Ho-ho-ho! Classic Delaware area Christmas traditions await

Schellville Echanted Village drew 163,000 people in 2022. (Schell Brothers)

Here are some memorable spots to mark Christmas in Delaware and just over the border into Pennsylvania. Be prepared: some places required advance tickets, sell out or will be crowded. Longwood Gardens, for instance, drew 572,000 people in 2022 for its spectacular Christmas displays, and Schellville drew 163,000 for its extravaganza. These event run for weeks. There’s a separate list for events that run only a day or two.

“Critter” ornaments have been a Christmas tradition at the Brandywine River Museum of Art for decades. (Brandywine River Museum of Art)

Brandywine River Museum of Art. The twin stars for the season are the miniature railroad (2,000 feet of track and 1,000 pieces, including a miniature carnival) and trees decorated with “critters,” which are people, animals and other creations made from natural materials. Plus sale of 10,000 critters Nov. 30-Dec. at the nearby Chadds Ford Historical Society. Basic admission $25, with discounts for seniors, students and members. Nov. 18 through Jan. 7, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

Delaware Agricultural Village and Museum. A Farmer’s Christmas runs three Saturdays: Nov. 25, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. Holiday Hall features a Christmas tree decorating contest, a building decorating contest, carolers, games and activities. Basic admission $6, with discounts for children and members. 866 N. du Pont Highway, Dover.

Dover Christmas Parade. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Loockerman Street, downtown Dover.

Hagley Museum. Eleutherian Mills, the du Pont family’s first home in America, is decorated with the theme of “treasures and traditions.” The nearby barn holds the gingerbread houses created for a contest on the same theme. Twilight tours of the residence on several evenings, and Santa’s visiting as well. Basic admission $20, with discounts for seniors, students, the military, EBT/SNAP recipients and members. Nov. 24-Jan. 1, closed Christmas. 200 Hagley Creek Road, near Greenville.

Historic Odessa Foundation. “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” the poem that famously begins “Twas the night before Christmas,” sets the decorating theme for the Corbit-Sharp House. Plus trees decorated by community and school groups, vintage Christmas decorations on loan from members of Golden Glow of Christmas Past. Basic admission $10, with discounts for seniors, students and members. Nov. 14-Dec. 31. Downtown Odessa.

Lewes Lights.  A grassroots effort to map out Lewes business in homes with holiday lights.

Longwood Gardens aims to wow visitors with its glitzy retro look at Christmas decorations. Photo by

Longwood Gardens. This year’s theme for A Longwood Christmas is “a very retro Christmas,” from “throwback baubles to shimmering tinsel to childhood-favorite toys,” plus “mid-century magic.” Timed tickets must be bought in advance. Basic admission $30, with discounts for seniors, students, military members, EBT/SNAP recipients and members. Nov. 17-Jan. 7. 1000 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

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Nemours Estate. Holiday decorations throughout the 77-room mansion, garage and gardens themed to “Noël at Nemours” (after all, the du Ponts were from France). Basic admission $20, with discounts for students, seniors and families. Nov. 14-Dec. 30. 1600 Rockland Road, near Alapocas.

Schellville  Enhanted Village. Christmas village of 20 play houses, plus Santa, train ride through 1,000 Christmas trees, snowball fights, maze of lights, Delaware’s biggest sledding hill, nightly bands. 5-9 p.m. Nov. 18-19, Nov. 25-26, Nov. 30, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 7-10, Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-31. “Early bird senior and little children hours” 1-4 p.m., with the most activities closed. Free. Behind Tanger Outlets Seaside 36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, near Lewes.

Wilmington Riverfront. “Riverbright Wilmington, Holiday Magic,” a holiday light display along the Riverwalk, plus weekly events based out of Riverfront Mini Golf. Nov. 24-Jan. 7. Wilmington Riverfront.

Wilmington & Western Railroad. Santa Claus Express, 90-minute rides with Santa. Nov. 24-26, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 17 and Dec. 23. Basic fare $25, with with discounts for seniors, children and members. Holiday Lights Express, one-hour rides on decorated cars, with many decorated homes to admire along the way. Dec. 6-10, Dec. 13-23, Dec. 26-30. Basic fare $18, with discounts for seniors, children and members. 2201 Newport Gap Pike, near Prices Corner.

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. The classic dried-flower tree and a table set for Christmas dinner are joined by decorations inspired by the “Ann Lowe: American Couturier” exhibition. Plus brunch with Santa, performances of “A Christmas Carol,” gingerbread replica of the Enchanted Garden, a dollhouse, train display and outdoor lights. Basic admission $29, with discounts for seniors, students, children and members. Nov. 18-Jan. 7, closed Christmas. 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur.

Ken Mammarella

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