Downtown Visions Holiday Small Business Initiatives

Downtown Holiday Market at DE.CO

Downtown Visions is partnering with DE.CO to bring a Holiday Market to Downtown Wilmington. The Market will run Saturday, November 26, December 3, 10 & 17 from 11am-4pm.

Patrons can expect small business vendors, DE.CO food vendors, Holiday music and window displays, entertainment, appearances from Santa and kids’ characters, face painting and more!

Free Shipping

From 10/1/22 – 12/31/22, shop online with select Downtown Wilmington, DE retailers this Holiday season and receive free shipping anywhere in the U.S., courtesy of Downtown Visions. 

Participating Downtown Retailers:
Shoe Tech Shoe Repair

Spaceboy Clothing

Three Kings Kustoms

Town & Shore Handcrafted

Al’s Sporting Goods

LaFate Gallery

Morgan’s of Delaware

Poppycock Tattoo

12 Days of Christmas

Downtown Visions encourages residents, visitors, and workers to #ShopSmall this Holiday season. From 12/1/22 – 12/12/22, many Downtown small businesses will be offering discounts and specials on unique gifts.  For more information visit wilmingtonmade.com.

Downtown Wilmington App

Recently, Downtown Visions released the Downtown Wilmington App, a one-stop shop for almost everything about Downtown Wilmington, DE. The App was created for Downtown residents, workers, and visitors to highlight dining, entertainment, events, information, parking, shopping and more in Downtown Wilmington, DE.  

To download the App search Downtown Wilm DE in the App Store or Google Play.

Downtown Visions is the non-profit management company for Wilmington, DE’s Downtown Business Improvement District.  Its mission is to create, manage and promote a quality environment for people who live, work and visit Downtown Wilmington.  For more information visit downtownwilmingtonde.com.

Dazzling Holiday Lights Display in Willingtown Square

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!

Willingtown Square is located at 505 N Market Street directly across from the Delaware History Museum. The holiday lights display is proudly sponsored by Downtown Visions.

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

Festive Fun For The Whole Family

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.

FREE Holiday Parking in Downtown Wilmington DE

Enjoy the holidays in Downtown Wilmington without the added hassle of city parking with FREE PARKING this season!

Beginning Friday, November 29, through Thursday, January 2, 2020, metered parking downtown is FREE in the Downtown Business District as well as the Riverfront Business District. From noon until 6:00 p.m. each weekday and all day on weekends and holidays, the City will not require payment at any of the parking meters. All other parking regulations will also remain in effect during this time, so be sure to pay attention to time-limits, posted restrictions, and tow-away zones.

Colonial Parking also offers free parking in their surface lots on nights, after 5pm, and weekends all year round. Click here for a map of all Colonial Lots in Downtown Wilmington.

With plenty of free parking in Downtown Wilmington DE, we hope to see you out and about at one the many festive, family-friendly activities this holiday season!

Brand New Pop-Up Holiday Village Coming To Market Street!

A brand new pop-up Holiday Village is coming to Market Street to help us kick off the Christmas Season in Downtown Wilmington DE!

When: Saturday | November 30th | 11am-5pm

Where: Willingtown Square | 505 N Market Street

Head to Willingtown Square following the Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 30th, to check out Wilmington’s first Holiday Village. The market, open from 11AM to 5PM, will feature local vendors, live carolers, delicious treats, and so much more! We hear that Santa will even be making a special appearance while in town for children to share their Christmas wishes.

The Holiday Village festivities include:

• Unique handmade gifts from local vendors

• Live holiday classics performed by Hotsy Totsy Gals

• FREE book giveaway from Wilmington Public Library

  • While supplies last for children under 10 years old

• K9 demonstration from the Wilmington Police Department at 12:30PM

• “Touch A Truck” with the Wilmington Fire Department at 1PM

• Showings of The Snowman inside the Delaware Historical Society

• Appearance from Santa

• Face painting & sand art activities

• Small Business Saturday “Shop Small” giveaways

The pop-up Holiday Village will conclude with the lighting of Willingtown Square in an incredible holiday display at 5PM! Following the lighting, the Holiday Light Display will be open to the public 7 days a week from dusk until 9 pm starting through February 2020.

As a reminder, street parking is FREE on weekends in Downtown Wilmington DE as well as in Colonial Surface Lots. View a map of all parking options here.

Special thanks to the Holiday Village sponsors The Delaware Historical Society, Downtown Visions, Wilmington Alliance, and IN Wilmington!