Experience the charm of Newark during the holidays with our guide. From Newark stalwarts to wandering visitors, our guide ensures a holiday season to remember.
Popular events bring the spirit of the season alive, such as the Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade, where festive floats and cheerful marching bands fill the streets with joy. Featuring ice sculptures and winter-themed activities, the Fire and Ice Festival offers a magical escape into the heart of winter wonder. And the Lewes Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a vibrant display of creativity and community spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Newark
- Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade (Wilmington)
- Lewes Christmas Parade (Lewes)
- Schellville Winter Celebration (Rehoboth)
- Holidays in Odessa (Odessa)
- Fire and Ice Festival (Bethany-Fenwick)
- Downtown Wilmington Winterfest at DECO (Wilmington)
- Rockwood Holiday Open House (Wilmington)
- Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along (Rehoboth)
- It’s a Wonderful Life (Wilmington)
- Spirit of Christmas (New Castle)
See these and even more events listed below!
Newark Holiday Light Displays
Rockwood Holiday Open House
What to Expect:
Holiday light displays and local performances.
Description:
The Rockwood Holiday Open House is a free family event featuring spectacular holiday light displays, museum tours, free photos with Santa, and performances by local choirs and dance companies. The event also includes the Santa Shop where students and groups sell handmade crafts and jewelry.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Rockwood Holiday Open House
Holiday Lights Express
What to Expect:
Historic train ride with extensive holiday lighting.
Description:
Ride aboard a festively decorated, 100-year-old heated train covered in thousands of holiday lights as you enjoy a 1-hour evening trip through the Red Clay Valley.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Holiday Lights Express
Newark Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Wilmington Winterfest at DECO
What to Expect:
Holiday market with local vendors and festive activities.
Description:
Downtown Wilmington Winterfest at DECO features a holiday market with local vendors, face-painting, Santa visits, hot cocoa, music, and a build-your-own bloody mary and mimosa bar.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Downtown Wilmington Winterfest at DECO
Spirit of Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with home tours, musical performances, and festive markets.
Description:
Delight in tours of beautifully decorated private homes and museums, enjoy musical performances throughout Historic New Castle, and find perfect gifts at our Holiday Markets. Savor a variety of festive treats from our restaurants and conclude your day with caroling and the Tree Lighting in Market Square.
Where: New Castle | More Info: Spirit of Christmas
Newark Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Local celebrities and dignitaries participating in a festive parade.
Description:
The Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade features local celebrities, marching and string bands, community organizations, floats, and cartoon characters. Santa Claus will be present, and children can submit their Christmas wish lists to receive a response from Santa.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade
Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting with live holiday carols.
Description:
Join the City of Rehoboth Beach for the annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along on November 29th, 2024. Gather at the Rehoboth Avenue Bandstand to watch the community tree light up and enjoy live entertainment by renowned musician Doug James and the Cape Henlopen High School Cape Chorale.
Where: Rehoboth | More Info: Tree Lighting and Holiday Sing-Along
It’s a Wonderful Life
What to Expect:
Classic film screening with a timeless story.
Description:
It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic film screening featuring George Bailey’s journey through a world where he never existed, highlighting the importance of his life and community.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: It’s a Wonderful Life
Newark Other Holiday Activities
Lewes Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday celebration with tree lighting and caroling.
Description:
The Lewes Christmas Parade, themed "Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes," features over 100 entries including decorated cars, floats, marching groups, and equestrians. The parade concludes with the official tree lighting and candlelight caroling in Zwaanendael Park.
Where: Lewes | More Info: Lewes Christmas Parade
Fire and Ice Festival
What to Expect:
Unique ice sculptures inspired by literature.
Description:
The Fire and Ice Festival in South Coastal Delaware features ice sculptures inspired by novels, live ice carving demonstrations, bonfires, a skating rink, inflatables, a chili cookoff, and drink tastings.
Where: Bethany-Fenwick | More Info: Fire and Ice Festival
Holidays in Odessa
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of historically decorated homes and public buildings.
Description:
Explore historic homes and public buildings in Odessa, Delaware, decorated for the holidays with special events included in the ticket price.
Where: Odessa | More Info: Holidays in Odessa
Schellville Winter Celebration
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa and festive food options.
Description:
Schellville Winter Celebration is a festive holiday event in Rehoboth Beach featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, a beer garden, Frosty's Food Trucks, a roller rink, and various activities like sledding and navigating through a maze of lights.
Where: Rehoboth | More Info: Schellville Winter Celebration
Santa Claus Express
What to Expect:
Santa visits each child on board with a special treat.
Description:
Ride the Santa Claus Express on the Wilmington & Western Railroad for a holiday experience where Santa greets everyone on board and gives children a special treat. The train is powered by historic locomotives, and families can enjoy the scenic ride to Ashland.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Santa Claus Express
First Friday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with live music and festive activities.
Description:
The First Friday Tree Lighting event in Downtown Delaware features a main stage with local music groups, community vendors, reindeer, and festive activities. The ceremony begins with remarks and a countdown at 6:30 PM, followed by the lighting of the magnificent Christmas tree at the corner of William and Sandusky Streets.
Where: Delaware | More Info: First Friday Tree Lighting
Dash for Dasher
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday scavenger hunt.
Description:
Join the "Dash for Dasher" scavenger hunt in downtown Delaware, where you'll help Santa find his lost reindeer Dasher by following clues and completing fun activities.
Where: Delaware | More Info: Dash for Dasher
Annual Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday parade with local participation.
Description:
The Annual Christmas Parade in Delaware features a festive procession through downtown, including community groups, local vendors, and holiday activities.
Where: Delaware | More Info: Annual Christmas Parade
Main Street Holiday Tours: Historic East Trolley Edition
What to Expect:
Historic trolley tours combining history and holidays.
Description:
Explore Delaware's rich history with the Main Street Holiday Tours: Historic East Trolley Edition, featuring tours departing from the Nash House Museum at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m., with complimentary hot chocolate and musical groups.
Where: Delaware | More Info: Main Street Holiday Tours: Historic East Trolley Edition
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn carriage rides around downtown Delaware.
Description:
Take a leisurely horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown Delaware, enjoying the festive sights and cozy atmosphere.
Where: Delaware | More Info: Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Visit Santa
What to Expect:
Personalized holiday photos with Santa Claus.
Description:
Visit Santa at the Delaware Welcome Center, where you can take a photo with Santa Claus and receive a print and digital copy of the photo for $15.
Where: Delaware | More Info: Visit Santa
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Wilmington (12 miles)
- Middletown (16 miles)
- Chester (24 miles)
- Springfield (28 miles)
- Drexel Hill (30 miles)
- Wayne (31 miles)
- Radnor (32 miles)
- Sewell (33 miles)
- Bridgeton (33 miles)
- Bel Air South (33 miles)
- South Bel Air (33 miles)
- North Bel Air (34 miles)
- Edgewood (34 miles)
- Bel Air North (34 miles)
- Whitman (35 miles)
- Wharton (36 miles)
- Pennsport (36 miles)
- Philadelphia (36 miles)
- Center City (36 miles)
- Norristown (37 miles)
- Camden (37 miles)
- Dover (38 miles)
- Lancaster (38 miles)
- Pottstown (39 miles)
- Vineland (41 miles)
- Pennsauken (41 miles)
- Sicklerville (42 miles)
- South Vineland (42 miles)
- Cherry Hill (42 miles)
- Perry Hall (42 miles)
- Millville (43 miles)
- Voorhees (44 miles)
- Middle River (44 miles)