When Christmas is less than one week away, you may ask yourself whether you have completed everything on your Christmas in Delaware Holiday Bucket List yet. Don’t worry, even as days go by faster than we imagine, there’s still time to gather your closest friends and family and set off on the ultimate Christmas in Delaware holiday adventures. Just don’t wait too long to check everything off your list in the weeks leading up to early January, when these amazing exhibits and events all begin to wind down.

  1. Watch the Holiday Lights Express speed by.

Facebook / Wilmington and Western Railroad The train itself usually sells out quickly but seeing the historic ​​Doodlebug with over 7,000 lights speed by on the track is a Delaware experience like no other. Find a place to park along the Red Clay Creek near the tracks in Hockessin, and you’ll enjoy a show all night as the trains travel back and forth every hour. 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE 19808, USA

  1. Order a yule log from a Delaware bakery.

Facebook / Sweeney’s Bakery. There are so many bakeries in Delaware that make amazing yule logs and other seasonal treats - there’s nothing like a Delaware holiday party complete with cookies from ​​Bing’s and a Yule Log from Sweeney’s. Although Sweeney’s has permanently closed, be sure to support other local bakeries. 253 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, USA

  1. See the frozen Brandywine.

Flickr / TC Davis Whether it’s in Brandywine Park in Wilmington or the State Park just outside of the city, seeing the Creek with an icy surface with snow as the backdrop is a magical experience. 1001 N Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19802, USA

  1. Stroll along the sand in snow.

Flickr / Ted Eytan After you see the mighty Brandywine subdued by winter, make a point to head down to one of Delaware’s majestic beaches, where there’s nothing more refreshing than a holiday stroll along the beach and boardwalks. Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

  1. Experience a winter cabin getaway.

Facebook / Trap Pond State Park ​​Trap Pond State Park offers heated “glamping” year round, and there’s no better way to celebrate a holiday than a little getaway holed up in a quaint little cabin. 33587 Bald Cypress Dr, Laurel, DE 19956, USA

  1. Visit Santa’s House in Wilmington.

Facebook / Smith’s House Lights If you’re lucky enough to see him while you’re there, Smith’s House at the top of the Hill in Wilmington typically hosts Santa Claus himself nightly in the days leading up to Christmas. 1900 Prior Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA

  1. Enjoy the holidays in Historic New Castle.

Facebook / Spirit of Christmas Celebration ​​The Spirit of Christmas takes over the whole town, with street acting, open home tours, and gorgeous holiday decorations. It’s not a Delaware holiday bucket list without including a trip to New Castle. New Castle, DE 19720, USA

  1. See the giant Delaware Christmas tree.

Rehoboth Beach Main Street/Facebook Downtown ​​Rehoboth Beach is a magical town during Christmastime, and its gigantic tree is the most impressive one in Delaware! Check it out before it’s removed after New Year’s. Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

  1. Experience Yuletide at Winterthur.

Facebook / Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library The most elegant DuPont mansion in Delaware lights up with Christmas Spirit every year! Make sure to plan a trip to see their incredible display of Delaware holiday delight. It’s sure to take your breath away. Read more about ​​Yuletide at Winterthur and what makes it such a magical celebration of Christmas in Delaware. 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735, USA

  1. Experience Lewes like never before.

Facebook / WinterWonderFEST ​​Winter WonderFEST at Cape Henlopen State Park has taken over one of the most popular parks in the state, and it’s getting some amazing reviews. Drive through the light display, go ice skating, and enjoy the vendors at this family-friendly festival. 29977 Eagle Crest Rd, Milton, DE 19968, USA

  1. Support local businesses by shopping downtown.

Flickr / John Mollura Milford, Lewes, Middletown, Dover, Wilmington, Newark - there are so many amazing ​​downtowns in Delaware that get decked out for Christmas that your holiday shopping should be easy to keep local! Visit them all for last-minute, unique gifts for your friends and family. Milford, DE 19963, USA

How many of these activities have you crossed off your ultimate Christmas in Delaware Bucket List? Are there other annual holiday traditions we should add to this list? If you want to get even more into the Christmas spirit, consider taking our Christmas lights road trip. We love the spirit of Christmas in Delaware in December, and these dazzling displays of lights really shine!

Facebook / Wilmington and Western Railroad

The train itself usually sells out quickly but seeing the historic ​​Doodlebug with over 7,000 lights speed by on the track is a Delaware experience like no other. Find a place to park along the Red Clay Creek near the tracks in Hockessin, and you’ll enjoy a show all night as the trains travel back and forth every hour.

2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE 19808, USA

Facebook / Sweeney’s Bakery.

There are so many bakeries in Delaware that make amazing yule logs and other seasonal treats - there’s nothing like a Delaware holiday party complete with cookies from ​​Bing’s and a Yule Log from Sweeney’s. Although Sweeney’s has permanently closed, be sure to support other local bakeries.

253 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711, USA

Flickr / TC Davis

Whether it’s in Brandywine Park in Wilmington or the State Park just outside of the city, seeing the Creek with an icy surface with snow as the backdrop is a magical experience.

