beachbites
december
Now-12/08, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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 Company’s production of “The
Nutcracker” for this joyful event that
benefits Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
General admission tickets are $12 each.
Special rates for children apply.
Cameron Art Museum
910-395-5999
www.cameronartmuseum.com
www.capefearfestivaloftrees.org
11/29-12/22 5-7 p.m., 7-9 p.m.
ENCHANTED AIRLIE
Thursday through Saturday with
additional tours on Wednesday 12/18
and Sunday 12/22
The self-guided winter wonderland
tour features a spectacular array of
lights, holiday displays, hot beverages,
sweet treats and a seat on Santa’s lap.
Single admission $10, couples $15,
carload $22. Reservations required.
Visit www.airliegardens.org/
events/1472/enchanted-airlie/
11/29-12/28 6:30-8 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays
CHRISTMAS TRAIN AND
LIGHT SPECTACULAR
Enjoy a night of lights, music and
warm apple cider at the specially
decorated Wilmington Railroad
Museum’s Christmas Train and Light
Spectacular. Visit with Santa among
the 15,000 lights and enjoy the holiday
cheer. Tickets are $5 per person and
children under 2 are admitted free.
Wilmington Railroad Museum
www.wrrm.org
12/03, 11:30 a.m.
GOOD FRIENDS LUNCHEON
Good Friends of Wilmington gathers
each December at the Burney
Center at UNCW 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
12/07 at 1 and 5:30 p.m., 12/08 at 3 p.m.
“THE NUTCRACKER”
The Wilmington Ballet Company
presents a full-length traditional
and professional version of “The
Nutcracker” brought to life by the
dazzling performances of talented
dancers.
Minnie Evans Art Center
Ashley High School
www.wilmingtonballetcompany.org
12/07 from 4-8 p.m., 12/8 from 2-6 p.m.
OLD WILMINGTON BY
CANDLELIGHT TOUR
The Historical Society of The Lower
Cape Fear’s festive tour combs the
finest private homes, churches
and historical sites in downtown
Wilmington. Tickets are $25 and may
be purchased at www.hslcf.org
12/07-12/08, 12/14-12/15, 12/21-12/22,
4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
POLAR EXPRESS HOLIDAY
SHOW
Join Santa for the annual reading of
the popular children’s story “The 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
www.wrrm.org
12/07, 6:30-10:30 p.m.
SEVENTH ANNUAL
WILMINGTON FUR BALL
RED CARPET GALA
A black-tie, red-carpet fundraising
event features lavish hors d’oeuvres,
champagne and other spirits, dancing
to the live music stylings of the Bibis
Ellison band, psychic entertainment,
and silent and live auctionsincluding
several works donated by internationally
exhibited artist George Pocheptsov.
Tickets are $85 each.
Country Club of Landfall
www.wilmingtonfurball.com
12/08, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
POPLAR GROVE PLANTATION’S
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Bring your Christmas wishes to the
decorated manor house where
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to
find out who’s been naughty or nice.
The barn out back is the staging area
for an arts and crafts show.
Poplar Grove Plantation
www.poplargrove.com
12/08, 1-5 p.m.
CANDYLAND CHRISTMAS
EVENT
Ever wonder what reindeer 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. $20 per child.
Children’s Museum of Wilmington
www.playwilmington.org
12/08, 5:40 pm
CITY OF WILMINGTON HOLIDAY
PARADE
The 11th annual parade begins at
North Front and Walnut streets. Bundle
up and come out to cheer for your
favorite school bands, local businesses
and nonprofits as they march through
historic downtown Wilmington. Don’t
forget the Thermos of hot chocolate.
www.wilmingtonrecreation.com
12/08, 6:30 p.m.
CANDLELIGHT CONCERT
A fitting close to the Candlelight Tour
offers a wide variety of classical music
played during the Christmas season at
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Chamber Music WIlmington
www.chambermusicwilmington.org
12/10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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.
www.friendsoffortfisher.com
12/14, 5-8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS STROLL THROUGH
THE PAST
The Burgwin-Wright House and
Bellamy Mansion Museum will
host a festive holiday evening filled
with music, dancing, costumes,
refreshments and more. Enjoy a trolley
ride or a candlelit stroll as you travel
from one site to the other. Tickets are
available at the Burgwin-Wright House,
Bellamy Mansion Museum, local Harris
Teeter stores, and online. Tickets are
$25 for adults, $5 for children (ages
5-12), and free for children younger
than 5. Call 910-251-3700 (Bellamy) or
910-762-0570 (Burgwin-Wright)
for more information.
12/14, 7:30 a.m. registration with 9 a.m.
start time
5K JINGLE BELL RUN
Don your gay apparel for the fourth
annual run benefiting the Wrightsville
Beach Museum of History. T-shirts go to
the first 300 participants to register, so
sign up soon. $30 per runner.
Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
910-256-2569
www.wbmuseum.com
12/14, 7:30 p.m.
A CELTIC CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Chamber Music Wilmington, in
collaboration with the Scottish Society
of Wilmington, presents A Celtic
18
WBM december 2013
Christmas Concert at the Hannah
Block Community Arts Center,
120 South Front St. North Carolina’s
own Jennifer Licko stars in this sure-to-please
holiday celebration. Tickets are
$25. Order by mail at Kenan Box Office,
601 College Road, Wilmington, NC,
28403, or phone 910-962-3500. Tickets
are also available at etix.com
12/15-12/16, 7 p.m.
CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
The Wrightsboro United Methodist
Church’s Christmas Cantata features
the 80 voice combined choirs of
Wrightsboro Methodist Church and
the Wilmington Celebration Choir.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased
by phone at 910-762-2583 or online
at https://co.clickandpledge.com/
advanced/default.aspx?wid=44493
Doors open at 6 p.m.
12/16, 2 p.m.
HOLIDAY TEA AT THE
BELLAMY MANSION
Enjoy a lovely afternoon in the
mansion decorated for the Christmas
season. The $35 tea menu includes
three courses: finger sandwiches,
scones, desserts and confections
served with tea followed by door prizes
and raffles and giveaways for everyone.
Reserve early. Call the Tea Ticket
Hotline at 910-232-0127.
12/19, 7:30 p.m.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY POPS
CONCERT
Better not pout! Join the North Carolina
Symphony for a festive celebration of
the holiday season.
UNCW Kenan Auditorium
www.ncsymphony.org
12/20-12/24, 6-10 p.m.
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 younger than 12.
www.horsedrawntours.com
12/31, 1/1, 11:30 a.m.
NEW YEAR’S NOON
COUNTDOWN
This year-end party gets started a little
earlier. Free with admission. Call 910-
254-3534 for more information.
Children’s Museum of Wilmington
www.playwilmington.org