WJBR loves Christmas time here in the Brandywine Valley of Delaware and Pennsylvania, and A Longwood Christmas opens this weekend!

We have so many wonderful Christmasy places to visit with our friends and family.  WJBR is your Christmas soundtrack for it all!

Some of my favorites are Christmas In Odessa, Holiday Season at Nemours Estate, Holidays At Hagley,  Yuletide House Tours at Winterthur, and Longwood Gardens!

My wife and I are members at Longwood.  Since we live close by we stop by at least once each season.

We love the meadows, the flower gardens, the conservatory, the fountains and this past summer’s light show.

And we love spending a few days each Christmas season visiting Longwood.

This year’s “A Longwood Christmas” starts this weekend on November 18, 2022 and runs through to January 8, 2023.

Every holiday season their artists use “plants as their palette” as they create amazing floral designs, trees draped in garland and bold blooms.  Outside be amazed by the light displays, the holiday decorated treehouses and the sounds of the season throughout the gardens.

Did I mention lights?  Yup!  Over 500,000 lights that took over 3,000 hours to install!

The theme this year is “Botanical Splendor” where the Conservatory has been turned into a winter wonderland!  On your way to the Conservatory, check out the 150 trees Christmas shining so much, it’s actually visible from space!

A Longwood Christmas opens this weekend!

If  you go: The gardens are open daily from 10am to 11pm.  Timed admission tickets are required.  Timed reservations are required for members during “A Longwood Christmas”.  Longwood Gardens is at 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA.

TV Christmas Special Schedules

• Thursday November 24

  ABC-The 6ABC Dunkin Thanksgiving Day Parade – 8:30am
  CBS-The Thanksgiving Day Parade – 9:00am
  NBC-The 96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – 9:00am

• Friday November 25

  CBS- Frosty The Snowman – 8:00pm

  CBS-Frosty Returns – 8:30pm

  CBS-A Christmas Proposal – 9:00pm

  TBS-The Polar Express – 7:13pm

• Saturday November 26

  CBS- Robbie The Reindeer – 8:00pm

  CBS- The Story of Santa Claus – 9:00pm

• Sunday November 27

  ABC- Mickey Saves Christmas – 7:00pm

  ABC- Olaf’s Frozen Adventure – 7:30pm

  ABC- The Wonderful World Of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration – 8:00p

• Monday November 28

  ABC- The Great Christmas Light Fight – 8:00pm

• Tuesday November 29

   

  ABC- Love Actually 20  Years Later-A Diane Sawyer/ABC News Special – 8:00pm

  CBS- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – 8:00pm

  CBS- Reindeer Is Here – 9:00pm

  NBC- Michael Bublé’s Christmas In The City – 9:00pm

   

• Wednesday November 30

  NBC- 90TH Annual Christmas In Rockefeller Center – 8:00pm

  NBC- Kelly Clarkson Presents: When Christmas Comes Around – 10:00pm

• Thursday December 1

  ABC- Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – 8:00pm

  ABC- CMA Country Christmas – 9:00pm

  NBC- Dolly  Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas – 8:00pm

• Monday December 5

  ABC- The Great Christmas Light Fight – 8:00pm

• Thursday- December 8

  ABC- The Wonderful World of Disney: Frozen II – 8:00pm

• Sunday December 11

  CBS- The National Christmas Tree Lighting: Celebrating 100 Years – 8:00pm

  CBS- Must Love Christmas – 9:00pm

• Monday December 12

  ABC- The Great Christmas Light Fight – 8:00pm

  CBS- The National Christmas Tree Lighting: Celebrating 100 Years – 8:00pm

  CBS- Must Love Christmas – 9:00pm

• Tuesday December 13

  ABC- Mickey Saves Christmas – 8:00pm

  ABC- Olaf’s Frozen Adventure – 8:30pm

  ABC- Disney  Prep and Landing – 9:00pm

  ABC- Disney Prep and Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice – 9:30pm

• Wednesday December 14

  NBC- A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special – 8:00pm

  ABC- A Very Backstreet Holiday – 8:00pm

  ABC- Finding Harmony – 10:00pm

• Sunday December 18

  CBS- When Christmas Was Young – 8:30pm

• Monday December 19

  NBC- Movie: Shrek 2 – 8:00pm

  NBC- The Wall – 10:00pm

• Tuesday December 20

  NBC- Movie: Illumination Presents: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018) – 8:00pm

  ABC- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – 8:00pm

  CBS- Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To All – 8:00pm

  ABC- Toy Story That Time Forgot – 9:00pm

  ABC- Shrek The Halls – 9:00pm

• Thursday December 22

  NBC- A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special – 9:00pm

• Friday December 23

  CBS- The 24th Annual A Home For The Holidays at The Grove – 8:00pm

  CBS- Christmas Takes Flight – 9:00pm

  NBC- How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) – 8:00pm

  NBC- 5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas – 8:30pm

  NBC- Dolly Parton’s Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle Of Love – 9:00pm

   

• Saturday December 24

  ABC- The Wonderful World Of Disney: Home Alone – 8:00pm

  NBC- It’s A Wonderful Life – 8:00pm

• Sunday December 25

  ABC- Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade – 10:00am

  12 Must Do Holiday Events Near Wilmington

  12 Must Do Holiday Events Near Wilmington

  It’s that time of year again, where we are all looking for fun holiday things to do, to get out and spend time with family and friends.  There’s nothing quite like the holiday season here in Delaware.  Sure, summer is fun and we look forward to the beautiful weather at our beaches, but there’s just something about the Christmas music, lights and decorations that warm the heart.

