Snowflakes, friendship, and winter cheer are all sure signs that December is near which is why the holiday countdown is starting early here at ShoreBread! With family starting to roll in, it is important to get planning done early. Or maybe you have some last minute shopping to do and need an excuse to get your loved ones out the house. In any case, we have compiled a list of the December Events at the Delaware Beaches for you and your family to check out this holiday season.
Winter WonderFEST
When: through Dec. 31 – hours for specific events can be found here.
Where: Cape Henlopen State Park and the Cape May Lewes Ferry Terminal, Lewes, DE
What: Winter WonderFEST is back for its second year and they are promising it will be even bigger and better! Take a drive through Cape Henlopen State Park to view the Light Spectacular. With 30% more lights and a new route for 2017, you can avoid the cold and view the amazing show from the comfort of your vehicle. Rent a party bus and bring ALL your friends if you’d like!
Make sure to check out the Christmas Village at the Cape May Lewes Ferry Terminal grounds, too! This year’s Christmas Village features an ice skating rink, two new carnival rides, five new midway games, and The Lodge, a heated and enclosed hospitality tent. Come join the Winter WonderFEST and help them reach their goal of raising $50,000 to support nonprofits in Sussex County. Learn more about all the fun here: http://wonderfestde.org/.
Delaware Hospice Festival of Trees
When: Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. to Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.
Where: Delaware Hospice, Airport Rd. Milford, DE
What: This year will be the 30th anniversary of the Festival of Trees which features an elaborate display of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths as well as activities for the whole family to enjoy. There will be a sip & shop, festival marketplace, great gifts, visit from Santa, bingo tournament, raffles, a bake shop, memorial * new hope tree, and remembrance tree. For more information call 302-746-4666 or visit www.festivaloftreesde.org.
57th Annual Selbyville Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 1st from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Church St. in Selbyville, DE
What: Celebrate the holiday season with an evening of food, fun and floats! Watch the floats, marching bands, beauty queens, fire trucks, classic cars and many more make their way through downtown Selbyville to celebrate the holiday season. Watch decked out floats compete for the following categories: adult marching unit, antique cars & trucks, Fire Company, marching band, non-commercial float, youth marching unit, and overall dazzler! Floats and spectators are free. For more information call the chamber at 302-539-2100.
Weekend Wonderland in Bethany
When: Dec. 2nd from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 9th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Dec. 16th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Bethany Beach – 214 Garfield Parkway
What: Bethany Beach Holiday Happenings kicks off at Town Hall with face painting, photos with Santa, hot cocoa, cookies, and a station for children to which they can write letters to Santa. There will be other pun activities as well such as horse drawn wagon rides, trolley rides through the town, and beach tractor rides will be extended until 4 p.m. Not to mention, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. you can meet Elsa and Anna from the movie Frozen at Tidepool Toys and Games! Afterward, at 5 p.m. head to the band stand with friends and family to sing along with The Christmas Carolers during the annual tree lighting. Attendees are encouraged to bring hats, gloves, scarves, and canned goods to be donated to local charities.
Then on Dec. 9th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. meet Santa at the Bethany Fine Arts Museum for photos and hot cocoa. Then mid-day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. hit up the Batman Lego Movie screening at the South Coastal Library. Then make your way to the Bandstand to sing Christmas Carols with Victorian Carolers!
As a final end to the Weekend Wonderland events, make your way to Bethany Blues on Dec. 16th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to meet Santa once more. Caroling will take place again afterwards at the Bandstand but this time with the Southern Delaware School of The Arts Show Choir. For more information and updates on these events visit: http://www.townofbethanybeach.com/367/Holiday-Happenings.
Santa Cause 5K & Fun Run
When: Dec. 3rd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Starboard Restaurant, 2009 Highway One Dewey Beach, DE 19971
What: Grab your friends, your family, and your most festive holiday flair because it’s time to #clausforacauseDE at the 2nd Annual Santa Cause 5K & Fun Run! Choose between a chip timed 5K managed by Races2Run which is also a non-competitive fun run featuring holiday treat stations with surprises along the way or head to the after party stuffed with more fun than Santa’s Slay! 100% of the event proceeds will benefit Children & Families First. Just like Santa, Children & Families First delivers gifts to children, but their gifts happen year round in the form of home visiting for at-risk pregnant mothers so newborns get a great start in life; parenting classes and resources that build strong, forever families; counseling to empower teens towards self-sufficient futures and more. For more information and registration visit http://www.cffde.org/santa-fun-run.
Holiday Garden of Lights & Winery Tour
When: Dec. 3rd from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Delmarva Board Sports Rehoboth Beach, 19470 Coastal Hwy Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
What: Head to a local winery with your loved ones for a guided tour and wine tasting where you’ll receive a souvenir glass to sample 6 locally produced wines. There will be a variety of snacks there to compliment the wine as well. Afterwards the guide will take you and your guests to a nearby botanical garden where you’ll enjoy a display of over 14,000 lights, native plants, Koi pond, Hibernaculum, Petra Cuniculum, and Amphibian Pond / Vernal Pool. The venue is a nonprofit garden that operates to persuade people to the romantic style of natural gardening, educate about plants, as well as the use of native techniques and science. Tax deductible donations will be accepted. To learn more contact janis@delmarvaboardsports.com or visit http://www.delmarvadiscoverytours.com/book-now.html.
2017 Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Rehoboth Beach
What: The Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas Parade is sponsored by the Rehoboth Beach Fire Company in cooperation with the City of Rehoboth Beach, and the Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce. This year’s parade is expected to be the largest they’ve ever had. Afterwards head to Santa’s Christmas Party at the Rehoboth Fire Station to continue in the holiday fun! Any decision to cancel due to weather, based on radar for the start time of the parade, will be made around 2 pm on the day of the parade. To register for the Parade click here. For more information or to request that we mail you a registration form, please call the Hometown Parade voicemail at 302-542-6802 or email christmasparade@rehobothbeachfire.com.
From all of us at ShoreBread, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and safe holiday season! May the warmth and joy of the season remain with you throughout the coming year.
