Experience the charm and magic of Historic Downtown Wilmington and its island beaches during the holidays. From lights along the Riverwalk and main streets to candlelight historic home tours, Wilmington truly sparkles.Enjoy holiday markets and local shopping, live performances, riverfront drone shows and more.

 

Holiday Lights + Drone Shows

On four select Saturday evenings in December, watch as hundreds of drones create a festive imagery display over the Cape Fear River. The Drone shows will take place Dec. 13, 20 and 27 at 7:30 p.m., with the best viewing spots right across from Battleship NORTH CAROLINA and along the Wilmington Riverwalk. While you wait, enjoy a visit and photo op with Santa during shows on Dec. 13 and 20. Head to the visitor booth at the end of Water and Market streets near the riverfront from 5 to 8 p.m. Pro tip: Arrive early to find parking, and grab dinner at Caprice Bistro, Michael’s on the Waterfront or PinPoint Restaurant. Reservations are strongly recommended!

While you’re downtown for the show, stroll along the illuminated Riverwalk and take in the sights of downtown’s decorated historic homes, main streets and boutique storefronts. For an extra festive touch, hop on a cozy carriage ride to see Wilmington’s National Register Historic District all decked out for the holidays.

Get in the holiday spirit with two tree lightings. The Downtown Wilmington Holiday Tree Lighting will take place on the Riverwalk Nov. 28, with family-friendly entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m. and culminating with the tree lighting and an appearance from Santa around 6:30 p.m. The City of Wilmington’s Tree Lighting will take place at Riverfront Park on Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy visits with Santa, live entertainment and light refreshments along with the tree lighting.

Festive Cruises

Take in the holiday lights along the Riverwalk with Wilmington Water Tours’ Holiday Lights Cruise beginning late November through December. View downtown Wilmington’s beautifully lit Riverwalk from the water onboard a fully enclosed and heated motor catamaran. Enjoy local musicians playing holiday inspired songs, while sipping yuletide cocktails and mocktails. Pre-register using this link, as this popular cruise is likely to sell out.

For a spirited twist, join A Christmas “Colonial Apparition” Cruise Dec. 6 to experience a one-of-a-kind Christmas ghost story, presented by Wilmington Water Tours in partnership with the historic Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens. Families can also share in the magic of the season on Santa’s Sleigh Ride, offered Dec. 20 to 23 at 3:30 p.m., with holiday music, desserts and the chance to meet Santa before setting sail on a festive river sleigh.

After exploring the holiday lights and festive cruises along the Riverwalk, celebrate the New Year aboard the Henrietta, the city’s oldest continuously operating riverboat, on Cape Fear Riverboats’ New Year’s Eve River Cruise. Dance under the stars on the open-air upper deck to your favorite DJ hits, then ring in 2026 with a midnight champagne toast.

Historic Homes

Wilmington’s historic homes come to life during the holidays with enchanting decorations and tours. On the Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour, take a self-guided journey through historic sites and private homes, with docents available to share unique stories at each location. Each site will be decked out in its holiday best for visitors Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

On Dec. 13, Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens will celebrate the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary during the A250: Night Colonial Christmas Open House, featuring live holiday music and interpreters in period costumes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you visit during the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), you can see the house adorned with fresh greenery, fruit, nuts and flowers, much like it would have been when the original owners celebrated Colonial Christmases there in the 1700s.

The Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts will transform for its Nights of Lights Holiday Open House Dec. 18 through 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly. Experience the holidays of yesteryear when the home museum is decked out in traditional holiday décor including three levels of Victorian-inspired Christmas trees, mantels, gasoliers and other decorations.

Continue the holiday fun at Poplar Grove Plantation’s Merry & Bright, A Holiday of Lights, where the historic grounds glow with thousands of lights on select evenings starting in late November. Sip a seasonal drink while toasting marshmallows, browse local arts and crafts in the barn, and dance along to live music at the Holiday Hootenanny Tent. Even four-legged family members can stop by to see Santa during Pets Night on Dec. 4, making this cheerful celebration a treat for all.

On-Stage Spirit

Wilmington’s holiday season shines on stage, too. Catch festive favorites like “A Christmas Carol,” "Seán Heely's A Celtic Christmas” and “The Nutcracker” at Thalian Hall Live Theatre, one of the country’s oldest theaters. On Dec. 22, join visitors and locals for its annual screening of "It’s a Wonderful Life” – a Wilmington tradition that always feels a little magical.

Looking for more festive performances? Head to The Wilson Center to see “The Nutcracker Ballet,” “A Mariachi Christmas,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” accompanied by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and “Holiday Pops” presented by the North Carolina Symphony.

Island Charm

Just a short drive away, Wilmington’s island beaches bring even more holiday vibes.

Kick things off in Carolina Beach with the Island of Lights Festival: Lighting of the Lake on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m., then catch the Carolina Beach Christmas Parade on Dec. 5 (7-9 p.m.) and the Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. On Dec. 13, take a peek at decorated homes on the Island of Lights Holiday Tour of Homes (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.), or bring the family to an “Elf” screening at Carolina Beach Lake Park (5 p.m.). For early holiday shopping, hit the Carolina Beach Holiday Market on Dec. 6 to find handmade arts, crafts and unique gifts. Looking for something a little different? Stop by the Christmas Palm Tree Lighting at the Carolina Beach Pier on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., or get your groove on at the Silent Night Beach Disco: Holiday Edition on Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

Nearby Kure Beach has its own festive lineup at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion. Make crafts, decorate cookies and watch the 2018 film, “The Grinch,” on a big screen at the Kure Beach Holiday Whoobie Whatty Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. Just keep an eye out for the Grinch himself wandering around the park! Stop by the Kure Beach Holiday Market on Nov. 22 and 29 for food trucks, a live DJ and local finds, and welcome 2026 with music, dancing, a midnight beach ball drop and fireworks at the Island of Lights New Year’s Eve Celebration.

At Wrightsville Beach, watch dozens of decorated boats light up the Intracoastal Waterway during the NC Holiday Flotilla on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. Come a little early for Day in the Park festival at Wrightsville Beach Park (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and stick around after for a fireworks show. In the mood for something low-key? Check out Harbor Way Gardens’ lights or the town’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Or, book advance tickets for Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens to see sparkling sculptures and interactive displays from Nov. 28 to Dec. 21.

Shopping and Lodging Specials

Historic Downtown Wilmington is home to charming boutiques, art galleries and other unique destinations perfect for holiday shopping, including Father Christmas Studio, Wilmington’s only year-round Christmas store. Shop local while enjoying street musicians and a live DJ during the Really Cool Stuff Holiday Market Nov. 29, or stop by the One Day Holiday Market at the Brooklyn Arts Center Dec. 7 for handcrafted gifts, along with food trucks, a coffee shop and bar.

Just down the coast, you can browse the Kure Beach Holiday Market, taking place right by the pier with sweeping oceanfront views. Shop coastal-inspired gifts, handmade treasures and local treats from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 and 29, while a DJ keeps the energy festive with classic holiday tracks. Soak up the season by booking a stay in the heart of downtown Wilmington close to all the festivities. Several properties are offering special Holidays on Water discounts and packages including Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center and Tru by Hilton Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach. This year, celebrate the season in Historic Downtown Wilmington and its island beaches, where there’s no place like our home for the holidays. For more details on all the hotel packages and holiday festivities, visit this link.