At ShoreBread, we LOVE the holidays! And what’s not to love? Our local towns are host to so many wonderful holiday traditions, from holiday tree lightings to Christmas parades to Breakfast with Santa. Holiday home tours, holiday markets, holiday block parties….there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy this month, whether you are in the holiday spirit or not. The holidays are here, which means it’s time for some ShoreBread good cheer!
Berlin Christmas Parade
When: Thursday, December 3; 7pm
Where: Main Street, Berlin
What: It’s not really the holidays in America’s Coolest Small Town until the Berlin Christmas Parade! The annual event is one of the biggest for the town, as thousands of locals and visitors flock to Main Street to enjoy the parade, the decorated store fronts, and of course, a little holiday revelry at The Atlantic Hotel. The parade starts at 7pm, but plan on arriving early as parking can be tough.
Downtown Salisbury Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Friday, December 4, 5pm-8:30pm
Where: Downtown Salisbury Plaza
What: The annual Downtown Salisbury tree lighting will take place on December 4th, with activities set to start at 5pm. This year’s tree has been donated by P&J Tree Farm. The tree lighting will be accompanied by performances by local elementary school choirs, Feet of Fire dance academy, and The Home Malone’s. The event will also include the 2nd annual wreath decorating contest with food available for purchase from local vendors and food trucks.
The Polar Express
When: Now through January 2nd
Where: The Salted Rim, Ocean View, DE
What: Each year, The Salted Rim hosts their Polar Express family movie and dinner event, with seating available throughout the entire month. Elves serve your breakfast or dinner as you watch the movies on the big screen TV. Hot chocolate and cookies are also available, as are visits with Santa.
Christmas Tour of Lewes
When: Saturday, December 5; 10am-4pm
Where: Historic Lewes
What: The Lewes Historical Society presents a unique chance to show off its historic houses that are decorated for the season. Several private homes will be included in the tour as well, each decked out in their holiday finest. The Lewes Historical Society will host a Christmas Antiques Bazaar and Bake Sale at the Rabbit’s Ferry House, which will include a selection of small furniture, collectibles, dishware, jewelry, and more.
Lewes Christmas Parade
When: Saturday, December 5, 5pm
Where: Downtown Lewes
What: Historic Lewes will host their old fashioned Christmas parade on December 5, along with the annual tree lighting and candlelight caroling.
Ocean City Christmas Parade
When: Saturday, December 5, 11am-1pm
Where: Coastal Highway in Ocean City from Old Landing Road to 120th Street
What: Area businesses, non-profits, clubs and organizations will parade through Ocean City on Saturday afternoon for the annual Christmas parade. Enjoy the fun and end the day with a trip to Winterfest of Lights!
Weekend Wonderland in Bethany Beach
When: Saturday, December 5, 11am-6pm
Where: Bethany Beach
What: Bethany Beach is celebrating the holiday season with three back-to-back ‘Weekend Wonderland in Bethany’ events, starting on Saturday, December 5 with the inaugural tree lighting and of the Tree of Warmth on the Bandstand at 6pm. Enjoy cocoa and sing carols led by the Lord Baltimore Children’s Choir.
Easton Tree Lighting & Parade
When: Saturday, December 5; 6pm
Where: Thompson Park, Downtown Easton
What: Easton will kick start the holiday season with their annual tree lighting and parade in Thompson Park on December 5 at 6pm. The annual parade will follow immediately after the tree lighting.
Bushel Basket Tree Lighting
When: Saturday, December 5
Where: Downtown Cambridge @ the corner of Race and Gay Streets
What: Cambridge will bring back the world’s first bushel basket tree for the holidays, but with promises for a bigger and better tree this year. The tree lighting will also kick off the annual Christmas parade through Downtown Cambridge. The tree will be positioned at the corner of Gay and Race Streets.
The Nutcracker
When: Saturday, December 5; 2pm & 7pm showings
Where: Ocean City Performing Arts Center
What: The Sussex Ballet presents the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, to local audiences this weekend. The all-ages show is a wonderful way to start the holiday season in Ocean City with friends and family. Sussex Ballet is a pre-professional ballet company comprised of students from Sussex Dance Academy in Rehoboth Beach. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and at the Convention Center Box Office.
