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Wilmington’s Best Holiday Events 2025
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items 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 garde...
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Sections
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Wilmington (New Hanover County)
Beach Towns (New Hanover County)
North of Wilmington (Pender County & Topsail area)
South & West of Wilmington (Brunswick County)
Day-Trip Favorite in Adjacent County (Onslow/Duplin)
Wilmington (New Hanover County)
🎄When: Nov 28–29 and Dec 1–21, 2025 (multiple entry windows nightly) 🎄Where: Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Rd, Wilmington 🎄What it is: A self-guided stroll through illuminated gardens—arguably the area’s signature holiday experience.
Enchanted Airlie - Airlie Gardens
🎄When: Saturdays, Dec 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2025; shows around 7:30 p.m. 🎄Where: The Wilmington Riverwalk / Cape Fear Riverfront 🎄What it is: A free, short-format aerial light show with 100 synchronized drones over the river—great visibility from th...
Holidays on Water Drone Show
🎄When: Nov 28–30; Dec 4–7; Dec 11–14; Dec 18–21, 2025 (typically 5–9 p.m., Thu–Sun) 🎄Where: Poplar Grove, 10200 US Hwy 17 N 🎄What it is: A walk-through light trail across historic grounds with seasonal vignettes, vendors on select nights, and Sant...
Merry & Bright Festival
🎄When: Sat–Sun, Dec 6–7, 2025 (Sat 4–8 p.m.; Sun 1–5 p.m.) 🎄Where: Multiple historic homes and sites (ticket booklet includes map), hosted by the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society / Latimer House 🎄What it is: A long-running, self-guided holiday h...
Old Wilmington by Candlelight 2025 - The Latimer House Museum and Gardens
🎄When: Dec 18–20, 2025 (5–8 p.m.) 🎄Where: Bellamy Mansion Museum, 503 Market St 🎄What it is: Free, come-and-go tours of the mansion dressed in holiday finery (suggested $5 donation).
Bellamy Mansion "Nights of Lights"
🎄When: Sat, Dec 13, 2025 (evening) 🎄Where: Burgwin-Wright House, 224 Market St 🎄What it is: A festive evening in a 1770s house decorated with fresh greenery, fruit, and floral displays—often with period music and costumed interpreters.
Burgwin-Wright House Holiday Open House
🎄When: Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 6 p.m. 🎄Where: Historic Downtown—North Front St from Walnut to Church Streets 🎄What it is: The city’s big annual parade with floats, performers, and community groups—great for kids and new residents.
Wilmington Holiday Parade (Downtown Wilmington)
Beach Towns (New Hanover County)
🎄When: Sat, Nov 29, 2025 (boat parade ~6 p.m.; fireworks follow) 🎄Where: Banks Channel / Wrightsville Beach waterfront 🎄What it is: A lighted boat parade plus a weekend of festivities (tree lighting, festival in the park).
NC Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach
🎄When: Fri, Nov 28, 2025; festivities begin ~6 p.m., lighting ~7 p.m. 🎄Where: Carolina Beach Lake Park 🎄What it is: The official kick-off to the Island of Lights season with a one-mile trail of displays circling the lake and visits with Santa.
Island of Lights: Lighting at the Lake | Carolina Beach, NC 28428
🎄When: Fri, Dec 5, 2025 (evening) 🎄Where: Lake Park Blvd corridor, Carolina Beach 🎄What it is: A classic small-town nighttime parade with floats, bands, and holiday characters.
Carolina Beach Christmas Parade
🎄When: Sat, Dec 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. 🎄Where: From Carolina Beach Boat Basin to Snow’s Cut 🎄What it is: Decorated boats glide the Intracoastal Waterway—bring layers and camp chairs for waterfront viewing.
Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla - Island Life NC
🎄When: Wed, Dec 31, 2025 🎄Where: Carolina Beach or Kure Beach town centers (rotating host) 🎄What it is: The famous giant beach-ball drop at midnight and fireworks to ring in 2026.
Island of Lights New Year's Eve Celebration | Kure Beach, NC 28449
North of Wilmington (Pender County & Topsail area)
🎄When: Seasonal evenings late Nov–Dec (exact nightly schedule posted by organizers) 🎄Where: 218 Old House Rd, Hampstead 🎄What it is: A drive-through/walk-through neighborhood favorite with charitable focus and vendor market days.
Lake Linda's Christmas Lights
🎄When: Sat, Dec 13, 2025 (market + evening flotilla) 🎄Where: Soundside Park, 517 Roland Ave, Surf City 🎄What it is: A growing holiday flotilla on the Intracoastal plus daytime market—great small-town coastal vibe.
Annual Greater Topsail Area Flotilla
🎄When: Fri, Nov 29, 2025 🎄Where: Topsail Beach town center route 🎄What it is: An early-season parade that pairs perfectly with a weekend stay on the island.
Topsail Beach Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
South & West of Wilmington (Brunswick County)
🎄When: Dec 6, 2025–Jan 4, 2026; Grand Illumination Sat, Dec 6 (6–8 p.m.) 🎄Where: Founders Park / Town Hall campus 🎄What it is: A walk-through light display across the park campus with whimsical scenes and photo spots; the Town has confirmed plans ...
Leland in Lights | Town of Leland, NC
🎄When: Dec 1–14, 2025 (many events; Southport Christmas Flotilla Sat, Dec 13 @ 6 p.m.) 🎄Where: Historic Downtown Southport waterfront and venues around town 🎄What it is: A full slate of holiday happenings—tea, concerts, tours, markets, parade, and...
31st Annual Southport Christmas Flotilla - City of Southport
Day-Trip Favorite in Adjacent County (Onslow/Duplin)
🎄When: Traditionally mid-Nov through Dec 23, then Dec 26–28 (nightly, weather permitting); dinner seatings book up early 🎄Where: Mike’s Farm, 1600 Haw Branch Rd, Beulaville 🎄What it is: A ~30-minute hayride through 1.5 miles of lighted holiday sce...
Festival of Lights Hayride at Mike's Farm
More information for everything listed here.
Coastal Cheer: Wilmington’s Best Holiday Events 2025