These holiday posts keep coming because there are so many ways Delawareans celebrate this season of giving and good cheer. While most of the major parades have passed, there are still many wonderful ways to experience our unique places and events in New Castle County.
Longwood Gardens once again presents a magical juxtaposition of nature and décor, with conservatories decked out in glittering arrays of color. The Music Room is especially festive, with its 12-foot tall tree topping a fanciful jewelry box and period banquet scene. The Ballroom also dazzles with trees decorated by local artists and you’ll find thousands of familiar and exotic holiday flowers at every turn. Step outside just after dark and you’ll find flower gardens and trails adorned with colorful illuminations, fountain shows in the Open Air Theatre, strolling carolers on select nights, and the miniature trains guiding your imagination along the Garden Railway, which replicates many Longwood sights.
The Yuletide at Winterthur celebration is another wonderful place with special Holiday Nights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Its Yuletide Tour will take you through this gorgeous mansion decorated to commemorate A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, A Visit from St. Nicholas and other timeless tales. Your grandkids will love the gingerbread replica of a train station, the dollhouse, and a toy train display. On select days you can also go on candlelit tours, hear live music, sip specialty cocktails and dine on seasonal selections in the café.
The Holidays at Hagley event is another spot for historic home lovers. The mansion – which is the first du Pont home in America – is festooned with seasonal finery and this year’s theme, “Our Storied Past,” celebrates storytelling and traditions. You can also see the remarkable entries from Hagley’s Gingerbread House Contest in the Hagley Barn and shop for gifts in the Hagley Store.
There’s also all kinds of holiday magic on the Wilmington Riverfront, with a festival of lights along the water, hot chocolate and other sweet treats at Riverwalk Mini Golf, opportunities to visit with Santa, a petting zoo with face painting for kids, several holiday concerts and a lot more.
The Brandywine Museum of Art is another favorite place for locals and once again presents the Brandywine Railroad model train that runs over 2,000 feet of track winding past a village, a farm, a drive-in movie theatre and a carnival. Another big attraction this year is the Home for the Holidays selection of dollhouses designed by Ann Wyeth McCoy and built by her husband, John McCoy. It features a magical display of handmade furnishings and miniature paintings by Wyeth family members and in-laws. You’ll also experience the debut of the Peters-Herdeg dollhouse, a replica of a 1700s Brandywine Valley house, and lots of artworks by the Wyeths and other prominent American illustrators.