’Tis that special time of year again when the delightful Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library in Wilmington, Delaware, undergoes a most festive holiday makeover. It’s the return of their annual Yuletide at Winterthur celebration. And it’s ongoing now through January 5.
Yuletide at Winterthur officially kicked off the season on Saturday, November 23—just before Thanksgiving. Every year, this event is marked by the presentation of various seasonal specialties, many of which are showcased daily. Other activities, attractions, and events are reserved for special times or dates. Some are still forthcoming, like A Christmas Carol Live! These one-man shows—reading performances—are done, no less, by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens himself. Click here for schedules or to reserve a space at an upcoming A Christmas Carol Live! performance.
Wonderful Wednesdays are a weekly treat in which you get to experience the decked-out rooms and galleries of the famed Winterthur while enjoying the latest exhibits and other displays. During this time, you will be serenaded by live jazz music provided via rotating performers and sip a seasonal cocktail to boot. Visit the linkfor all additional details.
You may also want to take note of various Brunch with Santa offerings. These will all run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 14, 15, 21, and 21. Reservations are required and can be made here.
Other special events to look forward to during Yuletide at Winterthur include the special library collection Off the Shelf: America’s “Most Wonderful Time of the Year:” 1900–1959 (December 12, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.), Member Bonus Shopping Days (December 13 through December 15), the OperaDelaware Holiday Candlelight Concert (December 14, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.), the “Twelve Days of Christmas” Toy Train Display (December 21 through January 1), and more.
Then, there are all the aforementioned ongoing endeavors always included as part of the Yuletide at Winterthur package deal. An obvious holiday highlight is, the official Yuletide Tour offered between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Click here for details.
Come see some especially spectacular spectacles on any visit during the event’s run, like the current Transformations art exhibition. Other impressive sights to behold include this year’s Gingerbread Display modeled after Winterthur’s Dairy Barn (featuring a few of its once-famous cows) and the 18-room seasonally decorated Miniature Dollhouse. Holiday shopping in the Winterthur Museum Store will be available daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and up until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Another unique opportunity can be found in the craft-your-own (and mail) holiday card-making activities. Taking place in the onsite galleries, folks of all ages can delight in the art of designing a holiday card and then mailing it via Winterthur’s own resident post office.
Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library is one of Delaware’s most acclaimed area attractions any time of year. And it’s nothing short of enchanting around the Christmas season. Located at 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware 19807, explore more, including ticketing information, featured attractions, and all other upcoming events on the website at www.winterthur.org.