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 6, 2024
6 – 9 p.m. First Friday Tree Lighting
Main stage with performances by local music groups, community vendors, reindeer, festive activities, and more!
- Thank you to our First Friday Sponsors: Suburban Natural Gas
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: Hiram Masonic Lodge, Delaware Pediatric Dentistry, Pathways Financial Credit Union, Trimble Insurance, First Commonwealth Bank, and COhatch
5 – 9 p.m. Skating Rink on the JAYwalk
- Located on Ohio Wesleyan’s Campus (on the Jay Walk between Beeghly Library and Hamilton-Williams Campus Center) 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!
$15 cost includes one print and digital copy
- Thank you to our Santa Visits Sponsors: Hiram Masonic Lodge and Willow Brook
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
Dash for Dasher
December 7, 2024
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dash for Dasher, beginning at the Delaware County District Library
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 7, 2024
2:30 p.m. at COhatch, 18 E William Street
Join us for this exciting new event, where you’ll have three hours to build your most impressive gingerbread creation! Judging will begin at 6:15 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: Trimble Insurance, COhatch, First Federal Community Bank: Stephen Harless Mortgage Lender, The Modern Maid, Weichert, Realtors – Triumph Group: Lori Detter, Renders by Randy, Focal Point Floors, Kendra Morrow
Annual Christmas Parade
December 8, 2024
2024 Christmas Parade Registration is now open!
5 p.m. The Annual Holiday Parade takes place on Sunday, December 8, 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. 23 — 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 21 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 6
- 6 – 9 p.m.
Friday, December 13
- 6 – 8 p.m.
Friday, December 20
- 6 – 8 p.m.
Thank you to our Carriage Rides Sponsor: Artomotive
Visit Santa!
Visiting Santa is a fun, community favorite tradition! Photos by For His Glory Photography! $15.00 includes 1 print and digital copy of photograph
Photos will take place at the Delaware Welcome Center (20 E William Street).
Thank you to our Santa Visits Sponsors: Hiram Masonic Lodge and Willow Brook
Walk-in Times:
- Friday, Dec. 6: 7 – 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 7: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13: 5 – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 20: 5 – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m
Appointments Only:
- Saturday, Dec. 7: 12 – 3 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14: 12 – 3 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 20: 6 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: 12 – 3 p.m.
Skating Rink
Enjoy free ice skating provided by Snappy’s Automotive and The Mason Foundation!
December 6:
- 5 – 9 p.m. free skate
December 7:
- 1 – 3 p.m. 10 and under only—learn to skate with the WarCats Hockey Team!
- 3 – 5 p.m. free skate
December 8:
- 1 – 5 p.m. free skate
Located on Ohio Wesleyan’s Campus (on the Jay Walk between Beeghly Library and Hamilton-Williams Campus Center) enjoy free ice skating provided by Snappy’s Automotive & The Mason Foundation.
Holiday Makers' Market
December 12, 2024
Main Street Holiday Tours: Historic East Trolley Edition
December 15, 2024
Tours depart from the Nash House Museum at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Join us for this unforgettable event, combining history & holidays! In partnership with the Delaware County Historical Society & WillowBrook.
Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and musical groups at the Nash House before the tour begins!
Thank you to our Holiday Tour Sponsor: Delaware County Historical Society and The Modern Maid
