Wilmington NC 2013 Holiday Events

Wilmington NC holiday events and celebrations feature Christmas lights, Christmas trees, visits with Santa, holiday concerts, holiday parades and more!

Celebrate the holidays in Wilmington North Carolina! Kick off the season at the Island of Lights Lighting of the Lake ceremony, stroll through Enchanted Airlie to enjoy a spectacular array of lights, and catch an incredible display of decorated boats as they cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway in the Christmas Flotilla! Race in the Jingle Bell Run 5k, enjoy holiday music at Thalian Hall and enjoy holiday arts and crafts at the Wilmington Holiday Art Show. Mark your calendar today so that you can enjoy all of Wilmington's exciting holiday events!

Visiting from out of town to experience Christmas in Wilmington? Contact our Wilmington hotel partners to enjoy comfortable accommodations, delicious hot breakfast and more!

2013 Wilmington  NC Holiday Events:

Island of Lights Lighting at the Lake
November 29, 2013 at 7PM
The light up ceremony officially begins the month long, 2013 Island of Lights Festival. The brief opening ceremony will feature the President of The Island of Lights committee, Pleasure Island elected officials, and musical entertainment. Local Cub Scouts provide the Honor Guard and display the Flag for the singing of the National Anthem. Families can walk one mile around the lake to view the beautiful lighted displays. Santa will visit the celebration and free cocoa and cookies will be served prior to Light up. Contact 910-458-6885 for more information.

Enchanted Airlie
November 29 & 30, 2013
December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, & 22, 2013
A Wilmington tradition since 2005, guests from around the world have visited Airlie Gardens from Thanksgiving to Christmas to take in the sparkling sights and festive sounds of the season. Guests will experience a nice stroll through the Gardens, on a self-guided tour while feasting their eyes on a spectacular array of lights and holiday displays. Also in attendance, Santa Claus himself, and a few local food and beverage vendors with coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn, cookies and more! Call 910-798-7700 for more information.

Holiday Artist Market - Wilmington Art Show
November 30 - December 1, 2013
Kick off your Holiday shopping at the Wilmington Art Show, a juried art show consisting of outstanding fine artists and craftsmen from Wilmington and around the country. The jury committee carefully selects only the best work submitted in each category assuring a well-rounded quality art show. You'll find everything from exquisite jewelry to funky and functional pottery, abstract sculpture to glistening glass, hand-woven fashions to stunning photography, extraordinary paintings to wonderful wood carvings; this is a show you won't want to miss! Click here for $1 off admission.

American Big Band: Home for the Holidays
December 4, 2013 at 4PM and 8PM
With a twelve-piece band and cast of eight singers and dancers, American Big Band thrills audiences like no other with a fully staged, costumed and choreographed production. Their show-stopping synthesis of Big Band styling and Broadway staging, mixed with the ability to meld popular classics with the latest show tunes and choreography, creates a uniquely entertaining evening perfect for the holidays. Celebrate holiday favorites including hits from Bing to Buble! Call 910-632-2285 for ticket information.

Island of Lights Christmas Parade
December 6, 2013
The 2013 Christmas Parade will be on Friday, December 6th, starting at 7:30pm. It proceeds from Atlanta Avenue down Lake Park Boulevard to the Federal Point Plaza in Carolina Beach. Floats, bands and Santa Clause will be there to add to the festivities of the Season and provide a night of entertainment for families. Call 910-458-5507 for more information.

Christmas Flotilla in Wilmington NC
December 7, 2013
Celebrate the holidays at the Wilmington NC Christmas Flotilla! Fishing boats and pleasure craft electrically decorated with thousands of lights present a spectacular display on the Intracoastal Waterway. They cruise from Snows Cut to the Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back. The boats compete for prizes and add to the wonderful holiday spirit. A panel of judges will be on hand to choose the winners. Bring the family and enjoy the evening at Carolina Beach. Call 910-458-0211 for more information.

Polar Express at Wilmington Railroad Museum
December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22, 2013
Experience the 10th year of the Polar Express Family Show! Wilmington Railroad Museum presents the classic story, told by WWAY-TV personalities. Visit with Santa, get a special 'first gift' and goodies, and enjoy hot chocolate. Call the Wilmington Railroad Museum at 910-763-2634 to reserve your golden tickets.

12 Tastes of Christmas
December 13, 2013
Get a taste of the holiday spirit at the first annual 12 Tastes of Christmas benefit on Friday, December 13 at the Brooklyn Arts Center. Select downtown eateries and drinkeries will provide delectable nibbles and special seasonal cocktails for your sampling pleasure, with holiday tunes by DJ Battle to make your night merry. Festive attire welcome! Yes, that includes that ugly Xmas sweater! Call 910-538-2939 for more information.

Jingle Bell Run 5k
December 14, 2013
The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History invites you to participate in the museum’s Third Annual 5K Jingle Bell Run. Race participants are encouraged to dress in holiday apparel like Santa costumes, antlers, snowmen, etc for this celebratory, holiday event. There will be a prize for best costume! The 5K course will take participants around the John Nesbitt Loop and will include a short run up North Channel Drive and back. Call 910-256-2569 for more information.

Chatham County Line: Electric Holiday Tour
December 20, 2013
The time has come again for North Carolina's Acoustic Ambassadors to take their Annual Electric Holiday Tour on the road. The holidays are a special time of year and to mark this occasion, Chatham County Line brings a few friends on the road to liven up the stage with them. As in years past, there will be a full acoustic set performed by the band in their tried and true one-mic fashion. Following a short intermission, the band will be joined by Jay Brown, Zeke Hutchins, and Johnny Irion for a rocking take on some of their own songs as well as a few choice numbers that have influenced them through the years. The Holiday show has always provided a warm spirit and a few surprises so call 910-538-2939 to get your tickets before it is too late.

Danielle Snyder
Wilmington NC Events