Celebrate the winter season in Delaware with these free activities
The holiday season is often filled with thoughtful gifts, exciting events and highly anticipated trips – all of which can take a toll on the bank account.
But there are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday season and have some winter fun without breaking the bank.
As the cold season sets in, here are some free or inexpensive activities to try this winter.
Holiday center: Check out this one-stop shop for Christmas season planning and advice
See the holiday lights
The Christina Riverwalk at Wilmington’s Riverfront has been decorated for the holidays. The 2-mile trail between Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park and the DuPont Environmental Education Center lights up with festive lighting on November 30, 2024.
Nothing takes away the winter blues like a walk through a Christmas light show.
You can drive through your neighborhood to check on your neighbors’ lights or observe these light displays across the state.
-
The Christina Riverwalk in Wilmington is transformed into a Christmas light display through January 4th.
-
Lights for a Cure, located at 137 Pine Valley Drive in Middletown, offers an oversized home display with performances throughout the year. The owners collect donations in a roadside box for cancer research.
-
Zoo Lights at Townsend’s 3 Palm Zoo runs Fridays and Saturdays through December 27. Admission is $6 per person.
-
Lewes Lights is a free, community-based Christmas lights tour that runs through December. The map of the route of lights can be found on its website.
Hurtling down a toboggan run
Children practice sledding in nearly 4 inches of snow that fell in Rockwood Park since early morning in Wilmington, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2024.
For lovers of winter thrills, these toboggan runs are all free and will provide everyone with a great time.
-
Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington St. Extension, near Wilmington.
-
Rockford Park, Lookout Drive, Wilmington.
-
Glasgow Park, on Route 40, near the intersection of Route 896, Glasgow
-
Monkey Hill, next to the Brandywine Zoo on North Van Buren Street. Wilmington.
Hitting a hill: These are the best places to go sledding in Delaware
Watch a Holiday Parade
The Rehoboth Beach Christmas Parade took place on Rehoboth Avenue on December 2, 2024.
Holiday parades are great free events to enjoy the festivities. Just be sure to bring hand warmers or hot chocolate to stay warm while you’re out and about.
Do you like a parade? : 22 Christmas, holiday parades in and around Delaware
Stay active with a winter hike
Snow falls at Battery Park in New Castle on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Immerse yourself fully in winter by bundling up and hitting the trails.
Take in the winter wonderland with a hike on one of these free trails.
-
Battery Park Trail offers nearly four miles of paved trails in New Castle.
-
Newark Reservoir Trail in William Redd Jr. Park in Newark offers a nearly 2-mile loop around the reservoir.
-
Hunn Nature Park in Dover has a scenic walk along the St. Jones River.
-
Carousel Park at Pike Creek offers miles of leisurely hiking trails through expansive meadows and around a lake.
Solstice alert: What is the first day of the autumnal equinox in fall 2025? When is the winter solstice?
Sophia Voight is a growth and development journalist. Contact her with comments and tips on the story at svoight@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared in the Delaware News Journal: Free and Cheap Things to Do This Winter in Delaware
