, Georgetown
A creative community story time with live cello music, co-presented by the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.

Sunday, August 9 at 7:30 PM – Bethany Beach Cellofest Boardwalk Performance
Bethany Beach Bandstand
A free outdoor performance featuring Jennifer Kloetzel, The BrickHouse Duo, and the Cellofest Cello Quartet. The BrickHouse Duo recently released The Bach-Wilson Project.

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Tuesday, August 11 at 12 Noon – Jennifer Kloetzel Lunchtime Recital
St. Martha's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall
A free lunchtime recital with cellist Jennifer Kloetzel.

Thursday, August 13 at 7 PM – Cello Play-In
St. Martha's Episcopal Church, Parish Hall
A free community cello play-in. Cellists are invited to bring their instruments and join in; listeners are welcome. This program was made possible, in part, through the support of Associated Chamber Music Players.

Sunday, August 16 at 9 AM and 10 AM – Coffee Concert and Service Music
St. Martha's Episcopal Church, Bethany Beach
Music by Kloetzel, The BrickHouse Duo, Lessie, Neece, and Cellofest cellists.

The 2026 Bethany Beach Cellofest is presented by the Cello Museum, hosted by St. Martha's Episcopal Church, and supported by the Town of Bethany Beach, S. Tsantes, Oxford Violins, and community donors and volunteers.

For more information, visit the Cello Museum's 2026 Bethany Beach Cellofest page.