December 2024 Calendar of Events

Some require pre-registration or tickets to be purchased in advance.
Some change without notice, and/or sell out in advance.
Please confirm details before you go.

Wrightsville Beach Holiday Events in November

11/29 5:30pm
Tree Lighting, Music & Santa Wrightsville Beach Town Hall
https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/484/Christmas-Season-Kickoff

11/30 10am – 4pm
Day in the Park
Arts and crafts, food vendors, bounce house for kids.
Wrightsville Beach Park
https://www.ncholidayflotilla.org/weekend-events

11/30 6pm 
Flotilla and Fireworks
Wrightsville Beach
https://www.ncholidayflotilla.org/weekend-events

Ongoing Events Throughout December

Through 12/31
Wrightsville Beach Holiday Decoration Contest
View the outdoor decorations ahead of the contest judging on 12/17.
Wrightsville Beach
https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/487/Wrightsville-Beach-Holiday-Decorating-Co

Through 12/30
Cape Fear Festival of Trees
N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach
https://www.ncaquariums.com/ncaff-blog/posts/2024-festival-of-trees

Through 12/21
Enchanted Airlie
This event is sold out. Ticket sales begin early October, check their website in September for 2025 event.
Airlie Gardens, Wilmington
https://airliegardens.org/events/enchanted-airlie/

12/2 – 12/28
Gingerbread House Competition
Take-home kits available for pickup starting 12/2, available while supplies last. Return entry by 12/28 to enter competition.
New Hanover County Public Library-Pine Valley Location
https://libcal.nhcgov.com/event/13564447

12/2 – 12/31
Gift Wrapping Station
Bring your gifts and use the library’s space and supplies during library hours.
New Hanover County Public Library-Pine Valley Location
https://libcal.nhcgov.com/event/13564498

12/1 – 12/22, Thursday-Sunday
Merry & Bright
Light display, Santa visits, mailbox to the North Pole and much more.
Poplar Grove, north of Wilmington
http://poplargrove.org/festivals/all-is-bright/

12/4 – 12/27 several dates available
Victorian Candlelight Christmas Stroll
Downtown Wilmington
https://wilmington-tours.com

12/6 – 12/24 several dates available
Caroling by “Reindeer” Drawn Carriage or Trolley
Downtown Wilmington
https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/event/caroling-by-reindeer-drawn-carriage-or-trolley/4530

12/12 – 12/22
Thu – Sat  7:30pm
Sunday matinees at 3:00 pm
It’s A Wonderful Life
A live radio play.
Thalian Hall, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.bigdawgproductions.org/wonderful

12/1, 12/14, 12/15, 12/21, 12/22
Two shows each day at 4:30pm and 5:30pm
Polar Express Show
A reading of The Polar Express, a visit from Santa, hot chocolate and cookies.
Wilmington Railroad Museum, Downtown Wilmington
https://wrrm.ticketspice.com/polar-express-tickets

12/13, 12/14, 12/20, 12/21, 12/22 and 12/23
6:30pm – 8pm
Christmas Train & Light Spectacular
Model train displays lit up for Christmas. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and cookies.
Wilmington Railroad Museum, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.wrrm.org/events.html#/%20%20Wilmington%20Railroad%20Museum

Weekends through December
12pm – 5pm
Holiday Train Expo
Presented by the Cape Fear Model Railroad Society 
Independence Mall, Dillards wing, Wilmington
https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/event/holiday-train-expo/4637

Through 12/24
Dewey’s Bakery Fundraiser Pop-Up Store
Moravian Cookies and Cakes, In partnership with Covenant Moravian Church
Independence Mall, Wilmington
https://www.covenantmoravianwilmington.org

Daily Events Throughout December

12/1
7pm
Very Merry Downtown Christmas Show!
Brooklyn Arts Center, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.operahousetheatrecompany.org/verymerry

12/3
4pm and 7:30pm
Who Brought the Humbug?
Thalian Hall, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.thalianhall.org/humbug-24

12/3
7:30pm
Highland Holidays Show
Brooklyn Arts Center, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.brooklynartsnc.com/event/highland-holidays-show/

12/3
7pm
World Ballet Company: The Nutcracker
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington
https://uncwarts.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?Id=1911

12/5
7pm
Jazz at CAM
My Favorite Things: Shana Tucker Sings the Holidays with Christian Tamburr.
Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington
https://cameronartmuseum.org/event/jazzcam-my-favorite-things-shana-tucker-sings-the-holidays-feat-the-christian-tamburr-trio/

12/5
4pm and 7:30pm
Celtic Angels Christmas
Thalian Hall, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.thalianhall.org/ca-24

12/5
7pm
Tis the Season for Singing
Wilmington Choral Society.
CFCC Wilson Center, Wilmington
https://www.wilmingtonchoralsociety.com

12/5
6pm – 8pm
Wilmington Tree Lighting
Riverfront Park,
Downtown Wilmington
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Parks-Recreation/Special-Event-Film-Permits/City-of-Wilmington-Holiday-Events

12/6
6:30pm
The Grinch Movie
Wrightsville Beach Park
https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/495/Movies-in-the-Park

12/6
7pm
Carolina Beach Christmas Parade
Carolina Beach
https://www.carolinabeach.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3859/638663243441930000

12/6: 4pm and 7pm
12/7: 10am
The Nutcracker
Ballet for young audiences:
Thalian Hall, Wilmington
https://www.thalianhall.org/bya-24

12/7
10am – 11am or 11am – 12pm
Holiday Gift Workshop
Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington
https://www.nhcgov.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=3776&month=12&year=2024&day=5&calType=0

12/7
9am – 2pm
Moravian Candle Tea & Christmas Market
Covenant Moravian Church, Wilmington
https://www.covenantmoravianwilmington.org