  And we can’t forget how much excitement the Philadelphia Eagles bring to the season.  Especially this year!  Go Birds!

  So, we decided to put together a list 12 Must Do Holiday Events Near Wilmington, so you can put them on your list.  These are some wonderful activities you might want to visit throughout the season.  We’re sure there are many more exciting events around our great state, this is just a sampling of some of the events that are closest to us right here in Wilmington. We’re are very fortunate to have places like Longwood Gardens and Wintherthur so close to home.

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  A post shared by Longwood Gardens (@longwoodgardens)

   

  We certainly couldn’t call ourselves Delaware’s Christmas Station without providing you with all things Christmas.

  We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

  • 1. Longwood Gardens Christmas

    November 18, 2022 – January 8, 2023

    This holiday season, wrap yourself up in the warmth—and the chill—of A Longwood Christmas as we showcase the dramatically beautiful contrast of fire and ice.

    More Info

     

  • 2. Holiday Lights Express at Wilmington & Western Railroad

    Select nights December 9, 2022 – December 30, 2022

    Enjoy a peaceful interlude at the end of the year with a 1-hour evening ride aboard our vintage train, which is covered in thousands of holiday lights.  Reservations suggested.  This excursion does not feature Santa Claus.

    More Info

  • 3. Santa Claus Express at Wilmington & Western Railroad

    Select dates November 25, 2022 – December 23, 2022

    Why stand in line at the mall and wait to see Santa, when you can ride our train and have Santa come to you? The Jolly Old Elf rides the train and greets everyone on board, and gives all children a chocolate treat. Be sure to bring your camera and have Santa pose for pictures with your child during this 1½-hour round-trip to Ashland.  Reservations suggested.

    More Info

  • 4. Christmas in Odessa

    December 3, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Christmas in Odessa is a self-guided walking tour of private homes and public buildings, many dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, decorated for the holidays.

    Learn More

  • 5. Holiday Season at Nemours Estate

    Ever since 1910, when Mr. and Mrs. duPont began living in their newly built mansion, the holiday season has been a festive time at Nemours. The Christmas decorations at the Nemours Mansion are often inspired by the architecture of the home, the customs of the duPonts or the French influence.

    Learn More

  • 6. Holidays at Hagley

    November 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023

    This year, “home” may have taken on a different, more poignant, meaning, especially around the holidays, when family gathers. It is in this spirit that Hagley celebrates the holiday season with the theme, “Home for the Holidays: A Celebration of Family.”

    Learn More

  • 7. Wilmington Christmas Parade

    Saturday, November 26, 2022

    This year’s Parade will again feature:

    • Local celebrities and dignitaries
    • Marching and String Bands
    • Community organizations
    • Floats and attractions
    • Your Favorite Cartoon Characters
    • Santa Clause
    • Letters to Santa – Elves will be accepting Christmas wish lists from children for Santa. Children who provide their name and address will receive a response from Santa in December.

    Learn More

  • 8. Yuletide House Tours at Winterthur

    November 19, 2022 – January 8, 2023

    Featuring two distinctly designed and equally breathtaking trees showcasing exquisitely dried flowers, this year’s Yuletide Tour explores the traditions and festivities of the season enjoyed by the family during Henry Francis du Pont’s lifetime. See decorations that emphasize his lifelong love of nature and the Winterthur Garden and an homage to the upcoming exhibition Jacqueline Kennedy and Henry Francis du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House.

    Learn More

     

  • 9. The First State Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at Copeland Hall at The Grand

    December 16, 2022 at 7pm

    Join Delaware’s only professional ballet company for Wilmington’s favorite holiday tradition! Experience the magical journey through the land of sweets in FSBT’s lavish production of The Nutcracker on the main stage at The Grand Opera House.

    Learn More

  • 10. Santa at The Brandywine Zoo

    Saturday, December 3, 2022 & Sunday, December 4, 2022 10am – 12:30pm

    Get your photos with Santa at this Winter Wonderland event! Enjoy a holiday treat, free hot chocolate and fun holiday activities!.

    Learn More

  • 11. New Castle County Festival of Trees

    Friday, November 18, 2021- Sunday, November 20, 2022

    In its 35th year, Festival of Trees features a beautiful display of decorated trees and wreaths – all are sponsored and decorated by local businesses and individuals. This year’s event will include a Marketplace, Bake Shop, Musical entertainment and specialty trees such as the Remembrance Tree, Memorial Tree and New Hope Tree. You don’t want to miss out!

    Learn More

     

  • 12. Luminature at The Philadelphia Zoo

    November 17, 2022 – January 7, 2023

    LumiNature returns to Philadelphia Zoo this November! The biggest and brightest holiday light show yet, LumiNature features more than a million twinkling lights across 14 illuminated zones. Tickets are now on sale—reserve yours today!

    More Info

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