Through Dec. 31: Winter Wonderfest • A Christmas village, carnival rides and games, music and ice skating are all part of the fun at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, and so is a light display at Cape Henlopen State Park. • Lewes
Through Jan. 1: Holidays at Hagley • The ancestral home of the du Pont family, Eleutherian Mills, is lavishly decorated in period style with ornate Christmas trees and family heirloom displays. • Wilmington
Through Jan. 7: Chesapeake City Winterfest • Celebrate the holidays like the Victorians. Lighted displays, a holiday harbor home to Santa and carolers will be featured on both sides of the C&D Canal. • Chesapeake City
Through Jan. 7: A Brandywine Christmas • With a model train display on a nearly 2,000-foot track and towering trees decorated with thousands of handmade critter ornaments, the Brandywine River Museum of Art is a hit for the whole family. • Chadds Ford
Through Jan. 7: A Longwood Christmas • More than 6,000 seasonal plants, half a million lights and strolling carolers will warm you up through the season. • Kennett Square
Through Jan. 7: Yuletide at Winterthur • Adorned with the dried-flower tree, holiday traditions from the 1800s to early 20th century and sparkling lights, Henry Francis
du Pont’s former home at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is open to tour through the holiday. • Wilmington
Dec. 1-30: Holidays at Amstel and Dutch Houses • In charming Historic New Castle, visit the Colonial Amstel House, decorated for a traditional Colonial celebration during Gov. Nicholas Van Dyke’s residency. At the Dutch House, there will be a St. Nichols’ Eve celebration. • New Castle
Dec. 1: Holiday Greens Workshop • Create a wreath or table arrangement from an unusual collection of items at The Delaware Center for Horticulture. • Wilmington
Dec. 1-2: Holiday Open House • Enjoy a tour of the magnificent Victorian decorated in period style, music indoors and out, and lights galore at Rockwood Park & Museum. • Wilmington
Dec. 1, 3: Hollywood for the Holidays • The Rainbow Chorale offers a holiday concert at First & Central Presbyterian Church on Friday, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday. • Wilmington
Dec. 1-3, 8-10: “Miracle on 34th Street” • Clear Space Theatre Company stages this classic holiday tale. • Rehoboth Beach
Dec. 1-3: “The Nutcracker” • Delaware Dance Company will perform at UD’s Mitchell Hall. • Newark
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Christ Church’s Green Show |
Dec. 2: Christ Church Green Show • Since 1953, the Green Show has offered music, Santa, and the sale of wreaths, plants, trees, frozen food, baked goods and gifts. Proceeds are donated to local nonprofits. • Greenville
Dec. 2: Christmas by Candlelight • CoroAllegro performs music by J.S. Bach at Immanuel Church for the holidays. • Wilmington
Dec. 2: Christmas in Odessa • Tour private homes and public buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries decorated for the holidays. • Odessa
Dec. 2: Christmas Tour of Lewes • Tour historic homes decorated for the season. Don’t miss Lewes Historical Society museums, also decorated for the holidays. And check out the Lewes Historical Society campus for Christmas antiques and collectibles, a cookie sale and a holiday greens sale. • Lewes
Dec. 2, 9: Cider Fest • Hot apple cider, farm tours on tractor and wagon and marshmallows by the fire await you at Fifer Orchards. Enjoy Christmas trees, wreaths, and holiday decor, plus apple cider doughnuts, caramel apples, gift items and fresh produce. • Camden-Wyoming
Dec. 2: Christmas Market at Poplar Hall • See live craft demonstrations by the area’s best crafters at this European-style market. Enjoy food and drink by chef and restaurateur Bryan Sikora and a live musical performance at historic Poplar Hall • 3176 Denny Road, Newark
Dec. 2: Holiday Open House • Decorated for the season, the Rehoboth Art League offers a selection of art, crafts and holiday items by members. The day will also feature art demonstrations, music and singing by local groups. • Rehoboth Beach
Dec. 2: Lewes Christmas Parade • Take the whole family to the popular Christmas parade. Following Santa’s appearance on a Lewes Fire Department truck, there will be a tree lighting in Zwaanendael Park and caroling around the tree. • Lewes
Dec. 2: Seaford Christmas Parade • Celebrate a 150-year-old tradition with “A Season of Lights” the theme of this year’s parade. • Seaford
Dec. 2: Happy Holidays Dover • The second annual holiday celebration features a kids-only holiday shop, crafts, art demonstrations, children’s choir performances and food. • Dover
Dec. 2-3: “The Nutcracker” • The Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance performs this classic for the 51st year, at The Playhouse on Rodney Square. • Wilmington
Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23: Santa Claus Express • On the ride to Ashland via the Wilmington & Western Railroad, meet and pose for photos with the big man himself. • Wilmington
Dec. 2, 9-10: Candlelight Holiday Concerts • The five performing ensembles of the Wilmington Children’s Chorus will sing selections from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The concert will feature Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” at events held upstate and downstate. • Wilmington and Harbeson
Dec. 3: Carols by Candlelight • UD’s Schola Cantorum community choir and the elite UD Chorale present a concert of contemporary and traditional holiday songs at Newark First Presbyterian Church. • Newark
