Initiatives

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Small Business Saturday

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Thank you for shopping Small with us on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season! As always, we encourage customers to stay Downtown and shop local for great deals. Who knows, you may even get to visit with Santa! 

If you can’t make it Downtown you can still support your favorite local businesses by purchasing online or in-store and receiving free shipping to anywhere in the US. Find out which businesses are participating in our FREE HOLIDAY SHIPPING initiative!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025 - SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

The Wilmington Jaycee’s Downtown Christmas Parade will kickoff at 2nd and Market Streets at 11 AM. The Parade will feature local celebrities and dignitaries, marching and string bands, community organizations, floats and attractions, your favorite cartoon characters, and of course Santa Claus. Don’t forget to bring your letters to Santa as the Elves will be collecting them at the end of the parade.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DEALS:

10K the Long Way, 404 N Market Street
40% off entire store + $50 fill a bag special

Chelsea Tavern, 821 N Market Street
Gift Card Buy One, Get One Gift Card FREE!
Only available Christmas Eve, December 24 from 10am-5pm

Delaware Historical Society, 504 N Market Street
75% off all books and 25% off everything else in the museum store from 11/29 - 12/24, while supplies last. 

DECO Food Hall, 111 W 10th Street
Each day a different stall will be running a promotion from December 8-December 20th (not including Sundays) leading up to the DECO Brunch + Meet and Greet with Santa at the food hall! Follow @decowilmington on social media each day to find out what feature is dropping daily!

Forever Freeze Co., Wilmington Kitchen Collective
10% off your total online purchases from November 28 - December 1, and Free Shipping on orders $35 or more.

Ken-Do Spice, Wilmington Kitchen Collective
Black Friday through Cyber Monday offer, valid now through Monday, December 1, 2025 - Use code: STANDONBIZ for 20% off orders of $49 or more. November 28. December special valid December 1–31, 2025: Use code: 12DAYS for 15% off orders of $35 or more.

Huxley & Hiro, 601 N Market Street
November 28, Black Friday Special - 8am-8pm, earn double loyalty on every purchase!

Infusion Blends, Wilmington Kitchen Collective
20% off all butters and Premium Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oils, now through 12/29.

La Fia Bistro, 421 N Market Street
Black Friday Special - purchase a $100 gift card, get a free $30 bonus gift card, in-person only from 11am-5pm.

LaFate Gallery, 227 N Market Street 
50% OFF on Jamaican Themed Folk Art 

Lena and Ant’Bumpy’s Soulfood, 801 N Shipley Street
$10 Lunch Special, available 7 days a week, 11am-2pm, now through December

Make & Mellow Custom Candle Bar, 1330 Washington Street
Black Friday Special - Take $5 off every candle you make and 50% off select in-store inventory from November 28-November 30.

Makers Alley, 804 N Orange Street
Gift Card promotion - Customers get a free $20 gift card when they purchase a $100 gift card - beginning November 29 until December 31, only in-person.

Tonic Seafood & Steak, 111 W 11th Street
Buy $100 in gift cards, receive a $25 bonus card from November 28 through December 23. Gift cards can be used at Tonic Seafood & Steak or Park Café.

Wilma’s, 900 N. Market Street
Gift Card promotion - Customers get a free $20 gift card when they purchase a $100 gift card - beginning November 29 until December 31, only in-person.

DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKETS & EVENTS:

We invite you to the return of the popular Light Up the Square tree-lighting celebration. This cherished holiday tradition will take place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 5-7 p.m. in Rodney Square, at 10th and Market Streets. The public is encouraged to join in singing traditional holiday songs with live performances, holiday characters and more. Santa Claus and Rudolph will make an appearance too.

Shop Small this season! Save the dates for all the Downtown holiday happenings.

NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 21

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2025

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Free Holiday Shipping

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Free Holiday Shipping.jpg

SHOP SMALL – FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL!

Downtown Visions is proud to announce free shipping this holiday season to support our small businesses!

What is it?

Support Downtown retailers this holiday season by shopping online directly on your favorite store’s website, and you’ll receive FREE SHIPPING courtesy of Downtown Visions. Shop between 10/1/25 and 12/31/25 to receive free shipping.

How does it work?   

Shop online with a participating Downtown Wilmington DE small business retailer during the holiday season and receive free shipping. It’s as simple as that! Downtown Visions will cover the cost of the shipping for both you and the retailer.

Participating Downtown Retailers:
Al’s Sporting Goods
Herbert Studios
Huxley & Hiro
LaFate Gallery
Little Huxley
Make & Mellow Custom Candle Bar
Morgan’s of Delaware
Spaceboy Clothing
Town & Shore Handcrafted

When?  