1001 N Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19802, USA

Flickr / Ted Eytan

After you see the mighty Brandywine subdued by winter, make a point to head down to one of Delaware’s majestic beaches, where there’s nothing more refreshing than a holiday stroll along the beach and boardwalks.

Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

Facebook / Trap Pond State Park

​​Trap Pond State Park offers heated “glamping” year round, and there’s no better way to celebrate a holiday than a little getaway holed up in a quaint little cabin.

33587 Bald Cypress Dr, Laurel, DE 19956, USA

Facebook / Smith’s House Lights

If you’re lucky enough to see him while you’re there, Smith’s House at the top of the Hill in Wilmington typically hosts Santa Claus himself nightly in the days leading up to Christmas.

1900 Prior Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA

Facebook / Spirit of Christmas Celebration

​​The Spirit of Christmas takes over the whole town, with street acting, open home tours, and gorgeous holiday decorations. It’s not a Delaware holiday bucket list without including a trip to New Castle.

New Castle, DE 19720, USA

Rehoboth Beach Main Street/Facebook

Downtown ​​Rehoboth Beach is a magical town during Christmastime, and its gigantic tree is the most impressive one in Delaware! Check it out before it’s removed after New Year’s.

Facebook / Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

The most elegant DuPont mansion in Delaware lights up with Christmas Spirit every year! Make sure to plan a trip to see their incredible display of Delaware holiday delight. It’s sure to take your breath away. Read more about ​​Yuletide at Winterthur and what makes it such a magical celebration of Christmas in Delaware.

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735, USA

Facebook / WinterWonderFEST

​​Winter WonderFEST at Cape Henlopen State Park has taken over one of the most popular parks in the state, and it’s getting some amazing reviews. Drive through the light display, go ice skating, and enjoy the vendors at this family-friendly festival.

29977 Eagle Crest Rd, Milton, DE 19968, USA

Flickr / John Mollura

Milford, Lewes, Middletown, Dover, Wilmington, Newark - there are so many amazing ​​downtowns in Delaware that get decked out for Christmas that your holiday shopping should be easy to keep local! Visit them all for last-minute, unique gifts for your friends and family.

Milford, DE 19963, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Christmas in Delaware November 04, 2022 Katie Feldkamp Are there any Christmas train rides in Delaware? The short answer to this question is yes! Beginning in November and going through December, the Wilmington and Western Railroad has a Christmas train ride in Delaware you can take known as The Santa Claus Express. The train only operates on select days, so be sure to visit its website to purchase your tickets. Then, sit back and enjoy a magical ride. The Santa Claus Express is an afternoon expedition in which riders will journey along with Santa and share a delicious chocolate treat with him. If you are looking for an evening expedition, the Railroad also offers a Holiday Lights Express, in which even the train itself is decked out in lights as you travel to see enchanting Christmas lights. Are there any European Christmas markets in Delaware? You just happen to be in luck as we have the answer to that question! In Newark, Delaware there is an annual European Christmas Market that is just brimming with holiday traditions! Visitors can stroll along historic Poplar Hall and marvel at all the shopping they can do, all the while sipping mulled wine and eating mouth-watering treats. It is an annual event you don’t want to miss!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Christmas in Delaware

November 04, 2022

Katie Feldkamp

Are there any Christmas train rides in Delaware? The short answer to this question is yes! Beginning in November and going through December, the Wilmington and Western Railroad has a Christmas train ride in Delaware you can take known as The Santa Claus Express. The train only operates on select days, so be sure to visit its website to purchase your tickets. Then, sit back and enjoy a magical ride. The Santa Claus Express is an afternoon expedition in which riders will journey along with Santa and share a delicious chocolate treat with him. If you are looking for an evening expedition, the Railroad also offers a Holiday Lights Express, in which even the train itself is decked out in lights as you travel to see enchanting Christmas lights. Are there any European Christmas markets in Delaware? You just happen to be in luck as we have the answer to that question! In Newark, Delaware there is an annual European Christmas Market that is just brimming with holiday traditions! Visitors can stroll along historic Poplar Hall and marvel at all the shopping they can do, all the while sipping mulled wine and eating mouth-watering treats. It is an annual event you don’t want to miss!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The short answer to this question is yes! Beginning in November and going through December, the Wilmington and Western Railroad has a Christmas train ride in Delaware you can take known as The Santa Claus Express. The train only operates on select days, so be sure to visit its website to purchase your tickets. Then, sit back and enjoy a magical ride. The Santa Claus Express is an afternoon expedition in which riders will journey along with Santa and share a delicious chocolate treat with him. If you are looking for an evening expedition, the Railroad also offers a Holiday Lights Express, in which even the train itself is decked out in lights as you travel to see enchanting Christmas lights.

Are there any European Christmas markets in Delaware?

You just happen to be in luck as we have the answer to that question! In Newark, Delaware there is an annual European Christmas Market that is just brimming with holiday traditions! Visitors can stroll along historic Poplar Hall and marvel at all the shopping they can do, all the while sipping mulled wine and eating mouth-watering treats. It is an annual event you don’t want to miss!