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Rehoboth’s holiday tree is bigger and brighter than ever

Annual sing-along, lighting event kicks off the area’s Christmas celebration season and events
Rehoboth Beach hosted its annual sing-along and tree lighting Nov. 28. Thousands of people dressed in layers to attend the show. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
November 29, 2025

Thousands of people braved near-freezing temperatures and strong wind to help Rehoboth Beach kick off the Cape Region’s holiday season with the city’s annual tree lighting and sing-along Nov. 28.

This year’s tree weighs about 6,000 pounds and was donated by the state. It was located off Route 1, next to the Tharros Village and Delaware Department of Transportation salt barn, on the property is the former home of Delaware State Police Troop 7.

Supported by Clear Space Theatre Company performers, singers Nancy Curry and Grace Riddle led the sing-along portion of the show.

Corey Groll, Rehoboth Beach Bandstand director, said this was the biggest tree the city has ever used for the event.

The city hosts the event, but gets installation help from Harry Caswell, a plumbing and utility company from Long Neck; and George Plummer & Son, a Lewes-area crane business; and Delmarva Power.

For the first time in three years, the tree was installed without any issues. Two years ago, the tree snapped when being lifted off the trailer for installation at the Bandstand. Fortunately, it was a huge tree and it was a clean break, so the city was able to salvage the top two-thirds.

Last year, the tree was installed without any problems, but it got extremely windy overnight and it blew over after a rusty O-ring gave out. Fortunately, again, the tree was in good shape, but the trunk did damage the tree stand at the Bandstand. The city was able secure it into place and then fixed the tree stand area after the tree was removed.

Looking ahead, the Cape Region has a number of holiday-themed events, markets and house tours over the next couple of weeks. This week specifically will be all about local parades:

• The Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas parade is 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 1, in Rehoboth

• The Millsboro Christmas parade is at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Millsboro

• The Milton Christmas parade is at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Milton

• The Lewes Merchants’ Hospitality Night is 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, in Lewes

• The Caroling on The Circle and Georgetown Christmas parade takes place Thursday, Dec. 4, at The Circle, Georgetown. The parade begins at 6 p.m., with caroling on the main stage and is followed by the parade and tree-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m.

• The Lewes Christmas parade is at 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, downtown Lewes. There will be a tree lighting and candlelight caroling following the parade at Zwaanendael Park.

For a full listing of events, go to the calendar section of the Cape Gazette website at capegazette.com.

 

Wearing a hat that only works for a short time each year, Dover’s Chuck Gentry takes a photo of the tree after it was lit up.
During the performance of “Frosty the Snowman,” Clear Space performer Chris Ennis yells, “Stop!”
Brandon, left, and Wyatt Ontjes of Glen Mills, Pa., are two of dozens of people who took selfies with the tree after it was lit.
The Chronister family of York, Pa., makes time to visit with Santa Claus at Santa’s house before the show begins. Shown with Santa are dad Jordan, mom J.J., 1-year-old Brecken, 3-year-old Calihan, 5-year-old Huxley and 7-year-old Cayman.
Corey Groll, Rehoboth Beach Bandstand director, welcomes everyone to the show.
Mallory, a Newfoundland from Middletown, gets almost as much attention with her Santa-riding outfit as the tree.
Singers Nancy Curry, left, and Grace Riddle led the sing-along portion of the show.
Clear Space Theatre Company performers keep warm by singing loud.
Simone and Bodhi Kingree of Georgetown get a front-row seat for the show.
In advance of the tree being lit, the crowd packs in like penguins to keep warm.
Keyboard player Sarah Rose manages to play all the notes correctly, despite temperatures that had everyone else’s fingers frozen.
The crowd quickly disperses after the tree is lit.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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