Fall in love with Wilmington at these Valentine's Day events!

Love is all around Downtown Wilmington this month! Check out these events to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved ones.

Prix Fixe Dinner

February 14-16 | Chelsea Tavern

For $75 per couple, guests will enjoy a 3-course dinner at Chelsea Tavern including champagne. Reservations are recommended at 302.482.3333!

Chef-Inspired Menu

February 14 | Tonic Bar & Grille

Tonic is offering a chef-inspired menu for Valentine's Day with delicious entrees like this mouthwatering 12 oz Filet Mignon!

Chocolate Festival

February 14, 11AM | Wilmington Public Library

Participate in the baking contest, sample chocolates, purchase tickets for the raffle baskets and face painting at the Wilmington Public Library's Annual Chocolate Festival!

Cupid's Undie Run

February 15, 12PM | The Queen

Cupid’s Undie Run is a “brief” fun run (a mile-ish, at your own pace) that takes place in the middle of a BIG party to find a cure for neurofibromatosis!

Kick Off a New Decade With These New Years Eve Events in Downtown Wilmington!

t’s time to say goodbye to 2019 and extend a warm, prosperous welcome to 2020. Ring in the “Roaring 20s” with all of the razzle dazzle that a new decade deserves. Celebrate New Years Eve in Downtown Wilmington DE with these festive events that are sure to start the New Year off with a bang!

1. The Green Room at Hotel Du Pont | 42 W 11th Street

   Bring in the new year in style at HOTEL DU PONT's New Year's Eve Party. Feast on a five course dinner with wine pairings in the Green Room at 8 p.m., followed by a live band, dancing, festive party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cost is $190 per person; $350 per couple over 21 years of age. Call 594-3154 to reserve your spot.

2. Torbert Street Social | 305 Torbert Street

   Ring in the New Year at Torbert Street Social. DJ  William Adams from 9:00 AM-1:00 AM plus light fare & passed hors d'oeuvres, welcome punch, champagne toast, midnight pizza, photo booth, and party favors. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.

3. Ernest & Scott Taproom | 902 N Market Street

   Ernest & Scott Taproom in Wilmington is hosting a dance party to kick off 2020. Enjoy live music, a four-hour open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., a mini dessert bar from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., and a Champagne toast and midnight balloon drop. Price is $65 at the door and discounts are available for groups of six of more. Doors open at 9 p.m. for those 21 and older. Get more information here; for tickets, click here.

4. Stitch House Brewery | 829 N Market Street

   Ring in the New Year with a BANG! Stitch House is hosting the ultimate NYE Party featuring DJ BIS starting at 10pm. FREE to attend and includes a champagne toast. Feeling lucky? During the two balloon drops you have a chance of finding & winning a $100 gift card hidden inside a balloon. Grab your friends -- 2020 is going to be the best year yet!

5. Chelsea Tavern | 821 N Market Street

   Celebrate NYE all day long at Chelsea Tavern. Kick off the festivities with a champagne brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a a starter, entree, dessert, and glass of champagne all for $25. Keep the party going with the $45 pre fixe dinner menu or the a la carte menu from 4 to 9 p.m. Then finish it off with light fare and dessert menus from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., complimentary champagne toast and party favors included! Call 302.482.3333 to make reservations.

6. La Fia | 421 N Market Street

   La Fia will be offering their a Five-Course Chef’s Tour for $65 per person with a complementary Prosecco toast. A truly decadent menu featuring Beef Tartare, Venison Loin, and of course, your other favorite dishes. Click here to make reservations.

7. Riverfront Rink | 308 Justison Street

   Start 2020 off with a bang at a fireworks show on the Riverfront. Horizon Services Riverfront Rink will offer skating, food and drinks from Constitution Yards Beer Garden and live music by WSTW. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

8. Docklands Riverfront | 110 S West Street

   Docklands Riverfront in Wilmington is hosting a New Year’s Eve, all-inclusive event on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. The event package includes a premium open bar, full dinner buffet and live entertainment. Come enjoy DJ Willoughby, DJ B-Lee, Under the Covers and It’s All Good. Tickets range from $70-$100 depending on preferred seating. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets and more information.

*Event information provided by Delaware Today and Visit Wilmington.

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.

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!

Holiday Marketing Opportunities Through Downtown Visions

Downtown Visions is committed to the success of each and every business in Downtown Wilmington DE, especially during the holiday season! As an organization, our mission is to preserve, promote and enhance the Business Improvement District, and we do so in a number of ways, including business marketing and promotion. Please consider taking advantage of the following marketing opportunities for a thriving holiday season in Downtown Wilmington!

Market Made: 12 Days of Christmas

Downtown Visions and New Market Wilm are partnering to offer the FREE opportunity to promote unique holiday specials from December 12-23, 2019, similar to last summer’s Made on Market campaign. The deadline to submit an offer is November 4th, so please email Lani Schweiger LSchweiger@downtownvisions.org or Jennifer Lawson Jennifer@bigideaswilmington.com to participate!

Wilmington Jaycee’s Christmas Parade

The Wilmington Jaycee’s are hosting the 56th annual Wilmington Christmas Parade this year on Saturday, November 30th at 11am!  This parade is volunteer based and is a Downtown tradition that cannot continue without help from our local businesses. Please consider sponsoring the small business float for $100 and supporting the parade this year. Sponsors are also welcome to ride on the float during the parade! For more detailed sponsorship information, click here.

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday also takes place on Saturday, November 30, coinciding with the Christmas Parade! Take advantage of the nearly 10,000 parade-goers in town and stay open on Small Business Saturday. Offer a special #ShopSmall promotion that day to capture the foot traffic in Downtown Wilmington. Be sure to share these promotions and coupons with us as we will help promote them! You can even create custom marketing materials for your business through the American Express Shop Small Studio.

For more information on any of these holiday marketing opportunities, please email Lani Schweiger at LSchweiger@downtownvisions.org.