22nd Spirit of Christmas Celebration in Historic New Castle, Delaware

Start: Saturday, December 9, 2023 9:30AM
End: Saturday, December 9, 2023 5:00PM

The holiday season is upon us and the town of New Castle, Delaware is gearing up for its annual celebration of the 22nd Spirit of Christmas on Saturday, December 9. This highly anticipated event draws thousands of visitors from the region to experience the magic of the holiday season in the charming and historic town.

The Spirit of Christmas, a free event open to the public, offers a variety of activities for all ages. Visitors can tour nearly 20 historic homes and museums, browse and shop 50 holiday vendors in two Christmas markets, and enjoy street theater and musical performances throughout the day. Children can also look forward to visits from Santa and his friends, making this event a perfect family outing.

A highlight of the day will be the Delaware City-based community theater troupe, the Reedy Point Players, who will transport visitors back to mid-nineteenth century England to experience a street theater performance of Charles Dickens holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.

"This year, almost everyone in the cast has never played these roles before,” said show director Bill Potter. “You can expect a traditional interpretation of the Dickens classic. The troupe began rehearsing in mid-October and looks forward to getting this show in front of an audience.”

The town of New Castle, known for its rich history and quaint charm, is the perfect backdrop for this festive celebration. The Spirit of Christmas not only brings holiday cheer to the town, but also supports local businesses and organizations. The event is a great opportunity for visitors to shop for unique gifts and support small businesses, while also experiencing the beauty and history of New Castle.

“Each year, hundreds of visitors fill the town to enjoy the festivities and help us support a worthy mission – all donations from the day go to Friendship House of Wilmington, Delaware, an organization dedicated to supporting those experiencing homelessness and houselessness shares,” shares Phee Price, event co-chair.

With the launch of a brand-new website, the organization hopes to bring the joy of the season to an even broader audience while making it easier for residents to plan their day. Visitors to the website can also sign up to receive updates on the latest happenings.

“December is always a special time in our town,” said Ken Boos, resident. “We look forward to welcoming visitors from Delaware and the surrounding region to this event that celebrates the very best our community has to offer.”

Saturday’s activities conclude with the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony, caroling in the Market Square and an extra special arrival of Santa at 5:00 p.m. Shops and restaurants will be open throughout the day and will welcome visitors with special promotions and offerings.

The event is generously sponsored by the following organizations: New Castle Community Partnership; New Castle Historical Society; New Castle Presbyterian Church, MandT Bank, The Mailbox Store of New Castle; Patterson Schwartz; Curt Scully Realty, The Window on Delaware Street; Chris Cashman - Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate; Mo’zArt Gallery, Opera House Arts and Antiques; Sami’s, Steampunk Junction and Taqueria El Centenario.

Spirit of Christmas takes place on Saturday, December 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Private house tours run from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. The event will be held rain or shine. In the event of more inclement weather, the event website will provide notice of cancelation.

For more information about Spirit of Christmas Delaware, explore the new website at spiritofchristmasde.com.