Your Delaware New Year’s 2024 holiday guide

Delaware has several New Year’s celebrations throughout the state this weekend.

Whether you have some eager ambitions for the New Year, are continuing your established habits and routines, or are somewhere in between, it is likely that you’ll be traveling to celebrate the holiday.

Including Christmas, 330,000 Delawareans are traveling for the end-of-year holidays, an increase of 2.6% over last year, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic, a regional travel agency.

Here’s what to know about New Year’s in the First State with less than a week to go before 2024 is here:

Travel

According to AAA, the best time to travel on Friday, Dec. 29 is before noon, with the worst time between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 30, the best time to hit the road is also before noon, and the worst time to drive is between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Both Sunday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) and Monday. Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) are expected to have minimal traffic impact based on the time of the drive.

Gas prices are also a couple dimes cheaper per gallon than this time last year.

A gallon costs an average of $2.96 in Delaware compared to $3.07 nationally.

Weather

The weekend weather is supposed to start off ugly and then improve into the holiday, according to the National Weather Service.

Friday has a 50% chance of rain with a high of 52 degrees. Friday night will be overcast with a 30% chance of rain and temperatures dropping to 36 degrees.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 45 degrees and a low of 29 degrees into the night.

New Year’s Eve will be mostly clear with a high of 43 degrees. Those watching fireworks at night might have some trouble, as Sunday evening will bring clouds and a low of 31 degrees.

New Year’s Day will be mostly sunny, with the temperature rising to 46 degrees.

Road safety

Always create a plan to have a sober driver when traveling if there’s drinking in your holiday plans.

Besides public transportation, there’s also ride shares like Uber or Lyft.

With cold temperatures, drivers need to make sure they are not distracted or on their phones when driving, as well as following speed limits, especially as roads become slick at night.

Those walking at night should wear reflective and bright clothing to ensure visibility to drivers.

Drivers should also keep an ice scraper in the car, and perhaps a blanket or two and a portable charger in case of an accident or emergency.

New Year’s Eve events

Riverfront Fireworks in Wilmington starts at 9 p.m.
Dueling Pianos with Flying Ivories at the Milton Theatre on Union Street will run from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with two performers on two pianos jamming out as they deliver an all-request, rock and roll sing-along. Tickets are between $21.60 and $29 and can be bought here.
New Year’s Eve Anchor Drop at the Lightship Overfalls Maritime Museum in Lewes is having its 13th annual “Anchor Drop” festival to welcome the new year and celebrate Lewes’ maritime history with a countdown to 2024.
New Year Ball Drop at Rt. 1 and New Orleans Street Oceanside at Dewey Beach starts at 11:30 p.m. The event will include a community toast. Parking will be free.
Noon Year’s Eve at the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington will have a celebration with a group countdown to noon on Sunday. The program takes place outside in the zoo, and hot chocolate will be available for purchase at the snack bar. Tickets are free for members and $5 for non-members. Get tickets here.
Confetti Countdown at the Delaware Children’s Museum in Wilmington will have a countdown together to a big confetti release in the museum. Special performances will include We Kids Rock, appearances from Pinky the Puppet and other fun family activities.
Family NYE Extravaganza at Lefty’s Alley and Eats in Lewes runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $89 and can be purchased here.

Additionally, plenty of restaurants are having special dinner and drink celebrations to bring in the New Year.

Here are a handful:

Le Cavalier in Wilmington
Docklands Riverfront in Wilmington
Tonic Seafood and Steak in Wilmington
Hamilton’s on Main in Newark
The Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes and Middletown
Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats in Rehoboth Beach
Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach

New Year’s Day hikes at Delaware State Parks

Delaware’s State Parks are holding a slew of “First Day Hikes”:

Alapocas Run State Park: 3 miles, 10 a.m. start. Check in provided with registration.
Auburn Valley State Park: 2-5 mile trails, hike start at either 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. Check in at Welcome Station at the Auburn Heights Mansion Event Lot.
Bellevue State Park: 2 miles or 2.3 miles, 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. start. Check in at the Arts Center Patio.
Brandywine Creek State Park: Trails are 2.2 miles or 2.7 miles. Event starts at 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. Check in at the Nature Center.
Brandywine Zoo: 1/10 mile, check in 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. Location provided with registration.
Cape Henlopen State Park: Length of trails varies. 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. start time. Check in at the Point Comfort Station Parking Area or the Cape Henlopen Nature Centers.
Delaware Seashore State Park: 1 mile, 3:30 p.m. start time. Check in at North Inlet Day Use Area.
First State Heritage Park: 1/4 mile, 1 p.m. start time. Check in at John Bell House.
Fork Branch Nature Resrve: 1 mile, check in at 10 a.m. at the Maple Dale Country Club.
Fort DuPont State Park: 1.5 miles 10 a.m. start. Check in at the parking lot at the end of Old Battery Lane/Wilmington Avenue.
Fort Miles Historical Area: .25 or 1.5 miles, 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. start, respectively. Check in at the Fort Miles Trailhead of the Pinelands Nature Trail for the longer hike and the Orientation Building in the Fort Miles Historic Area for the shorter hike.
Fox Point: 2 miles, 11 a.m. start. Check in at Fox Point State Park.
Killens Pond State Park: 1.5 miles, 1 p.m. start. Check in at Pavilion 1.
Lums Pond State Park: 2 miles, 1 p.m. start. Check in at the Lums Pond State Park Campground.
Trap Pond State Park: 1.1 miles, 9:45 a.m. start. Check in at the Baldcypress Nature Center.
White Clay Creek State Park: 1, 3 or 2.1 mile trails. 10 a.m. start for the 2.1 mile and 1 p.m. start for the 1 or 3 mile. 3.5 miles, 9:30 a.m. start. Check in at the Chambers House Nature Center for the 2.1 mile and the Carpenter Recreation Area for the others.