Delaware
Celebrating the holidays at the Delaware beaches: Parades, tree lightings and more
Christmas tree fire safety tips
Here are some safety tips when lighting your tree this holiday season. 12/5/22
Damian Giletto, Wochit
Parades, Christmas tree lightings and Schellville, oh my!
The Delaware beaches are fully draped in holiday lights and the Christmas spirit palpable now. While the beaches are a popular summer vacation destination and fall comes with a festival every weekend, the Christmas season is becoming yet another draw to the resort area, with the number of holiday events seeming to grow every year.
Not that we’re complaining. Pass the eggnog and get the details on all those events below.
Lewes Christmas Parade
On Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m., the 91st annual Lewes Christmas Parade will make its way down Savannah Road and Second Street. This year’s theme is “Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes.” The rain date is set for Saturday, Dec. 9. Visit leweschamber.com for more information.
South Bethany Holiday Tree Lighting
South Bethany will host its second annual holiday tree lighting outside Town Hall, at 402 Evergreen Road, at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. There will be refreshments and live music, and attendees are asked to bring a cash or food donation for the Cape Henlopen Food Basket. The event is rain or shine.
Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas Parade
The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company will host the Christmas parade on Rehoboth Avenue Monday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. Their goal this year is to make it the largest parade they’ve ever had. Attendees and participants are invited to the fire hall afterward, where everyone can enjoy refreshments and children can visit with Santa and receive a small gift. More info at rehobothbeachfire.com.
Milton Christmas Parade
Milton’s Christmas parade is always held the first Wednesday in December, which falls on Dec. 6 this year. The parade starts at 7 p.m. at Union Street and Atlantic Avenue, passes through downtown and ends at Milton Elementary School. It’s sponsored by the Milton Fire Company. For more information, call 302-684-8500.
Fenwick Island Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
All are welcome at Fenwick Island’s tree lighting ceremony at the gazebo in Cannon Street Park at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
More: Celebrate the season with a holiday house tour in Delaware
Dewey Beach Grand Menorah Lighting
Join Chabad of Southern Delaware for the annual lighting of a 9-foot menorah at the Baywalk in Dewey Beach on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. There will be hot latkes, fresh doughnuts and festive holiday music at this free event. RSVP by emailing rabbisholom@chadadDE.com or calling 302-377-1162.
Lewes Santa’s House
The Lewes Santa’s House is located at Banks and Second streets and is open at the following dates and times.
- Thursday, Dec. 7, 5 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 14, 5 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 21, 5 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 23, 1 to 3 p.m.
Rehoboth Beach Santa’s House
The donation-based Santa’s House on the boardwalk at Rehoboth Avenue is open weekends through Christmas. There are even special hours for dogs. Bring your own camera. Dates and times are listed below, but bad weather may cause Santa’s House to close, so check beach-fun.com or the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for updates.
- Saturday, Dec. 2, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 3, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 17, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 22, 4 to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 23, noon to 3 p.m.; dogs allowed 2 to 3 p.m.
Weekend Wonderland in Bethany Beach
Weekend Wonderland in Bethany Beach takes place on three Saturdays: Dec. 2, 9 and 16. The event encourages shoppers to visit local businesses for holiday specials and in-store attractions like visits from Santa, Elsa and the Grinch, as well as an “Elf on the Shelf” scavenger hunt. In addition, the town trolley will be taking visitors on a tour of holiday decorations from the Coastal Christmas Showdown. More information is available at thequietresorts.com.
Schellville
Schellville is a free Christmas village full of family activities and entertainment, such as music, food, vendors, train rides, roller-skating and Santa himself. It’s located behind Tanger Outlets Seaside in Rehoboth Beach and is open various nights through New Year’s Eve from 5-9 p.m. There are also early bird hours for small children and seniors from 1 – 4 p.m. You’ll want to reserve tickets; you can walk in, but without tickets, there’s no guarantee of entry. Visit schellbrothers.com/promotions/schellville/ for more information.
What to know: Schellville, a Christmas extravaganza, opens Saturday in Rehoboth Beach
Dewey Beach New Year Ball Drop
The Dewey Beach Business Partnership will host a ball drop at New Orleans Street bayside and Coastal Highway beginning at 11:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve. The event is free and so is parking. Visit deweybusinesspartnership.com for more information.
Lightship Overfalls New Year’s Eve Anchor Drop
Starting at 11:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve, the Overfalls Foundation will drop a lighted anchor from the top of the ship’s mast in Lewes Canalfront Park. There will be warm fires and holiday music, as well. The event is weather-dependent. More info at overfalls.org.
More: Delaware craft fairs to hit up for holiday gifts and last-minute Christmas shopping
And more
Still not enough Christmas for you? These venues have loads more holiday concerts, musicals, movies and more.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.

