Annual Ugly Sweater Santa Crawl Returns To Wilmington

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Some households are fiercely loyal to the fresh pine scent, others swear by the convenience of pulling a tree out of the attic in under four minutes. And plenty of us fall somewhere in between. Before the season gets too busy, let us know what’s standing in your living room this year.

The University of Delaware Board of Trustees has appointed Laura Carlson as UD’s 29th president, effective January 1. Carlson has served as interim president since July and previously spent two years as provost after a long career at Notre Dame. Trustees said strong campus wide support and a thorough evaluation process made her the clear choice.

Carlson has spent the past six months meeting with students, faculty, and staff through her Becoming OneUD initiative and has already created a new Staff Council based on feedback. She says she is committed to guiding UD into its next phase of growth with a focus on impact, collaboration and belonging.

It is the first time in more than a decade that UD leadership has changed hands.

Nemours Children’s Health just opened a major new outpatient services and day hospital at the Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The twenty thousand square foot space brings exam rooms, infusion rooms, protective isolation areas, phlebotomy, cellular therapy, and sedation capability all under one roof so families no longer need to zigzag through the hospital for care.

The design is intentionally family friendly, with teen hangout spots, video games, play areas for younger kids, a physical therapy space, and even a spot where nutritionists help children build healthy meals. This new unit follows the inpatient phase that opened in March.

It is a meaningful expansion for families who rely on Nemours for complex care.

Delmarva Power just filed two proposals with the Public Service Commission aimed at helping customers manage rising costs while upgrading the grid. One proposal creates an Affordability and Load Flexibility Portfolio, which lets you save around $60 to $100 a year by shifting energy use away from peak hours. The programs include thermostat incentives, time of use rates, and pilot programs for home batteries.

The second filing is a rate review to support ongoing infrastructure improvements, with gradual monthly increases starting in 2027 plus a new 20 percent delivery discount for eligible low to moderate income households. Delmarva says these upgrades have already cut outages by 47 percent over the last decade.

It is a shift that aims to balance reliability, affordability, and future demand.

New Castle County project documents quietly reveal plans for a 790 square foot drive thru beverage shop on Kirkwood Highway, and the applicant listed is tied to 7 Brew. The proposal calls for demolishing the small standalone building that sits in front of Aldi and Planet Fitness, replacing it with a compact drive thru layout.

There has been no public announcement, no branding on the plans, and no timeline offered, but the county paperwork signals that the fast growing coffee chain is taking steps toward a Delaware debut.

It is early, but it looks like Kirkwood Highway may be getting a new caffeine stop.

After a devastating fire shut down UnWined on the Water last month, the team is already back on their feet. Owner John Bragg moved most of his staff into a temporary home at White Oak Manor near North East, where they reopened for a soft launch on Friday. The spot is operating under the White Oak Manor name to keep things simple, with a refreshed menu and brunch on Sundays.

The story is a feel-good one. Bragg put out a call to help his displaced staff, and one of the White Oak owners saw it and offered up the venue. Now 23 team members are back to work and serving guests in a space with pond and hillside views.

A Colorado company called Loud Labs is looking to open a 6,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Newark’s Sandy Brae Industrial Park. The site at 303 Markus Court would produce gummies, edibles, vape cartridges, concentrates and pre-rolled products for Delaware’s growing cannabis market. There would be no retail sales on site.

The factory would sit across from a newly approved indoor growing facility, creating a small hub for cannabis production. Loud Labs says it plans to hire fifteen people, work with local vendors and keep operations quiet and odor free with advanced filtration.

City council postponed its vote after a neighbor threatened legal action over zoning procedure, so the project now heads to the planning commission in January.

Incyte just released new clinical data on a targeted therapy for a rare blood condition called essential thrombocythemia, and the early results look promising. The therapy, known as INCA033989, is designed specifically for patients with a CALR mutation, a group that makes up about a third of ET cases. Current treatments are broad and often tough on the body, so a mutation specific option is getting attention.

The findings were presented at a major hematology conference, and the FDA has already granted the drug Breakthrough Therapy status. Investors seem to like the news too, with Incyte shares trading near a five year high.

It is a noteworthy moment for one of Wilmington’s biggest life science employers.

Wilmington University just opened the Restructuring Institute, a new program that connects students, lawyers and business professionals with the experts who handle the high profile bankruptcy and restructuring cases that often land in Wilmington’s federal courts. The institute was created with support from judges and leading restructuring specialists, giving participants rare access to real world insight.

Early workshops include an Introduction to Bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Boot Camp and a session on corporate investigations, all free as the program gets underway. Sessions are available in person or online, and the university plans to pursue continuing education credits.

It is a strategic move as WilmU expands its Brandywine campus and builds out its new law school.

