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  • Ashley Painter

Your Ultimate Guide to 2023 Holiday Events in Delaware

Updated: 6 days ago

Holiday Parades, Christmas Light Shows, Brunch with Santa and more!

Schellville, Schell Brothers

*This list is constantly being updated throughout the season. Please check event specific links for the most up-to-date information. Want your event added? Get in touch at ashley@ashleydoesads.com and let me know about it!


2023 Holiday Parades in Delaware

59th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade – Saturday, 11/25 @ 11AM

📍 Market St. Wilmington, DE

More information: https://wilmingtonjaycees.org/wilmington-jaycees-christmas-parade/


Harrington Christmas Parade – Friday, 12/1 @ 7PM

📍 Harrington, DE

More information: https://www.leaguelineup.com/topnews.asp?url=hpr&itemid=1806223


Christmas in Clayton Parade – Sunday, 12/3 – 5PM

📍 Downtown Clayton, DE

*All-day event, time indicated is for parade, more event information below

More information: https://claytonhistoricalsociety.org/christmas-in-clayton-dec-3rd/


91st Annual Lewes Christmas Parade – Saturday, 12/2 @ 5PM

*All-day event, time indicated is for parade, more event information below

📍 Lewes, DE

More information: https://www.leweschamber.com/event/91st-annual-lewes-christmas-parade


Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas Parade - Monday 12/4 @ 6PM

📍 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE

More information: https://www.cityofrehoboth.com/events/hometown-christmas-parade-0


Milton Christmas Parade, Wednesday, 12/6 @ 7PM

📍 Union Street, Milton, DE

More information: Contact 302-684-8500 to register or for more information.


Elsmere Holiday Parade - Sunday, 12/10 @ 2PM

📍 Kirkwood Highway, Elsmere, DE

More information: https://townofelsmere.com/events/holiday-parade-4/



2023 Holiday Events in Delaware

Holiday Open House at Rockwood – Friday, 12/1 – Saturday, 12/2 – 5PM-9PM (

📍 Rockwood Park & Museum, 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.newcastlede.gov/936/Holiday-Open-House-at-Rockwood-Park-Muse


ONGOING HOLIDAY EVENTS

Schellville Christmas Village – Saturday, 11/18 – Sunday, 12/31 – 5PM-9PM (Thursday-Sundays)

*Early bird hours for seniors and small children, 1PM-4PM

📍 36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE

More information: https://schellbrothers.com/promotions/schellville/


Holiday Light Express

Wednesday, 12/6 - Saturday, 12/30 - Times Vary (Wednesday-Sundays)

📍 Wilmington Western Railroad, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.wwrr.com/ride/events/holiday-lights.aspx


DESTINATIONS

Yuletide at Winterthur - Saturday, 11/18 - Sunday, 1/7

📍 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735

More information: https://www.winterthur.org/calendar/yuletide-at-winterthur-4/


Noel at Nemours Estate - Tuesday, 11/14 - Saturday, 12/30

📍 Nemours Estate, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://nemoursestate.org/


A Longwood Christmas

Friday, 11/17 - Sunday, 1/7

📍 Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Technically in Pennsylvania, but you can't mention the holidays without Longwood Gardens!

More information: https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens/our-seasons/longwood-christmas



2023 Holiday Light Shows in Delaware

From Dover Speedway, Lewes Lights, Rockford Park, and RiverBright in Wilmington, Holiday Light Shows in Delaware needed it's own blog (or two!).




Check out the 2023 Delaware Holiday Lights Tour and my list of Favorite Light Shows to Enjoy from the Car for those! More holiday events in Delaware continue below.


