Entertainment

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.

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…

FREE Latin Dance Lesson and Dancing at the Grand this Friday

latin dancing at the grand

The Grand Baile is Returning to Downtown Wilmington! This Latin dance event is open to everyone no matter your previous experience! Just come on out for a great time!
Friday, November 2
The Grand’s Studio One*
$5 at the door

8 PM Dance Instruction with Watson Saintsulne of Watson & Co. Latin Dance
9 PM Social Dancing with Latin music by DJ Bis
Cash bar open until 12:30 AM

Whether you like Latin dancing, Latin music, or just socializing and having a great time, Grand Baile is the place for you. Every other month we transform Studio One into the perfect place to mix, mingle, and move. The night starts off with a free dance lesson, and then the opens up for social dancing to the hottest Latin beats!

*Use the front entrance between the box office and the baby grand. Take the elevator up to the 3rd Floor.

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Over 112,441 Votes Reveal Several Statewide Favorites on Market Street in Wilmington, DE

downtown wilmington de statewide favorite businesses

Over 19,000 people participating and casting 112,441 votes in Delaware Online's Readers' Choice competition revealed four statewide favorite businesses are located right along Market Street within a few blocks of each other. Voting was open for five weeks and ended on August 24th. 

If you haven’t yet been to these establishments, its time to make a visit, these businesses are near and dear to Delawarean hearts.

Wright & Simon 911 N Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801

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The Queen 500 N Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Brew HAHA! 824 N Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801

Photo Credit: Brew HAHA!

Photo Credit: Brew HAHA!

Al’s Sporting Goods 200 N Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801

Photo Credit: Foursquare.com

Photo Credit: Foursquare.com





The Best of the State of Delaware is Along the Market Street Corridor and in Downtown Wilmington

Photo Credit rievictoriaaoki

Photo Credit

rievictoriaaoki

 

The Best of Delaware by Delaware Today Magazine surveys thousands of individuals throughout the year resulting in the top-notch restaurants, bars, retailers and services locations within the state.

Lucky for Wilmingtonian's many of the winners are located within Downtown Wilmington, DE. Here is just a sampling of some that took home first place!

Barbecue Place

Readers, upstateLocale BBQ Post

1014 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington, 510-4929

Bistro

 La Fia 

426 N. Market St., Wilmington, 543-5574

BYOB

 Southeast Kitchen

1901 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, 691-7728

Candy-Chocolate Shop

Readers, upstateGovatos Chocolates

4105 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 478-5324; 800 N. Market St., Wilmington, 652-4082

Carpaccio

 Piccolina Toscana 

1412 N. Dupont St., Wilmington, 654-8001

Charm Factor

De La Coeur Café et Patisserie 

1836 Lovering Ave., Wilmington, 660--7178

Coffee Shop

Readers, upstateBrew HaHa! • Read more about one of Brew HaHa!'s friendliest baristas.

3838 Kennett Pike , Greenville, 658-6336; 45 E. Main St., Newark, 369-2600; Christiana Hospital, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, 733-2739; 1812 Marsh Road, Wilmington, 529-1125; 3636 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 478-7227; 222 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, 777-5137; 824 N. Market St., Wilmington, 777-4499; 5329 Limestone Road, Wilmington, 234-9600; 1400 N. Dupont St., Wilmington, 384-6344

Crab Cakes

Readers, upstateBig Fish Grill on the Riverfront

720 Justison St., Wilmington, 652-3474

Late Night Menu

Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon

1801 W. 14th St., Wilmington, 658-4600
 

Lunch Downtown

Chelsea Tavern

821 N. Market St., Wilmington, 482-3333

New Brewpub

Stitch House Brewery

1829 N. Market St., Wilmington, 250-4280
 

Nightcap

Green Room

42 W. 11th St., Wilmington, 594-3154

Place for All Tastes

 Ernest & Scott Taproom

902 N. Market St., Wilmington, 384-8113

Place to Drink without Worrying About the Kids

Constitution Yards Beer Garden

308 Justison St., Wilmington, 407-5192

For the complete list of winners click here. 

50 Breweries, 100 Different Beers! Downtown Visions is a Main Sponsor of Brewfest 2018

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Downtown Visions is proud to be a main sponsor of Downtown Brewfest 2018.

Come join in the fun and select tastings from over 100 brews representing over 50 local breweries, enjoy 3 LIVE acts & two local DJ's, 11 local restaurants and 2 food trucks, designated VIP area including exclusive brews and beer-friendly finger foods, complimentary LYFT incentives and Market Streets very first homebrew competition. General tickets are $40 and VIP tickets are $55. Tickets can be purchased here. 

While enjoying the event, be sure to say hello to Downtown Visions' friendly ambassadors! Additional items provided by Downtown Visions include tents, picnic tables, umbrellas, waste disposal, generators, tables, clean up and more!