Your ultimate holiday resource for Wilmington is here! Explore our comprehensive guide for all the top festive events and activities. Whether Wilmington is your backyard or a new adventure, our guide highlights the best holiday events.
Popular events include A Longwood Christmas, where breathtaking light displays transform the gardens into a winter wonderland. Additionally, Holiday Nights at Hagley invites you to enjoy a picturesque experience of candlelit paths and seasonal cheer. And don't forget Yuletide at Devon, which showcases beautifully decorated interiors and festive activities throughout the historic estate. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Wilmington
- A Longwood Christmas (Kennett Square)
- Yuletide at Devon (Devon)
- Schellville Enchanted Village Celebration (Rehoboth Beach)
- Holiday Nights at Hagley
- The Nutcracker
- Brandywine Festival of the Arts
- Schellville Winter Celebration (Rehoboth)
- Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade
- Holidays at the Hotel
- Estella Scrooge (Rehoboth Beach)
See these and even more events listed below!
Wilmington Holiday Light Displays
A Longwood Christmas
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light displays and horticultural feats.
Description:
A Longwood Christmas features hundreds of thousands of lights, stunning horticultural displays, and festive fountain shows in newly revitalized spaces, including the West Conservatory and Main Fountain Garden.
Where: Kennett Square | More Info: A Longwood Christmas
Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting with holiday sing-along.
Description:
The City of Rehoboth Beach hosts a Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along on November 29th, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm. This event welcomes the holiday season with the lighting of the community tree and a festive sing-along.
Where: Rehoboth | More Info: Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along
Wilmington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Yuletide at Devon
What to Expect:
High-end shopping and ice skating in an enchanted forest setting.
Description:
Yuletide at Liberty Hill is a holiday celebration featuring over 30 high-end market shops, ice skating, free rides, and photos with Santa. The event offers a variety of food and beverage options, including themed bars and restaurants. It takes place at Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, from November 22 to January 5.
Where: Devon | More Info: Yuletide at Devon
Artisan Market at Hagley
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and gourmet items.
Description:
The Hagley Craft Fair is a premier marketplace featuring talented artisans from the Mid-Atlantic area, showcasing fine arts, crafts, and gourmet items. The event includes works in wood, leather, pottery, jewelry, fibers, metal, and other media, along with a specialty food market. Vendors are situated throughout Hagley’s beautiful upper property and inside the Soda House building. The event also includes admission to the du Pont Family home and garden, with refreshments available from local food trucks.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Artisan Market at Hagley
Wilmington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Estella Scrooge
What to Expect:
Modern retelling of "A Christmas Carol" with Dickensian characters and plotlines.
Description:
In this modern retelling of "A Christmas Carol," Estella Scrooge, a Wall Street tycoon, must confront her past when she discovers that the mortgage holder of her hometown hotel is her childhood sweetheart. Haunted by three visitations, including her ancestor Ebenezer Scrooge, Estella embarks on a journey of redemption.
Where: Rehoboth Beach | More Info: Estella Scrooge
Holiday Showcase
What to Expect:
Diverse artistic exhibitions and interactive activities.
Description:
The Brandywine Holiday Festival of the Arts is a vibrant gathering of local and regional artists showcasing diverse masterpieces, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The event features interactive activities, live music, and children's events, making it a weekend filled with inspiration and creativity.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Holiday Showcase
Brandywine Festival of the Arts
What to Expect:
Annual celebration of art and culture with over 200 artisans.
Description:
The Brandywine Festival of the Arts is an annual arts festival in Wilmington, Delaware, featuring hundreds of juried artists exhibiting one-of-a-kind art. The event includes live music performances, children’s activities, and a selection of local food vendors.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Brandywine Festival of the Arts
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Delaware's professional ballet company presents a lavish production of The Nutcracker, featuring a magical journey through a swirling snow storm to the Land of Sweets.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: The Nutcracker
Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Local celebrities and festive community participation.
Description:
The Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade features local celebrities, marching and string bands, community organizations, floats, and cartoon characters. Santa Claus is the star of the show, and elves will accept Christmas wish lists from children.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade
Wilmington Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Nights at Hagley
What to Expect:
Holiday home tour with historical decorations and gingerbread house contest.
Description:
Explore Eleutherian Mills, the first du Pont family home in America, decorated for the holidays with softly glowing lights and holiday decorations. Encounter the traditions of multiple generations of the du Pont family and view the wonderful entries of Hagley's Gingerbread House Contest in the Hagley Barn.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Holiday Nights at Hagley
Holidays at the Hotel
What to Expect:
Elegant holiday celebration in a historic luxury hotel setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Hotel Du Pont, where rich history and elegant ambiance come together to create a memorable experience. Enjoy luxurious amenities, exquisite dining, and festive atmosphere.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Holidays at the Hotel
Schellville Enchanted Village Celebration
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday village with various activities and attractions.
Description:
Schellville Enchanted Village Celebration is a festive holiday event featuring beautifully decorated miniature houses, train rides, snow zones, and live entertainment.
Where: Rehoboth Beach | More Info: Schellville Enchanted Village Celebration
Lewes Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas with exceptional sound components and diverse parade entries.
Description:
The Lewes Christmas Parade is an annual celebration featuring a festive procession through Historic Lewes, showcasing marching groups, bands, and decorated vehicles. The parade culminates in a tree lighting ceremony at Zwaanendael Park, accompanied by candlelight caroling.
Where: Lewes | More Info: Lewes Christmas Parade
Holidays in Odessa
What to Expect:
Historic home and public building holiday decorations.
Description:
A self-guided walking tour of historic homes and public buildings in Odessa, Delaware, decorated for the holidays, featuring special events and activities.
Where: Odessa | More Info: Holidays in Odessa
Schellville Winter Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with extensive outdoor activities and decorations.
Description:
Schellville Winter Celebration is a festive holiday event featuring beautifully decorated miniature houses, train rides, snow zones, and live entertainment. Visitors can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, explore the Christmas Village, and enjoy various activities like roller skating and navigating a maze of lights.
Where: Rehoboth | More Info: Schellville Winter Celebration
Cannon Firing at Hagley
What to Expect:
Historical cannon demonstration in a historic setting.
Description:
At Hagley, witness a demonstration of the signal cannon, which packs a significant punch despite its small size. The cannon firings take place next to the Millwright Shop in the historic powder yard at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Included with admission and free for Hagley members, these events are weather-dependent.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Cannon Firing at Hagley
Optical Illusions at Hagley
What to Expect:
Interactive optical illusions challenge perception.
Description:
Explore optical illusions and mind tricks at Hagley, where you can test your perception and create a spinning disc picture.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Optical Illusions at Hagley
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Whitman (24 miles)
- Wharton (24 miles)
- Philadelphia (25 miles)
- Center City (25 miles)
- Camden (26 miles)
- Cherry Hill (30 miles)
- Vineland (33 miles)
- Abington (34 miles)
- South Vineland (34 miles)
- Jackson (36 miles)
- Bensalem (40 miles)
- Bel Air South (44 miles)
- South Bel Air (45 miles)