12/7
9am – 3pm: Holiday Market
11am – 1pm: Santa with music and surprises
Carolina Beach Lake
https://www.carolinabeach.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3859/638663243441930000

12/7
6pm
Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla
Carolina Beach
http://www.pleasureislandoflights.com/christmas-flotilla.htm

12/7: 4pm – 8pm
12/8: 1pm – 5pm
Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour
Begins at the Latimer House, Wilmington
https://latimerhouse.org/event/old-wilmington-by-candlelight-tour-2024/

12/7: 7pm
12/8: 2pm and 7pm
The Nutcracker
CFCC Wilson Center, Wilmington
https://www.ticketsonsale.com/venues/wilson-center-at-cape-fear-community-college?campaignid=6518335434&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoae5BhCNARIsADVLzZexx1MNz_1uSkOdhJe1ZkDMMPnjhi_

12/8
6pm 
Wilmington Holiday Parade
Downtown Wilmington
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Events-directory/21st-Annual-Wilmington-Holiday-Parade

12/10
3pm and 7:30pm
Holiday Pops
CFCC Wilson Center, Wilmington
https://www.ticketsonsale.com/venues/wilson-center-at-cape-fear-community-college?campaignid=6518335434&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoae5BhCNARIsADVLzZexx1MNz_1uSkOdhJe1ZkDMMPnjhi_

12/11
11:30am
Good Friends of Wilmington
Christmas luncheon.
Wilmington Convention Center
https://www.goodfriendsofwilmington.org/luncheon/

12/11
7:30pm
A Magical Cirque Christmas
CFCC Wilson Center, Wilmington
https://www.ticketsonsale.com/venues/wilson-center-at-cape-fear-community-college?campaignid=6518335434&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoae5BhCNARIsADVLzZexx1MNz_1uSkOdhJe1ZkDMMPnjhi_

12/12
10am – 11am
Book Reading and Crafts for Children at the CAM
“A Wish to be a Christmas Tree” by Colleen Monroe
Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington
https://cameronartmuseum.org/event/marys-art-explorers-christmas-tree/

12/12
7:30pm
Christmas with C.S. Lewis
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington
https://uncwarts.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?Id=1971

12/14
Jingle on the Battleship North Carolina
8am to 9:45am: VIP Breakfast with Santa
10am to 12pm: Performances, crafts, Santa, snacks, self-guided tour of the Battleship.
Wilmington
https://ncazaleafestival.org/event/jingle-on-the-battleship/

12/15
8pm
Johnnyswim Christmas Show
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington
https://uncwarts.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?Id=1974

12/13 – 12/22
Thurs-Sat 7:30pm
Sat-Sun 2pm
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Thalian Hall, Wilmington
https://www.thalianhall.org/tact-whch-24

12/13
7:30pm 
Handel’s “Messiah”: Choir of St. Paul’s Concert
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Wilmington
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/handels-messiah-tickets-1024939721297

12/13
6pm – 8pm
Whoobie Whatty
A Grinch-themed event and movie.
Kure Beach
https://www.townofkurebeach.org/event/holiday-whoobie-whatty-0?delta=0

12/14
5pm
ELF Movie, Santa and Surprises
Carolina Beach Lake
https://www.carolinabeach.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3859/638663243441930000

12/14
4pm
Dashing Through the Glow 1 mile & 5k race
River Lights Community, Wilmington
https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Wilmington/WilmingtonDashingThruTheGlow

12/14
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Island of Lights Tour of Homes
Carolina and Kure Beaches
http://www.pleasureislandoflights.com/tour-of-homes.html

12/14 – 12/15
2pm and 7pm daily
The Nutcracker
CFCC Wilson Center, Wilmington
https://www.ticketsonsale.com/venues/wilson-center-at-cape-fear-community-college?campaignid=6518335434&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoae5BhCNARIsADVLzZexx1MNz_1uSkOdhJe1ZkDMMPnjhi_

12/17 – 12/19 * 7:30pm
Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations
CFCC Wilson Center, Wilmington
https://www.ticketsonsale.com/venues/wilson-center-at-cape-fear-community-college?campaignid=6518335434&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoae5BhCNARIsADVLzZexx1MNz_1uSkOdhJe1ZkDMMPnjhi_

12/19
10am – 11am
Book Reading and Crafts for Children at the CAM
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss
Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington
https://cameronartmuseum.org/event/marys-art-explorers-grinch/

12/19 – 12/21
5pm – 8pm
Night of Lights
Bellamy Mansion, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.bellamymansion.org/nights-of-lights.html

12/20: 7pm
12/21: 2:30pm
A Christmas Carol
UNCW Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington
https://uncwarts.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?Id=2006

12/21
5pm – 7pm 
Santa By the Sea
Carolina Beach Lake
https://www.carolinabeach.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3859/638663243441930000

12/23
4pm and 7pm
It’s a Wonderful Life Film
Thalian Hall, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.thalianhall.org/wonderful-life

12/25
Merry Christmas!

12/25
Hanukkah Begins

12/31
9am – 12pm
New Year’s Noon
Wilmington Children’s Museum,
Wilmington
https://www.playwilmington.org/new-years-noon

12/31
6pm
New Year’s Eve Gala
Thalian Hall, Downtown Wilmington
https://www.thalianhall.org/nye

12/31
9pm
Island of Lights New Year’s Celebration
Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Carolina Beach
http://www.pleasureislandoflights.com/the-new-year-celebration.html

12/31
Happy New Year! 

Other December Notables

12/15 Bill of Rights Day

12/19 National Hard Candy Day

12/26 Beginning of Kwanzaa and Boxing Day

12/28 Pledge Of Allegiance Day

12/30 National Bacon Day

12/31 New Year’s Eve