Holiday Happenings

Yuletide at Winterthur

Showcases Henry Francis du Pont’s ancestral home in seasonal splendor. This year’s Yuletide tour features rooms decorated to reflect various seasonal vignettes, including the perennial favorite, Winterthur’s magnificent dried flower tree. November 21, 2009 – January 3, 2010.

A Brandywine Christmas

The museum celebrates the season with fabulous holiday displays including an extensive O-gauge model railroad, an elaborate Victorian dollhouse, and thousands of whimsical “critter” ornaments on holiday trees.  Sponsored by the Snelling Group at Merrill Lynch, Herr Foods Inc., and the Freylinghuysen Foundation. November 27 through January 10.

Holiday Concert: Wilmington Children’s Chorus

Come hear the WCC perform holiday favorites amidst the beautiful setting of the Museum’s East Court. Known as “The Singing Ambassadors of Wilmington,” the Wilmington Children’s Chorus is emerging as one of the leading community youth choirs in the region. Friday, December 4, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Free

Home for the Holidays

The Downtown Dover Partnership will host its Second Annual Home for the Holidays event featuring live performances, a visit from Santa, parade, scavenger hunt, historical performances and more. Downtown Dover,?December 4th-5th.  For info, 302-678-2940

Sounds of the Season

This original holiday show will feature local singers and musicians under the skillful direction of Jim McGuigan. The performance will include musical selections that are familiar and new, sacred and secular, with readings and comments interspersed, giving the show a “story-like” effect. A great way to kick-off the holiday season. Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 7:30 p.m. Show/$12.00

Winterfest

Newark’s Winterfest event will be held on Friday, December 4 (Rain date Saturday, December 5) from 6 until 8pm on Main and Academy Streets in Newark. Winterfest activities will include the Holiday tree lighting, ice carving demonstrations and live musical performances. Santa’s arrival and the holiday tree lighting will take place at 6:30pm.

Holiday events at the Kirkwood Public Library

Gingerbread Houses: December 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Decorate your own gingerbread house!  All ages.  Sponsored by Delcastle High School students.
Festival of Lights: December 7, 4 p.m. – Learn how holidays celebrated in December use candles.  Make your own candle to take home.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Kirkwood: December 14, 11 a.m. – Christmas stories, songs, and a visit from Santa Claus!  All ages.  Registration is requested.
Polar Express: December 15, 7 p.m. – Wear your pajamas and take a trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express.  Story, trains, and activities.  All ages.  Registration is requested.

Buena Vista Holiday Open House

One-day-only open house featuring one of Delaware’s most historic homes decorated for the holidays. Saturday, December 5, 2009 @ 10:00 am

Christmas In Odessa

Christmas in Odessa is a self-guided walking tour of private homes and public buildings, many dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, decorated for the holidays. In addition to the house tour, we have many special events which are included in the ticket price. Saturday, December 5, 2009 (one day only). Because of the unique nature of the celebration there is no rain date in the event of inclement weather.

Experience Christmas at Hagley

Families will also enjoy the activities on Workers’ Hill. Visitors to the Gibbons House can warm up with a cup of hot tea or coffee and sample a freshly-baked snack. Children will enjoy making crafts and playing games in the Gibbons House and Sunday School. Activities on Workers’ Hill will be November 27 through 30; weekends in December (December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20); and December 26 through January 3.

Wilmington and Western Railroad: Santa Claus Express

Bring the family and take a train ride with Santa! The Jolly Old Elf himself rides the train and greets everyone on board, and gives all children a chocolate treat. Be sure to bring your camera and have Santa pose for pictures with your child. December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20, 12:30 & 2:30pm.

Sing-in the Holiday! With Doug Yetter

Join us for an evening of music, mingling and merriment at the historic Milton Theatre! America’s favorite musical jokester, Doug Yetter, will lead the audience in an evening of sing-along holiday favorites interspersed with special appearances by the area’s best voices. Bring your family and friends to “sing in” the holiday! Saturday, December 5 at 7 pm, Milton Theatre/Milton, DE

The Lights of Chanukah

A multi-generational music collaboration presented by The Music School of Delaware, Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth, Congregation Beth Shalom and Congregation Beth Emeth December 6, 2009 at 4 PM at Adas Kodesch Shel Emeth Congregation, $10.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and children. Call 302-762-1132 for tickets.

Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes

Get the holiday spirit by touring a number  of decorated homes in Dover  from 4 to 9:30 p.m. December 10th, for more information, call 302-653-6975.

