Twinklefest
Please join us for the first Annual Twinklefest! Saturday, November 22, 2025, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm on the grounds of the National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House, Main St., Odessa Delaware.
This exciting family-friendly event kicks off the holiday season packed with fun for young and old and tickets include:
Participants can tour A Jane Austin Christmas in the Wilson-Warner House, circa1769. This year’s exhibit commemorates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austin’s birth and features holiday vignettes from her novels and don’t miss the Dover English Country Dancers performing live!
Over 30 beautiful Christmas trees will be on display in the Corbit-Sharp House circa 1774 celebrating the season with themed decorations from classic children’s literature created by families, school children, and community organizations.
Learn about Freedom Seekers the Odessa Story at the 19th-century Muskrat Skinning Shack where interpreters bring the Delaware Underground Railroad to life and take a hay-ride along the Appoquinimink Creek.
Don’t miss a trip to the Collins-Sharp House circa 1700 and the ever-popular Christmas re-sale shop!
Santa and Mrs. Clause will be on hand at the historic Wilson Barn, circa 1806, for a photo op with your family in front of his antique 19th-century sleigh. Kids will love shopping for presents in Santa’s workshop.
Children of all ages will enjoy visiting the Historic Odessa Foundation school program areas where they can write their letter to Santa with real quill pens and India ink in the Quaker classroom, make a Christmas ornament in the artisan apprentice shop, design their own dinner plate in the 1774 kitchen, or have their face painted for the season.
Costumed interpreters will be on hand with camp cooking demonstrations over an open fire along with face painters, grown-ups will enjoy exploring the market-place tent and the many offerings of regional crafts for sale. Live greens freshly cut will be available for purchase and guests may sign up for a holiday decorating workshop taught by a talented Odessa homeowner experienced with the creating of fresh wreaths, swags, and other holiday decorations.
Participate for prizes in the Historic Odessa Foundation “Ugly Sweater Contest”! Visit Cantwell’s Beer Garden, enjoy making S’mores with your little elves, or just sit around the fire pits listening to live music provided throughout the day.
Your day culminates with lighting countdown when all the buildings in the historic center of town come to life in a blaze of white lights!
All proceeds from the event support the Historic Odessa Foundation preservation and education mission. Historic Odessa serves Delaware audiences including nearly 5000 school children each year.
