Over 20 Things to Do Around Delaware This December
From can't-miss galleries and performances to festive winter events, here's what's happening this month.
Cider Fest returns to Fifer's Orchards in Camden-Wyoming this month./Adobe Stock, by juliasudnitskaya
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Week of Dec. 1-7
Akhnaten (Philip Glass)
12/2 • Lewes
Beginning at 12:30 p.m., Phelim McDermott’s production presents a company of acrobats and jugglers to conjure a reimagining of ancient Egypt. Rehoboth Beach Film Society presents the performance at the Cinema Art Theater.
Delaware Theatre Company: A Christmas Carol
12/4–29 • Wilmington
You’ll never see another version of A Christmas Carol quite like this. Using nothing more than props, puppets, fresh physicality and the power of imagination, five actors bring this timeless classic to life.
The American Rogues
12/5 • Milton
Doors open at 7 p.m. for an electrifying performance that incorporates influences such as symphonies, Afro Celt Sound System, Japanese taiko drum groups and more.
IPAs for the Holidays Tap Invasion
12/5 • Wilmington
Dogfish Head Brewery invades the Trolley Tap House for an evening celebrating trendy India pale ales.
10th Annual Rehoboth Art League Open House
12/7 • Rehoboth Beach
The Art League campus is decorated for the season and the gallery offers a great selection of fine art, fine crafts and unique holiday gift items.
43rd Annual Grand Gala
12/7 • Wilmington
The Grand Opera House’s biggest party of the year celebrates the career of successful entertainer and author Patti LaBelle. After the concert, the Hotel du Pont hosts the Ultimate After Party.
Cider Fest at Fifer’s Orchards
12/7, 12/14 • Camden-Wyoming
Grab a free hot apple cider and tour Fifer’s Orchards with the whole family. Children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus while parents shop for a Christmas tree.
Wilmington Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
12/7–8 • Wilmington
For more than 50 years, the Wilmington Ballet Academy of Dance has performed this classic tale of mice, soldiers, snowflakes and sugarplums. Special guest stars from the New York City Ballet and Voloshky Ukrainian Dance join forces for four performances.
Week of Dec. 8-14
Eric Mintel’s A Charlie Brown Christmas
12/13 • Wilmington
See the holiday classic in a unique way as Eric Mintel and the Eric Mintel Quartet take over The Grand.
Simply Streisand Holiday Show
12/13–15 • Milton
Carla DelVillaggio headlines a holiday-themed tribute to the voice of a generation. Featuring songs from both of her holiday albums along with some of Streisand’s most famous works, this performance is “Simply Streisand,” from the personality to the costumes.
Week of Dec. 15-21
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"Passing Strange" performers Kyleen Goode, Meredith Bell, Dominic Santos and Dana Hoffman./Photo by Moonloop Photography |
Passing Strange at City Theater Company
12/13-21 • Wilmington
Center Stage City Theater Company brings Passing Strange, the powerful rock musical by Stew, to Wilmington this month. This coming-of-age story follows a young black musician’s search for “The Real,” or meaning and purpose through the creation of his art. The score is rock, with influences from the church-centered upbringing of its protagonist “Youth,” as well as the anything-goes goth and neo-punk scenes of the character’s formative years. In a first for the City Theater Company, the cast comprises only actors of color.
Holiday Tea
12/15 • Milton
The Milton Theatre’s own Triple Threat is a group of young performers ready to entertain children. Kids are invited to enjoy tea and cookies with their favorite characters at this interactive show.
Dragons Love Tacos
12/16 • Wilmington
The Theaterworks USA produces this musical variety show of modern children’s books. This performance is recommended for kids between pre-K and second grade.
Chesapeake Brass Band
12/19 • Milton
Delaware’s only 35-piece all-brass concert band created in the tradition of British brass bands is here for the holidays. The band performs contemporary and traditional music.
RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Events Around Delaware
Dec. 29-31
Noon Year’s Eve
12/31 • Wilmington
Turn the tables on New Year’s Eve this year by celebrating early. The Brandywine Zoo has games, crafts and sparkling cider for when the clock strikes 12 (in the afternoon).
Ending this month
Resident Ensemble Players' Murder on the Orient Express
Thru. 12/8 • Newark
Dive into an Agatha Christie classic with this murder mystery story. Detective Hercule Poirot is on his most challenging case yet. Set in the snowy mountains on a stranded train full of elegant passengers, will Poirot solve the case when everyone’s got the perfect alibi?
Panoramas at Somerville Manning Gallery
Thru. 12/21 • Greenville
See the work of father and son duo, Greg and Jon Mort, as their photography is on display in this exhibit collaborating with Somerville Manning.
Throughout the month
Costuming The Crown at Winterthur
Thru. 1/5 • Winterthur
Fans of the critically acclaimed and Emmy Award–winning Netflix series should not miss the last chance to see the beautiful costumes from The Crown. The Winterthur Museum features 40 iconic pieces designed to replicate styles from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Cinderella & Co. at the Brandywine River Museum of Art
Thru. 2020 • Chadds Ford, Pa.
See Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Little Bears, and The Three Little Pigs star in an introspective exhibit at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. Guest curator H. Nichols B. Clark strips away the textual considerations and puts a focus on a broad array of imagery. Attendees will be able to see three classic tales in a new light.
Posing Beauty in African American Culture at the Delaware Art Museum
Thru. 2020 • Wilmington
This exhibit takes a look at the contested ways African and African American beauty have been represented in historical and contemporary contexts. Curated by Deborah Willis, attendees willl be able to see a variety of media ranging from photography to film to fashion, among other forms of popular culture including music and the internet.
Be the Dinosaur Exhibit at the Delaware Museum of Natural History
Thru. 2020 • Wilmington
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a dinosaur? Your wish has been granted at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. This exhibit is interactive and engaging, allowing participants to experience what it was like to roam the Earth 65 million years ago. You’ll do it all: hunt, eat, hide, survive. Repeat.
Follies at Winterthur
Thru. 2020 • Wilmington
Take a step inside Henry Francis du Pont’s garden and find yourself in a world of garden follies. This is Winterthur’s first-ever exhibition of whimsical and classic garden structures. With 13 of those structures ranging from a Gothic-inspired tower, a Chinese pavilion, to an enchanting faerie cottage, you won’t want to miss this.