9 Awesome Moments for Downtown Wilmington, DE in 2018

It has been a great year for our city and we want to take a moment to celebrate some of the major milestones. While we are only referencing events within the Downtown Visions Business Improvement District, there have been many, many more city-wide impactful moments as well.

1. When Out & About Magazine Took Over and Enhanced the Wilmington Art Loop

2. Stitch House Brewery’s Grand Opening

3. The Launch of the It’s Time Campaign

4. The Reinvention of the Hotel du Pont

5. Margaux’s Grand Opening

6. When Wilmington Green Box Reached their $15,000 Sponsorship Milestone

7. Bardea’s Grand Opening

8. The Residences at Mid-town Park, Burton Place and Mid-town Garage Opening

9. The Grand Opening of Eat Clean Juice Bar

Thank you to the City of Wilmington’s major game changers for their immense contribution this year. Organizations such as the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation, NewMarketWilm.com, DE.TV, INWilm, and many, many more are making sure Wilmington continues to grow and thrive for generations to come. To all those individuals and businesses, the Downtown Visions team is extremely grateful for you!

Shop Downtown and Enjoy Free Holiday Parking in Downtown Wilmington, DE

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Department of Finance Director Patrick Carter also remind citizens that the City of Wilmington’s holiday season parking meter policy will be in effect from Friday, November 23, through Monday, December 31, 2018. To support holiday shopping during this period, from Noon to 6:00 p.m. each weekday, the City will not require payment at parking meters in the Downtown Business District (defined as the area bounded by 2nd Street to 12th Street, and by French Street to Washington Street) and in the Riverfront Business District. Official holidays such as Christmas Day (December 25) remain free all day. A two-hour parking limit will remain in effect, however.

Exceptions to this temporary parking policy involve streets designated as “tow-away zones,” where no stopping is allowed at those meters at the times posted. All applicable traffic regulations, other than those requiring payment at parking meters, will be enforced, including time-limited parking (two-hour or one-hour parking as designated by signage) or overtime parking, bus stops, fire hydrants, double-parking and parking too close to pedestrian crosswalks, etc.

All the Details on Small Business Saturday in Wilmington, DE

Photo Credit: https://www.gathersf.com/blog/2015/11/22/small-business-saturday-lip-bar-free-gifts-and-more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Kick off the holiday season and make your weekend merry and bright by enjoying the Small Business Saturday festivities in Downtown Wilmington, DE. All the details and deals you will need for the entire day are below!

Parade:
The Wilmington Jaycees’ 55th Annual Christmas Parade will be held in conjunction with Small Business Saturday on November 24th. Start the shopping season by supporting local businesses that create jobs, boost our economy, and preserve neighborhoods around our country.

11AM Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade
www.wilmingtonjaycees.com

The Parade route beings at 5th and King Streets, and ends at Rodney Square. Children at the parade are encouraged to write a letter to Santa and drop it off when Santa passes along the parade route. (Children should provide their complete mailing address, including zip code, if they would like a reply.) The Wilmington Jaycees will work with Santa and his elves to make every effort to answer each letter.

Live Entertainment:
Enjoy live entertainment from 12PM-1:30PM at our Downtown businesses: 
LOMA Coffee: Jessica Graae blends her folk-rock style and classical training to create haunting, soulful songs. Her “evocative, lush, exquisite vocals, accompanied by elegant and impressive guitar playing” create a “meditative backdrop” for her music.
Starbucks on Market: LisaJeanette is a folk/pop singer-songwriter and performer from Philadelphia.
Margaux Restaurant: David Wilson is a singer/songwriter who blends folk, country, and americana music to create his original sound.

Restaurant & Small Business Specials:

#SHOPSMALL at our Downtown businesses after the parade and grab dinner while you're here! 

218 Grille: 25% off each order

Al's Sporting Goods: $10 off minimum purchase of $60 or $20 off minimum purchase of $110 with coupon. 

Delaware History Museum: Delaware History Museum will be open with “Pay what you wish” admission!

Ernest & Scott Taproom: 1/2 priced tacos and $3 coronas all day on Small Business Saturday 

Poppycock Tattoo: For every $100 gift certificate get an extra $25 added. Plus 10% off body piercings sale AND a fun $80 Sailor Jerry tattoo flash special only on Nov 24th!

Lafate Gallery: 50% OFF on Framed and Unframed Limited Edition Prints! Also, gift certificates as holiday "Art Class Gifts" to children & adults are available for purchase.

The Mill Space: SBS #shopsmall market from 9AM-1PM on the 4th floor of the Nemours building. Several small businesses will be offering anything from jewelry & apparel to services like photography. Following the close of the SBS market get access to the shop small social at Tonic Bar and Grille!

The Residences at Mid-town Park: Get ½ month free rent through the holiday.

Starbucks on Market & ResideBPG: FREE hot chocolate and coffee 
samples during the Christmas Parade outside of Starbucks!

Tonic Bar and Grille: Filet special for Small Business Saturday – 6oz for $20.00, 8oz for $24.00, and 10oz for $28.00 starting at 5pm and Happy Hour from 2pm-5pm!

The Sold Firm (1st floor at Artist Ave Station): Original artwork at Big Deals! 

UDairy Creamery: FREE Christmas sprinkles with any ice cream purchase for the parade. Plus $5 gift card for any $20 spent on Small Business Saturday! 

Stay Downtown all night long & enjoy the FREE LIGHT SHOW!!!
Our friends at The Grand Opera House, Wilmington DE will have a holiday-themed light show to add to the festivities on Small Business Saturday. Three different shows will take place at 5PM, 5:30PM & 6PM on November 24th! 

The Playhouse on Rodney Square
Cirque Dreams at 2PM
https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/productions/5640-cirque-dreams-holidaze 

The Queen
Ben LeRoy & The Snap at 8PM
http://www.thequeenwilmington.com/EventDetail?tmeventid=02005526AEF1A8AB&offerid=91241

Tell your friends you are attending by visiting the Facebook event.

Did You Know Downtown Visions Hosts Merchant Meetings

Get to know the fellow business owners and marketing professionals in Downtown Wilmington. Collaborate on upcoming events, learn from your fellow neighbors and be the first to hear about upcoming positive changes to the vicinity.

Our next merchant meeting is Monday, November 19th, all are welcome to attend.

For more information on how Downtown Visions proudly serves the local business community, click here.

7 Magical Holiday Events in Downtown Wilmington DE for Your Bucket List

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

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

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

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…