2022 Christmas Activities List

Holiday HighLIGHTS

All Is Bright – A Holiday of Lights at Poplar Grove
Poplar Grove Plantation – 10200 US – 17 N, Wilmington, NC 28411
November 25th – December 30th, 2022

Join friends and neighbors for a stroll around the lighted grounds of Poplar Grove presented by Patriot Illumination. Food trucks, concessions, gift show, libations area, Santa’s workshop, letter-writing station, photo opportunities
Gates open at 4:45PM on Thursday – Saturday until December 17 then Wednesday – Friday until December 30th
Adults $10 (Ages 16+); Children $5 (Under 15); Family Package $25 (2 Adults/2 Children).
Admission price includes a juried gift show to stuff those stockings, photo opportunities, Santa’s workshop, a letter writing station, carnival games for all ages, a walk through the main floor of the decorated manor house, and lights, lights, lights.

  • Saturday, November 26th – 5:30 PM Tree Lighting Ceremony 
  • Saturday, December 3, 7 & 17 and Friday, December 23 – Santa will make an appearance each Saturday night of the event between 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Gazebo.


Website

East Coast Winter Wonderland
East Coast Volleyball Academy – 4608 Coddington Loop, Wilmington, NC 28405
Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 10AM – 6PM

Saturday, December 10 we turn our building into a holiday Winter Wonderland, which includes games, performances, a festival of trees, pictures with Santa, and so much more! Tickets can be purchased at the door – $10 for Adults, $5 for children ages 3 – 15 and free for ages 2 and under.
Website

Enchanted Airlie
Airlie Gardens
Tickets go live – November 2 at 9AM – Sold Out Online
November 25 – December 22, 2022 – Times include 5:30PM, 6:30PM, 7:30PM and 8:30PM
Stroll through Airlie Gardens for a holiday tradition treasured by families in the area. Airlie Gardens showcases the grounds with captivating lights and decor. Listen to holiday music, grab a beverage and popcorn and maybe even run into ol’ Saint Nick.
While tickets have sold out be on the lookout for giveaways and other families willing to sell in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Website

Cape Fear Festival of Trees
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449
November 13 – 23; November 25 – December 10, 2022

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher becomes a colossal winter wonderland under the sea for the Cape Fear Festival of Trees. Exhibits from freshwater streams, open ocean, reefs and coastline serve as the backdrop for an array of ornately adorned Christmas trees placed throughout. Local businesses, organizations and artists have decorated each tree, transforming the Aquarium into an enchanted holiday forest. Make memories with loved ones while enjoying a seasonal take on a beloved attraction.
No separate registration required, simply book your tickets for the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher at the link below and enjoy the trees!
Website
Reservations – Members attend Free

Christmas in the Country
438 Rocky Point Elementary School Rd, Rocky Point, NC 28457
Not happening this year 2022 – check back next year!
Website

Jeff Gordon Chevrolet – Christmas Holiday Light Display
Jeff Gordon Chevrolet – 228 S College Rd, Wilmington, NC
December 1 – December 31, 2022 | dusk til dawn

Drive through the dealership lot and enjoy a synchronized light show by tuning your radio! It’s a wonderful free experience!
Video

Lake Linda Christmas Lights
218 Old House Rd, Hampstead, NC 28443
Lights will shine beginning November 25 thru January 7 from 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM daily
FREE! Drive your car or park and walk around to see the thousands of lights displayed on this private property near Surf City, NC. This unique family attraction was even captured on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (Season 8, Episode 6), which can be seen on Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon. Visit their Christmas cabin where you can purchase merchandise, candy and hot beverages. They also collect toys for Toys 4 Tots (which stay in our local area) and donate to local nonprofits such as a local Group Home for Adult men with Autism.
Website

Leland in Lights (Leland, NC)
Founders Park – 113 Town Hall Drive, Leland, NC 28451
Lights begin December 3, 2022 at 6:00PM

A walkable light display at Founders Park for FREE! Huge Christmas tree, singing trees, elves and so much more!
Website

Mike’s Farm (Beulaville, NC) ~1 hour from Wilmington
1600 Haw Branch Rd, Beulaville, NC 28518
Tickets live online September 1, 2022

