volunteering during the holidays

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." 

Learn More…

10 Places to Give this Holiday Season and Make a Difference in Wilmington!

Wilmington DE Giving Back

One of the greatest things you can do to get into the holiday spirit is volunteer and make a difference in the community around you. Here are just a few incredible organizations within Downtown Wilmington, that could use your help this holiday season. Whether it is a donation of your time, or financial resources, you can be sure that your generosity will go to a good cause. 

1.  Our Youth Inc. 35th Annual Turkey Giveaway: For 35 years Nor Enterprises and Our Youth Inc. has provided food to thousands of seniors and families in our community who might otherwise have gone hungry on Thanksgiving Day. In the past 10 years alone they have fed in excess of 75,000 people. 

2. Reed's Refuge: Reeds’ Refuge Center is a community-focused non-profit organization committed to the holistic development and well-being of the children and financially afflicted families of the inner city of Delaware. 

3. Sunday Breakfast Mission: The Sunday Breakfast Mission serves the homeless, addicted and impoverished.

4. Neighborhood House: Neighborhood House provides informational programs that impact low to moderate income individuals, families and communities.

5. Ronald McDonald House: Keeping families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need.

6. Delaware Humane Association: Delaware’s premiere nonprofit no-kill animal care and adoption center, serving a four-state area. They are committed to providing for the needs of homeless and owned dogs and cats in our community.

7. The Ministry of Caring: The Ministry of Caring is a vibrant community of staff, volunteers, donors and diverse supporters united by a passion to serve the poor. 

8. St Patrick's Center: St. Patrick's Center provides emergency food, meals, respite for the homeless, clothing, transportation, and recreational activities for people in need on Wilmington's east side.

9. The Food Bank of Delaware: The Food Bank of Delaware, a member of Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest, is a statewide nonprofit agency whose vision is a community free of hunger.

10. Friendship House: Based in New Castle County, Delaware, Friendship House is a non-profit, faith-based corporation serving individuals and families that are or are at risk of becoming homeless. Welcoming to all, Friendship House strives to serve as a sanctuary and stepping stone to those in need through the traditional spiritual ministries of hospitality, education, empowerment, and community.

To support Downtown Visions fiscally or through volunteering, click here. 

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab