things to do with kids wilmington de

7 Magical Holiday Events in Downtown Wilmington DE for Your Bucket List

Downtown wilmington de

1. 55th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade Saturday, November 24, 2017 at 11 AM Begins at 5th and King Street and ends in Rodney Square Wilmington, DE

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

The Wilmington Jaycees are currently planning for the 55th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade to be held in Downtown Wilmington on Saturday, November 24th at 11am. This year’s Parade will again feature:

  1. • Local celebrities and dignitaries
    • Marching and String Bands
    • Community organizations
    • Floats and attractions
    • Statewide Pageant Winners
    • Your Favorite Cartoon Characters

    And the Star of the Show – Santa Claus! Elves will be accepting Christmas wish lists from children for Santa. Children who provide their name and address will receive a response from Santa in December.

Learn More…

Read about last year’s parade festivities…

2. Small Business Saturday November 24th 2018 Various Shops in Downtown Wilmington, DE

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Following the Wilmington Jaycees Christmas parade, start the shopping season by supporting local businesses that create jobs, boost our economy, and preserve neighborhoods around our country. The Market Street corridor is full of unique shops and dining experiences. There will be some surprise pop up shops as well!

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Caroling and Tree Lighting Rodney Square Wilmington, DE Tuesday, December 4th 2018

Photo Credit: North Delaware Happening

Photo Credit: North Delaware Happening

Please join Mike Purzycki - Mayor of the City of Wilmington, and Acting Cultural Affairs Director Tina Betz for Wilmington’s official lighting tree lighting and caroling to kick-off the holiday season. Get in the holiday spirit with your friends, on Tuesday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. in historic Rodney Square at 10th and North Market Streets.

Gather with family, friends and neighbors at this popular gathering to get into the holiday spirit while helping those in need. Mayor Mike Purzycki and members of City Council will light the City’s Tree, and sing holiday carols led by local choral groups.

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4. Ice Skating at Horizon’s Riverfront Rink 308 Justison Street Wilmington, DE 19801

The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware is pleased to reopen The Horizon Services Riverfront Rink for its 5th season. This family-oriented, outdoor ice skating rink provides fun for all ages! The 2018/2019 season will operate November 23rd through the end of March 4, 2019. The Riverfront Rink is able to accommodate approximately 350 skaters at once and will be open 7 days a week with extended hours during the holiday break. The Horizon Services Riverfront Rink not only brings the fun winter tradition of skating to the Wilmington Riverfront, it will also offer numerous programs and promotions throughout the skating season. Lace up your skates and we’ll see you at the rink!

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5. The 52nd Annual Nutcracker at The Playhouse on Rodney Square December 8th and 9th 2018

This holiday season, be treated to something very special, a performance that lifts your holiday spirits and evokes joy in kids of all ages. Wilmington’s beloved annual holiday tradition at the Playhouse on Rodney Square turns 52 this year!  Come to our Nutcracker and experience an opulent theater with a full orchestra and chorus, world class guest artists, and 100 talented dancers from the Wilmington Ballet and the HAC School of Dance. Follow the dancers as they party, battle, and enchant you with their beautiful dancing. Make The Nutcracker a part of your family’s holiday tradition, and experience the magic of this beautiful, timeless ballet.

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6. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage The Grand, Copeland Hall Saturday, December 8th 2018

Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life in the all-new touring production A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE! Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE is a present the whole family can enjoy! 


Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story of the spirit of Christmas, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, as well as a concert of beloved holiday carols performed by the Peanuts characters. There’s no better magic of the season. 

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7. Cirque Dreams Holidaze The Playhouse on Rodney Square November 23rd-November 25th 2018

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is a new cirque adventure, Broadway musical and family holiday spectacular wrapped in one! This incomparable phenomenon features over 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, the finest singers, original music and seasonal favorites celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. 

Audiences of all ages will be mesmerized for 2 hours and marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production numbers the Boston Globe hails “Entrancing…Las Vegas meets family entertainment." 

Learn More…

The 7th Annual Ladybug Festival presented by Chase Kicks off Next Weekend!

Ladybug Music Festival Wilmington DE

Getting recognized by Bilboard.com was just the beginning. Going into their 7th year, the all-female music festival featuring some of the best talent in the country is taking gender inequality on by storm, providing free concerts to the public and getting an entire city pumped up with excitement. 

This year's festival promises to be the largest yet, with music venues, coffee shops, pizza parlors, and even beauty salons taken over by the block-party like atmosphere with talented female musicians in every corner. There will even be an event dedicated to children, called, Little Ladybugs within the Delaware History Museum.

little ladybugs

For the full schedule of events, click here. Last year's event was an unforgettable celebration of womanhood, music and community for all those that attended. Watch the short video below and immerse yourself in the Ladybug experience. 

Downtown Visions is proud to be a sponsor of The Ladybug Festival.

Follow Ladybug Music Festival on Facebook and Instagram.

The Downtown Farmer's Market 2018 Vendor Application is Available

Downtown Wilmington DE Farmers market

Last year's Farmer's Market was the biggest year yet with the most attendance, award-winning food trucks, live entertainment, produce stands, vendors and even veggie giveaways!

Be sure to reserve your spot for this year's activities as well! The vendor application is now available online.

Follow all of the Farmer's Market fun on Facebook!

5 Ways to Make Winter Break Spectacular with Your Children in Wilmington, DE

The kiddos are off school and already becoming full of cabin fever? Have no fear, there are tons of family-friendly activities in Wilmington, DE to keep them not only occupied but thrilled.

Make this the best holiday break on record with any of the following!

1. Hit up the Riverfront Rink

Riverfront rink wilmington de

A family favorite, listen to some holiday tunes and skate away at Horizon's Riverfront Rink! Afterward, grab some hot cocoa at Starbucks across the street, or head to a movie at Penn Cinema on the Riverfront and relax in their brand-new lounge chairs!

2. Grab some homemade ice-cream

udairy creamery wilmington de.jpg

The kids vote it is never too cold for ice-cream and we agree. Head to UDairy on Market Street for ice-cream that is out of this world! This tasty treat is even more spectacular because it is home-made from the milk of local cows from The University of Delaware's Department of Agriculture! If mom and dad aren't up for just ice-cream, try their coffee poured over their famous flavor, 8th & Market. We tried it, and it is delicious and a good caffeine fix!

3. Have a tea party fit for royalty

hotel dupont wilmington de.jpg

Have a little princess or prince that loves to indulge in the finer things in life? Have them put on their favorite dress-up clothes and head to the HOTEL DUPONT Green Room for high tea. Be sure to bring your cameras it will be an experience you'll want to remember forever!

4. Jump out all your energy (or theirs)

altitude trampoline park wilmington de

Altitude Trampoline Park is full of fun that will be sure to wear your kids out! With an obstacle course, kids zone, basketball court and extreme dodgeball there is something for everyone! 

 

5. Discover something spectacular

Delaware Childrens museum wilmington de

The Delaware Children's Museum will even bring out your inner child. With nine exhibits full of activities, your children will be filled with wonder and awe at all there is to discover. Afterward, enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants located in Riverfront Wilmington

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab