Delaware
Here are 9 holiday light shows to catch this season in the Delaware, Philadelphia region
31,000 LED lights and Christmas carols invite holiday cheer
Middletown resident Manny Duarte talks about the annual 31,000 LED lights display he mounts in his front yard to celebrate the Christmas season.
Benjamin Chambers, Delaware News Journal
From walks to drive-thrus, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a holiday light show this season.
Various shows and events are taking place throughout Delaware and across the Philadelphia region this year.
Here are nine holiday light shows to check out:
Longwood Gardens
Spectators of the holiday light show at Longwood Gardens are in for a special treat this year as “A Longwood Christmas” kicks off amid the opening of “Longwood Reimagined.”
The expansion features new spaces like the West Conservatory, which will offer new areas to deck out for the holidays.
Longwood Gardens, located near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, launched its holiday light display on Friday, Nov. 22, and it will run daily through Jan. 12. To make a reservation, visit the sprawling garden’s website.
Address: 1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Website: longwoodgardens.org
Yuletide at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
Holidays at the Winterthur Museum on Route 52 features twinkling lights adorning the woodlands, a large-scale gingerbread house and an 18-room dollhouse, according to the museum’s website.
The holiday display will be open to the public starting Saturday, Nov. 23, and will run through Sunday, Jan. 5.
You can purchase tickets online or by calling the museum at 800-448-3883.
Address: 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware
Website: winterthur.org/
Holidays at Hagley
Get a glimpse of Hagley Museum and Library around the holidays with a holiday home and garden tour.
The site features a gingerbread house contest, Santa day, holiday night tours and more.
The holiday experience at Hagley runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Purchase tickets online to schedule your holiday tour.
Address: 200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville, Delaware
Website: hagley.org/
Drone show at the Riverfront
The Wilmington Riverfront during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 6, will host a drone holiday light show.
The free holiday light show will take place on the Riverwalk. For more information about the event, visit the Riverfront’s website.
Address: Michael S Purzycki Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware
Website: riverfrontwilm.com/event/drone-light-show
Shady Brook Farm
If you are willing to take a drive for a holiday light display, look no further than Yardley, Pennsylvania’s Shady Brook Farm.
You can drive through the holiday show yourself or take a wagon ride through. The holiday festivities begin Saturday, Nov. 23 and run through Jan. 5, 2025. Ticket prices are per vehicle and vary depending on the day of your visit.
The farm also features Santa’s Village with gifts, treats, firepits and a Candy Cane Lane walk-through.
Address: 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania
Website: shadybrookfarm.com
Gift of Lights Dover
The Dover Motor Speedway will once again host its drive-thru holiday light show this year.
Tickets are priced per carload at $35 per car and $60 per bus or limo.
Address: 1229 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover, Delaware
Website: giftoflights.ticketspice.com/gift-of-lights-dover
The Brandywine Railroad
Since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad has displayed model trains, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys as part of its annual holiday display.
The display also features interactive options like “push buttons and foot pedals” so visitors can engage with the train setup.
The holiday display began on Saturday, Nov. 16, and runs through Jan. 5. For more information visit the Brandywine Museum of Arts’ website.
Address: 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
Website: brandywine.org/museum
Holiday Lights Express
Take a festive ride on 100-year-old heated coaches through the Red Clay Valley to see homes decorated for the holidays.
The Wilmington & Western Railroad hosts one-hour evening train rides during the month of December. To purchase train tickets, visit the venue’s website.
For a visit from Santa Claus, be sure to reserve train tickets for the Santa Claus Express.
Address: 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner, Delaware
Website: wwrr.com/ride/events/holiday-lights
NOËL at Nemours Estate
Experience the holidays at the Nemours Estate by touring the 77-room mansion, chauffer’s garage and gardens adorned in twinkling lights.
The estate also will feature live music performances throughout the season.
The festivities at the Nemours Estate began Tuesday, Nov. 19 and will extend through Sunday, Dec. 29. Purchase tickets on the estate’s website and reserve your visit.
Address: 1600 Rockland Road, Rockland, Delaware
Website: nemoursestate.org
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.
Delaware
How Delaware fans will get to Philadelphia World Cup matches
Delaware public transit plans for Philadelphia World Cup matches
Hundreds of thousands will visit Philly for the World Cup. Here’s how Delaware riders will get there by public transit.
When thousands of soccer fans descend on Philadelphia for the 2026 World Cup, the trip to the game will begin long before kickoff.
For most Delaware residents relying on public transportation, that journey starts on Amtrak or SEPTA platforms – navigating a transit system preparing for global‑scale crowds.
“Capacity is already sufficient for expected demand and we are prepared to scale operations if needed,” John Golden, a SEPTA senior press officer, told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “Travel demand is expected to be distributed, with many matches occurring during off‑peak commuting periods or weekends.”
More than 500,000 visitors are expected to come to Philadelphia for six FIFA World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field and the 39‑day FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park, according to Visit Philadelphia. The events run from June 11 to July 19, with matches in Philadelphia scheduled between June 14 and July 4 – coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
DART said it plans to operate on normal schedules during the World Cup, meaning SEPTA will be the primary public transit option for most travelers heading from Delaware to Philadelphia for the games.
What to know about SEPTA
SEPTA isn’t planning on any baseline service increases on the Wilmington/Newark line or the Media/Wawa line, as both lines have sufficient existing capacity, Golden said. SEPTA will monitor ridership in real time and will be prepared to add additional resources if necessary.
Golden recommends travelers give themselves two hours of travel time.
There are no discount passes, but through a partnership with Airbnb there will be free rides home on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line [B] after all six FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia (from NRG Station only), Golden said.
Golden said SEPTA will “maintain a flexible, responsive operating posture to adjust service as needed.”
Additionally, he said they want want locals and visitors to know SEPTA transports about 800,000 riders safely every day throughout the Philadelphia region.
“Planning for FIFA and the other events scheduled for this summer began last year and we are working with other local agencies, including the City of Philadelphia, Amtrak, NJ Transit and others to ensure that everyone’s experience is a positive one, not just during FIFA and America 250 events, but throughout the summer and beyond,” he added. “We encourage riders to visit SEPTA.org, where they will find up-to-date information on schedules, fares, enhanced service, and more.”
Extra police patrols will be added to both the B Line trains and stations to get riders home safely and SEPTA encourages riders to utilize the SEPTA Transit Watch App, where they can report safety and security issues discreetly.
Getting around in Philly
Once you manage to get to Philadelphia, the city’s convention and visitors’ bureau offers some suggestions on how to navigate the City of Brotherly Love.
- Take some comfortable shoes and walk in Philadelphia, which has consistently ranked as one of USA TODAY’s Most Walkable City to Visit in the country.
- There’s biking. No worries if you didn’t bring yours, Philadelphia has the Indego program – an around-the-clock bike-share program that provides thousands of classic and electric-assist bicycles at more than 250 stations around the city. Riders must be 14 or older to ride classic bikes and older than 15 to ride the electric bikes. Costs vary by the type of bike and the amount of time needed to use them.
- Don’t want to sweat? There’s SEPTA, which offers an expansive network of subways, buses and regional trains with one-way fares starting at just $2.90.
- Uber and Lyft are the go-to ride share services in Philadelphia, but you want to make sure you have these mobile apps installed with your payment information stored.
Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
The best Delaware high schools for athletes? According to one study, these are top 25
Tucked away on the East Coast, one of the smallest states has had a sizeable impact on the national sports scene.
Elena Delle Donne, one of the GOATs of women’s basketball, dominated the hardwood as a high school athlete, breaking Delaware’s points record. Chris Godwin, who has been a Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl, was a top WR recruit and won two championships as a Delaware high schooler. Delino DeShields, a former MLB player, committed to LSU for both baseball and football.
Home to just 99 schools over its 2,489 square miles, Delaware has produced quite a bit of talent. Which high school is best for athletes?
That’s what one survey attempted to answer. Niche used survey results from students and parents and data from the U.S. Department of Education to rank the top 25.
Without further ado, see them here.
25. Indian River High School (Dagsboro)
Total number of sports: 19
24. Delaware Military Academy (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 22
23. Howard High School of Technology (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 16
22. Brandywine High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 25
21. Delmar High School
Total number of sports: 14
20. Sanford School (Hockessin)
Total number of sports: 22
19. Mount Pleasant High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 23
18. Appoquinimink High School (Middletown)
Total number of sports: 21
17. Concord High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 25
16. Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School (Newark)
Total number of sports: 19
15. Caesar Rodney High School (Camden)
Total number of sports: 20
14. Ursuline Academy (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 14
13. Dover High School
Total number of sports: 19
12. Tower Hill School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 23
11. Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 25
10. Cape Henlopen High School (Lewes)
Total number of sports: 21
8. Smyrna High School
Total number of sports: 21
8. Middletown High School
Total number of sports: 21
7. St. Andrew’s School (Middletown)
Total number of sports: 22
6. Saint Mark’s High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 28
5. The Tatnall School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 22
4. Archmere Academy (Claymont)
Total number of sports: 24
3. Caravel Academy (Bear)
Total number of sports: 16
2. Padua Academy (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 16
1. Salesianum School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 15
Delaware
*Update – Suspect in Custody* State Police Investigating Home Invasion in Georgetown – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
Date Posted: Friday, May 29th, 2026
The Delaware State Police have arrested 44-year-old Robert Berry from Millsboro, Delaware for a home invasion that occurred in Georgetown.
On May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., troopers responded to the 24000 block of Lawson Road in Georgetown for a panic alarm activation reported by a home security vendor. Troopers arrived and learned that the 83-year-old female victim had activated her panic alarm after an unknown male suspect, forced his way into her home as she opened her front door. Once inside, the suspect pointed a handgun at her and demanded to see another unknown person he believed was inside the residence. The victim was able to lock herself in a bedroom and activate her panic alarm while the suspect searched through the residence before leaving in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured.
Through investigative means, detectives identified Robert Berry as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On May 28, 2026, Berry was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $166,000 cash bond.
- Attempt to Commit Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
- Home Invasion Burglary 1st Degree (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Possess, Purchase, Own, or Control a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of Two Violent Felonies on Separate
Occasions (Felony) - Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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