Berlin Reindeer Run & 5K
When: Saturday, December 5; 9am
Where: Downtown Berlin
What: Join the festive fun in Berlin this Saturday for the 8th Annual Reindeer Run! The all-levels event will take you through the decorated streets of Berlin, with medals awarded to the top three finishers in each age category. Prizes are also awarded for top fundraiser, largest team, and best holiday running attire. Proceeds from the event go towards Worcester Youth and Family Services
19th Century Christmas
When: Saturday, December 5; 12-5pm
Where: Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum
What: Take a trip back in time this holiday season with a 19th Century Christmas celebration at Furnace Town in Snow Hill. The weekend will culminate with a church service Saturday evening in the Old Nazareth Church at 7pm.
Christmas Train Garden
When: Saturday and Sunday afternoons in December; 1-4pm
Where: Pocomoke River Canoe Company
What: Enjoy the Corddry Company Crossing Train Garden this holiday season, a throwback to Snow Hill many years ago. Admission is free, however donations are welcome.
Winterfest of Lights
When: Thursday, November 19-Monday, January 3
Where: Northside Park, Ocean City
What: Hundreds of animated, lighted displays and over one million holiday lights will illuminate Northside Park in OCMD for the annual (and much beloved) Winterfest of Lights. This year’s holiday fun begins on Thursday, November 19 with the tree lighting and kickoff event. Winterfest of Lights is open on Sunday through Thursday from 5:30pm until 9:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 5:30pm until 10:30pm.
Breakfast with Santa at the Tidewater Inn
When: Sunday, December 6; 9am-11am
Where: Tidewater Inn, Easton
What: Join Santa in the Crystal Ballroom for a family-friendly breakfast at Easton’s famous Tidewater Inn. The morning will include breakfast with Santa plus a special breakfast buffet and ‘Reindeer Food’ for the kids to take home. Contact Hunters’ Tavern to make reservations.
Snow Hill Christmas Parade
When: Monday, December 7; 7pm
Where: Market Street, Snow Hill
What: Grab a spot on Market Street and enjoy the annual Snow Hill Lion’s Club Christmas Parade. The parade begins on Colbourne Lane and proceeds down Church Street to Market Street for judging in front of the Worcester County Court House.
Weekend Wonderland in Bethany Beach
When: Saturday, December 12, 10am-6pm
Where: Bethany Beach
What: The holiday celebration continues for the second weekend in Bethany Beach, this time with Drop & Shop: Kids Day Out, featuring free movies for kids with certified childcare in the ballroom at Bethany Beach Ocean Suites. At 6pm, gather around for cocoa and caroling led by the Mariner Praise Band. Delaware Read Aloud will also be distributing books to children.
Christmas in St. Michaels
When: Friday, December 11-Sunday, December 13
Where: St. Michaels
What: For nearly 30 years, historic St. Michaels has celebrated the holiday season with three days of holiday fun during the second weekend of December. The event includes the Tour of Homes, Holiday Gala, Breakfast with Santa, and the largest Holiday Parade on the Eastern Shore.
Holly Festival
When: Saturday, December 12; 9am-3pm
Where: Downtown Milton
What: The annual Holly Festival of Milton includes a Christmas craft show at the Milton Fire Hall, along with the Milton Holiday House tour, which begins at 2:30pm and ends at 6pm.
Diakonia Breakfast with Santa
When: December 12, 8am-11am
Where: Lighthouse Sound, Bishopville
What: Diakonia and Lighthouse Sound invite you to Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 12. The menu will include scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage biscuits and gravy, donuts, orange juice and coffee, along with holiday music and giveaways. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 children ages 6-12. Cash or check only.
Holiday Block Party – 33rd-35th Streets in Ocean City
When: Saturday, December 12
Where: 33rd-35th Streets & Coastal Highway, OCMD
What: Ish Boutique, Planet Maze, Barn 34, K-Coast, La Quinta Inn, Guido’s Burritos, Senor Cigars, O.C. Wasabi, Tony Lukes, Ocean Atlantic, and Real Raw Organics are celebrating the holidays with a two-block holiday walk filled with specials on shopping, dining, and even accommodations. Entertainment and treats will be available as well.
Weekend Wonderland in Bethany Beach
When: Saturday, December 19
Where: Bethany Beach
What: The last weekend of the Bethany Beach Weekend Wonderland includes Lunch with Santa at 1pm, Story Time at Bethany Beach Books, a Gift Wrapping Station at Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, and a Holiday Magic Show at Dickens Parlour Theater Performance.
Slam Dunk to the Beach 2015
When: Sunday, December 27-Tuesday, December 29
Where: Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes
What: The annual basketball tournament returns to Lewes, as 18 high school teams compete for the winning title. The nationally recognized event allows elite and nationally recognized players to not only play one another, but to show off their skills in front of family and friends during the weekend-long event.
