Weekend Things to Do in Delaware
Dec. 1-3, 2023
A Chance to Meet Santa
Santa at the Zoo
Wilmington
Dec. 2-3
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. time slots
Tickets: Register online here.
Meet Santa at this Winter Wonderland tradition at the Brandywine Zoo! Enjoy free hot cocoa and fun holiday activities. Santa will be welcoming guests in the Lemur Pavilion, which is outside but covered and heated. Photos with Santa are welcome with personal cameras. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the end of your time slot. Event is rain or shine, however, in the case of severe weather, the rain date is Dec. 9.
Holiday Open House
Wilmington
Dec. 1
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets: This is a free event.
The Holiday Open House at Rockwood Park & Museum is an event for families to enjoy spectacular holiday displays of lights in the park, museum tours, free photos with Santa and performances from local choirs, dance companies and more. In addition, New Castle County is proud to offer the Santa Shop which includes students and groups making and selling crafts, jewelry and other gift items.
Schellville Winter Celebration
Rehoboth Beach
Through Dec. 31
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets: Registration is not required but encouraged here.
With festive lights, local vendors and endless activities, Schellville provides a free and fun winter experience. This family-friendly event gives travelers the chance to listen to live music, sip on a warm beverage, take a train ride, shop for Christmas gifts, go roller skating and even meet Mr. and Mrs. Clause! Whether young or young at heart, there is plenty of enchantment to be found in Schellville.
Santa’s House
Rehoboth Beach
Dec. 2-3
Sat: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Sun: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets: This event is donation-based.
Santa’s House is back on the Boardwalk, and he has announced his hours. Santa’s House will be on the Rehoboth Boardwalk at the end of Rehoboth Avenue. Stop by, and tell Santa your Christmas wish list! Remember to bring your camera!
Coastal Christmas Showdown
Bethany Beach
Dec. 2
5 p.m.
Tickets: This is a free event.
The annual Coastal Christmas Showdown is a festive contest to see who has the best Christmas decorations! View the map here to find participating businesses and homes. On Dec. 2, Bethany Beach will host a day-long event to celebrate the tradition, including pony rides on the beach, photos with Santa, trolley rides and a tree lighting. At 5 p.m., the winner of the contest will be announced!
More Holiday Events
Riverbright Wilmington
Wilmington
Through Jan. 7
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tickets: This is a free event.
This spectacular light display returns for the holiday season. This weekend, you can enjoy the holiday lights of the Riverwalk and feel the magic of Riverbright Wilmington.
Festival of Trees
Millville
Through Jan. 3
Tickets: Purchases are optional.
The Millville Boardwalk has 84 trees on display for its annual Festival of Trees celebration. Visit the boardwalk to view the festive trees, play mini golf, enjoy great food and more!
Lewes Christmas Parade
Lewes
Dec. 2
5:00 PM
Tickets: This is a free event.
This year’s annual Lewes Christmas parade, presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, is themed “Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes."
Santa Bar Crawl
Rehoboth Beach
Dec. 2
1 p.m.
Tickets: Purchases are optional.
The second annual Rehoboth Beach Santa Bar Crawl will take place this weekend! You can find the list of participating businesses and locations here. Remember to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots Foundation of Sussex County.
Estella Scrooge
Rehoboth Beach
Dec. 1-3
Fri: 7 p.m., Sat: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sun: 2 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
Clear Space Theatre Company presents Estella Scrooge. We all know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, but now imagine his great-great granddaughter reliving the same story in the world we live in today. Estella Scrooge is a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol including additional characters and plot lines from Great Expectations, Little Dorrit, Bleak House and other great Dickens’ novels.
Mansions and Museums
Yuletide at Winterthur
Wilmington
Through Jan. 7
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: Purchase tickets online or call 800.448.3883.
Explore the Winterthur mansion decorated in all its finery with signature traditions, including the show-stopping Dried-Flower Tree, artistic Christmas trees inspired by Ann Lowe gowns and a spectacular table set for Christmas dinner. Tradition, style and surprise await you around every turn this holiday season at Winterthur.
Noël at Nemours Estate
Wilmington
Through Dec. 30
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: Purchase tickets online here.
Celebrate the holidays with Noël at Nemours Estate! Tour the festive displays in the 77-room Mansion, Chauffeur’s Garage and select areas of the gardens. Live music performances will also be held in the Mansion throughout the season. Saturday Later Hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m..
Holidays at Hagley
Wilmington
Through Jan. 1
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase on-site. Learn more here.
Holidays at Hagley returns with the theme, “Treasures and Traditions," and will feature Holiday Home and Garden Tours, the sixth-annual Gingerbread House Contest, Santa Day, Holiday Nights Tours and more.