Haven’t had enough holiday partying yet? Continue the celebration with Clear Space at its annual New Year’s Eve Showstoppers event. A group of talented vocalists will perform a selection of show tunes then, after the show, you can dance into the New Year with a live swing band led by Doug Yetter. 227-2270, clearspacetheatre.org
New Year’s Art
Ring in the new year artfully at the Delaware Art Museum on Dec. 31. Enjoy champagne, delicious food, an open bar and special holiday cocktail, music and art. You won’t want to miss this fun and elegant holiday party. 571-9590, delart.org
Magical
Will faith, love and courage triumph over evil? Chases, duels, escapes and a sprinkling of magic await in this adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic “The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe,” presented by The Chrysalis Players at the Wilmington Drama League. This one is timeless. See it through Dec. 29. 764-1172, wilmingtondramaleague.org
Scrooged
The timeless “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens gets a merry retelling in a world-premiere adaptation by the creator of the two-time Tony Award winning “The 39 Steps.” Five actors portray more than 20 characters, exploring new facets of the classic tale. Re-imagined with a new physicality, this “highly theatrical, sometimes comic, ultimately moving adaptation” is sure to brighten up your holidays, according to critic Timothy Childs. See it until Dec. 30. 594-1104, deltheatre.org
Celebrate the Brandywine Valley
One of the things we love most about the holidays is visiting the Brandywine River Museum. First, there’s the model railroad. Second, there are the critter ornaments, handmade by local volunteers for sale to support the museum and programs. They adorn seven trees on the first and third floors, and charming critter scenes will surround the base of the trees and fill display cases. Then there’s “Pop-Up! Illustration in 3-D,” a display of books that range from late 19th-century examples to sophisticated constructions designed by contemporary paper engineers working with noted artists. Finally “Donald Pywell: Golden Impressions of Andrew Wyeth” features exquisitely crafted jewelry by Pywell and inspired by Wyeth’s paintings. Everything is on display through Jan. 6. (610) 388-2700, brandywinemusuem.org
Themed A Feast for the Eyes, Yuletide at Winterthur is designed to tempt visitors with visions of holidays past and spark ideas for their own celebrations. Guests can explore how Americans have celebrated the winter social season from the 1800s to the present during the Yuletide at Winterthur tour through Jan. 6. A highlight: a lavish Victorian-era setting focuses on festive trappings, a glittering tree and a table arrayed with towers of gifts. 888-4600, winterthur.org
Christmas at Hagley cultivates sharing and giving. This year’s theme is Holiday Entertaining at Home. The morning room of Eleutherian Mills is set for the New Year’s Day calling, the dining room celebrates Twelfth Night, and the terrace is ready for Christmas lunch. Visitors encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or clothing item for donation to the Sunday Breakfast Mission. The event continues until Jan. 9 658-2400, hagley.org
Nemours Mansion & Gardens is open for holiday tours through Dec. 30. This world-famous du Pont estate is beautifully decorated for Christmas, with antiques from its historic collection along with new items that celebrate the season. Christmas trees, garlands, sprays, paper filigree “quilling,” hand-painted ornaments, miniature churches, original holiday cards, a manger scene and original toys from the du Pont estate all add to the festive setting. Reservations are required. (800) 651-6912, nemoursmansion.org
Rockwood Museum is decorated with a musical theme though Jan. 7. rockwood.org
Finally, A Longwood Christmas is always a highlight of the season. Inside Longwood’s 4-acre Conservatory, trees shimmer with star-inspired ornaments. In the Exhibition Hall, twinkling lights hang from the vaulted glass ceiling over a 64-foot-long table dressed for a holiday gathering. Living wreaths, floral displays, and trees as tall as 22 feet bring the magic of the season to life. Outdoors, more than 500,000 lights brighten the night. Fountains dance to holiday music in the Open Air Theatre (weather permitting). And the outdoor train display travels past miniature Longwood landmarks lit for the season. Music includes sing-alongs on Longwood’s majestic 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and evening choral and bell choir performances by area groups. In the Chimes Tower, a 62-bell carillon plays holiday music every half hour. Strolling performances fill the gardens with music on weekends. See it through Jan. 6. longwoodgardens.org