Free shipping will be offered throughout the holiday shopping season from 10/1/25 – 12/31/25 with participating Downtown retailers.

 Are you a Small Business Retailer in Downtown Wilmington!?
Participating is easy – and the rules are simple. 

  • Your business must be located within the Wilmington Downtown DE Business Improvement District (See the map below)

  • Your business must have online sales capabilities and ship throughout the continental U.S. 

  • Your business must advertise Free Shipping to customers this holiday season and ship items free of charge to the customer during the months of October, November and December 2025.  Free shipping costs are not to exceed $100 per month per business.

  • Your business must include the Downtown Visions logo in any marketing or promotional material used and advertised.

  • Your business must request reimbursement by providing documentation of shipping costs, along with the date, basic product info, price, and the zip code to which the product(s) was (were) shipped to Downtown Visions at 409 N. Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 by January 15, 2026 or by email.

  • Once the reimbursement request is verified, Downtown Visions will send a check directly to your business in the total amount of the shipping costs incurred. 

  • Fine print: Documentation of shipping costs must be legible and from online sales only.  DTV has the final authority to decide if documentation is adequate. Reimbursement requests will be processed on a first come first served basis through January 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. 

And that is it! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to reach more customers this holiday season and increase your online sales by providing free shipping at no cost to your business! 

Sign up today by sending an email to lschweiger@downtownvisions.org!  Downtown Visions will advertise your business as a participant and supply you with a graphic that you can use on your website to promote your business and Downtown Wilmington’s SHOP SMALL – FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL promotion. 

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Downtown Farmer's Market

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Downtown Farmers Market Wilmington DE

The 2025 season of the Downtown Wilmington Farmers Market at Rodney Square will operate every Wednesday, rain or shine, from May 7th through October 29th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market opens for business every Wednesday in the 1000 block of North Market Street, adjacent to the newly renovated Rodney Square. Centrally located, Rodney Square has been the center of great events such as the annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival and is the perfect compliment to the Market. The Downtown Farmers' Market comes to life each Wednesday with an array of the freshest local produce, plants, herbs, flowers, crafts and prepared food.

The Market also offers a large assortment of beautiful handmade items, including arts and crafts, unique jewelry and delicious home baked goods. Stroll the Market and then relax under an umbrella at one the many café tables. Enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch while listening to a variety of free live entertainment.

The Downtown Wilmington Farmers’ Market is produced by Downtown Visions, a private, non-profit company which manages Wilmington's Downtown Business Improvement District and is facilitated by the City of Wilmington. We are dedicated to the goal of a more vital, vibrant Downtown for all.
 

History of the Market

The original Farmers' Market in Downtown Wilmington was an eight block stretch on King Street, one of our major thoroughfares. This Market consisted of local farmers selling produce and other goods from the back of their vehicles and dated back to the early 1900s. With the advent of suburbanization and the modern day supermarket, this practice virtually disappeared in Wilmington.

Trying to revitalize this disappearing but critical part of urban life, the City of Wilmington officially sanctioned a Farmers' Market about 25 years ago, relocating it to a small surface parking lot on Orange Street. Over the years the number of vendors fluctuated, but steadily declined until only two vendors remained. At this point, in 2002, Wilmington Mayor James Baker asked Downtown Visions, the management company of Wilmington's Business Improvement District to assume management of the Farmers' Market. At this point there were only about 9 vendors. Downtown Visions was able to recruit new farmers and other vendors but soon determined that the location lacked the critical pedestrian traffic and accessibility to support the Market and to service the community at large.

Continuing to partner with the City, the Market was moved to a beautiful, but underutilized city-owned public space, Rodney Square. This square is centrally located, flanked by a myriad of Downtown corporations and within easy walking distance to others as well as to Market Street, Downtown's main shopping street.  Nearby Downtown residents were now able to walk to and participate in the Market and it transformed into a true public market where, every Wednesday, from May to October, people can find an average of forty vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, lunch foods and more. Customers can have lunch at outdoor tables, enjoy free entertainment and obtain a variety of information at the Downtown Visions information tent.

 

 

Vendor Application

For more info Contact:
Tucker Casey
Market Manager
tcasey@downtownvisions.org
409 N Orange St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-425-0196

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Dine Downtown Deal

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Dine Downtown Deal Wilmington DE

What is it?

Support Downtown Wilmington DE eateries and you’ll get rewarded! Dine-in or take out 5x between 1/1/25 and 3/31/25 and receive a gift card in the amount of 20% of the total meals purchased (before tip) to the business of your choice in the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District (WDBID).

