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Festive Fun For The Whole Family

christmas downtown wilmington de

Get in the spirit with these family-friendly events in Downtown Wilmington DE this holiday season!

As a reminder, free parking options are available all holiday season long in Downtown Wilmington! Click here to learn more.

Caroling on the Square | December 3 | HB Dupont Plaza

It's Time Wilmington for the annual Caroling on the Square & Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony! This event is FREE and fun for the whole family, with a special appearance from Santa & his elves. The festivities kick off at 6pm. In keeping with the holiday spirit, attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, new or gently used children’s coats, new toys for the Mayor’s Holiday Toy Drive, and/or blankets and adult socks for the homeless.  All items will be donated to local charities.

Storytime & Fun with Perry the Superplum Fairy | December 5 & 14 | Wilmington Public Library

Head to the library for a sugary sweet time as Perry leads storytime, a festive craft, and more fun activities to get your little ones moving! There will also be a meet and greet with Perry and plenty opportunities for pictures. Costumes are encouraged!

The Nutcracker | December 7 - 8 | The Playhouse on Rodney Square

Join Wilmington Ballet for their 53rd Annual performance of The Nutcracker at The Playhouse on Rodney Square! The production will run for four magical performances Dec 7 & 8, in which Victorians party, mice and soldiers battle, snowflakes swirl, and sugarplums delight.

Gingerbread DECO-rating Party | December 8 | DECO Food Hall

You provide the imagination and Spark’d will take care of the rest! Spark’d Creative Pastry will provide the fully assembled gingerbread house, tons of frosting, and all the candy you will need to create the sweet house of your dreams.

The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays | December 13-15 | The Playhouse on Rodney Square

The mind-blowing spectacular of THE ILLUSIONISTS – MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS showcases the jaw dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth, alongside special guests Light Balance. THE ILLUSIONISTS has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

Willingtown Square Lights Display | 505 N Market St

Stroll through Willingtown Square for a merry & bright holiday lights display this season! Open to the public 7 days a week, Willingtown Square’s holiday lights are lit up for all to enjoy from dusk until dark, but gates to the square are locked at 9pm. Willingtown Square’s holiday lights are on display until February 2020!

Riverfront Rink Ice Skating | Constitution Yards

The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware is pleased to reopen The Horizon Services Riverfront Rink for its 6th season. This family-oriented, outdoor ice skating rink provides fun for all ages! The 2019/2020 season will operate through March 1, 2020 with a number of special events throughout the season.

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!

Learn More…

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.

Learn More…

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!

Learn More…

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.

Learn More…

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. 

Learn more…

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…

7 Ways to Experience the Holidays in Downtown Wilmington Like Never Before!

Christmas Wilmington DE

The tastes, the sights, and the sounds. Enjoy Downtown Wilmington during the holiday season like never before! Here are some holiday activities within the city to make your experience magical!

1. Wilmington Jaycees Parade-Saturday November 25th at 11 AM. More details can be found here.

2. Riverfront Wilmington Ice Skating-Opening for its fourth annual season, the Riverfront Wilmington Ice Skating rink is a favorite for families across the tri-state area!  

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Playhouse on Rodney Square-Sunday, November 26th, don't miss this holiday favorite as it comes to life on stage for two exclusive performances. Make the event even more special by attending Tea with Rudolph beforehand! 

4. The Nutcracker at The Grand- December 2nd and 3rd, this Christmas tradition is turning 51 in Wilmington! Tickets can be purchased here. 

5. Holiday Shopping- Small business Saturday is an event downtown and many organizations are celebrating with special events and sales! Following the Jaycees Parade, head to Starbucks on Market to warm up and enjoy some complimentary live music. Then hit the streets and head to all of the incredible shops Wilmington has to offer to find something unique for your loved ones! Have some outgoing friends and family? November 24th & 25th at Poppycock Tattoo receive an additional $25 on every $100 spent on gift certificates! Looking for a special book for someone you love? Stop into The Ninth Street Book Shop! For some unique accessories and clothes, head to Spaceboy and Styles by Sassy!

6. Holiday Parties- There are so many outstanding restaurants in Wilmington with private space! Book your Holiday Party at Cafe Mezzanotte, Ernest & Scott Taproom, Chelsea Tavern, The Green Room, Mikimotos, or Domaine Hudson and leave all the work and clean-up to someone else!

7. Kris Allen – Somethin’ About Christmas Tour 2017 at Live Nation Wednesday December 6th at 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased here.

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab