Beach Bites
BY Amanda Thames
Holiday Spectacle
Enchanted Airlie
When a chill hits the air thoughts begin drifting toward family time and holidays with loved ones.
Airlie Gardens caters to those thoughts with its enchanting light displays warm refreshments and music to set the mood during the evening stroll throughout the gardens.
For the 8th annual Enchanted Airlie the LEGO theme predominates once more with the unveiling of a surprise site-specific piece. There will also be more interactive pieces and photo opportunities along with a visit from Santa for the children.
Enchanted Airlie opens at dusk on the Friday after Thanksgiving November 23 and will be open every Thursday Friday and Saturday evenings with tours from 5-7 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. through Saturday December 22.
Individual tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4-12 with $5 parking passes per car. The carload package at $22 includes admission for all passengers along with the parking pass at no additional charge.
All tickets must be pre-purchased and may be purchased online at www.airliegardens.com.
Visit Airlie Gardens this winter to create a memorable experience. With all of the new photo opportunities you may end up with the perfect holiday card to send to your friends and family.
Charity Auction
Hope from Helen
In 2005 Tony Butler gathered the local surfing community to raise money for his mother Helen during her treatments for lung cancer and named the first silent
auction Hope for Helen. Before Helen passed the Butlers agreed to change the name to Hope from Helen to help those in need each year by donating the funds collected to charities.
This year Hope from Helen will host its annual Surf Silent Auction at The Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach on December 7. Doors are open from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and admission is free for everyone. Tower 7 will provide tacos salads fruit and vegan-friendly snacks. The attire is casual and the atmosphere is family friendly with a few new incentives this year.
There will be more interactive events during the auction including a photo booth for children and adults to enjoy. Auction items include vintage and modern surfboards jewelry art and a five-night stay at a South African resort. All of the proceeds from this event will be given to charities throughout 2013.
Kenan Chapel Performance
Wilmington Celebration Choir
More than 60 vocalists from almost 20 different Wilmington churches sing as one. On December 2 at 5 p.m. the Wilmington Celebration Choir will perform at Kenan Chapel in Landfall. The concert is free to community members who pick up tickets in advance at the Northeast Regional Library.
Members of the Wilmington Celebration Choir started in 2004 by Joey Gore choir director and president of Pillar Music Group Inc. come together every Thursday night at Wrightsboro Methodist Church to rehearse. The goal of the choir is to create a unique experience for the audience through the power of music. To create this matchless event and ensure it stands apart the Wilmington Celebration Choir writes some of its own music.
Gore has been engaged in Christian music for most of his life spreading the word of God through music to audiences in South Africa Sweden and Canada.
December Calendar
11/27-11/28 10 am – 6 pm 11/29-12/1 10 am – 8pm 12/2 10 am – 6 pm
Cape Fear Festival of Trees
Join The Cameron Art Museum for an unforgettable Christmas spectacular. The museum will be filled with 25 decorated Christmas trees music food and dancers from the Wilmington Ballet Companys production of The Nutcracker for this joyful event that benefits Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Tickets are $12 each.
Cameron Art Museum
910-395-5999
www.capefearfestivaloftrees.org
11/30 12/01-12/02 12/07-12/09 8 pm
The Santaland Diaries
David Sedaris one-man play about his stint as Crumpet a Macys Christmas elf during the holiday crunch.
City Stage
12/01 10 am – 3 pm
V.O.C.A.L Senior Center Holiday Shopping Bazaar
The Volunteer Older Citizen Action League hosts its annual holiday shopping bazaar at the NHC Resource Center. More than 40 different vendors will provide shoppers with hand crafted candles jewelry scarves wreaths and other items for anyones gift giving pleasure. All money will be put toward the senior center for up keep and programs. The bazaar is free to the public.
12/01 7 – 11 pm
7th Annual Wilmington Fur Ball Red Carpet Gala
A black tie red carpet fundraising event features lavish hors doeuvres champagne and other spirits dancing to the live music stylings of the Bibis Ellison band psychic entertainment silent and live auctions including several works donated by internationally exhibited artist George Pocheptsov. Tickets are $85 each.
Country Club of Landfall
12/01 7:30 pm
A Celtic Christmas Concert
Chamber Music Wilmington in collaboration with the Scottish Society of Wilmington presents A Celtic Christmas Concert at the Hannah Block Community Arts Center 120 South Front Street. North Carolinas own Jennifer Licko stars in this sure-to-please holiday celebration. Tickets are $25 and can be ordered by mail at Kenan Box Office 601 College Road Wilmington NC 28403 by phoning 910 962 3500 or online at etix.com.
https://www.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSearch.jsp?performance_id=1625811&cobrand=uncwkenan.
12/01 4 – 8 pm & 12/02 2 – 6 pm
Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour
A festive tour of the finest private homes churches and historical sites in the downtown Wilmington.
Tickets: $30
Latimer House & Downtown
12/01 & 12/02 3 pm
The Nutcracker
The Wilmington Ballet Company presents a full-length traditional and professional version of The Nutcracker ballet brought to life by the dazzling performances of the most talented dancers.
Minnie Evans Art Center
www.wilmingtonballetcompany.org
12/01-12/02 12/08-12/09 12/15-12/16 12/22-12/23 12/29-12/30 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Christmas Train and Light Spectacular
Enjoy a night of lights music and warm apple cider at the specially decorated Wilmington Railroad Museums Christmas Train and Light Spectacular. Visit with Santa among the 15 000 lights and enjoy the holiday cheer! Tickets are $5 per per-son and children under 2 are admitted free.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
12/02 6:30 pm
Viva Vivaldi!
A fitting close to the Candlelight Tour offers a wide variety of classical music played during the Christmas Season.
St. Pauls Episcopal Church
www.chambermusicwilmington.org
12/02 12 – 5 pm
Poplar Grove Plantations Christmas Open House
Bring your Christmas wishes to the decorated manor house where the ever-busy Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to find out whos been naughty or nice. The barn out back is the staging area for an arts and crafts show.
Poplar Grove Plantation
12/02 6:10 pm
City of Wilmington Holiday Parade
The 10th annual parade begins at North Front and Walnut streets. Bundle up and come out to cheer on your favorite school bands local businesses and nonprofits as they march through historic downtown Wilmington. Dont forget the thermos of hot chocolate.
12/02 1 – 4:30 pm
Candyland Christmas Event
Ever wonder what reindeers eat? This is your chance to make it while you visit with Santa and get the chance to share your holiday wish list. Learn to make candy cottages and ornaments; enjoy snacks and storytelling.
Childrens Museum of Wilmington
12/04 11:30 am Social
Good Friends Luncheon
Good Friends of Wilmington gathers each December to raise money for disadvantaged individuals and families in New Hanover County whose needs are not being satisfied by other organizations. All of the money raised goes directly to those in need. The event is open to the public but reservations are appreciated. To save a seat contact Louise McColl at (910) 350-1211 or email louise@mccoll-associates.com
The Burney Center at UNCW.
12/06 10 – 5 pm
Fort Fisher Holiday Open House
Looking for that perfect holiday outing for the history buff in your family? Head down to Fort Fisher State Historic Site and enjoy wassail music and 15 percent off on all gift shop purchases.
12/06-12/08 8 pm 12/9 3 pm
12/13-12/15 8 pm 12/16 3 pm
Miracle on 34th Street
In the Tony Award winning musical the spirit of the holidays comes alive as a young lawyer defends a mans claim to be Santa Claus changing the power of believing forever.
Thalian Hall Main Stage
Box Office: 910-632-2285
12/08-12/09 12/15-12/16 12/22-12/23 4:30 & 5:30 pm
Polar Express Holiday Show
Join Santa for the annual reading of the popular childrens story Polar Express! Treats and hot chocolate will be served. Tickets are $5 per person and children under 2 are admitted free. Reservations are encouraged.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
12/ 9 5 8 pm
A Christmas Stroll
Bellamy Mansion & Burgwin-Wright House
Celebrate the season with music wassail and two beautifully decorated Wilmington landmarks. The 1861 Bellamy Mansion and the 1770 Burgwin-Wright House will be linked by luminaries and a trolley for one spectacular evening of Christmas cheer. Tickets are $20 for adults ($25 if purchased after 12/1) $5 for children 5-12 and free for children under 5. Purchase online www.bellamymansion.org
12/11 8 pm
Annual Holiday Pops Concert
Better not pout! Join the North Carolina Symphony for a festive celebration of the holiday season.
UNCW Kenan Auditorium
12/14-12/15 12/21-12/24 6 -10 pm
Caroling by Reindeer Drawn Carriage
In carriages drawn by reigned deer carol with Old St. Nick during a spin around historic downtown Wilmington. See the sights admire the lights. $12 adults $5 children under 12.
12/15 9 am
5K Jingle Bell Run
Don your gay apparel for the 4th annual run benefiting the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. T-shirts go to the first 300 participants to register so sign up soon.
910-256-2569 fees
12/15-12/16
Colonial Christmas
The Burgwin-Wright House will be decked in 1700s holiday finery. Sip hot wassail stroll the grounds and enjoy colonial dancers weaving and spinning. The house tours features an 18th century kitchen and more.
Tickets $10.
Burgwin-Wright House Museum
910-762-0570
12/31 11:30 am – 1 pm
New Years Noon Countdown
This year end party gets started a little earlier. Free with admission. Call 910-254-3534 for more information.
Childrens Museum of Wilmington