2023 New Castle County Holiday Fun Guide

Doesn't it feel like January was just last week? Well, as it turns out, the holidays are right around the corner! 

Looking for holiday parades, parties, events, and more around Wilmington, Hockessin, and New Castle, DE? Wilmington-New Castle Macaroni KID is here to help you find family fun this holiday season.

Here is the all-you-need Holiday round-up of 2023 Holiday Events for Kids in New Castle County.

You can find these family-friendly holiday events (and much more) on our Daily Calendar of Events for Kids in New Castle County (click to access the complete calendar). 

 December Family-Friendly Holiday Events - Wilmington, DE                            

bauhaus1000 via Canva

December 15

• Yuletide at Winterthur
• Holidays at Hagley
• Willy Wonka: Wilmington Drama League. 8 p.m.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Toy Drive: DE TV Studio. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs
• Winter Nights at Rockwood Park

December 16

• Brunch with Santa: Kid Shelleen's Trolley Square, 14th & Scott Streets
• Wilmington, DE 19806. 9 - 11 a.m.
• Winterthur Museum - Brunch with Santa. 9  a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Minquas Fire Company Auxiliary Christmas Bazaar: Minquas Fire Company, 21 North James St, Newport, DE 19804. 9  a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Kids' DIY-U Workshop: Holiday Delivery Truck: Lowe's Home Improvement, 2225 Hessler Boulevard, New Castle, DE 19720. 10 a.m - 1 p.m.
• Meet Elsa and Ana at CupKate’s: 4001 Kennett Pike, Suite 134, Greenville, DE 19807. 10 a.m - 1 p.m.
• Brandywine Festival of the Arts: Chase Center on the Riverfront. 10 a.m - 6 p.m.
• Music School of Delaware Flute Choir: Winterthur Museum. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Downtown Wilmington Winterfest - DE.CO Food Hall: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Little Farm Petting Zoo and Face Painting: 3 - 6 p.m.
• First State Ballet Theatre presents - The Nutcracker.

December 17

• Breakfast with Santa at La Pizzeria Metro
• Santa at Shellcrest: Shellcrest Swim Club, 916 Wilson Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803. 9  a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Winterthur Museum - Brunch with Santa. 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• New Castle Little League Toys for Tots Toy Drive
• First State Ballet Theatre presents - The Nutcracker:  The Grand Opera House. 2 p.m
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs
• Brandywine Festival of the Arts

December 18

• Urban Bike Project Volunteer Nights: 5 - 9 p.m.
• Winter Nights at Rockwood Park: 5 - 8 p.m.

December 21

• Winter Solstice Walk - Bellevue: 11:30 a.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: Meet Santa from 5 - 8 p.m. 4 - 8 p.m. 
• Harmony Hike - White Clay Creek: 4 p.m.
• December Shop & Stroll in Bellefonte: 5 - 8 p.m.

December 22

• First State Ballet Theatre presents - The Nutcracker: The Grand Opera House. 7 p.m.

December 23, 2023 

• First State Ballet Theatre presents - The Nutcracker: The Grand Opera House. 2 p.m. 
• Holiday Open House - Rockwood Park: 5 - 9 p.m.

Family-Friendly New Year's Eve in Wilmington, DE

• Roaring into the New Year: Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. 10 a.m. - noon
• Noon Years Eve - Brandywine Zoo: 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• DCM NYE Confetti Countdown: Delaware Children's Museum, 550 Justison St. Wilmington, DE 19801. 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.

Ongoing Exhibits

Holidays at Hagley

Holidays at Hagley returns with the theme, “Treasures and Traditions," and will feature Holiday Home and Garden Tours, the sixth-annual Gingerbread House Competition, Santa Days, Holiday Nights Tours, and more. 

November 24 - January 1.

“Twelve Days of Christmas” Toy Train Display

Winterthur Museum. All day. 12/22 – 1/2.

Noël at Nemours Estate

Tour the festive displays in the 77-room Mansion, Chauffeur's Garage and select areas of the gardens. Live music performances throughout the season.

November 24 - December 30.

Events By Month

November Family-Friendly Holiday Events - Wilmington, DE 

November 16

• Volunteers Needed - Turkey Distribution: Kingswood Community Center, 2300 Bowers Street, Wilmington, DE 19802. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

November 17

• 2023 Turkeython: Shoprite of Brandywine, 1300 Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington DE 19803. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• The New Castle County Festival of Trees: Brantwyn Estate, 902 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. 12 - 4 p.m.

