Longwood shimmers in Christmas lights, with new additions on view
A Longwood Christmas – on view through January 12, 2025 – brings bright lights and lush greenery back to the stately gardens. The results of a years-long construction project are also now open. Timed tickets are required and very limited through the holidays but with more availabilty in January.
- “Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway” features more than 100 holiday scenes in a drive-thru display where donations are collected for two charities.
- Every night, donations of canned goods will be collected for the Food Bank of Delaware.
- On “Giving Tuesday,” Dec. 2, all cars will receive a $5 discount when buying tickets in person, and that $5 will be donated to the Dover Motor Speedway chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.
This isn’t your typical drive-thru. Instead of buying food, people donate it, and the scenery is much better.
“Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway” features more than 100 holiday scenes and 2.5 million lights in a drive-thru display where donations are collected for two charities.
The fourth annual event will illuminate an almost 2-mile pathway at the campgrounds next to the speedway nightly from Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, through Jan. 4, said Dover Speedway communications manager Colin Ward in a press release.
Every night, donations of canned goods will be collected for the Food Bank of Delaware, with donors receiving a $5 discount for their carload of visitors if buying tickets in person.
“We’re so grateful to the organizers of Gift of Lights for making hunger relief part of this season’s celebration,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky. “Their generosity — and the generosity of every guest who donates — not only provides food for Delaware families but also builds vital awareness about hunger in our community.”
On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, all cars will receive a $5 discount when buying tickets in person, and all those five-dollar bills will be donated to the Dover Motor Speedway chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. The group partners with local organizations to help children in need including those facing homelessness, food insecurity or illness.
“Gift of Lights has quickly become one of our most beloved annual traditions,” said Mike Tatoian, Dover Motor Speedway’s president and general manager. “It’s a privilege to welcome families back for the fourth straight season and celebrate the holidays together here at in Kent County.”
The display is presented by Winterland, Inc., a holiday décor and lighting firm based in Marion, Indiana, with more than 30 years of experience. Partners in the event include the Delaware Lottery, Carter Machinery, Visit Central Delaware and Cracker Barrel.
Gift of Lights schedule, directions and ticket information
Regular hours are Sunday to Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m., but from Dec. 21 to Dec. 28, hours will be 5 to 10 p.m. each night.
Vehicles should enter the display through the entrance at 1229 Persimmon Tree Lane east of Route 13 and exit onto Leipsic Road. Signs will be posted with information.
One ticket covers everyone in the vehicle. Prices are $35 for cars, pickups and SUVs or $60 for buses or limousines.
Tickets are available online at GiftOfLightsDover.com or can be purchased upon arrival. No advance reservations are necessary.
However, for discounts, tickets must be bought in person that evening, not online.
Discount nights include:
- $5 Military Mondays, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8: All active-duty airmen, reservists, guardsmen, guardians and veterans with valid IDs receive admission for $5 for their carload
- Dec. 1: Pajama Night, $5 off per car if all in the car are wearing pajamas
- Dec. 2: Giving Tuesday, $5 off per car, to be given to the Dover Motor Speedway chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities
- Dec. 3: Pet Night, $5 off per car if you bring a furry friend
- Dec. 10: Christmas Sweater Night, presented by Delaware Lottery, with $5 off per car if all in the car are wearing a festive holiday sweater
- All nights: $5 discount for carloads that bring a canned good for the Food Bank of Delaware
- All nights: $5 discount for military members good for their carload
For updates on the Gift of Lights, follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok or see the website GiftOfLightsDover.com.
Reach reporter Ben Mace at [email protected].
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.delawareonline.com ’