A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring The Eric Mintel Jazz Quartet

The annual broadcast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” signals the start of the holiday season for many families, and one of the special aspects of the show is the sweet and lilting jazz melodies of composer Vince Guaraldi. Imagine being able to hear that music performed live. The acclaimed Eric Mintel Jazz Quartet brings all those familiar tines – “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Skating” and “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” to the stage of the baby grand. Dec 10, 2009 @ 8:00 PM Tickets: $23

Miracle on 34th Street

It’s near Christmas time at Macy’s, just in time for a man by the name of Kris Kringle, claiming to be the real Santa, to step in and be their annual Santa Claus. The story focuses on Susan Walker who is a little New York City girl who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus until Kris persuades her otherwise. Doris Walker is her hardened mother, and Fred Gailey is the lawyer next door who defends Kris during an insanity hearing. Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13.

Scrooge!

This original musical version of Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL with book and lyrics by Ken Skrzesz and music by Doug Yetter has become a holiday tradition. This year’s production will feature new characters and musical numbers and a cast that is working like the Dickens! Thursday, December 10 thru Saturday, December 12 ?at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13?at 3:00 p.m.

25th Annual Holiday House Tour

The annual Holiday House Tour celebrates 25 years in 2009! Featuring self-guided tours of unique Wilmington-area homes and artists’ studios decorated for the holidays, the Holiday House Tour is held on the second Saturday in December. This year’s destinations include a Bancroft Village home filled with whimsical furnishings, a contemporary house featuring a large modern art collection, and many, many more! The Delaware Art Museum is part of the tour, so participants can come see the Museum’s current exhibitions, enjoy holiday music, and check out the displays of a number of artists who will be offering their art for sale. December 12, 2009 (Save the Date!)?10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $20 in advance/$25 at the door

Celebrate Kwanzaa!

Come Celebrate Kwanzaa, an African-American cultural holiday derived from harvest celebrations practiced throughout sub-Sahara Africa. Bring the family! Saturday, December 12 FREE!

Santa’s Workshop

Take your picture with Santa! Join in a Sing-Along with Mrs. Claus! Enjoy a delicious snack! Also, participate in “hands on” arts activities such as holiday ornament making, etc. Space is limited so sign up soon! 10:00 a.m. Event/$8.00 for children (adults free), Saturday, December 12

Youth & Family: Chanukah Celebration and Fry-Off

Celebrate Chanukah the right way by frying your favorite food! Music, games, Chanukah food favorites, a large deep fryer, a dreidel competition and so much more!!! December 13, 2009 12:15 PM – 2:00 PM, Congregation Beth Emeth – Wilmington, DE.

Canadian Brass Christmas

The light-hearted virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. Dressed in black suits coupled with white athletic shoes, Canadian Brass presents works in the classical repertoire but continues to take daring leaps into jazz, contemporary concert music and popular standards. “The enthralling sound of a brass choir … virtuosic musicianship, masterful interpretations and flashes of humor … all of these ingredients make the Canadian Brass the world’s leading brass ensemble,” says The Washington Post. Dec 14, 2009 @ 8:00pm Tickets: $36 / $40 / $45

Kwanzaa Celebration

Join us for stories, music and celebrate the to true meaning of Kwanzaa.Wednesday, December 16, 2009 @ 10:00 am. Wilmington Institute Library 10 E. 10th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Holiday Lights Express

Enjoy a peaceful interlude at the end of the year with a 45-minute evening ride aboard our heated 1929 doodlebug railcar. Many of our trackside neighbors decorate their homes for these festive evenings. December 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30

Holiday Concert at Old Town Hall

The Delaware Historical Society presents a special holiday concert by The Choral Arts Scholars of Saints Andrew and Matthew. After the performance, guests are invited to the opening of Frontier Delaware Opening & Reception in the Delaware History Museum. The Historical Society’s Old Town Hall, 510 N. Market Street, Thursday, December 17 at 7 p.m.

The Nutcracker

Please join Mid-Atlantic Ballet for the wonderful Holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker” at the University of Delaware’s Mitchell Hall, Friday Dec 18th at 7pm and Saturday Dec 19th at 1pm and 5pm.

A Classic Irish Christmas

The magic and meaning of Christmas comes alive with Andy Cooney’s A Classic Irish Christmas. Andy Cooney with his outstanding voice and dynamic stage presence has always been a favorite among American and Irish audiences everywhere. Also appearing with Andy will be George Casey, Ireland’s “King of Blarney” and will add great balance and comedy relief. Rehoboth Beach Theatre of the Arts, Friday, December 18 through Sunday, December 20

Scrooge The Musical

Delaware Children’s Theatre, December 6, 13, 20, Saturdays: December 5, 12, 19, Performances at 2:00 PM