Main Street Delaware brings you a holiday to remember!
Main Street Delaware’s Christmas events in our downtown brings together families in our community. We love providing Christmas memories to families in our area. Please help us continue this tradition.
First Friday Tree Lighting
December 5, 2025
6 – 9 p.m. First Friday Tree Lighting
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Main stage with performances by local music groups, community vendors, festive activities, and more!
- Thank you to our First Friday Sponsors:
6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony Begins (remarks and countdown)
- Join other families and feel the sense of love and community as we light our magnificent Christmas Tree at the corner of William and Sandusky Streets.
- Thank you to our Tree Lighting Sponsors:
5 – 9 p.m. Skating Rink at the Welcome Center
- Located on behind the Delaware Welcome Center (20 E William Street), enjoy free ice skating provided by Snappy’s Automotive & The Mason Foundation.
7 – 9 p.m. Visit with Santa at The Delaware Welcome Center, walk-ins welcome!
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FREE and includes one print and digital copy
- Thank you to our Santa Visits Sponsors:
6 – 9 p.m. Carriage Rides at The Strand Theatre, $2 per person ages 6 and older
- Thank you to our Carriage Rides Sponsor: Artomotive and Performance Delaware
Dash for Dasher
December 6, 2025
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dash for Dasher, beginning at Fresh Start Cafe & Bakery
Santa has lost his reindeer Dasher, and we need your help to find him! Explore downtown following Santa’s clues and have fun along the way!
Voluntary donations accepted, box of cereal towards People in Need or monetary towards Main Street Delaware.
Thank you to our Dash for Dasher Sponsors: Delaware County District Library, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, COhatch
Great Gingerbread Build-Off
December 6, 2025
3:30 p.m. at COhatch, 18 E William Street
Join us for the second year of this exciting event, where you’ll have three hours to build your most impressive gingerbread creation! Judging will begin at 7:15 p.m. The community will participate by voting for their favorite house—each vote is cast by donating canned food and placing it in front of their chosen entry. We’ll also have a panel of judges who will award gold, silver, and bronze prizes.
Your $25 ticket will include a basic gingerbread house kit, but feel free to bring your own special decorations—whether it’s sprinkles, candy, glitter, or anything else! We encourage creativity, so come ready to showcase your skills! Please bring your own base, no larger that 20″x20″.
Thank you to our Great Gingerbread Build-Off Sponsors:
Light the Night Christmas Parade
December 7, 2025
6 p.m. The Annual Light the Night Christmas Parade takes place on Sunday, December 7, stepping off from Mingo Park & traveling down Sandusky Street to Wilmer Street!
Thank you to our Parade Sponsor: Modern Woodmen, Denney Agency
Season of Shopping
Beginning Nov. 22 — Shop all season long in Downtown Delaware!
Pick up a shopping card from any of the many Main Street activities throughout December, and mark off your purchases along the way! Turn your card back in at The Greater Gouda by December 2o to be entered to win the Grand Prize.
Grand Prize winner will receive a combination of gift certificates and items from downtown businesses!
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Taking off from the Strand Theatre Friday evenings in December leading up to Christmas. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around downtown Delaware! Cozy up with your family and enjoy the festive sights of downtown. Only $2 per person over the age of 6!
Friday, December 5
- 6 – 9 p.m.
Friday, December 12
- 6 – 8 p.m.
Friday, December 19
- 6 – 8 p.m.
Thank you to our Carriage Rides Sponsor: Artomotive and Performance Delaware
Visit Santa!
Visiting Santa is a fun, community favorite tradition! Photos by For His Glory Photography! Photos are free and include 1 print and a digital copy of photograph.
Photos will take place at the Delaware Welcome Center (20 E William Street).
Thank you to our Santa Visits Sponsors:
Walk-in Times:
- Friday, Dec. 5: 7 – 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 6: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 12: 5 – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 13: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 19: 5 – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 20: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m
Appointments Only:
- Saturday, Dec. 6: 12 – 3 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 12: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 13: 12 – 3 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 19: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 20: 12 – 3 p.m.
Skating Rink
Enjoy free ice skating provided by Snappy’s Automotive and The Mason Foundation!
December 5:
- 5 – 9 p.m. free skate
December 6:
- 1 – 3 p.m. 10 and under only—learn to skate with the WarCats Hockey Team!
- 3 – 5 p.m. free skate
December 7:
- 1 – 5 p.m. free skate
Located behind the Delaware Welcome Center (20 E William Street) enjoy free ice skating provided by Snappy’s Automotive & The Mason Foundation.
Holiday Makers' Market
December 11, 2025
Holiday "Trolley" Tours
December 13, 2025
More information coming soon!