Our famous Festival of Lights Hayride draws people from near and far and has become a family tradition! Come enjoy a 30 minute hayride through the woods with lighted Holiday scenes, a live nativity and Christmas music along the way. It will run nightly from November 17th-December 23rd from 6:00-9:00pm. No reservations are needed for the hayride only and tickets are $12 for ages 5 and older. We will also have an encore after Christmas on December 26th-28th from 6:00-9:00pm.
Website

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
Saturday, November 26
Day in the Park – 10AM to 4PM – Wrightsville Beach Town Complex

  • Food Vendors
  • Arts and Crafts Vendors
  • Car Show – Registration 10:00-11:30AM, Judging begins at 12PM
    Awards presentation scheduled for 2PM
  • 5PM – Sponsor tent opens
  • 6PM – Boat Parade begins
  • Fireworks– Following boat parade
  • Website

Riverlights Festival of Trees
Live Oak Commons at Marina Village  – 109 Pier Master Point | Wilmington, NC 
Saturday, December 3 – December 31 dusk til 10 PM

Santa & Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 3PM – 7PM
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony | 6pm

Mark your calendars to kick off the Christmas season at Riverlights for our 2nd Annual Festival of Trees!
Join us Saturday, December 3rd at Marina Village starting from 3 pm – 7pm with a wonderfully holiday-curated pop-up market featuring 30+ local vendors by The Groove. While you shop, and await the tree lighting at dusk enjoy street performances from The Nutcracker with the Wilmington Ballet Company, holiday music performed by the Eugene Ashley High School band, visits with characters from the family-favorite “Frozen” and, of course, an opportunity to chat and have photos with Santa!
The center square, Live Oak Commons will shine with holiday magic featuring the star of the show a 20’ Christmas tree, and around the perimeter additional Christmas trees will be decorated to showcase local non-profits’ missions. At dusk, we will light the trees, and ask all attendees to vote for their top two tree displays and Riverlights will make a charitable donation to those organizations. We can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with you at Riverlights!

The Festival of Lights trees will illuminate every evening, rain or shine, from December 3rd – Dec. 31, 2022 from dusk till 10 pm.
Website

The Great Christmas Light Show | North Myrtle Beach, SC
North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex – 150 Citizens Circle, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
November 21 through December 30* | 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
*Closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, and Christmas Day, December 25

The Great Christmas Light Show is a park-wide lighted celebration that is sure to capture the true spirit of the season! The drive through light show will feature over 2 million lights festively displayed along a 2 mile drive throughout the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. Over 500 magical light displays, some up to 55 feet tall, have been custom made for The Great Christmas Light Show. Visitors will experience NEW enchanting animated figures and holiday scenes where the lights will come to life.

After journeying through the light show, we invite everyone to park their car and visit Santa’s Village where they can enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores, get an up close look at the lights on the Santa Express Train Ride, and, of course, meet Santa!
Website

Wilmington Christmas Lights Map
Looking to seek the best Christmas lights and decorations around town? Check out this map and plan your light scavenger hunt before you leave the house!
Click Here

Wilmington Railroad Museum Holiday Train & Light Spectacular
505 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Holiday Train and Light Spectacular with over 25,000 lights and a visit with Santa – $5 per ticket for Friday and Saturday show from 6:30 to 8 pm. No reservation necessary – Choose from the following dates: Nov. 25 or 26, Dec 9, 10, 16, 17, 23. After Christmas Show (no Santa) on Dec 30.
Website

Santa Sightings

A Christmas Shoppe & Random Wilmington Photos with Santa
Enjoy 15 minutes with Santa while professional photographer captures the moments. Packages cost $125 and include a digital image gallery, 5 prints, 1-8.5×11 and 4 – 4×6
By Appointment Only – Call (910) 660-1391 to schedule
November 6th 1-5PM
November 29th 2-6PM
December 4th 10AM-2PM
December 14th 2PM-6PM

*This photo was taken of my daughter last year! Such a wonderful time spent with Santa!

