Wilmington, NC, transforms into a holiday wonderland each Christmas season, offering a variety of festive activities and experiences for both locals and visitors. From strolling through the luminous Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens to exploring the nautical charm of Christmas by the Sea, there's something to enchant every heart in this coastal city.
Witness the unique Holiday Flotilla, where boats adorned in dazzling lights parade along the Intracoastal Waterway, creating a stunning spectacle on the water. The holiday season in Wilmington truly merges the region's rich history and coastal beauty with the joy and warmth of Christmas celebrations.
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The Top Christmas Events in Wilmington
- Enchanted Airlie
- Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour
- Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
- Christmas Train & Light Spectacular
- Polar Express Train Ride
- Cape Fear Festival of Trees
- Christmas at the Bellamy Mansion
- Holiday Makers Market
- N. C. Symphony Holiday Pops
- Winter Wonderland
Wilmington Holiday Light Displays
Enchanted Airlie
What to Expect:
Historic gardens transformed with elaborate light displays
Description:
Airlie Gardens transforms into a luminous spectacle each winter. Stroll through 67 acres of century-old live oaks draped in twinkling lights. This beloved tradition began in 2005 as a small community event and has since grown into a dazzling display attracting visitors from across the region. You can warm up with a cup of hot cocoa while admiring the intricate light sculptures. The gardens, established in 1901, showcase the natural beauty of coastal North Carolina while celebrating the holiday season in grand style.
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Christmas Train & Light Spectacular
What to Expect:
Illuminated train ride through festive displays
Description:
The Christmas Train Light Spectacular offers a unique way to experience holiday lights. Passengers board a festively decorated train for a journey through elaborate light displays. This moving panorama of illumination brings holiday scenes to life as the train winds its way through the countryside. The event pays homage to Wilmington's railroad history, which played a crucial role in the city's development. Children can participate in a scavenger hunt, searching for specific light displays along the route. The rhythmic sound of the train adds to the immersive experience.
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Christmas Train & Light Spectacular
Wilmington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Makers Market
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans and craftspeople
Description:
The Holiday Makers Market celebrates the creativity of local artisans and craftspeople. This bustling marketplace features a diverse array of handcrafted goods, from jewelry and pottery to textiles and woodwork. The event highlights Wilmington's thriving arts community, which has been a significant part of the city's culture for generations. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques. The market also offers workshops where you can create your own holiday gifts under the guidance of skilled artisans. The air is filled with the scent of freshly made candles and soaps, adding to the sensory experience.
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Holiday Ole Market
What to Expect:
Market featuring international holiday gifts and foods
Description:
The Holiday Ole Market brings a global perspective to Wilmington's holiday shopping scene. This unique market showcases gifts, decorations, and foods from around the world, celebrating diverse holiday traditions. The event reflects Wilmington's history as a port city, which has long welcomed international influences. Visitors can sample holiday treats from different cultures or purchase handcrafted items from global artisans. Live performances feature music and dance from various countries, adding to the international atmosphere. You can learn about holiday customs from different parts of the world through educational displays and demonstrations.
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Wilmington Holiday Giving Opportunities
Cape Fear Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Display of uniquely decorated trees benefiting local charities
Description:
The Cape Fear Festival of Trees showcases a forest of creatively decorated Christmas trees. Each tree is uniquely adorned by local businesses, organizations, and individuals, reflecting diverse themes and styles. This event, which began in 1982, raises funds for various local charities. Visitors can admire the intricate details of each tree, from traditional ornaments to unconventional decorations. The festival also features live performances by local musicians and dance groups. You can vote for your favorite tree, contributing to the friendly competition among decorators.
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Wilmington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Interactive train ride based on the popular children's book
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride brings a beloved children's story to life. Passengers don pajamas and board a real train, embarking on a journey to the "North Pole." This interactive experience includes characters from the book, including dancing chefs serving hot chocolate. The event takes place on a historic rail line, connecting modern families with the area's transportation heritage. Children receive a special gift from Santa himself during the ride. You can join in singing Christmas carols as the train chugs along, creating lasting memories for families.
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N. C. Symphony Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Professional symphony orchestra performing holiday classics
Description:
The NC Symphony Holiday Pops concert brings world-class musicianship to Wilmington's holiday season. This annual performance features the renowned North Carolina Symphony playing a mix of beloved holiday classics and contemporary favorites. The concert showcases the rich musical heritage of the state, as the NC Symphony has been a cultural institution since 1932. Visitors can experience the power of a full orchestra bringing holiday melodies to life. The program often includes a sing-along portion where you can join your voice with hundreds of others in familiar carols.
