What to know about Christmas, New Year's 2025 in Delaware

If you listen very carefully, you can't hear all the Whos down in Whoville at choir practice.

And Charlie Brown fretting over the Christmas play.

And Heat Miser and Snow Miser locked into their annual climate battle.

Yes, Christmas is almost here, and we are here for you as you choose which events are worth your time, which gifts are worth your money, and what we're all going to feast on.

This is your guide to Christmas and New Year's 2025, and we will update you every week while you try not to be naughty, just nice ...

When does Advent start? How Christians prepare for Christmas

Advent marks the approach to Christmas in Christian tradition.

It's time to light the candles at church.

Advent, the time to prepare for Christmas, begins this Sunday as Christians will enter a time of reflection and preparation.

Here's what to know about Advent.

Show off your holiday lights in Delaware. Add your display to our interactive map

Holiday Lights 2025 sponsor Generac.

Who doesn't like a holiday lights display?

Delaware Online/The News Journal is creating a map of holiday light displays around the First State. From small displays to those that rival Clark Griswold, we want them all included on our map.

The map will allow residents to drive around and see these displays. This is the third year we have solicited locations for this map.

How and where to see millions of Delaware Christmas lights in 2025

Lexi Gentieu of Collingswood, N.J., looks out the window after boarding the Wilmington & Western Railroad Santa Claus Express.

It's time to break out the sunglasses because there are millions upon millions of Delaware Christmas lights that you'll want to check out this holiday season.

These lights are twinkling at cool venues spread across all three Delaware counties and nearby. Light up our map: Add your Delaware holiday lights to our interactive map today

Here's a preview of some bright places that will light up your Christmas season in (and near) the Small Wonder from now through the new year.

Where can you cut your own Christmas tree? These 8 Delaware farms offer u-pick trees

Randy Moody and his son Lucas Moody, 6, of Odessa with a freshly cut christmas tree at Coleman Christmas Tree Farm in Odessa. Family and friends of the Coleman's gather every year to pick out and cut their own christmas trees.

Temperatures are dropping and the anticipation of the holidays is taking over, which means Christmas tree hunting is sure to be at the forefront of many people's minds.   

Delaware is home to several Christmas tree farms, and many of them offer homemade wreaths, photo opportunities with Santa and a variety of trees to ensure you find the perfect fit "fir'' your home. Have holiday questions?: Check out our Holiday Hub to plan the perfect season

To help cross tree hunting off your to-do, we’ve compiled a list of places to get a tree in Delaware this year.  

Christmas concerts & more to warm your Delaware heart in 2025

This season, Delaware Symphony Orchestra begins another chapter. After an international search, the orchestra welcomes Michelle Di Russo as its sixth music director.

There's nothing like sipping a cup full of Christmas cheer.

While they may not include spiked punch, some Delaware holiday events are intoxicating this year, and you'll want to get your swig on.

Here's a look at fun Christmas concerts and more that you can drink up around the First State over the next month.

These Delaware restaurants are open on Christmas Day 2025

Christmas dinner to-go is on the menu this year.

There aren't many fine-dining restaurants serving meals on Christmas Day, and available tables are usually quickly snatched up. Make reservations as early as you can.

For instance, Krazy Kat's in Montchanin will serve customers Dec. 25 from 2 to 7 p.m., but the restaurant told us it is currently booked. You can call 302-888-4200 and try to get on the wait list.

So what's open?

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? The best Christmas gifts for grandma, grandad

While you won't have to break the bank — it is suggested you spend around $22 on individual Christmas gifts for close family members — it still can be difficult buying the appropriately-thoughtful Christmas gift for your grandparents.

Fortunately, there are several lists you can check out to help you settle on the perfect Christmas gifts for your grandmom or grandad either before, during or after Black Friday.

Most of these gifts can be purchased at Target, Walmart, online through Amazon or from the manufacturer's respective website.

Everything to know and do this Christmas at the Delaware beaches

The Rehoboth Beach Christmas tree is installed at the bandstand Nov. 20, 2025.

The beaches may be Delaware’s top summer destination, but they don’t skimp on Christmas either. 

From parades to Schellville to St. Nick himself, the list of holiday activities is longer than any kid’s Christmas list. We’ve sorted them out by town. 

Delaware Christmas pop-up bars slinging drinks like Resting Blitz Face

It's that time of year when local bars, restaurants and breweries go all in on the holiday season, looking to draw customers in with fanciful decorations, special menus and Christmas-themed pop-up concepts.

Some of Delaware's seasonal pop-ups are just rebrandings of established spots, while others open independently just for a month before disappearing until next winter.

While plenty of barrooms and restaurants across the state hang lights in a nod to the holidays, some really go for it.Holiday Glow Up: Your guide to holiday shopping, events and more

Here is a taste of what's out there in The First State as the countdown begins to Santa Claus' big night.

A visit from St. Nick: Where to see Santa in Delaware this holiday season

Santa's arrival by boat is part of the Lewes Small Business Saturday events on Nov. 29.

You better watch out, you better not cry – because Santa Claus is coming to Delaware.

It’s no secret that this is a busy time of year for Santa. Between making his list – and checking it twice – reading letters and loading up the sleigh with presents for all the good children of the world, he has no time to mess around.  

Luckily, if you live in Delaware, there’s still time left to catch Kris Kringle before the big day. 

Here’s where you can see Santa this holiday season in Delaware. 

22 Christmas, holiday parades in and around Delaware

Participants in the Ocean City Christmas parade queue Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, on Coastal Highway,

Before you set to trimming the tree or stuffing the Christmas goose, there are a whole lot of holiday parades to get you in the holiday spirit.

Here's a holiday guide of parades that you, and Grinches, can check out in all three Delaware counties and beyond through the new year.

Longwood Gardens is a sweet gift to Delaware fans in Christmas season. How to buy tickets

Icicle-like lights are draped from the ceiling of the East Conservatory over a glowing tree in A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens, Thursday, December 12, 2024. Timed tickets are required with availability very limited through the end of December. A Longwood Christmas is on display through January 12, 2025 with more availability after the holidays.

There are not too many places in the world that can light up the holidays like the annual "A Longwood Christmas" winter display at Longwood Gardens, which opens Nov. 21.

The good news is tickets are still available, for now, although they normally go fast.

For newcomers to Longwood, the glory is real as USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards named Longwood Gardens the Best Botanical Garden in the U.S. earlier this year in March.

The 'Christmas creep' in Delaware means Santa's at the Mall a week after Halloween

Your Thanksgiving turkey might not even be purchased yet, but the Christiana Mall's Santa Claus is already on duty and ready to hear Christmas wishes.

He started his seasonal job a week after Halloween.

Also Nov. 7, the Starboard Claw restaurant in Dewey Beach already was ready to spread Christmas cheer and opened its colorful holiday pop-up bar to the public.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas … earlier and earlier in Delaware.

Forget waiting until December to deck the halls. Stores, restaurants, and even some museums throughout the state, and nationwide, barely wait for the end of October (and sometimes even sooner) before beginning to prepare and start Yuletide celebrations.

Celebrate Christmas in Pennsylvania with holiday festivals at Hersheypark, Sesame Place

The Christmas Tree Showcase opens in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory at Hershey Gardens Nov. 20.

Here are just a few of the events to consider this season.