holiday activities 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.

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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." 

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Make Holiday Memories at the HOTEL DUPONT

Hotel DUPONT

Nothing screams magical holiday memories quite like the historic HOTEL DUPONT. If you have the opportunity, be sure to check out their beautifully decorated exterior and interior. It will be sure to make you feel the holiday spirit.

If you are looking to start an annual tradition of bringing your family to the hotel around the holidays, you don't even need to reserve a room (although we recommend that too) any of the following events below will capture the magnificence of the AAA Four-Diamond and the Forbes Four-Star awarded hotel. 

TEA WITH THE YULETIDE SINGERS | DEC 9 | 3 PM
Enjoy tea sandwiches, scones and a medley of bite-size desserts while
listening to your favorite holiday songs. The Yuletide Singers, an ensemble
of professional Victorian-era carolers will perform dressed in elegant
costumes. The quartet sings familiar traditional carols and holiday music
in four-part a capella harmony. $24 adults | $12 children under 12

LUNCH WITH LARRY DENBURG | DEC 23 | NOON
Magician, Larry Denburg, a 5 time Winner of Best in State Award will
be bringing his magic to the Green Room on December 23rd. Larry
will be strolling the Green Room performing close-up magic and
sleight of hand as our lunch guests enjoy a truly unique and exciting
personal dining experience. This event will complement The Illusionists
appearing at the Playhouse that day at 10 am, 2 pm and 8 pm.
$28 pp | $14 children under 12

MENU DE NOEL | DEC 22 | SEATINGS FROM 5:30 PM
Enjoy an elegant, 3-course prix fixe pre-Christmas Dinner in the
Green Room.
$65 pp | $30 menu children under 12, children under 5 free

MENU DE NOEL | DEC 23 & 24 | 5 PM & 7:30 PM
A lavish 5-course pre-Christmas Dinner served in holiday style.
$95 pp | $35 menu children under 12, children under 5 free

A LA CARTE CHRISTMAS DAY BRUNCH| NOON & 2:30 PM
A selection of buffet items featuring salad station, oyster & shrimp
station, sushi station, international cheese & charcuterie, smoked
salmon display and a choice of six magnificent entrées.
$75 pp | $35 children under 12, children under 5 free

CHRISTMAS BRUNCH BUFFET | 11 AM & 1:30 PM
Our most elegant and expansive buffet served in the spectacular Gold
Ballroom. This event will become the highlight of your family’s holiday
celebrations for years to come.
$85 pp | $35 children under 12, children under 5 free

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER | 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30 SEATINGS
Celebrate New Year’s Eve early at Wilmington’s most magnificent
hotel. Our dining room will be serving an elegant three-course dinner
in the Green Room. Glass of bubbly included. $95 pp

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY | 8 PM
A spectacular 5-course dinner in the Green Room at 8 pm followed
by a live band, dancing, festive party favors and a champagne
toast at midnight. $175 pp

Holiday Dining Reservations | 800.338.3404 or 302.594.3154
Hotel Stay Reservations | 302.594.3125
www.hoteldupont.com