Celebrate the Holiday Season in Wilmington, DE: Your 2024 Fun Guide

The holiday magic is back, and Macaroni KID Wilmington-New Castle is your go-to destination for family-friendly holiday fun this season! 

From festive events to spectacular light displays and Santa visits, Macaroni KID Wilmington-New Castle has your ultimate guide to the best local holiday events. Explore our curated list of activities and make your holidays unforgettable.

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Discover the best holiday attractions and festive experiences in Wilmington that will bring cheer and winter magic all season long!

Yuletide at Winterthur

• Saturday, November 23–Sunday, January 5
• Holiday shopping, craft workshops, performances, gingerbread houses, trains, lights, Santa, holiday displays, and more! 

Holidays at Hagley

• Friday, November 29–Wednesday, January 1
• Holiday Home and Garden Tours, Performances, Santa, Gingerbread House Contest, and lights.

💡🛍️🤶🏻Delaware Park - Festival of Lights

• Friday, November 29–Saturday, December 21
• An outdoor, family-friendly light display and holiday market featuring food and beverage specials, photo opportunities, holiday vendors, and pictures with Santa will also be held. More info.

💡Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront 

• November 29-December 31
• The Christina Riverwalk will transform into a captivating walk-through holiday light display with lights draping on trees and archways, creating a whimsical atmosphere. Free. Open daily, lights turn on at dusk.

🛍️ Shaw Alley Holiday Food Market 

• Saturdays in November and Saturday, December 21
• Highlights: Stock up on carefully curated food items, baked goods and handcrafted holiday gifts The holiday market is only the beginning of a great future of interesting and creative events in Shaw Alley!

Looking to find holiday events in Wilmington? Want to know where to meet Santa? Stay updated with the best seasonal events happening throughout Wilmington, DE. From tree lightings to Santa visits and holiday craft fairs, there’s something for everyone in New Castle County.

• 🛍️ = Holiday Market and Shop Local Opportunity
• 🎁 = Food, Gift, Coat, or Book Distribution
• 🤝= Volunteers Needed
• 🎅 = Santa Sighting
• 💡= Holiday Light Display
• 🎵= Performance

December 16 - 22

Tuesday, December 17

• Jingle Mingle - Elsmere Public Library
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule
• 🚒🤶🏻 Santa Claus is coming to Minquadale! - New Castle
• 🚒🤶🏻 Good Will Fire Co Santa Schedule - New Castle

Wednesday, December 18 

• 🛍️💡🎵 Winterthur Wonderful Wednesdays (W)
• Winter Reset - Scout Cafe - Wilmington
• Supporting Your Child with Autism Through the Holidays - Brandywine Hundred Library - Wilmington
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule
• Make a Gingerbread House! - Route 9 Library - New Castle

Thursday, December 19

• Mill Creek Fire Company
• 🎅Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront: Meet and Greet with Santa (W)
• Merry GRINCHmas Wood Sign Class (W)
• 🚒🤶🏻 Santa Claus is coming to Minquadale! (NC)
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule
• 🚒🤶🏻 Good Will Fire Co Santa Schedule (NC)

Friday, December 20

• 🎁Delaware Center for Dance - Winter Coat Drive (W)
• 🎄 MSK Community Center Holiday Extravaganza (W)
• 🛍️🎅Holiday at the Mill
• 🚒🤶🏻 Mill Creek Fire Company
• Ugly Sweater Skate (N)
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule
• 💡🛍️🤶🏻Delaware Park Festival of Lights (W)

Saturday, December 21

• 🛍️ Minquas Fire Company Christmas Bazaar (NP)
• 🛍️ Shaw Alley Holiday Food Market (NC)
• 🛍️Christmas Bazaar 
• “Twelve Days of Christmas” Toy Train Display - Winterthur (W)
• 🎅 Winterthur Museum - Brunch with Santa (W)
• 🛍️🎵 Brandywine Festival of the Arts (W)
• Mill Creek Fire Company
• 🛍️Monarch Marketplace Holiday Market (W), (12/21 - 12/24)
• Polar Express Skate (N)
• Ugly Sweater Tea Party (NC)
• 💡Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Little Farm Petting Zoo and Face Painting (W)
• 💡🛍️🤶🏻Delaware Park Festival of Lights (W)
• 🚒🤶🏻 Good Will Fire Co Santa Schedule (NC)
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule

