November 06, 2026
Photo Credit/Gabriella Heald
Shoppers browse holiday decorations and gifts at Historic Odessa's Twinklefest Christmas Marketplace. The festival returns Nov. 21 with more than 45 vendors, historic house tours and family activities.
Historic homes decorated for Christmas, pony rides and a market filled with holiday gifts are among the attractions at Twinklefest, returning to Odessa, Delaware, on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Historic Odessa Foundation's second annual festival runs from 1 to 5:30 p.m., with activities spread across its historic museum houses and grounds. Admission includes access to a Christmas market with more than 45 vendors, along with live entertainment and children's activities.
One of this year's highlights is An American Colonial Revival Christmas, an exhibition inspired by Felicity, the American Girl character whose story takes place in 1774. Inside the Corbit-Sharp House, doll-sized objects are paired with historic artifacts and furnishings to explore Christmas customs in colonial America and how those traditions influenced later holiday decorations.
A dining room at Historic Odessa is decorated for Christmas as part of the site's annual holiday house tours. The tours are included with admission to Twinklefest on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Families can also tour the Wilson-Warner House, where more than 30 Christmas trees decorated by community members celebrate children's books.
Outside, children can write letters to Santa using feather pens and ink, with replies promised from the North Pole. They can also take pony rides, visit a petting zoo and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Other activities include hay wagon rides, face painting, crafts and performances by the Odessa High School Marching Band and Dover English Country Dancers.
The Christmas Marketplace will offer holiday gifts and seasonal items, with purchases sold separately from admission.
The afternoon ends with a countdown at dusk, when Historic Odessa's buildings will light up for the holidays.
Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Family packages for two adults and two children cost $60, or $50 for Historic Odessa Foundation members. Admission includes the house tours, entertainment, rides and children's activities.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026
Time: 1-5:30 p.m.
Location: Historic Odessa, 201 Main St., Odessa, DE 19730
Admission: $20 adults; $15 children under 12; $60 family package for nonmembers or $50 for members (two adults and two children)
Activities: Christmas Marketplace with more than 45 vendors, holiday house tours, Santa and Mrs. Claus, pony and hay wagon rides, petting zoo, children's crafts, live entertainment and holiday building lighting
Tickets and information: Historic Odessa Twinklefest
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