things to do downtown wilminton de

Listen to Free Live Music Any Night of the Week in Wilmington

live music in wilmington de

Did you know you can enjoy free live music throughout Wilmington any night of the week? From rhythmic drumming to contemporary covers and everything in between, find out where you can listen to live performers in the City through our day by day itinerary below!

Kick off your week with Sunday morning brunch at the Starbucks on Market St with wonderful acoustic acts.

Check out Live! in the Parks for a relaxing evening of music on Mondays and Wednesdays in Rockford Park & Brandywine Park respectively!

If you’re more interested in making the music than listening to it, then the Rock Lot’s Drumming Circle is for you! Check it out every Tuesday evening.

Enjoy delicious food, creative cocktails and a side of live music during Wilmo Wednesdays at DECO.

Take your lunch outside on Thursday afternoons at Nemours Plaza and break up your day with live music.

Be serenaded by the sweet sounds of street performers on Thursday evenings at various locations along Market Street as part of the Music on Market series.

You can also catch live entertainment on Thursdays evenings down on the Riverfront in Dravo Plaza as part of the Shipyard Summer Concert series.

Start your weekend early and stop by I.M. Coffee during lunch on Fridays for craft coffee and good music.

To round off your week, head to Wilmington’s best kept secret, Nomad Bar, for live jazz music on Saturday nights!

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.

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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…

A Free Earth Day Celebration in Rodney Square

Celebrate earth Day in Downtown Wilmington

Complimentary plants, free giveaways, food trucks, live music and more. Kick off your Spring by celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day in Rodney Square during your lunch break on Friday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Never officially celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day before? Well, this event is the perfect excuse to kick up your love for mother earth!

Come on out and enjoy the beautiful sunshine while listening to live music provided by Acoustic Turnpike and munch on some delicious food from various local food trucks. A variety of vendors will provide easy ways for you to help the planet and there will be free native plant giveaways, first come, first serve. 

As they say, "The early bird catches the worm!" We cannot wait to see you there and celebrate our beautiful planet with you. 

The Wilmington Earth & Arbor Day Celebration is sponsored by the City of Wilmington. Its chief collaborator is the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. For more information on the event, including tips on where to park, click here. 

To be an exhibitor at the event, please register here.

Earth day and arbor day