Dec. 3: Holiday Sing • Bring the whole family out to sing and play for a while at The Music School of Delaware. • Wilmington
Dec. 6: Children’s Christmas Party • Say hi to Mr. and Mrs. Claus and enjoy entertainment like face-painting, model trains and costumed characters at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. • Chadds Ford
Dec. 6: Milton Christmas Parade • The party starts at Union and Atlantic. You’ll go home with a smile on your face and the holiday spirit in your heart. • Milton
Dec. 8-9: Winter Arts Festival • Shop for gifts from local artisans while listening to holiday music performed by choirs at the Delaware Art Museum. • Wilmington
Dec. 8-23, 26-30: Holiday Lights Express • Take a peaceful 45-minute ride in the heated 1929 Pennsylvania Railroad Doodlebug railcar covered in thousands of holiday lights while you enjoy the amazing backyard light displays of neighbors in the Red Clay Valley. • Wilmington
Dec. 9, 16: Breakfast with the Trains • Want to know how one of the world’s largest layouts of trains is created? Dine at the Brandywine River Museum of Art for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look. The event includes a private tour, continental breakfast and a souvenir for children. • Chadds Ford
Dec. 9: Holiday Joy Concert • The Mid-Atlantic Symphony stops at Mariner’s Bethel Church to “Ring in the Season” with a mix of classical and traditional favorites. • Ocean View
Dec. 9: Holiday Pops Concert • UD’s Master Players present “Frank Sinatra’s Coming to Town.” • Newark
Dec. 9: Holly Festival • Featuring crafts, artwork, jewelry, fresh plants, wreaths and Santa himself, the festival celebrates Milton’s history as the holly wreath-making capital of the country. The festivities will be held at the Milton Fire Department, Goshen Hall, Milton Public Library and Milton Theatre. • Milton
Dec. 9: Milton Holiday House Tour • Tour the town’s most charming homes decorated for the holidays. • Milton
Dec. 9-10: Breakfast with Santa • Enjoy pancakes with Santa at the Brandywine Zoo, share your holiday wishes, make decorations and enjoy a few up-close animal encounters all before the zoo opens. On Saturday, don’t miss Ho-Ho-Hot Cocoa with Santa. • Wilmington
Dec. 8-9: A Dickens Experience • On Friday, enjoy a Victorian Ball at The Arsenal. You’ll be treated to a re-creation of the Fezziwig House from “A Christmas Carol,” period music, a dance master and period clothing. On Saturday, the whole town transforms into a real Dickens experience: a Victorian tea, street performances and costumed characters. • New Castle
Dec. 10: Breakfast with Santa • Have breakfast with Santa himself at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. • Wilmington
Dec. 10: Holiday Choral Concert • See performances by the Small Wonder Jazz Singers, Delaware Women’s Chorus and St. Stephen’s Choir with the Brandywine Bass at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. • Wilmington
Dec. 10: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas • Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis directs this holiday classic, featuring Mannheim Steamroller faves, along with dazzling multimedia effects in the intimate setting of The Playhouse on Rodney Square. • Wilmington
Dec. 10: Menorah Workshop • Build your own with Chabad Lubavitch of Delaware at Home Depot while enjoying music and refreshments. • Claymont
Dec. 10: Sankta Lucia Celebration • Hosted by Old Swedes Church, enjoy an afternoon marking the traditional celebration of light, including live music and more. • Wilmington
Dec. 12: A Magical Night of Chanukah • Magician Keith Frye helps celebrate while you enjoy latkes and other traditional foods, music and “dreidels galore” at Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth. • Wilmington
Dec. 13: Irish Christmas in America • Séamus Begley and Niamh Farrell play Gaelic songs and stories on fiddle, pipes and harp accompanied by thrilling traditional dance to celebrate the Irish way. Produced by Teada star Oisín Mac Diarmada. • Wilmington
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The First State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” |
Dec. 16: Family Saturday: Winter Holidays • Celebrate the coming winter solstice at the Delaware History Museum with performances of “Christmas Truce,” the story of World War I soldiers who came together in the season’s spirit of peace. Prepare for the season’s celebrations with a variety of paper crafts as hands-on learning experiences about Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. • Wilmington
Dec. 16-17: Messiah Concert • Professional singers and orchestra perform the classic at Concord Presbyterian Church. • Wilmington
Dec. 17: Cartoon Christmas Trio • The Delaware Art Museum hosts a holiday trio, together with the Wilmington Children’s Chorus, that is all about bringing sounds from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other faves to life. • Wilmington
Dec. 17: A Ceremony of Carols • The New Ark Chorale presents this Britten classic and other Christmas faves. • Newark
Dec. 22-23: The First State Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” • Join the First State Ballet Theatre for this annual holiday tradition at The Grand Opera House. • Wilmington
Dec. 30: Inner City Cultural League Kwanzaa Celebration • Readings, recitations, dancing, food and more characterize this celebration of community. • Dover
Dec. 31: Noon Year’s Eve • Celebrate Brandywine Zoo-style by ringing in the year early. There will be games, crafts and a sparkling cider toast as the clock strikes noon. • Wilmington
