FREE Holiday Parking in Downtown Wilmington DE

Enjoy the holidays in Downtown Wilmington without the added hassle of city parking with FREE PARKING this season!

Beginning Friday, November 29, through Thursday, January 2, 2020, metered parking downtown is FREE in the Downtown Business District as well as the Riverfront Business District. From noon until 6:00 p.m. each weekday and all day on weekends and holidays, the City will not require payment at any of the parking meters. All other parking regulations will also remain in effect during this time, so be sure to pay attention to time-limits, posted restrictions, and tow-away zones.

Colonial Parking also offers free parking in their surface lots on nights, after 5pm, and weekends all year round. Click here for a map of all Colonial Lots in Downtown Wilmington.

With plenty of free parking in Downtown Wilmington DE, we hope to see you out and about at one the many festive, family-friendly activities this holiday season!

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.

You're Invited: Downtown Wilmington Meet & Greet!

Downtown Vision’s Executive Director Marty Hageman and City of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki invite you to an evening of fun and conversation with other special guests as we kick off the holiday season in Downtown Wilmington, DE. Learn more about all of the ways to celebrate the holidays in your neighborhood this season!

All are welcome to attend the quarterly Meet & Greet on Wednesday, November 20, from 5-7 PM at the Delaware History Museum at 504 N Market St. in the Copeland Room. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Click Here to register. Registration is requested but not required.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Downtown Visions, NKS Distributors, and Shoprite, and our host Delaware History Museum.

7 Things To Do at The Downtown Farmer's Market This Summer

The Downtown Farmer’s Market kicks off its 2019 season this week on Wednesday, May 1st! Every Wednesday now through October 30th a variety of vendors will set up shop on Market Street between 10th and 11th Streets from 10 AM to 2 PM to take part in this time-honored Downtown tradition! You won’t want to miss it!

To help you make the most of the Downtown' Farmer’s Market this season, we’ve put together a list of seven of our favorite things to do at the Market!

1. Grab a bite to eat during your lunch break from your favorite local food truck, including Deerhead Hotdogs, Delaware Provision, I Don’t Give A Fork, Julian’s Flavored Mac & Cheese, KaPow Truck, Koi On The Go, Mama Mia, Mojo Loco, Nude Food, Outlandish Food Truck, The Plum Pit, Sunset BBQ, Viva Bowls, WiLDWiCH, Yummy Tummy, Zoagies, and more!

2. Support local farmers and pick up fresh produce for your family from Bright Spot Farms, Bushel & Berry Farm, Locust Point Farms, and Sorbello Girls Farm Market.

3. Treat yourself (and maybe your coworker) to a refreshing water ice from Dino’s Ice Cream Truck or a delicious baked good from Tat’s Yummies.

4. Purchase one-of-a-kind handmade items from local artisans like Doc’s Dunham’s Lotions, Made to Meander Jewelry & Accessories, May I Hemp U, Nokukai Tribe Art, Paparazzi Jewelry, Pieces of Distinction, Princess House, and Unique Thangs.

5. Surprise a someone special in your life with a beautiful bouquet of fresh-cut flowers from Bright Spots Farm or Locust Point Farms.

6. Enjoy live music from rotating local musicians.

7. Simply take in the fresh air on sunny summer days and relax at any of the shaded cafe tables.

So bring your lunch money and join us at the Downtown Farmer’s Market this summer!

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.