Delaware Today magazine 302 Culture Calendar: family events, arts and entertainment, museums, concerts, music, history and theater

DCM Open Studio and New Year’s Studio
Thru Jan. 1 The Delaware Children’s Museum offers holiday projects throughout December. And starting Dec. 26, kids can decorate a sparkling crown and 2012 eyeglasses through New Year’s Day. Delaware Children’s Museum, 550 Justison St., Wilmington, 654-2340, delawarechildrensmuseum.org

editor’s pick Santa Claus Express
Weekends Dec. 3-18 Meet and greet the man himself during a ride on the Wilmington & Western Railroad. It’s a great photo op, and there’s a chocolate treat for each little one. Wilmington & Western Railroad, Newport-Gap Pike and Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, 998-1930, wwrr.com

Chanukah Choopla
Dec. 4 This event at the Siegel Jewish Community Center offers a craft and gift bazaar, kids’ games and crafts, and a kosher deli lunch. Bernard and Ruth Siegel JCC, 101 Garden of Eden Road, Wilmington, 478-5660, siegeljcc.org

Cocoa, Cookies and Story Time
Dec. 7 If you’re heading out for Caroling on the Green in Dover, stop by the Biggs Museum first for sweets and a reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal St., Dover, 674-2111, biggsmuseum.org

Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 10, 17 Savor a buffet breakfast with Santa, create holiday decorations, and enjoy performances by children’s entertainer Silly Joe at Winterthur. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Del. 52, Winterthur, 888-4600, winterthur.org

(More) Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 10-11, 17-18 That Santa guy can really chow down! Visit with him, take photos, and enjoy a breakfast buffet at Longwood Gardens. Longwood Gardens, U.S. 1, Kennett Square, Pa., (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org

editor’s pick A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas
Dec. 11 The Eric Mintel Quartet is joined this year by The JazzChords of Calloway for a performance of composer Vince Guaraldi’s tunes at the baby grand. The Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, (800) 37-GRAND, thegrandwilmington.org

Miniatures Workshop
Dec. 11 Let’s get small when the miniaturists from the First State Mini Club teach kids and their families how to create tiny masterpieces inspired by two exhibitions at the Delaware Art Museum. Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Pkwy., Wilmington, 571-9590, delart.org

editor’s pick Dino Days
Dec. 27-28 The annual dinosaur extravaganza at the Delaware Museum of Natural History provides some post-holiday fun with a fossil dig, live animals and special displays. Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, 658-9111, delmnh.org

editor’s pick Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 31 Celebrate with the real party animals at the Brandywine Zoo. Family activities include a sparkling apple cider toast as the clock strikes 12 (noon, that is). Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington, 571-7747, brandywinezoo.org