Sunday, December 22

• 🛍️Monarch Marketplace Holiday Market (W)
• 🛍️🎵 Brandywine Festival of the Arts (W)
• 🎅 Winterthur Museum - Brunch with Santa (W)

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December 23 - 29

Monday, December 23

• 🛍️Monarch Marketplace Holiday Market (W)
• School Break Drop-In Crafting - Delaware City
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule

Tuesday, December 24

• Home School PE at DICK'S House of Sport Brandywine
• 🛍️Monarch Marketplace Holiday Market (W)
• NORAD: Santa Tracking
• 🚒🤶🏻 Good Will Fire Co Santa Schedule 
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule

Thursday, December 26

• Kwanzaa Everyday (W)
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule (W)
• 🚒🤶🏻 Good Will Fire Co Santa Schedule - New Castle

Friday, December 27

• Kwanzaa Celebration: PAL (W)
• 🚒🤶🏻Talleyville Fire Co. Santa Schedule (W)

New Year's Eve

• STOMPing into the New Year (W)
• 🎊Confetti Countdown at the Delaware Children's Museum (W)
• Noon Years Eve Balloon Drop - Peekaboo Playground (H)
•  🎊💡New Year's Eve Drone Light Show at the Riverfront (W)

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First Day Hikes

8 AM 

• 🥾 First Day Hike - Self-Guided - Auburn Valley 

10 AM 

• 🥾 First Day Hike - Auburn Valley 
• First Day Hike at the Brandywine Zoo
• First Day Hike - Fort DuPont 
• 🌲 First Day Hike - Alapocas Run State Park 
• 🥾 First Day Hike - Brandywine Creek State Park 

11 AM 

• Rockwood Museum New Year's Day Hike (W)
• First Day Hike - Fox Point 

1 PM

• 🥾First Day Hike - Brandywine Creek State Park 
• First Day Hike - White Clay Creek 

2 PM

• First Day Hike - Bellevue State Park - Bellevue Woods 

Delaware State Parks

11 Tips For Hiking with Toddlers

We’ll update this list frequently as more Wilmington, DE events are announced, so check back often!

Parent tip: Event details can change! Always confirm event details before heading out.

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More Holiday Fun in Wilmington!

While Christmas is the highlight, don’t miss out on all the winter festivities happening across Wilmington, DE this season! Explore more:

• Wilmington Gift Guide: Supporting Local This Holiday Season
• Holiday Giving: Where to Donate and Receive Holiday Toys, Meals & More
• Help Make the Holidays a Little More Magical This Year
• Get a Free Personalized Letter From Santa Claus for Your Child

Bookmark this page, as we’ll be adding even more Wilmington, DE holiday events and family-friendly activities throughout the season!

Past Events

December 2-8

Sunday, December 1

• 🛍️ Arden Holiday Shop (W)
• Holiday Wreath Workshop & Fundraiser (NC)
• 🎵Christina Cultural Arts Center Presents "Carols in Color" (W)

Monday, December 2

• Holiday and Pizza Party with Bluey! (H) 

Wednesday, December 4

• 🛍️💡🎵 Winterthur Wonderful Wednesdays (W)

Thursday, December 5

• 🎅Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront: Meet and Greet with Santa (W)

Friday, December 6

• 🛍️Celebrate the Season @ Coverdale Farm Preserve (G)
• 🛍️DCH Winter Greenery Sale (W)
• 🛍️Delaware Contemporary Holiday Market (W)
• 💡🤶🏻🌲Elsmere Tree Lighting Ceremony
• 🎅🛍️🎵 Holiday Open House - Rockwood Park (W)
• 🎅Photos with Santa - DCH (W)
• 💡Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Drone Light Show (W)
• 💡🛍️🤶🏻Delaware Park Festival of Lights (W)
• 🛍️🎵🎅 Winterfest (N)