Delaware
Wilmington mother seeks justice 3 years after son’s murder in Philadelphia

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Three years after her son was fatally shot in West Philadelphia, Kameelah Torrance is still searching for answers and justice.
Samyr Walker, 19, was killed on September 4, 2022, while delivering food in his mother’s car. Torrance said Walker’s own vehicle had broken down the night before, prompting him to borrow hers to earn extra money.
“I get a phone call, I’m thinking it’s him,” Torrance recalled.
Philadelphia police said the shooting occurred around 1:45 p.m. at the Chick-A-Boom restaurant drive-thru on 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue. While waiting for his food, Walker reportedly had an interaction with another driver.
“What I’m guessing is maybe he was on his phone and he accidentally tapped the bumper, which is what happened,” Torrance said.
Police said the altercation escalated when gunshots were fired from the suspect’s car as Walker exited his vehicle to retrieve his order. A passenger in Walker’s car also returned fire. Authorities believe the motive was road rage.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, detectives located the vehicle believed to be involved and interviewed both the owner and the reported driver. However, no arrests have been made.
The DA’s office said it has extended victim support services to Walker’s family and the affected community.
Torrance described her son, affectionately called “Meer Meer,” as “a very happy-go-lucky kid.”
“Every time you see him, he was always smiling, silly, liked to have fun, very family oriented,” said Torrance.
She said the lack of closure has made the loss even harder to bear.
“No closure, sleepless nights, it’s just been horrible,” she said. “It’s not fair that my son is gone and you’re walking around free, freely doing whatever. His life was cut short.”
Torrance said she still texts Walker’s phone number and mourns the future he was denied.
“He won’t be able to get married, have children, become something of himself. He was robbed of that and it’s not fair,” she said.
Police say the investigation remains active and ongoing. Torrance and law enforcement are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Delaware
*Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Delaware State Police have identified 14-year-old Reis Yoc-Santos, of Dover, Delaware, as the teenager who died in the fatal crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle that occurred Friday afternoon in Dover.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.
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Delaware
14-year-old boy dead, one teen hospitalized after e-bike runs stop sign, collides with bus in Delaware

DOVER, Del. – A tragic crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in Dover.
Deadly collision with bus
What we know:
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on West Lebanon Road as a school bus was turning onto Royal Grant Way, according to police. The electric bicycle, ridden by a 16-year-old with a 14-year-old passenger, did not stop at a posted bicycle stop sign and collided with the bus.
The 14-year-old passenger of the e-bike was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 16-year-old operator suffered serious injuries. Neither of the teenagers were wearing a helmet, police said.
The bus was affiliated with the Caesar Rodney School District and driven by a 75-year-old man from Magnolia, who was not injured. Twenty-one students on the bus were unharmed.
The road was closed for about four hours for investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit. The investigation is still ongoing.
Ongoing questions for authorities
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Witnesses can contact Master Corporal W. Booth or send a message to the Delaware State Police.
If you have information, reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Victims and witnesses needing support can contact the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit at 1-800-VICTIM-1.
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