Copyright Wilmington News Journal
I know it probably feels like you just tossed those bags of Halloween candy into your grocery cart, but it's time to stock up on cranberry sauce, pumpkin puree and bags of stuffing mix. Yes, Thanksgiving is nearly here. And whether you are planning a feast for a crowd or concerned about stretching your budget to feed four, we are here for you. Our 2025 Thanksgiving Guide offers information on where to get a free turkey - and also how to donate one. We have stories on cooking on an extremely modest budget, as well as how to score reservations on a diverse array of restaurants. Parades and holiday fun? Got it! Travel advisories? Got that too. And we will continue to update this guide as the holiday draws closer: 2025 guide to Thanksgiving, Christmas parades around Delaware The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Philadelphia's 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade will both take place on Nov. 27. Many local Christmas parades, including events in Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean City, are planned from late November through December. Christmas parades are happening in each county around Delaware in 2025. Like it or not, the holiday season is coming like a thief in the night, and the police can't save you from it because they're tied up providing security for Santa Claus. But for those of you who can't wait to ring in the Christmas season, there are a bunch of parades around the Delaware area you can dive into. Here's a holiday guide of parades that you, and Grinches, can check out in all three Delaware counties and beyond through the new year. When will Delaware malls, stores open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday 2025? Planning to hit the Christiana Mall or Dover Mall in Delaware for Black Friday shopping? You need to know when these malls and Delaware's other major retail chains, like Target and Walmart, will open early on Friday, Nov. 28. Here's what Black Friday shoppers in the First State need to know. Places in Delaware giving away turkey, other food for Thanksgiving. Where to donate Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We know the holidays can be a tough time for many people, especially with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on hold this year. There’s no shame in asking for support when you need it, and plenty of organizations around Delaware are ready to help residents acquire food for the holiday. We’ve compiled a list of places around the First State where people can find free Thanksgiving meals, turkeys and other giveaways to make the holidays a little easier. Plus, many of these organizations are looking for donations and volunteers. Aldi's $40 Thanksgiving meal deal is back on the table. Here's what's inside With grocery prices consuming more and more of Delaware household budgets, Aldi is hoping to give shoppers some relief this holiday season. The discount grocer has launched its 2025 Thanksgiving meal deal, offering enough food to feed 10 people for just $40 – a $7 markdown from last year’s promotion. The deal went on sale Oct. 15 and will remain available through Christmas Eve, giving Delaware shoppers several weeks to take advantage of the savings. Where to get Thanksgiving pie, holiday dessert in Delaware, from Selbyville to Wilmington You could argue the most important part of Thanksgiving dinner is the turkey, but if you've got a sweet tooth, it's dessert. Thanksgiving is primetime for pies, and there are plenty of places across Delaware – not grocery stores or chains but independent bakeries and shops – to get a good pie. See our list below for a pie (or cake) purveyor near you. Call ahead to confirm selection and order early to be sure you don't miss out. Dine-in, dine-out ideas for Thanksgiving dinner in Delaware The earlier, the better when it comes to organizing Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you plan to host but don't want to cook. Most restaurants are open on the holiday, Nov. 27 this year. But reservations go fast. Don't wait until the holiday to book a table, or you could be outta luck. The same goes for placing to-go orders from area shops that offer Thanksgiving catering and take-home dinners, sides and desserts. Want to fight hunger? Pack a DART bus with food donations before Thanksgiving DART has been collecting thousands of pounds of food every November for nearly 30 years. This year, the tradition continues. There will be six events around Delaware packing buses full of donated food that goes directly to the Food Bank of Delaware for distribution. DART and the Food Bank of Delaware wants to fill the buses with about 15,000 pounds of nonperishable items. That makes up two to three DART buses, according to Kim Turner, vice president of communications and chief of staff of the Food Bank of Delaware. "They must be very good Tetris players the way they arrange boxes in the bus," she said. Anyone can bring nonperishable foods to the six locations where they will be accepted and loaded onto the bus. Personal care and baby items such as diapers and wipes are accepted as well, according to Lerrissa Boardley, DART's marketing and outreach coordinator. There are no donations too big or too small, she said. Traveling for Thanksgiving? Here's the Farmers' Almanac forecast for the holiday Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner or traveling, one thing always impacts the holiday – the weather. The Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest travel holiday, accoring to AAA.com. Last year AAA projected 79.9 million people were traveling more than 50 miles from home for the holiday. If you're traveling, the weather will impact travel times and road conditions.Are you ready for the first frost?: Here's when Delaware historically gets hit Farmers' Almanac has already put together its forecast for the holiday. Here's what you should know. What's the weather forecast for Thanksgiving Day? Here's the latest Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and enjoy some turkey, the Macy's parade and football. In the process of coming together, people are going to travel throughout Delaware, and the weather will play a key role in how people travel. While it's too early for a definite forecast, Accuweather.com has its first long-range forecast for Thanksgiving. When is Thanksgiving in 2025? Here's what we know, why we celebrate the holiday Are you ready for Thanksgiving this year? The turkey, stuffing, green bean cassarole and, of course, pumpkin pie make you think about the fun holiday. But, if you're not ready yet, you still have time. While not the latest possible date for Thanksgiving – which is Nov. 28 – it's still pretty far into the November calender. Here's what you need to know about Thanksgiving.