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Wilmington Other Holiday Activities
Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of historic homes by candlelight
Description:
Step back in time during the Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour. This self-guided journey through Wilmington's historic district offers a glimpse into the city's past. Candlelit homes, some dating back to the 18th century, open their doors to visitors. The soft glow of candles illuminates period furnishings and decorations, creating an intimate atmosphere. This event, organized by the Historical Society of the Lower Cape Fear, has been a local tradition for over 40 years. Explore the architectural details and learn about the families who once called these grand homes their own.
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Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour
Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Combined tree lighting ceremony and downtown parade
Description:
Wilmington's holiday season officially begins with the Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade. This dual event brings the community together in the heart of downtown. The lighting of the city's grand Christmas tree, a tradition dating back decades, signals the start of the festivities. Following the illumination, a lively parade winds through the historic streets. Floats, marching bands, and community groups showcase their holiday spirit. The aroma of roasted chestnuts fills the air as spectators line the parade route. You can join locals in singing carols as the parade passes by.
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Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
Christmas at the Bellamy Mansion
What to Expect:
19th-century mansion decorated in period holiday style
Description:
Christmas at the Bellamy Mansion offers a glimpse into 19th-century holiday traditions. This antebellum home, built in 1861, is adorned with period-appropriate decorations, showcasing how the wealthy Bellamy family might have celebrated Christmas. The mansion's rooms feature handcrafted garlands, vintage ornaments, and historically accurate table settings. Visitors can learn about Victorian-era holiday customs and their influence on modern celebrations. The event includes guided tours led by costumed interpreters who share stories of the mansion's past. You can admire the intricate architectural details of this historic landmark while experiencing a bygone era's holiday spirit.
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Christmas at the Bellamy Mansion
Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Indoor holiday-themed playground and activity center
Description:
Winter Wonderland transforms an indoor space into a holiday playground for all ages. This climate-controlled environment offers a range of activities, from ice skating on a synthetic rink to building structures with giant foam blocks resembling snow. The event provides a unique opportunity to experience winter activities in Wilmington's mild coastal climate. Visitors can participate in holiday-themed crafts or navigate an obstacle course designed to look like a snowy landscape. You can challenge friends to a snowball fight using soft, indoor-safe "snowballs." The laughter of children echoes throughout the space, adding to the joyful atmosphere.
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Nearby Events
Christmas by the Sea (Carolina Beach)
What to Expect:
Coastal-themed holiday celebrations
Description:
Wilmington's coastal charm shines during Christmas by the Sea. This unique celebration blends maritime traditions with holiday cheer. Visitors can explore seaside villages adorned with nautical-inspired decorations. The event pays homage to the area's rich maritime history, dating back to the colonial era. Participate in a beachcomber's treasure hunt, searching for special ornaments hidden along the shore. The salty sea breeze mingles with the scent of freshly baked coastal treats, creating an atmosphere unlike any inland holiday celebration.
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Holiday Flotilla (Wrightsville Beach)
What to Expect:
Parade of illuminated boats on the Intracoastal Waterway
Description:
The Holiday Flotilla illuminates the Intracoastal Waterway with a procession of boats decked out in dazzling lights. This unique aquatic parade showcases the creativity of local boaters as they compete for prizes. The tradition began in 1983 with just a handful of boats and has since grown into a major regional attraction. Spectators line the shores to watch the floating displays glide by, reflecting off the calm waters. You can join the festivities by voting for your favorite boat in the People's Choice category.
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Island of Lights Festival (Carolina Beach)
What to Expect:
Month-long celebration on Pleasure Island
Description:
Pleasure Island sparkles during the Island of Lights Festival. This month-long celebration transforms the barrier island into a beacon of holiday cheer. The festival kicks off with the lighting of a 12-foot Christmas tree, a tradition since 1988. Visitors can admire the illuminated displays while strolling along the beach. The event culminates in a unique New Year's Eve celebration featuring the dropping of a giant lighted beach ball at midnight. You'll experience the laid-back coastal lifestyle blended with holiday excitement throughout the festival.
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Christmas House at Poplar Grove Plantation (Scotts Hill)
What to Expect:
Historic plantation home decorated for a 19th-century Christmas
Description:
The Christmas House at Poplar Grove Plantation offers a journey into holiday celebrations of the past. This antebellum manor, dating back to 1850, is adorned with period-appropriate decorations, showcasing how Christmas was celebrated in the mid-19th century. Visitors can explore rooms featuring handmade ornaments, natural greenery, and traditional toys of the era. The event highlights the agricultural heritage of the region, with special emphasis on the plantation's peanut farming history. You can participate in hands-on activities such as making pomander balls or stringing popcorn garlands. The scent of fresh pine and spices permeates the air, evoking the essence of a bygone era.
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Christmas House at Poplar Grove Plantation