The holiday season is upon us and we’re looking forward to a month of cheer! Below is your complete guide to holiday events in Wilmington NC!
bread & lights gingerbread & lantern festival
Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC, presents bread & lights gingerbread & lantern festival featuring a display of gingerbread creations by all ages as well as artist-made lanterns.
Monday through Sunday, running until Sunday, December 6th. Mondays – Sundays, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Admission is $6 to $12.
For more information visit the Cameron Art Museum website.
The Christmas Train & Light Spectacular
Enjoy a fantastic display of lights and toy trains and enjoy an appearance from Santa each night!
Fridays and Saturdays through December 26th, 6PM to 8PM.
Admission is $5.00 per person.
For more information, visit the Wilmington Railroad Museum website.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Greenfield Tree Lighting (& Movie Night featuring Elf!)
Watch the tree light up, participate in an elf costume contest and catch a live screening of Elf at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Santa will be visiting after the lighting ceremony and will have gifts for the first 500 children! Concessions will also be available for purchase during the film.
Thursday, December 3rd at 6:00 PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
1941 Amphitheater Drive
Wilmington, NC 28401
Enchanted Airlie
Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, NC, presents Enchanted Airlie, where visitors can take a self-guided tour through the gardens that are featuring festive lights and holiday displays. Santa Claus will be making an appearance and guests can also enjoy food and beverages from local vendors.
December 4th-6th, 10th-13th, 16th-22nd. Viewing times are 5pm-7pm.
Various ticket options are available. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Airlie Gardens website.
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
Island of Lights Christmas Parade
Enjoy festive floats and gain some holiday cheer from the annual Island of Lights parade in Carolina Beach. The parade runs from Atlanta Avenue up Lake Park Boulevard to the Federal Point Plaza.
Friday, December 4, 2015 at 7:30 PM.
For more information, visit the Pleasure Island website.
Carolina Beach
Atlanta Avenue and South Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla
Boats and lights! Get into the Christmas spirit by the water with wonderfully lit boats. The boats cruise from Snow’s Cut to the Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back.
Saturday, December 5th, at 6PM.
For more information, visit the Pleasure Island website.
Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina
216 Canal Drive
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Christmas by the Sea
Celebrate the holiday season by the sea on the Carolina Beach boardwalk. Enjoy hot chocolate at the Welcome Center, a fire pit with story telling, caroling, holiday themed movies at the Gazebo, puppet shows, and arts & crafts.
Saturday, December 5th, 12th, and 19th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the event page.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk
Cape Fear Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
13th Annual Holiday Parade
Enjoy the 13th Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Wilmington filled with floats and fun! The parade begins at North Front and Walnut Streets and moves south on Front Street, ending at Church Street. View the parade route here.
Sunday, December 6th at 4:55PM.
Admission is free.
For more information, visit the event website.
North Front Street and Walnut
Wilmington, NC 28401
5th Annual Chanukkah Menorah Lighting
Oak Island’s 5th Annual Chanukkah Menorah Lighting at Middleton Park (next to Town Hall) features Rabbi Paul from the Temple of Israel and music.
Sunday, December 6, 2015, at 4PM.
Admission is free.
Middleton Park
4700 East Oak Island Drive
Oak Island, NC 28465
Pet Photo Night with Santa
Let fluffy and spot share their wishlist with Santa and get a great photo op.
Sunday, December 6th from 6PM to 8PM.
For more information, visit the Independence Mall website.
Independence Mall
3500 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
A Christmas Stroll Through the Past
Join the Burgwin-Wright House, Bellamy Mansion Museum and St. James Episcopal Church as they stroll through the past with period decorations, costumed interpreters, entertainment and refreshments! Enjoy a trolley ride or a candlelit stroll through Downtown Wilmington as you go from one location to another!
Saturday, December 12th, 4PM to 7PM.
Admission is $20 for adults. Children 15 and under are free.
For more information, visit the event website.
Wilmington NC 28401
Wilmington Ballet Company Presents: The Nutcracker
Wilmington Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker at the Cape Fear Community College Humanities & Fine Arts Center in downtown Wilmington, NC. The event features Master of Ceremonies WWAY news anchor Daniel Seamans and stars Keaton Thomas, a Marine Corps Prior Active Duty Captain, as the beloved Nutcracker. Robin Dale Robertson portrays the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer while the role of Clara is danced by Sydney Jones, a 10th grader at Laney High School and student at the Wilmington School of Ballet. Professional guest dancers include Stacey Slichter of North Atlanta Dance Theater as Sugar Plum Fairy and Adam Schiffer of Carolina Ballet as the Cavalier.
Admission is $35 per person.
For tickets and more information, visit the Cape Fear Community College website.
CFCC Humanities & Fine Arts Center
200 Hanover Street
Wilmington, NC 28401