South Brunswick Islands Christmas Events
Super Saturday at Ocean Isle Beach
Ocean Isle Beach celebrates the Christmas season in a big way, it’s on November 28th and it’s called Super Saturday. It starts with the Christmas Parade on Saturday at 2pm, followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5pm and then the Christmas Boat Flotilla at 6pm and wrapping up with a big party at Sharky’s ending the super day that evening. www.oceanislebeach.com
Ocean Isle Beach Flotilla
The 12th Annual Ocean Isle Beach Floatilla boat parade starts at 5:30 in front of Inlet View Bar and Grill and proceeds down the Intracoastal waterway to the commercial canal in front of Sharky’s Restaurant on Ocean Isle where the judging will take place. The boats will be all “decked out” for Christmas! www.oceanislebeachflotilla.com
Christmas at the Old Sunset Beach Bridge
Christmas at the Old Bridge will be on December 7th at 6pm. The event will feature a community sing-a-long, also featuring the West Brunswick High School Chorus and singers from the Seaside United Methodist Church. Holiday-themed refreshments will be served. This event is free for all. www.oldbridgepreservationsociety.org
Calabash Parade & Tree Lighting
Calabash’s tree lighting launches with a Spirit of Calabash Christmas parade marching down Beach Drive, holiday music, live entertainment, cookies & cocoa and a visit from Santa! The Parade begins at 6:00pm on December 4th and will be followed by entertainment and a Christmas Tree Lighting around 7pm. Residents of the area will join together and decorate golf carts, bikes, and other vehicles for the Spirit of Christmas Parade. www.calabashtown.com
Shallotte Holiday Market
On November 21st from 9am-1pm celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons at the Holiday Market in Shallotte’s Riverside Park. Local farmers will have their winter crops available, area artists will share their talents and vendors will include everything from jewelry, soaps, to handmade pottery, painted snowmen gourds and much more. There will be tasty pecan pie tarts and other baked goods just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Come start your holiday shopping at Riverside Park. www.townofshallotte.org
Shallotte Christmas Parade
The annual Shallotte Christmas Parade will take to the streets on Saturday, Dec. 5th at 10am. The parade route will travel along Main Street. This event is fun for the entire family. www.townofshallotte.org
Southport & Oak Island Christmas Events
An 18th Century Christmas at Brunswick Town
On December 13th, come and see how Christmas was celebrated long ago. Visitors to the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site will have a chance to explore how American colonists celebrated Christmas. Costumed actors will provide guided tours of St. Philips Anglican Church and historic Brunswick on the hour. The highlight of the evening is a period candlelight service in the ruins of St. Philips Anglican Church. www.nchistoricsites.org
Southport Christmas Flotilla
December 12th at 7pm along the Southport Waterfront. Bring chairs and blankets to view the beauty of Christmas lights sparkling from decorated boats and reflecting off the water. www.downtownsouthport.org
State Port Pilot’s Annual Cookie Contest
Cast your vote for your favorite cookies. You will be able to take home some wonderful holiday cookie ideas. December 9th from 3:00pm-6:00pm www.stateportpilot.com
Supper with Santa’s Elves
From 5pm – 7pm on December 9th, Open to children 4 -10 years old. Children can enjoy supper with Santa’s elves, while Santa and parents enjoy holiday shopping and dining in Southport. Reservations Required. www.cityofsouthport.com
Christmas Movie on the Coast
Christmas Movie: “Polar Express”. Bring blanket or chair and snacks. Hot Chocolate will be served while supply last. December 10th at 5:30pm at Fort Johnston Southport Museum Garrison Lawn. Free event. www.cityofsouthport.com
Costumed Tours at the NC Maritime Museum at Southport
Special costumed interpreted tour of the museum’s exhibit gallery on December 11th at 3pm. Learn about the maritime heritage of the Lower Cape Fear with tours by a Victorian Lady, a Civil War Soldier, or Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate. www.ncmaritimemuseums.com/southport
Light Up the Night Christmas Fire Engine Parade
The 100 year old Southport Fire Department Christmas Fire Engine Parade is one of Southport’s most treasured traditions. Children will be loaded on the Fire Engines for the parade, at the Southport Fire Station at 5:30pm on Friday, December 11th. www.cityofsouthport.com
Santa’s Workshop
City of Southport Parks & Recreation traditional Santa’s Workshop, where children’s crafts are magically created with the help from Santa’s Southport Elves will be Saturday, December 12th, 10:30am -12:00pm, beside the Southport City Gym. www.cityofsouthport.com
Old Brunswick County Jail Tours
The Old Brunswick County Jail Tours will take place on Saturday, December 12th from 2:00pm – 7:00pm at the Old Jail, located on the corner of Nash & Rhett Streets in Southport. Sponsored by Southport Historical Society. www.southporthistoricalsociety.org
