- 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!