If your holiday spirit needs a little coastal breeze and a whole lot of twinkle, Wilmington and the surrounding beaches deliver in spades. From boats decked out in lights cruising past the Riverwalk and drone shows dancing over the Cape Fear to garden paths sparkling at Enchanted Airlie, merry strolls at Poplar Grove, and old-fashioned hayrides at Mike’s Farm, the season here is equal parts seaside magic and small-town charm. Grab a cocoa, bundle up (coastal nights can be crisp!), and use this guide to plan your November–December joy ride—whether you’re rallying the kids for Lake Linda’s lights, date-nighting at a candlelit mansion tour, or ringing in the New Year with a giant beach-ball drop.