Saturday, December 7

• 🎅Breakfast with Santa - Good Will Fire Company (NC)
• 🎅Claymont Christmas Parade (W)
• 🎅Santa at the Zoo (W)
• 📷🎅 - Pictures with Santa at Fusco's (Paid Event)  (W)
• 🤶🏻Photos with Santa - DCH (W)
• 🎅📷The Garman Group - Pictures with Santa (W)
• 🎅Holidays at Hagley (W)
• 🛍️Celebrate the Season @ Coverdale Farm Preserve (G)
• 🎁Season of Giving - La Flor  (W)
• 💡Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Little Farm Petting Zoo and Face Painting (W)
• 🛍️DE Contemporary Holiday Market (W)
• 🎅🛍️🎵Rockwood Park Holiday Open House (W)
• 🎅Sensory Santa Event - Oasis Church (N)
• 🎅 Holiday Trains at Auburn Heights (H) 

Sunday, December 8

• 🛍️ Little Treasure Shoppe Holiday Bash (N)
• 🛍️🎅 Scout Café Holiday Market  (W)
• 🛍️Brandywine High School Holiday Bazaar Vendor & Craft Fair  (W)
• 📷🎅 - Pictures with Santa at Fusco's (Paid Event) (W)
• 🎅Santa at the Zoo (W)
• 💡Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Merry Mugs (W)

December 9 - 14

Monday, December 9

• Land Of The Sweets Town Hall and Holiday Party (W)
• 🛍️ Art Studio Holiday Art Sale (W)
• Family Crafternoon: Snowman Wreaths (NC)

Tuesday, December 10

• 🛍️ Art Studio Holiday Art Sale  (W)
• 🛍️Holiday Market at the UAE  (W)
• 🛍️Padua Academy Sip'n Shop (W)

Wednesday, December 11

• 🛍️💡🎵 Winterthur Wonderful Wednesdays  (W)
• 🛍️ Art Studio Holiday Art Sale (W)
• Art Class for Kids: Illuminated Grinch Canvas Painting - Route 9 Library (NC)

Thursday, December 12

• 🎅Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront: Meet and Greet with Santa,  (W)
• 🕯️🟥⬛️🟩🕎🎄Claymont Comunity Center - Festival of Lights  (W)
• Fur-Ever Home for the Holidays - Faithful Friends Open House (NC)

Friday, December 13

• 🛍️ Peniel UMC Newport Christmas Bazaar (NP)
• 🤝The WRK Group Toy and Coat Drive (W) (12/13 and 12/14)
• 🎅🎵 Meet Santa Claus at the Claymont Comunity Center  (W)
• 🛍️🤶🏻Holiday Celebration & Market - Glasgow Park (N)
• 💡🛍️🤶🏻Delaware Park Festival of Lights  (W)

Saturday, December 14

• Meet Elsa and Ana at CupKate’s (G)
• 🎅🎵 HUMC's Annual Community Christmas Celebration (N)
• 🎅 Holiday Celebration & Market - Glasgow Park (N)
• 🛍️🎅 Spirit of Christmas Celebration (NC)
• 🛍️Winter Festival and Market (NC)
• 🤝Brandywine Valley SPCA Mega Adopt (NC)
• Breakfast with Bluey - New Castle Library
• 🤶🏻Breakfast with Santa at La Pizzeria Metro  (W)
• 🛍️Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Fair @ Concord (W)
• 🎅 Winterthur Museum - Brunch with Santa (W)
• DelMNS Gingerbread House Creations (W)
• 💡Holiday Magic Returns to the Riverfront - Little Farm Petting Zoo and Face Painting (W)
• 💡🛍️🤶🏻Delaware Park Festival of Lights (W)