How does it work?   

Dine-in OR takeout at any restaurant within Wilmington’s Downtown Business Improvement District (*see map) between 1/1/25 and 3/31/25. 

  • Take a photo of your receipt

  • Send it with your name, dining location, and date

  • To Downtown Visions (DTV) via text message at 302-502-6003.  

We will keep track of your purchases and when five (5) valid Downtown restaurant receipts are submitted, DTV will contact you to process your earned gift card (20% of total meals, before tip) and inquire as to which Downtown business you want your gift card to and we will mail your gift card! It is that simple! You get cash back for dining at the Downtown restaurants you love. 

When?  

The Dine Downtown Deal initiative program will run from 1/1/25 – 3/31/25, and gift card prizes will be valid for 2025. 

Click here for a list of participating Restaurants. Scroll down to the ‘Food & Drink’ section.

Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).png

What’s the Fine Print?

Only genuine receipts from eateries within the official boundaries of the Wilmington’s Downtown Business Improvement District (WDBID) are eligible for the Dine Downtown Deal (see map).  An eatery is defined as a business whose primary purpose is to prepare and serve food to the general public in sit-down or take-out form. Businesses that sell food products as a secondary function are not eligible as receipt sources. Receipts must be for dine-in or takeout. Gift cards or merchandise purchases from the restaurants are not valid. Gift cards cannot be used towards the purchase of DDD receipts submitted.

Limit of 2 gift cards per participant. You cannot submit more than one receipt from the same location on the same day. The receipts must be legible and submitted along with the customer name, dining location, and the date of the meal.  An online survey must be completed in order to receive your gift card(s). In case of a dispute, DTV has the final authority to decide what receipts are eligible. All receipts must be submitted by April 30, 2025.

Cashback gift cards are limited to 20% of the total of the five (5) valid receipts submitted (before tip) or up to $100 and may be issued to any business located within the WDBID for use in 2025. A total of five (5) receipts must be submitted in order to be eligible for a gift card. Partial submittals have no cash value. Gift cards will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted. Employees of DTV are excluded from the program.

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City Sounds Block Party

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A lot is going down in Downtown Wilmington DE

What better way to enjoy the season than by enjoying free live music outdoors in Downtown Wilmington, DE? Now through October 2024, bring your chair, bring your friends, bring your kids!

City sounds block parties

Enjoy live music on select nights from 5:00-8:00pm in Downtown Wilmington DE at different Downtown locations. Free admission - only good times (and good vibes) required!

Check our Facebook Event for an up-to-date list of upcoming musicians and locations.

Free Parking Nights & Weekends

The City of Wilmington also offers metered parking through ParkMobile throughout the Central Business District. Metered parking is free on weeknights after 6pm and on weekends.

Download the Downtown Wilm DE app in the app store for parking information, including a parking directory listing of garages and surface lots.

About Curbside Wilmington

Downtown Visions together with Mayor Purzycki, the City of Wilmington, and The Committee of 100 introduced expanded outdoor dining to support local businesses and encourage patrons to return to the rejuvenated Downtown District during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Expanded outdoor dining allows Downtown restaurants to expand their patio spaces and outdoor dining into former parking spaces directly in front of their businesses, thereby allowing more seating at safely spaced distances in accordance with Governor Carney’s guidelines. Also, curbside pull-in spots have been designated throughout the Downtown area for all businesses, both retail and restaurants, to use for pick-up and curbside delivery. 

Downtown Visions provided additional tables and chairs to restaurants as needed, and custom-made railings created by the Challenge Program for both safety and esthetical purposes.

Since the launch of expanded outdoor dining, the City has expanded the initiative outside of Downtown Wilmington DE to Union Street and Trolley Square’s Dining on Delaware through “It’s Time to G.O.A.T (Get Out Around Town)". Learn more here.

It's Time Wilmington, Gable Music Ventures, Downtown Visions and InWilm have teamed up to bring us the BEST in outdoor dining and entertainment through the citywide campaign "It's Time To G.O.A.T. (Get Out Around Town)". It's Time to Live A Little - so come on down and join us as we chow down and enjoy live music!

The kickoff festivities took place on June 10, 2021 with Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki on the 800 block of N. Market Street. Immediately following was a live performance by Aziza Nailah.

Afterwards, the 400 block of N. Market Street was closed to traffic for the summer's first weekly Curbside Wilmington Happy Hour by Downtown Visions with live music by Sunset Riders.

SPONSORSHIP

A special thanks to our presenting sponsor JPMorgan Chase for making this celebration and event series a possibility.