Christmas Tour of Homes
There will be several beautiful homes in this year’s Southport Historical Society’s annual Christmas Tour of Homes from 2:00pm-7:00pm on Saturday, December 12th. $10.00 per person. $15.00 day of tour. Tickets go on sale at the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum Visitors Center and the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce. www.southporthistoricalsociety.org
Christmas by the Sea Parade (Oak Island)
Christmas by the Sea Parade will be held December 5th at 2pm on the 2.4 mile parade route from Oak Island Town Hall, traveling down Oak Island Drive to McGlamery Street. The parade showcases the businesses and organizations in our community. www.southport-oakisland.com
Oak Island Tree Lighting and “Frozen Experience”
Enjoy hunting for candy canes, and glow in the dark eggs on the softball field. Then enjoy hot chocolate and a visit from Santa! This great family holiday hunt and movie will take place at Middleton Park on December 18th at 6:00pm. www.oakisland.recdesk.com
Myrtle Beach Christmas Events
The Carolina Opry Christmas Special
Popular holiday classics along with new seasonal favorites, plus comedy, dance and dazzling costumes offer family fun for all ages. www.thecarolinaopry.com
The Alabama Theatre
This award-winning show combines talented performers with festive scenery and special effects for a family friendly holiday extravaganza, featuring Christmas classics and contemporary holiday favorites.
www.alabama-theatre.com
Christmas at Pirates Voyage
Captain Scrooge and the mystical Spirit of Christmas travel to the past, present and future of Buccaneer Bay. During this Christmas-themed journey, they encounter such wonders as Christmas toys that come to life and a beautiful live Nativity, complete with wise men and live animals. A four-course holiday feast tops off the show. piratesvoyage.com
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Head to Pelican’s Ballpark in Myrtle Beach for a festive drive through this dazzling LED Christmas light and music show. Visit Santa’s Village for photos with Santa, concessions selling seasonal treat and more. shadrackchristmas.com
Ripley’s Aquarium
Festival of Trees Celebrating the great diversity of the United States, the annual Festival of Trees features more than 50 trees displayed throughout the aquarium and a 20 foot tall, red, white and blue tree in the outside plaza. www.ripleyaquariums.com/
Wilmington Christmas Events
Santa By The Sea
Visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and enjoy holiday crafts, cookie decorating, story time, games and more. Watch as Santa goes diving alongside sharks, eels, and his favorite sea turtle friend, Shelldon, at this exciting holiday event. www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
Enchanted Airlie
Stroll through Airlie Gardens and enjoy beautiful holiday flowers and musical entertainment as the gardens sparkle with over 300,000 lights. Voted one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events and featuring a frozen wonderland theme complete with princesses, you don’t want to miss this beloved holiday event. www.airliegardens.org
Wrightsville Beach Flotilla
The 32nd Flotilla weekend will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 27th and 28th. From humble beginnings over thirty years ago, the Flotilla has grown to become one of the top 20 events in the Southeast and a must see family weekend, attracting an estimated 50,000 people to Wrightsville Beach annually. www.ncholidayflotilla.org
Christmas & Candlelight at Poplar Grove Plantation
The Candlelight Weekend at Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington, NC, features guided tours of the Manor House and other properties on the hour at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm. Tours will take place on Friday & Saturday evenings on November 27th & 28th and again on December 4th & 5th. www.poplargrove.org
Island of Lights Christmas Parade
The Island of Lights Christmas Parade in Carolina Beach, NC and features festive floats, buoyant bands and a visit from Santa Claus. This year it will be held on December 4th at 7:30pm. www.pleasureislandoflights.com
Lighting at the Lake
The month-long Island of Lights Festival in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach kicks off with the Lighting at the Lake Celebration at Carolina Beach Lake Park on November 27th at 7pm. www.pleasureislandoflights.com
Wilmington Holiday Parade
The 13th Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Wilmington, NC, begins at North Front and Walnut Streets and moves south on Front Street, ending at Church Street. The parade will take place on December 6th, 2015. www.wilmingtonrecreation.com
Christmas by the Sea at Carolina Beach
Christmas by the Sea at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk on December 12th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Christmas by the Sea features Santa and hot chocolate at the Welcome Center, a fire pit with story telling, caroling, holiday themed movies at the Gazebo, puppet shows, and arts & crafts. www.cbdowntowninitiative.com
