Join Santa on a train ride or at the zoo. Here's where to find him in Delaware this year

Krys'tal Griffin, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·5 min read

Editor's note: This story will be updated.

The holiday season will be in full swing soon, which means it’s time to see Santa Claus.

Whether you’re hoping to round up the family for a holiday photo for Christmas cards or just want the kids (and pets!) to sit on Santa’s lap and share their wish lists, there are several places in Delaware to find Santa this year.

And some added holiday fun to be had, too.

Santa Claus Express, Prices Corner

Emma Claire Busterd, 6, and her brother Nate Busterd, 4, of Swedesboro, N.J., pose for a photo with Santa on the Wilmington & Western Railroad Santa Claus Express in 2017.
Emma Claire Busterd, 6, and her brother Nate Busterd, 4, of Swedesboro, N.J., pose for a photo with Santa on the Wilmington & Western Railroad Santa Claus Express in 2017.

Swap waiting in line to see Santa for a train ride with the festive man of the season.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad in Prices Corner is back this year with the Santa Claus Express, a 1½-hour round-trip to Ashland powered by either a historic first-generation diesel locomotive or an antique steam locomotive.

During the ride, the jolly old elf will greet passengers and hand out chocolate treats to little ones. Bring your camera so you can snap some photos with Santa.

The Santa Claus Express operates on the following dates at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.:

  • Friday, Nov. 24; diesel-powered.

  • Saturday, Nov. 25; diesel-powered.

  • Sunday, Nov. 26; diesel-powered.

  • Saturday, Dec. 2; diesel-powered.

  • Sunday, Dec. 3; diesel-powered.

  • Saturday, Dec. 9; steam-powered.

  • Sunday, Dec. 10; steam-powered.

  • Saturday, Dec. 16; steam-powered.

  • Sunday, Dec. 17; steam-powered.

  • Saturday, Dec. 23; diesel-powered.

Reservations are required, and seating will be assigned. Coach seating is $25 for adults, $24 for seniors ages 60 and up and $23 for children ages 2 to 12. Children younger than 2 ride for free.  

Information about large group options and private cars can be found on the event page at wwrr.com/ride/events/autumn-leaf.aspx. 

Greenbank Station: 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner; www.wwrr.com

Santa’s House, Rehoboth Beach

Check out Santa’s House this year on the boardwalk at the end of Rehoboth Avenue for all your photo needs.
Check out Santa’s House this year on the boardwalk at the end of Rehoboth Avenue for all your photo needs.

Although Santa spends most of his time in the North Pole, he loves a beach visit every once in a while, too.

That’s why Santa’s House is back on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk this year.

Presented by the Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, Santa’s House will be on the boardwalk at the end of Rehoboth Avenue for all your photo needs. A photographer will not be in attendance, so BYO camera for photos.

Santa’s House is open on the following dates:

  • Friday, Nov. 24, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

  • Saturday, Nov. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Sunday, Nov. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m.

  • Friday, Dec. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. Pets can visit Santa from 2 to 3 p.m.

Reindeer don’t like rain, so in the event of inclement weather, check beach-fun.com for updates on hours. Santa’s House is a free offering, but donations are appreciated.

Santa at the Zoo, Wilmington

Going to the Brandywine Zoo around the holidays? Visit Santa there on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.
Going to the Brandywine Zoo around the holidays? Visit Santa there on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.

The Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington will host Santa this year for a Winter Wonderland event, where human and animal guests are invited to hang out.

During Winter Wonderland, guests can meet Santa in the Lemur Pavillion and ask for gifts, take photos with their personal cameras and enjoy free hot chocolate and holiday activities.

The event is rain or shine on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with time slots from 10 to 11 a.m. or 11 a.m. to noon.

The Lemur Pavillion is an outdoor venue that is covered and heated, but in the event of severe weather, the event’s rain date is Saturday, Dec. 9.

Guests must register online. Tickets, which can be purchased on the event page, are $4 for members and $8 for nonmembers.

1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington; (302) 571-7788; brandywinezoo.org. 

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Santa Day, Greenville

Hagley Museum and Library in Greenville will hold Santa Day on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hagley Museum and Library in Greenville will hold Santa Day on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Hagley Museum and Library in Greenville will hold Santa Day on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

At the event, visitors can tell Santa what’s on their wish list and take their own photos with the man of the season in Hagley’s rustic barn.

While you’re there, take a look at entries in Hagley’s sixth annual gingerbread house contest, also housed in the barn, as you walk through a winter wonderland. Visitors can vote on which gingerbread creation they think best fits this year’s theme of “treasures and traditions.”

Admission for Santa Day is included with museum entry, and free for Hagley members and children 5 and younger. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for students and seniors (ages 62 and older), $10 for children ages 6 to 14 and $2 with an EBT/SNAP discount.

200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville; (302) 658-2400; www.hagley.org/

Brunch with Santa, Wilmington

Park Café in Wilmington is hosting a brunch event on Sunday, Dec. 10, that includes a visit with Santa and fun activities for kids.

Seating is available for 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Reservations are $30 for adults, $15 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and younger.

To claim your seat, visit www.parkcafede.com/santa.

2510 W. Fifth St., Wilmington; (302) 543-2233; www.parkcafede.com/.

Winter Wonderland Weekend

The Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington is hosting a Winter Wonderland weekend on Friday, Dec. 1 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photos with Santa will be offered on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington is hosting a Winter Wonderland weekend on Friday, Dec. 1 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photos with Santa will be offered on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington is hosting a Winter Wonderland weekend on Friday, Dec. 1 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Dec. 1, guests can enjoy a greenery sale starting at 12 p.m. and a holiday bazaar and art loop starting at 5 p.m.

On Dec. 2, attendees can have professional photos taken with Santa from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Family photos are $10 each. To register for photos, visit thedch.org/events/. The greenery sale and holiday bazaar will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

1810 N. Dupont Street, Wilmington, (302) 658-6262; thedch.org/.

Is your establishment or organization offering Santa meet and greets this year? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com to be included in this story.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Where to meet and take pictures Santa Claus in Delaware this year