Clear your schedules for the foreseeable future – or at least for the next six to eight weeks so you can take advantage of the MANY festivities line up of the holiday season on Delaware’s coastal communities. Now that the behemoth Sea Witch Festival is history it is time to plan or holiday festivities with friends and family.
Leading up to Thanksgiving on November 15, the town of Millsboro hosts its annual Holiday Market from 9am to 2 pm at its Town Hall on Wilson Highway. That date also marks the opening day for the Schellville “Enchanted Winter Celebration” located at Tanger Seaside in Rehoboth Beach. The 5.5 acre Holiday Village features train rides, miniature houses, an artisan alley, the popular “snow zone and music by popular local bands. The festivities run through December 30.
Thanksgiving weekend is a trifecta for Rehoboth Beach, Dewey, and Ocean View. Rehoboth’s Holiday Tree Lighting and sing-along with Clear Space Theater singers plus the opening of Santa’s House take place on November 28. The sing along takes place prior to the lighting which is scheduled for 7 pm. Dewey’s Tree Lighting takes place the next day at Fifer’s Farm Market on Coastal Highway. The festivities start at 5:30 and Santa arrives by fire truck at 6:15. Earlier on November 29, Ocean View hosts its 7th annual Old Town Holiday Market is scheduled at John West Park from 1 pm – 5 pm. Santa will be making an appearance there too.
Holiday merriment is just getting started on Thanksgiving weekend. Following closely on its heels are the Rehoboth Christmas Parade (6:30 pm) on December 1, the Millsboro Parade and Tree Lighting (7 pm) on December 2 and Milton’s Hometown Christmas Parade (7 pm) on December 3.
The Lewes Historical Society (now called Historic Lewes) hosts its annual Holiday Village and Market/House Tour (AKA the Lewes House Tour) on December 6 from 9:30 am – 4 pm. This year’s tour includes seasonally decorated homes ranging from centuries-old to contemporary and new construction. The fee is $50 and includes the tour, the Village/Market and program. Tickets are available trough December 5. Contact the LHS. Also on December 6 is Milford’s Stroll and Christmas Market from 3 pm – 8 pm.
Milton’s premier holiday event is the Holly Festival, set for December 13 from 10 am – 5 pm. There are multiple locations including the Milton Fire Hall, the Library and both elementary schools plus, selected downtown street locations. The Milton Garden Club will sell fresh greens, wreaths, and porch pots in front of the Milton Historical Society (9 AM–2 PM), and the Milton Arts Guild hosts a holiday showcase of art and jewelry at their Federal Street gallery. Santa House, the Friends of the Library’s book sale, carolers, and the addition of Dogfish Head rounds out the popular event. A shuttle service will provide transportation to the various locations. Cost is $50 each.
Later that day, the Women’s Club of Milton hosts its annual Holiday House Tour from 2 pm – 6 pm. The pre tour day cost is $25 and $30 on the day of the tour.
The Rehoboth Art League presents its annual Open House on December 13 from 10 am to 4 pm offering patrons an opportunity to purchase fine arts and crafts gifts for the holidays.
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
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