Holiday shows, Santa visits & Nutcrackers near Wilmington
The holiday stretch has its own calendar: Santa breakfasts and photo visits, a Nutcracker or two, school and community concerts, and the kids' shows theaters put on between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This list is pulled straight from our calendar, grouped by area, and fills in as organizers post dates. A few of the big ones already have 2026 tickets on sale; they're under Good to know below. For lights displays, see the holiday lights guide; for the week off school, see winter break.
3 events, Nov 22 – Nov 27, grouped by area.
Hockessin, Greenville & Pike Creek (1)
Santa Claus Special - Coach Seating
Fri, Nov 27 · 10:30 AM–11:30 AM + 2 more times that day
Wilmington & Western Railroad — Greenbank Station · Wilmington
Registration required
Worth the drive (over the state line) (2)
A Longwood Christmas
Sun, Nov 22 · 10:00 AM + 5 more dates through Nov 27
Longwood Gardens · Kennett Square
Registration required
Registration required
See everything on the full calendar →
Good to know
- • First State Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker plays Copeland Hall at The Grand on Dec. 12, 2026 (1 and 5 p.m.), Dec. 13 (2 p.m.), Dec. 19 (2 and 7 p.m.) and Dec. 20 (2 p.m.). It runs 1 hour 45 minutes with one intermission; tickets are $30–$70. source
- • The same company's Sugar Plum Soirée, with a special appearance by Santa, is Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 3–4:30 p.m. in The Grand's Baby Grand lobby. Every guest needs a ticket, kids included: $55 each or $200 for a family of four, non-refundable. Recommended for ages 3–10. source
- • The Wilmington & Western Railroad says its 2026 Santa trains are scheduled and open for booking. Santa rides along and greets everyone aboard on the roughly 1½-hour round trip from Greenbank Station; holiday trains fill quickly, so pick a departure on the railroad's site. source
Questions parents ask
When do Santa visits start around Wilmington?
Most Santa events land between the weekend after Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas. Breakfasts and photo sessions usually need tickets or a sign-up, so check the event's own page as soon as it appears here.
Which Nutcracker is best for little kids?
We don't rank them — check run time and whether there's a shortened or sensory-friendly performance on the event's page. First State Ballet Theatre's full Nutcracker runs 1 hour 45 minutes, including one intermission. Anything listed here is family-appropriate by our editorial bar; fit for a 3-year-old is your call.
Get the good ones before they fill up
One countywide shortlist every Friday morning, with ages, cost and logistics on each pick. Free.
More guides
Dates refresh from each organizer’s listing twice a day.
Event dates come straight from our live calendar and refresh automatically. Last reviewed October 23, 2026. Confirm anything dated on the source before you go.