North Delaware is host to many community parades and tree lightings throughout the 2013 Holiday season from Delaware City to Wilmington and all points in between.  Check out our LOCAL listing and join the Holiday fun and excitement.

Who doesn’t love a Parade?

Spectators and participants alike! After all, Parades are one of the oldest types of civic and cultural celebrations in the US. The large public processions of lavish floats, thunderous marching bands, festive dance teams, honorary military units, delicately decorated vehicles, perfectly perched pageant winners, local celebrities & dignitaries, boisterous cartoon characters, exciting specialty acts promenade with Santa Claus’ arrival at the parade’s finale typically marking the start of the Christmas and Holiday season.

Tree Lighting Spectacular!

Tree lightings have also become an increasingly popular alternative or compliment to community parades.  The anticipation begins with the first view of that perfect hand-picked tree and then builds with the brilliant illumination of lights which marks the beginning of the Holiday festivities!

Come one, Come all!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd

MIDDLETOWN, DE  10:00AM – Presented by Middletown Main Street Inc., Christmas on Main will be held Saturday, Nov. 23rd, starting at 10 a.m., with the annual Christmas parade!  For more info, visit Main Street Christmas | Middletown

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30th

WILMINGTON, DE 11:00AM – The Wilmington Jaycees’ 50th Annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, November 30th in downtown Wilmington at 11 am. For the 3rd consecutive year, the Jaycees are holding the Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. For more info, visit 50th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th

GLASGOW, DE 4-6pm- Bring your family to enjoy a festive evening of music, caroling, refreshments, hayrides and a visit from Santa and his elves. This event is free.  For more info, visit Glasgow Park Tree Lighting

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th

ELSMERE 6:00 PM- Join the Town of Elsmere as they begin this years’ holiday season with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. For more info, visit Annual Tree Lighting | Elsmere

NEWARK  6:00 PM  – Winterfest promises to be a wonderful addition to the holiday season. Holiday entertainment, roasting chestnuts, caroling, tree lighting, ice carving demonstrations, and much more will fill this wonderful evening of fun for the whole family. For more info, visit WinterFest 2013 | Newark.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th

CLAYMONT 10:00 AM – The Claymont Christmas Parade route along Philadelphia Pike is 1.4 miles and is organized by the Claymont Community Coalition. The Christmas Weed Decorating Ceremony is held on the lawn of the Church of the Ascension. For more info, visit Christmas Parade & Weed Decorating Ceremony | Claymont

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8th

ELSMERE 2:00 PM – Join the City of Elmere for the Annual Elsmere Holiday Parade. For information, visit Annual Holiday Parade | Elsmere

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10th

WILMINGTON 6:30PM – Head into the City on Tuesday, December 10 as Wilmington rings in the holiday season! The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. with caroling by candlelight in the newly renovated Peter Spencer Plaza at 8th & French Streets. For more info, visit Caroling on the Square & Tree Lighting Wilmington

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14th

DELAWARE CITY 6:00 PM – Join the festivities for the Annual Delaware City  Christmas Parade. For more info, visit Christmas Parade | Delaware City

PARADE TIPS

1. Arrive Early for the best spots. If you can’t arrive early, remember sometimes the best views of a parade are off the beaten path. Try watching a parade toward the end of the route or where it turns a corner.
2. Scout out parking ahead of time. Usually there’s no parking along the parade route.
3. Dress warm. The weather is unpredictable – better to bundle and be too warm than too cold. Bring an umbrella just in case.
4. Bring snacks for while you wait – popcorn, goldfish, fruit, etc and water.
5. Bring Chairs and Blankets – you never know where you’ll set up camp. Be prepared.
6. Bring your letters to Santa. Santa’s postal elves will be along most routes to collect them. Be sure to address letters to Santa Claus, North Pole and include your return address.
7. After the parade, consider hanging around town for awhile or go for dinner. That way, you won’t have to fight the crowds and the traffic to get home.

Psst…Did we miss a parade in North Delaware?

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