2023 Holiday Events in Delaware (continued)

MEET SANTA

Santa's Wonderland at Cabelas - Saturday, 11/4 - Sunday, 12/24

📍 1100 Christiana Mall, Newark, DE

More information: https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland


Santa's House Milford - Saturday, 11/25 - Saturday, 12/23

📍 1 South Walnut St, Milford, DE

More information: https://www.facebook.com/downtownmilfordsanta


Santa at the Brandywine Zoo – Saturday, 12/2 & Sunday, 12/3 – 10AM-12PM

📍 Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://brandywinezoo.org/santa/


Santa Claus Express – Weekends 11/24-12/23 – Times vary

📍 Wilmington Western Railroad, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.wwrr.com/ride/events/santa.aspx


HOLIDAY POP-UP BARS

Klondike Kates Sleigh Bar - Wednesday, 11/8 - Sunday, 12/31

📍 Klondike Kate's Restaurant & Saloon, 158 E. Main Street, Newark, DE

More information: https://www.klondikekates.com/TheSleighBar/


Blitzen Wilmington - Friday, 11/17 - Sunday, 12/24

📍 220 West 9th Street, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://blitzenwilm.com/ , https://www.instagram.com/blitzenwilm/, or https://www.facebook.com/blitzenwilm


Grain Trolley Square - Jingle Bar

📍 1709 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.facebook.com/Graintrolley



FUNDRAISERS, BAR CRAWLS & 5K EVENTS

51st Annual Newark Turkey Trot 5K/10K – Saturday, 11/18 @ 8AM

📍 1000 Barksdale Road, Newark, DE

More Information: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/79489/51st-annual-newark-turkey-trot-10k-5k


Motorcycle Santa 5K / Rudolph’s Run 5k – Saturday, 11/25 @ 8AM

📍 Trolley Square, Wilmington, DE

More Information: https://runsignup.com/Race/DE/Wilmington/MotorcycleSanta5K


25th Milford Cross Country Booster Reindeer Stampede 5k – Saturday, 11/25 @ 8AM

📍 Killen's Pond State Park, Felton, DE

More information: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/72977/25th-milford-cross-country-booster-reindeer-stampede-5k


Santa Bar Crawl - Saturday, 12/2 @ 1PM

📍 Rehoboth Beach, DE

Benefits Toys for Tots Foundation of Sussex County

More information: https://rbsantabarcrawl.com/


Ugly Sweater Santa Crawl - Saturday, 12/9 @ 8PM

📍 Wilmington, DE

Benefits Ronald McDonald House

More information: https://outandaboutnow.com/events/ugly-sweater-santa-crawl/


CITY & TOWN HOLIDAY EVENTS

Rehoboth Christmas Tree Lighting - Friday, 11/24 @ 6:30PM

📍 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE

More information: https://www.cityofrehoboth.com/events/tree-lighting-and-holiday-sing-along


Winterfest in Newark – Friday, 12/1 @ 6PM

📍 Academy Street, Newark, DE

More information: https://newarkde.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=4741&month=12&year=2023&day=14&calType=0


Christmas in Clayton – Sunday 12/3 – 2PM-6PM (Parade at 5pm)

📍 Downtown Clayton, Delaware

More information: https://claytonhistoricalsociety.org/christmas-in-clayton-dec-3rd/


50th Annual Lewes Holiday Village & Market - Saturday, 12/2 10AM - 4PM

📍 Lewes, DE

More information: https://www.leweschamber.com/event/50th-annual-holiday-tour-lewes-holiday-village-and-market


Christmas in Odessa – Saturday, 12/2 – 10AM-5PM

📍Odessa, DE

More Information: https://www.christmasinodessa.org/


Glasgow Park Holiday Market – Saturday, 12/9 & Sunday, 12/9 @ 5pm

📍 Glasgow Park Bank Barn & Frazer House, Bear, DE

More information: https://www.newcastlede.gov/938/Holiday-Celebration-Market-at-Glasgow-Pa


Spirit of Christmas in Old New Castle – Saturday, 12/9 – 9AM-5:30PM

📍 Historic Old New Castle, DE

More information: https://www.spiritofchristmasde.com/


2023 Holiday Craft Fairs & Shopping in Delaware

Delcastle Holiday Craft Fair 2023 – Saturday, 11/18 – 9AM-3:30PM

📍 1417 Newport Rd, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.nccvotech.com/apps/events/2023/11/18/12305921/?id=1


Hodgson Craft Fair – Saturday, 12/2 – 9AM – 3:30PM

📍 Hodgson Vo-Tech High School, Newark, DE

More information: https://hodgson.nccvt.k12.de.us/apps/news/article/1843730


Bethany Shop Local Extravaganza - Saturday 11/25, 12/2, 12/9, and 12/16

📍 Bethany Beach, DE

Raffle drawings & incentives for those that shop local during the holiday season at a variety of small businesses in the Southern Delaware area. Visit link for full list, raffle details and more information.


