We’ve broken out the winter coats, the lights are up all over the state and Christmas is in the air! So many places to see Santa this weekend, holiday movies are playing in theaters and there’s no shortage of concerts featuring seasonal music. Here’s our top picks for things to do in Delaware and beyond this weekend, December 9th through the 11th.
Things to Do in Delaware,
December 9th – 11th
For many, many more events in Delaware and beyond, take a look at our event calendar. You can filter by cost, venue and time of day.
Sounds of the Season
Brown Bag Concert: Concord High School Chorale & Madrigals at Grace Episcopal Church. Second of the season. Free, refreshments provided.
Music School of Delaware Holiday Concert: The Delaware Women’s Chorus, Adult Jazz Choir, Brandywine Brass and St. Stephen’s Chancel Choir at St. Stephen’s, followed by caroling. A can of food or nonperishable item for the LCS Food Pantry is your admission.
Christmas Musical Celebration at Westminster Presbyterian Church: Westminster Choir (Paul Fleckenstein, Organist and Director) with Brass, Percussion, and Organ under the direction of Paul D. Head, Guest Conductor. Festive arrangements of traditional carols, and opportunities for the audience to join in singing. Free.
Festive Highlights
Winter WonderFEST at Cape Henlopen State Park: 2 mile drive-thru light show all weekend long featuring over 60 magical light displays and a Christmas Village and Winter Carnival with a giant ferris wheel, ice skating, indoor holiday workshops, live music, a strolling Santa, carnival games, and more.
Tree Lighting Celebration and Holiday Market at Glasgow Park: Holiday market begins at 5 Friday, activities begin at 6, tree lighting is at 7. Visit with Santa, make and take a craft, enjoy refreshments around the bonfire.
Elsmere Holiday Tree Lighting: refreshments, crafts for the kids and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” start at 6pm ahead of Santa’s arrival at 7.
Parent’s Night Out! Natural Holidays at the DuPont Environmental Education Center: parents can have a nice meal or get some quick shopping done while kids decorate holiday ornaments using natural materials at the DEEC. Kids’ dinner is included!
Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball at Barnes & Noble: music from the Brandywine School District Orchestra, plus dancing, facepainting and more at the Concord Mall location. In Christiana: appearances by the First State Potion Masters – Harry Potter Alliance Delaware Chapter of The Harry Potter Alliance; Patrick McCauley author and co-coordinator of the Harry Potter Conference at Chestnut Hill College discussing and signing his book “Into the Pensieve: The Philosophy and Mythology of Harry Potter”; local musician The Time Turners performing acoustic HarryPotter songs and wizardrock covers — plus magical crafts, games, giveaways, prizes, and more.
Delaware Ballet presents The Nutcracker: This weekend is their 25th Anniversary production, at the Delaware State University Education & Humanities Theater.
Merriness at the Museum: Holiday film fest, storytime, nature nook and crafts at the Delaware Museum of Natural History weekends in December.
Santa Cause 5K: $5 of your registration fee goes to the charity you choose: Paws for People, Food Bank of Delaware, Fusion Inclusion, Wounded Warrior or March of Dimes Delaware. Plus you get a Santa hat and custom pint glass!
King of Prussia Town Center Winterfest: in the event you’re headed to KOP Saturday for some power shopping or to see National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at the theater, make sure to stop by the King of Prussia Town Center! They’ll have local school choir performances, ice sculptures by Fear No Ice, cookie decorating and hot chocolate staations, samples from the area’s newest restaurants, face painters and of course a visit from the man in red.
How the Grinch Stole Who-ckessin: interactive showing of the original holiday classic Saturday at the Hockessin Public Library.
The Snow Queen: the Delaware Arts Conservatory performs at the Laird Performing Arts Center at Tatnall Saturday and Sunday. Ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary.
A Christmas Story: watch the movie on the big screen and see if Ralphie shoots his eye out at the Schwartz Center.
The MOT Film Society presents Elf: at Westown Movies; proceeds from the 11am showing benefit Girl Scouts of Chesapeake Bay SU13.
Marshall Steam Museum Old-Fashioned Holiday: special Photo Exhibit: Snow Travelers — Experiencing Winter at the Dawn of the Automotive Age, readings of The Night Before Christmas and The Polar Express, Victorian and train-inspired holiday crafts and activities, electric train demonstrations, hot chocolate and more.
Meet, Greet, Eat with Santa
Breakfast with Santa at the Brandywine Zoo: eat a pancake breakfast with Santa, make decorations and enjoy a few up-close animal encounters, all before the zoo opens. Plus, watch a few animals get their breakfast! (Or, sleep in and get some milk and cookies with Santa later in the day.)
Breakfast with Santa at Chick-fil-A in Christiana: Have your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the new location by the hospital. Kids under 10 also receive a free gift.
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa: Christmas themed storytime followed by a visit from Santa at the Rehoboth Beach Library.
Bethany Weekend Wonderland: cookies with Santa plus caroling and cocoa on the Bethany Beach Bandstand.
Santa’s House on the Boardwalk: no charge to see Santa at weekends at Rehoboth Beach and Boardwalk.
Elsmere Breakfast with Santa: full breakfast buffet, Make & Take craft center, Santa’s Secret Workshop, and pictures with Santa, followed by the Elsmere holiday parade at 2pm Sunday.
Brunch with Santa at the Grille at Back Creek Golf Club: reservations are required for this Sunday brunch.
Pet Photos with Santa: four legged friends can have their photos taken with Santa Sunday at the Concord Pet on Pulaski Highway.
Get Outside
Moon Marvels Hot Chocolate Hike at White Clay Creek State Park: bring a travel mug, hot chocolate will be provided to keep you warm! Pre-registration is required.
Volunteer Trail Day at Cape Henlopen State Park: burn some calories and help maintain the park’s trails or take on some other light maintenance projects.
Jingle Bell Hayride: festive, old-fashioned hayride followed by s’mores and hot cocoa around the campfire at Bellevue State Park. (Trap Pond is also holding a Jingle Bell Hayride on Saturday.)
Shopping
Glasgow High School Craft Fair: 200+ vendors help to raise funds for Glasgow’s swim team.
Winter Arts Festival: family friendly artisan shopping at the Delaware Art Museum alone with live music from local school and community choirs, and holiday-themed art projects.
Also Not to be Missed
Light Up the Night: “Light Up the Night” with a memorial tree ceremony for loved ones, then sing carols and share some hot beverages. Pet remembrances also welcome. The name(s) will be listed on a display in the Killens Pond Nature Center until January 1st.
1984’s 5th Birthday Party: no cover, games on free play, free pizza from 8-9pm. $1 PBR, all other drafts $5 including Victory Dirtwolf, Troeg’s Mad Elf and Victory Golden Monkey. And cake!
Have a great weekend! Comfort and joy!