A massive data center near Delaware City just hit a new snag. The developer, Starwood Digital Ventures, asked DNREC to decide whether the project falls under the Coastal Zone Act, which regulates large industrial development along the coast. DNREC has opened a public comment period through January 12, and a final ruling will follow within 15 business days.

That decision could block the project, require a permit, or let it move forward as planned. The facility has already stirred plenty of debate, especially since it would pull power from the grid rather than produce its own. Consumer advocates say that could push monthly bills up by about seventy dollars.

It is shaping up to be one of the major land use fights to watch this winter.

Holiday Celebration and Market at Glasgow Park packs two festive evenings with music, Santa visits, vendors, crafts, food trucks, and a holiday train. Stop by on Friday and Saturday from 5 PM to 8 PM, with a tree lighting on Friday at 6:30 PM.

Gala Christmas Concert at Concord Presbyterian Church celebrates the concert series 20th anniversary with orchestra, soloists, and the Concord Concert Choir. Enjoy this festive tradition on Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM with free admission.

Boozewa, Coma Hole, Husband Lost at Sea, Yet it Moves at Elkton Music Hall brings a hard hitting lineup of sludge, doom, noise, and punk for fans of heavy underground sound. Catch this four band bill on Thursday at 7 PM at this 21 plus show.

JD McPherson: SOCKS, A Rock n Roll Christmas Tour at Arden Gild Hall brings vintage rock and holiday swagger to the stage for an energetic seasonal show. Catch this WXPN presented concert on Thursday at 8 PM.

Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan at The Baby Grand brings her acclaimed reinterpretations of Dylan's catalog to Wilmington in a soulful, career-spanning concert. See this standout performance on Friday at 8 PM.

Great Lake Swimmers with Abe Partridge at Elkton Music Hall brings lush folk melodies and cinematic songwriting to an intimate stage, with Abe Partridge opening. Settle in for this atmospheric 21 plus show on Friday at 8 PM.

Gingerbread House Creations at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science invites families to design and decorate their own edible masterpieces with a gingerbread kit and festive candy buffet. Join the fun on Saturday at 9:30 AM (sold out) or Saturday at 11 AM for a sweet hands-on holiday activity.

Poplar Hall Christmas Parade of Horses and Market fills historic Chesapeake City with an equestrian themed holiday celebration featuring a horse parade, meet and greets, live music, and a hand-made Christmas market. Visit on Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with the parade stepping off at 10 AM and the market opening at 11 AM.

Holiday Village Market at The Creamery of Kennett Square transforms the space into a storybook style market with artisan vendors, food trucks, activities, and warm seasonal drinks. Stroll through this festive setup on Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Holiday Market at the Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange offers a cozy shopping afternoon with local makers, handmade goods, and seasonal treats. Stop by on Saturday from 12 PM to 5 PM to browse artisan crafts and support community creatives.

Christmas Market at Dew Point Brewing Co. brings local vendors, live music, ice carving, and festive fun to Yorklyn. Stop by on Saturday from 1 PM to 5 PM, with the tree lighting happening at 5:15 PM.

Krampus Yuletide Celebration at Liquid Alchemy mixes mead, markets, costumes, and holiday mischief for a lively twist on seasonal traditions. Stop by on Saturday at 2 PM for themed drinks, a Yuletide market, activities, and family friendly fun with a darkly festive edge.

Chesapeake City Candlelight House Tours invite guests to explore private homes, churches, and inns glowing with holiday decor throughout the historic district. Take this self-guided stroll on Saturday from 5 PM to 8 PM, with maps available starting at 4 PM.

Sleigh My Name at Chapel Street Players brings an offbeat holiday twist with the Forgetful Squirrels delivering improv, games, and playful chaos. Catch this lighthearted show on Saturday at 7:30 PM.

An Evening with Steve Forbert at Elkton Music Hall offers an intimate night with the acclaimed singer songwriter whose career spans nearly five decades. Settle in for this 21+ show on Saturday at 8 PM.

Ugly Sweater Santa Crawl in Wilmington brings thousands into the city for one of Wilmington's longest running nightlife traditions. Dress in your most ridiculous festive sweater and hit the clubs on Saturday at 8 PM with a single five dollar cover supporting West End Neighborhood House.

A Mt. Cuba Center Solstice Celebration blends winter garden tours, ornament making, dance, and a lively acoustic concert featuring Charm City Junction and members of Helicon. Enjoy this festive afternoon on Sunday from 1 PM to 5:30 PM, with garden tours beginning at 1 PM and the concert running from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

36 🌡️ 26 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 1% | 💨 WNW 18 mph

38 🌡️ 24 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 2% | 💨 WNW 11 mph

44 🌡️ 30 | 🌨️ Snow overnight (1–3") | 89% | 💨 WSW 10 mph

33 🌡️ 17 | 🌨️ AM Snow Showers | 64% | 💨 NW 16 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 47ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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