Historic Holiday Charm in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington DE is on display this festive season offering spectacular light displays, rich historical traditions, tax-free shopping, and a cozy small-town charm that transforms the entire Brandywine Valley into a glittering Christmas landscape.
The season is already in full swing, so here’s what’s on for the months of December and January, in order of date:
The Holiday Open House at Rockwood Park & Museum (Dec. 5 & 6) is a free family event where guests can 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 offers the Santa Shop, where students and groups make and sell crafts, jewelry, and other gift items.
Christmas in Odessa (Dec. 6) is a self-guided walking tour where visitors can view the beautiful traditional Christmas decor of private homes and public buildings, many dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. They look straight out of a Hallmark movie! If you’re feeling particularly festive, the town also hosts a gingerbread house contest.
Spirit of Christmas in Historic New Castle is where the holidays meet history (Dec. 13). Stroll along cobblestone streets lined with 18th- and 19th-century homes decked in timeless holiday décor, and step inside for tours of beautifully decorated private residences and museums. Enjoy live musical performances that fill the air with festive cheer, shop for unique treasures at the Christmas Market, and indulge in seasonal treats from local restaurants and cafés. As evening falls, gather in Market Square for the annual Tree Lighting.
For theatre-goers, First State Ballet Theatre will be running the traditional holiday show, The Nutcracker from Dec. 13-21.
Celebrate the holidays with Noël at Nemours Estate (month of December). Tour the festive displays in the 77-room Mansion, Chauffeur’s Garage, gardens and grounds. Live music performances will also be held in the Mansion during their extended hours on Saturdays in December, along with access to hot beverages and nightly cozy campfires.
Holidays at Hagley (thru Jan. 1, 2026) is a festive celebration that transforms the historic Hagley Museum and Library into a holiday wonderland. Visitors can tour Eleutherian Mills, the first du Pont family home in America, beautifully illuminated for Holiday Nights at Hagley, and explore its “Our Storied Past” exhibit showcasing generations of du Pont family traditions. The event also features the eighth-annual Gingerbread House Contest, where local bakers and families display their sweet creations in the Hagley Barn, and Santa Day (Dec. 6), when Santa himself joins the fun for festive photo-ops.
Stop by the Brandywine Museum of Art, where you can explore traditional Christmas collectibles like model trains, dollhouses, and other miniature wonders in their Home for the Holidays exhibitions (thru Jan. 4).
A Longwood Gardens Christmas is a holiday garden display unlike any other (thru Jan. 11, 2026). Longwood Gardens covers 1,100 acres, which includes gardens, woodlands, meadows, conservatories, and fountains. The grounds comprise six districts and feature numerous attractions like the Main Fountain Garden and the large, indoor Conservatory, which are all decorated and lit for the holiday season. Longwood Gardens is truly spectacular to behold during the holiday season.
The Santa Claus Express at the Wilmington & Western Railroad is a beloved holiday tradition, where families can enjoy a scenic train ride through the Red Clay Valley with a special visit from Santa Claus himself. During the journey, Santa greets each child, spreading holiday cheer and handing out sweet treats (Dates available here). The WWRR also offers their Holiday Lights Express tour each season, where passengers are treated to a spectacular display of thousands of twinkling holiday lights throughout the Valley.
Holiday Magic at Riverfront Wilmington returns to light up the season with sparkle and cheer (month of December)! Stroll along the Christina Riverwalk, transformed into a dazzling walk-through holiday wonderland where twinkling lights drape across trees and archways, casting a whimsical glow over the waterfront. Dine at one of the many local restaurants along the walkway to end your festive holiday stroll.