November 18

• Delcastle Holiday Craft Fair 2023: Delcastle Gymnasium, 1417 Newport Rd, Wilmington, DE 19804. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Yuletide at Winterthur: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19735. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

November 20

• Holiday Decorating at Glasgow Park: Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702. 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Holiday Decorating at Rockwood Park: Rockwood Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway
  Newark, DE 19702. 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Harper's Heart - Free Turkey Giveaway: 300 Delaware Ave, Suite 210, Wilmington, DE 19801. 12 p.m.
• School's Out: Bad Art Challenge!: Brandywine Hundred Library, 1300 Foulk Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
• Urban Bike Project Volunteer Nights: Urban Bike Project, 1500 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. 5 - 9 p.m.
• Claymont Author Visit Pamela McColl: Claymont Public Library, 400 Lenape Way, Claymont, DE 19703. 6 - 7:30 pm.

November 21

• 2023 Holiday Decorating at Glasgow Park: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• 2023 Holiday Decorating at Rockwood Park: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• School's Out S.T.R.E.A.M. Challenge!: Brandywine Hundred Library. 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• S.T.R.E.A.M at the Library: Indigenous People of Delaware: Brandywine Hundred Library. 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

November 22

• 2023 Holiday Decorating at Glasgow Park: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• 2023 Holiday Decorating at Rockwood Park: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• School's Out S.T.R.E.A.M. Challenge!: Brandywine Hundred Library. 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Shelter Dog Sleepovers!: Faithful Friends, Animal Shelter, 165 Airport Rd, New Castle, DE 19720. 
• One Step At a Time - Thanksgiving Health Fest: William "Hicks" Anderson Community Center, 501 N. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. 1 - 4 p.m.

November 24

• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront: Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. 4 - 7 p.m.
• Thanksgiving Shopping: NFuse Dance, 4737 Concord Pike, Suite 470, Wilmington, DE 19803. 10 a.m.
• #OptOutsideDelaware: All State Park Fees are Waived!
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. 4 - 7 p.m.
• The Underwater Bubble Show: The Playhouse on Rodney Square,
  1007 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801. 6 - 8 p.m.

November 25

• Volunteers Needed for Christmas Parade: ‘Parade Central’ at the corner of Fourth and King Street. 9 a.m.
• Winter Workshops, Crafts, and Holiday Hayrides: Coverdale Farm
  543 Way Rd, Greenville, DE 19807. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Small Business Saturday - Shops of Bellefonte: Shops of Bellefonte, 
  800 Brandywine Blvd, Wimington, DE 19809. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Preschool Storytime at Barnes and Noble: Barnes and Noble, 4209 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Wilmington Jaycees' 59th Annual Christmas Parade: Downtown Wilmington. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Small Business Saturday - DE.CO: DE.CO Wilmington, 111 West 10th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Wizard of Oz - Delaware Children's Theatre: Delaware Children's Theatre, 1014 Delaware Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806. 2 - 4 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. 2 - 8 p.m.
• A Whoville Holiday Celebration: Concord High School, 2501 Ebright Road, Wilmington, DE 19810. 6 - 8 p.m.

November 26

• Winter Workshops, Crafts, and Holiday Hayrides: Coverdale Farm, 543 Way Rd, Greenville, DE 19807. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Arden Holiday Shop: The Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway,
  Wilmington, DE 19810. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Wizard of Oz - Delaware Children's Theatre: Delaware Children's Theatre, 1014 Delaware Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806. 2 - 4 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: 2 - 8 p.m.

November 27

• Greens Donation Drop-off: Delaware Center for Horticulture, 1810 N. Dupont Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Urban Bike Project Volunteer Nights: 5 - 9 p.m.

November 28

• Giving Tuesday

November 30

• 60th Annual Wreath Workshop: New Castle Historical Society, 30 Market Street, New Castle, DE 19720. 12 - 7 p.m.
• Arasapha’s 60th Annual Wreath Workshop - Volunteer Decorators Needed. 12 - 7 p.m.
• Seussical Jr: Concord High School, 2501 Ebright Rd, Wilmington, DE 19810. 7 - 8:30 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: 4 - 8 p.m.

December 1

• Santa at the Zoo: Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington, DE 19802. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: 4 - 8 p.m.
• 2023 Holiday Open House at Rockwood Park - Volunteer: 4:30 - 9 p.m.
• Holiday Open House - Rockwood Park: 5 - 9 p.m.
• Holiday Market at the UAE: Urban Artist Exchange Amphitheater, 16th and Walnut Streets, Wilmington, DE 19801. 5 - 9 p.m.
• Holiday Bazaar 2023 - Delaware Center for Horticulture: 1810 N Dupont Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. 5 - 9 p.m.
• Holiday Open House - Rockwood Park: 5 - 9 p.m.

