Join us for fun & learning at OLLI this fall

UD’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program for adults age 50-plus is planning more than 300 fall classes in Dover, Lewes, Newark, Ocean View, Wilmington and online. The fall 2026 OLLI catalog showcases original artwork by Stella Fass, reflecting the vibrant creativity of the OLLI community.

Open houses throughout Delaware, Aug. 3-6

Join us for fun & learning for age 50-plus, in Dover, Lewes, Newark, Ocean View, Wilmington and online

The community is invited to learn about the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) by attending an open house in Lewes (Aug. 3), Wilmington (Aug. 4), Ocean View (Aug. 5) or Dover (Aug. 6).

A volunteer-driven learning cooperative for adults age 50-plus with over 3,000 members, UD OLLI holds classes throughout Delaware and online, featuring a variety of learning and social opportunities with no exams or grades. Delaware residence or prior OLLI membership is not required.

OLLI four locations — Open House events Aug. 3-6

Open houses provide up-close look at OLLI

At the upcoming on-site open house events, visitors can tour OLLI classroom locations, meet volunteers and fellow participants, enjoy refreshments, and pick up a program catalog. Registration assistance will be available.

The open houses take place 10 a.m. to noon — except for the Wilmington event, which is set for 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — at OLLI’s primary classroom locations:

Lewes, Aug. 3 – Trinity Faith Education Building, 15516 New Road
Wilmington, Aug. 4 – Arsht Hall, 2700 Pennsylvania Ave.
Ocean View, Aug. 5 – Ocean View Community Center, 32 West Ave.
Dover, Aug. 6 – Wyoming Church, 216 Wyoming Mill Road
Click here for details about the Open House events.

OLLI benefits illustration — Great benefits for UD OLLI members

Great UD benefits for OLLI members

OLLI members have a special UD-affiliated status, and receive many of the same benefits and discounts as UD undergraduate and graduate students, like a UD email address and ID card, UD library access, UD course auditing, Ancestry.com access, discounted UD football tickets and more — click here for details!

More than 300 fall classes planned, classes start Sept. 8

OLLI’s fall semester kicks off on Sept. 8 with 13-week, 11-week and five-week sessions. A second five-week session starts Oct. 20.

Highlights of each location’s planned offerings include:

Dover – Sci-Fi Movies, George Gershwin Music, Monster Folklore, WWII Espionage, Knitting, Great American Women [click here for full Dover course list]
Lewes – Improv to Sketch Comedy, Painting, Basketry, Tudor England, Plant-Based Eating for Fun, History of the Blues, Chorus, Music Jam, Drum Circle [click here for full Lewes course list]
Newark – Latin (Beginning to Intermediate), Understanding “Medicalese,” Nutrition After 50, South Asia in Five Stories [click here for Newark course details]
Ocean View – Walk for Fitness, Mah Jongg, Card Making, WWII in the Pacific, Financial Workshop, Superstars of the American Presidency [click here for full Ocean View course list]
Wilmington – Painting, Drawing, Concert Band, Rock Band, Bird Watching, Mel Brooks Films, Racism in America, International Folk Dance, Yoga, Tai Chi [click for full Wilmington course list]
Online – American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Genealogy & Family History Research, Investment Study Group, Writing Nonfiction, George III: Last King of America, Applying Stoicism Principles to Improve Your Life, Media and Public Opinion in the 2026 Elections with Ralph Begleiter [click for full list of online classes]

OLLI fall classes start Sept. 8; registration opens July 30

UD OLLI membership includes enrollment in unlimited classes and activities at all UD OLLI locations and online. To register for OLLI classes, participants sign up for OLLI membership with a flat membership fee of $275 which includes unlimited UD OLLI course registration for the semester. A few classes may have an additional fee, noted in the course description, for supplies or special programs. There is no cost for parking at UD OLLI locations. Delaware residence or prior OLLI membership is not required, and need-based partial scholarships are available.

Registration opens on July 30. For more information, visit https://www.olli.udel.edu/.

Fall classes start 9/8, preview now!