Southern Delaware Tourism announces 2026 photo contest | Arts & Entertainment
To celebrate Southern Delaware and to keep it top of mind throughout the winter with visitors planning 2026 travel, Southern Delaware Tourism is launching its 10th Annual Southern Delaware Tourism Photo Contest. Both locals and visitors are being invited and encouraged to enter.
Entries will be accepted beginning at midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, through 5 p.m. on March 6, 2026, and winners will be announced Friday, March 20, 2026. There will be one Grand Prize-winning photo selected from all entries, as well as one winning photo in each of three categories.
The categories are:
• Southern Delaware Dog Days — Share photos of furry friends enjoying the outdoors in Southern Delaware, whether that’s on the beach or boardwalk, on a restaurant patio, in a kayak, on a hiking trail, at an event, sharing an ice cream, strolling through a downtown, wherever people and their buddy (or buddies!) have fun hanging out. Entries must include the photo location. Photos must be taken in Sussex County. (Read the requirements for model releases if the entries contain recognizable likenesses of individuals.)
• Southern Delaware Events — Share photos from festivals, arts and entertainment events, crawls, tours, parades, races and more. Photos must contain at least one person and be taken in Sussex County. Entries must include photo locations. (Read the requirements for model releases if the entries contain recognizable likenesses of individuals.)
• Southern Delaware Freestyle — Share photos that speak to what you love most about Southern Delaware, that capture the reasons you’ve chosen this very special place as your go-to destination or home. Entries must include the photo location. Photos must be taken in Sussex County. (Read the requirements for model releases if the entries contain recognizable likenesses of individuals.)
Photo contest winners will be selected by Tony Pratt and Pamela Aquilani, Southern Delaware (and beyond) photographers. All eligible photo entries will be featured by Southern Delaware Tourism on its Instagram feed (@VisitSouthDel) with the hashtag #SoDelPhotoContest2026 and will be considered for their next Visitor Guide cover, as well as for inclusion on the Southern Delaware Sights pages in the next hard copy and the digital Visitor Guide.
Tourism Partners have provided prizes, including the photo contest grand prize. This year’s Grand Prize-winning photographer will receive a two-night stay at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, a gift certificate from Henlopen City Oyster House, a gift certificate from Delmarva Board Sport Adventures and an annual Delaware State Parks pass.
Photo contest individual category prizes include:
• Southern Delaware Dog Days — The winner of the Southern Delaware Dog Days category will receive a two-night stay at the Hampton Inn Rehoboth Beach (pet-friendly), a Woody’s Dewey Beach gift certificate, a P.U.P.S. of Lewes gift certificate and a Delaware State Parks pass.
• Southern Delaware Events — The winner of the Southern Delaware Tourism’s Events category will receive a two-night stay at Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, a gift certificate to Nalu Surf Bar & Grill, a gift certificate from the Milton Theatre and a Delaware State Parks pass.
• Southern Delaware Freestyle — The winner of the Southern Delaware Freestyle category will receive a two-night stay at Staybridge Suites Rehoboth Beach, a SoDel Concepts gift card, a gift certificate for Clear Space Theatre and a Delaware State Parks pass.
To find contest rules and entry instructions and to upload entries, go to Be sure to read all entry and eligibility rules and requirements prior to uploading entries. Winners will be notified via email on Friday, March 20, 2026.
link