December 2 

• Holiday Craft Show: Grace Episcopal Church, 4900 Concord Pike, Wilmington,  DE 19380. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Claymont Christmas Parade: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Photos with Santa: Delaware Center for Horticulture, 1810 N Dupont Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• 2nd Annual YWCA Holiday Market: Delaware History Museum and Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, 504 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Holiday Bazaar 2023: Delaware Center for Horticulture. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Wilmington Drama League Pillow Plays: Wilmington Drama League, 10 W. Lea Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19802. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Claymont Stone School - Gingerbread House Contest: Claymont Stone School, 3611 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703. 12 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: 2 p.m.
• Holiday Open House: Rockwood Park & Museum, 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE 19808. 5 - 9 p.m.
• Peace & Joy Holiday Concert: Skyline Methodist Church, 3100 Skyline Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808. 7 p.m.

December 3 

• Gingerbread House Creations: Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. 10 - 11:30 a.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: 2 - 8 p.m.
• Jingle Jam!: Center for the Creative Arts, 410 Upper Snuff Mill Road, Yorklyn, DE 19707. 4:15 - 5 p.m.
  

December 6

• A Christmas Carol Live!: Winterthur Museum. 1 - 2:30 p.m. 

December 7 

• A Christmas Carol Live!: Winterthur Museum. 1 - 2:30 p.m. and 6 - 7 p.m.
• Yuletide at Winterthur
• Holidays at Hagley
• 2023 Holiday Decorating at Glasgow Park: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront: Meet and Greet with Santa.  5 - 8 p.m.
• Light Up the Village & Santa Claus: Old Brandywine Village, Inc, 1800 N Market St
  Wilmington, DE 19802. 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, December 8

• Holidays at Hagley
• Yuletide at Winterthur
• 2023 Holiday Decorating at Glasgow Park: Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702. 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• STEAM Lab Time: Holiday Crafts: Route 9 Library, 3022 New Castle Ave, New Castle, DE 19720. 2 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs: Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801. 4 - 8 p.m.
• Winterthur Museum Members Family Holiday Night: 5 - 7 p.m.
• Elsmere Tree Lighting Ceremony: Elsmere Town Hall, 11 Poplar Ave, Elsmere, DE 19805. 6 p.m.
• Delaware Dance Company presents The Nutcracker: University of Delaware, Mitchell Hall. 7 p.m.
• Holiday Celebration & Market - Glasgow Park. Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702. 5 - 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 9, 2023

• Brunch with Santa: Kid Shelleen's Branmar Plaza. 9 - 11 a.m. 
• Pancake Breakfast with Santa: Limestone Presbyterian Church. 9 - 11:30 a.m.
• Coats and Cops: The Journey, 721 E Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, DE 19713. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Brunch with Santa: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Fair @ Concord: Concord High School, 2501 Ebright Road, Wilmington, DE 19810. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Winter Festival & Market, New Castle Public Library, 424 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Breakfast with Santa: Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
• Downtown Wilmington Winterfest - DE.CO Food Hall: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Brandywine Valley SPCA Mega Adopt: Brandywine Valley SPCA, 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle, DE 19720. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Brandywine High School Holiday Bazaar Vendor & Craft Fair: Brandywine High School, 1400 Foulk Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803. 12 - 4 p.m.
• The Skating Club of Wilmington - 2023 Holiday Ice Recital: The Skating Club of Wilmington, 1301 Carruthers Ln, Wilmington, DE 19803. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Wizard of Oz - Delaware Children's Theatre: Delaware Children's Theatre. 2 - 4 p.m.
• Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Little Farm Petting Zoo and Face Painting: 2 - 8 p.m.
• Delaware Dance Company presents The Nutcracker: University of Delaware, Mitchell Hall. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Holiday Celebration & Market: Glasgow Park. 5 - 8 p.m.
• Nemours Christmas Car Parade: Nemoiurs/AI duPont Hospital for Children,1600 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803. 5:30 p.m.
• OperaDelaware Holiday Candlelight Performance: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. 6 - 7 p.m.

December 10

• Yuletide at Winterthur

• Holidays at Hagley

• Brunch with Santa: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Brunch with Santa at Park Cafe: Park Cafe
  2510 W 5th St, Wilmington, DE 19805. 10 a.m.
• Brandywine Valley SPCA Mega Adopt: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Holiday Joy!: Winterthur Museum. 1 - 2:45 p.m. 
• Delaware Dance Company presents The Nutcracker: 2 p.m.
• Wizard of Oz - Delaware Children's Theatre: Delaware Children's Theatre. 2 - 4 p.m.
• Winter Nights at Rockwood Park: 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE 19808. 5 - 8 p.m.

December 11

• Winter Nights at Rockwood Park: 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE 19808. 5 - 8 p.m
• Urban Bike Project Volunteer Night: 5 - 9 p.m.

We will continue to update our Macaroni Kid Wilmington-New Castle Holiday Guide with events as they are posted, so check back often!

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Did we miss something?  Please submit your event here or email leslieh@macaronikid.com and we will add it to our list!