Holiday Things to Do in Wilmington, NC

From an Old-style Holiday to Festive Flotillas

Ring in the holiday season in Wilmington and Island Beaches to experience classic holiday entertainment, beautifully decorated historic homes and gardens, lighted boat parades and more. Take a stroll along our festively decorated streets or find something unique for family and friends on your list at oceanfront and downtown holiday markets. With holiday activities galore, a getaway to Wilmington and our island beaches is the best holiday gift you can give.

SEASONAL SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Explore beautiful Airlie Gardens decked out in its holiday best at Enchanted Airlie to take in more than one million twinkling lights, holiday flowers and festive music that’s sure to delight the whole family. Head across the bridge to nearby Wrightsville Beach to kick off the holiday season with the NC Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach, held Thanksgiving weekend each year. In nearby Carolina and Kure Beaches, make merry with the Island of Lights Festival, a month-long celebration including the Lighting at the Lake, Christmas Flotilla and New Year’s Eve celebration complete with a beach ball drop.

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Front parlor poplar grove

HOLIDAYS OF THE PAST

Experience Wilmington’s storied history with holiday events that will take you back in time. Held each year in early December, Old Wilmington by Candlelight is a festive tour of historic sites and private homes decorated in their holiday finery. Or, take a stroll through Christmas in the past to wander through beautiful historic homes and churches like the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design, Latimer House Museum and St. James Episcopal Church.

4X3 BAC Holiday Flea

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH A COASTAL TWIST

Escape the stress of typical holiday shopping with gift-worthy finds from boutiques and holiday markets in unique locales with riverside and oceanfront views, historic and pedestrian-friendly shopping villages and more found in and around Wilmington. Put a coastal twist on Christmas shopping at waterside holiday markets like the Kure Beach Holiday Market, or discover seasonal specialties at A Christmas Shoppe, Wilmington’s only year-round Christmas store.

Get a head start on the holidays at the Holiday Market: Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, held annually each November, to wander through the home’s historic Colonial gardens and find unique gifts from local artists including handmade crafts and jewelry and more. Find gift-worthy vintage treasures from vendors, plus food trucks, a coffee shop and a bar, at the Holiday Flea at BAC at The Brooklyn Arts Center + The Annex, a three-day much anticipated holiday festival every year.