More information: https://business.bethany-fenwick.org/events/details/shop-local-extravaganza-2023-12-02-2023-27136


Santa’s Secret Shoppe – Saturday, 12/2 – 9AM-12PM

📍 George Wilson Center, Newark, DE

*Kids shopping day, all items $10 and under, free gift wrapping.

More information: https://newarkde.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=4740&month=12&year=2023&day=14&calType=0


Brandywine Holiday Festival of the Arts – Saturday, 12/16 & Sunday, 12/17 – 10AM-6PM

📍 Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://brandywineholiday.com/


2023 Holiday Performances in Delaware

It's a Wonderful Life - Saturday, 11/18 - Saturday, 12/23 - Time Vary by day

📍 Candlelight Dinner Theatre - 2208 Millers Road, Arden, DE

More information: https://candlelighttheatredelaware.org/


Nutcracker Ballet - Friday, 12/1- Saturday, 12/2- Time Vary by day

📍 Milford High School - 1019 N Walnut St, Milford, DE

More information: https://visitsoutherndelaware.com/event/nutcracker-ballet-1/2023-12-01


Holidays at the Hotel – Delaware Symphony Orchestra at Hotel Dupont – Tuesday, 12/12 @ 7:30PM

📍 Hotel DuPont, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.delawaresymphony.org/dso_events/holidays-at-the-hotel-chamber-ii/


The Nutcracker presented by The Wilmington Ballet - Friday 12/15 - Sunday 12/17

📍 The Playhouse - 1007 N Market St, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/productions/7960-wilmington-ballet-nutcracker/


The Playhouse Presents A Christmas Carol – Monday 12/18 & Tuesday, 12/19

📍 The Playhouse - 1007 N Market St, Wilmington, DE

More information: https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/productions/7855-a-christmas-carol/


Everett Theatre Movie Series - Saturdays, 7:30pm

📍 The Everett Theatre - 47 W. Main Street, Middletown, DE

  • 12/9 - Home Alone (7:30pm)

  • 12/16 - The Muppet Christmas Carol (7:30pm)

  • 12/22 - White Christmas (7:30pm)

  • 12/23 - The Polar Express (2pm)

  • 12/23 - It's a Wonderful Life (7:30pm)

More information: https://www.everetttheatre.com/classic-films


Milton Theatre Movie Series - Select dates and times

📍 Milton Theatre - 110 Union Street, Milton, DE

  • 12/16 - Polar Express Pajama Party (11am & 2pm)

  • 12/18 - It's a Wonderful Life (2pm & 6pm)

More information: https://www.miltontheatre.com/


Milton Theatre Holiday Schedule

📍 Milton Theatre - 110 Union Street, Milton, DE

  • 12/14 - Chesapeake Brass Band Holiday Concert - 7pm

  • 12/15 - Holiday Drag Show - 8PM

  • 12/16 - Holiday Stand-Up Comedy - 8PM

  • 12/20 - Nutcracker by Delmarva Big Band - 7pm

  • 12/21 - A Merry Manilow Christmas (2pm & 7:30pm)

  • 12/22 - Christmas with The Rat Pack (7:30pm)

  • 12/23 - Holiday Cabaret - 8PM

  • 12/29 - Carole King Christmas - 8pm

More information: https://www.miltontheatre.com/event/holiday-cabaret/milton-theatre/


That's not all the holiday fun we have in Delaware! Check out my 2023 Delaware Holiday Lights Tour and my list of Favorite Light Shows to Enjoy from the Car!


Did I miss something? Get in touch at ashley@ashleydoesads.com and let me know!


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