Battleship Ho Ho Ho
1 Battleship Rd NE, Wilmington, NC 28401
November 25, 10am – 3pm
Celebrate the Season at the Battleship! Santa welcomes everyone on board and volunteers stationed throughout the ship will help children and parents understand this floating city. Create your own retro e-card by posing in our Happy Huladays banner. Type your Christmas wish list on a vintage typewriter using authentic WWII USS NORTH CAROLINA radio message paper. Call the North Pole from the Battleship’s main radio room. See Santa’s journey being tracked in the Combat Information Center. Bring your camera for some great photo ops! A fabulous way to start your holiday season!
Website

Independence Mall
3500 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403 – Belk Wing
November 25 – December 24, 2022
Reservations encouraged
Website

Mayfaire Town Center
6885 Main Street, Wilmington, NC 28405
December 1 – December 24
Reservations Encouraged!
Website

The Cotton Exchange
321 N Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Friday, November 25 11AM – 4PM
Saturday, November 26 12PM – 4PM
Sunday, November 27 1PM – 4PM

Saturday, December 3 12PM – 4PM
Sunday, December 4 11AM – 4PM

Saturday, December 10 12PM – 4PM
Sunday, December 11 11AM – 4PM

Saturday, December 17 12PM – 4PM
Sunday, December 18 11AM – 4PM
Monday, December 19 12PM – 4PM
Tuesday, December 20 12PM – 4PM
Wednesday, December 21-12PM – 4PM
Thursday, December 22 12PM – 4PM
Friday, December 23 12PM – 4PM
Website

Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Holiday Train and Light Spectacular with over 25,000 lights and a visit with Santa – $5 per ticket for Friday and Saturday show from 6:30 to 8 pm. No reservation necessary – Choose from the following dates: Nov. 25 or 26, Dec 9, 10, 16, 17, 23. After Christmas Show (no Santa) on Dec 30.
Website

Wilmington Christmas Tree Lighting
November 25, 2022 | 5PM – 8PM
A family-friendly tradition in downtown Wilmington, starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by the festive countdown commencing at 6:28 p.m. to the actual tree lighting, and then a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Come downtown, explore the shops and get in the holiday spirit!

Wilmington Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 11 at 7:00 PM
Join families and friends in Historic downtown Wilmington for a night parade filled with holiday lights, costumes and of coarse Santa at the end! The parade route is along Front Street. Bring hot chocolate, chairs and blankets and snuggle up as the floats pass by.

Christmas Trees

Trees usually appear around mid-November. Will update when they arrive!

Photo by Luka Susak on Pexels.com

Barr Evergreen NC
2715 Shipyard Blvd
(Pine Valley area)
Trees arrive Monday, November 21
Lot opened daily from 9AM – 9PM

Biggers Market
6250 Market St
(Towards Ogden)
Trees arrive Saturday, November 19th

Carolina Beach Pier
1800 Carolina Beach Ave North, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Trees arrive November 23, 2022

Carolina Girl Gardens 
7026 Market St
(Ogden)
Trees arrive Saturday, November 19th

Eden’s Produce & Christmas Trees
10115 US HWY 17 
(Across from Poplar Grove Plantation) 

Mayfaire Town Center Christmas Tree Lot
Host by Cape Fear Optimist Club
Sunday, Nov 20th 2022 – Sunday, Dec 18th 2022
981 Town Center Drive, Wilmington, NC
The timeless holiday tradition of selecting a Christmas tree continues at Mayfaire. Customers can choose from a selection of North Carolina grown Fraser Fir Christmas trees and wreaths. The Cape Fear Optimist Club will be on hand to help customers trim their tree and load it onto their car. The Farm will be open November 20 – December 18, Monday-Friday 3pm-8pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am – 8pm. November 25 10am-8pm. It is located on 981 Town Center Drive (near the old O2 Fitness building)

St. Marks Catholic Church
1013 Eastwood Rd
(Near Windemere) 
Trees arrive on Friday, November 25th | Open 10AM – 5PM
Hours:
– Saturday & Sunday 9AM – 6PM
– Monday – Friday 4PM – 7PM
*Profits support Senior Youth Ministry, St. Marks High School Youth program

Winter Park Optimist at Long Leaf Park
314 Pine Grove Rd
(Long Leaf Park)
Trees arrive Saturday, November 19th

All Daytime Activities

Check out the Events Calendar