SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Though we’re going into a pandemic Christmas, not everything is canceled in the community. A few scaled-down versions of spirited events are slated to keep the red, gold and green tinsel somewhat shiny through the final days of 2020 (say that again with a hallelujah: “the final days of 2020!”).
Markets, open houses, light displays, drive-in movies, and more are slated, some to be hosted outside for safer participation, all socially distanced with mask-wearing required.
[Ed. note: Please, be mindful of protocols when attending all events through the holidays, and keep within Covid-19 regulations to help prevent dissemination of the virus.]
Below is a lineup of some events to enjoy this season:
November 27
Black Friday Ceremonial Celebration of Stout
Fermental • 7250 Market St.
Every Black Friday, the folks at Fermental bottle shop in Ogden celebrate the big and bold flavor of stouts and dark ales. On Nov. 27, there will be new releases, including several barrel-aged rarities, coffee stouts, imperial stouts, chocolate stouts, maple stouts, chili pepper stouts, and others. Also released will be the highly awarded Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout, which only comes out once a year from Chicago.
Tastings will be served all day long, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with live music taking place at 7 p.m. from the Slick Mahoneys.
Town of Wrightsville Beach Christmas Kick-Off
Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation • 1 Bob Sawyer Dr.
The Town of Wrightsville Beach has amended its normal tree-lighting ceremony and visit with Santa as a drive-thru event. Taking place Nov. 27, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., folks will be able to drive through the town hall parking lot to view the tree, hear Christmas music, see the Jolly Old Elf, and deliver Christmas wish lists to one of Santa’s helpers.
NC Holiday Flotilla Door to Dock Decorating Contest
Motts Channel to Banks Channel to the Coast Guard Station • Wrightsville Beach
Though the regular lit boat parade, fireworks and Festival in the Park have been canceled due to Covid-19, the NC Holiday Flotilla isn’t completely aborted. The flotilla is hosting a “Door to Dock” decorating contest. It’s open to all docks on the traditional flotilla route, from the drawbridge down Motts Channel, into Banks Channel and to the Coast Guard Station.
Folks will be able to view the docks from their own boats or by streaming it. Or they can book a slot on the Carolina Runner, a 40-foot craft that includes a bar.
Participants will be able to vote in the People’s Choice category by texting 24587. Prizes are given to winners in four categories, with judging taking place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27-28. Winners will be announced on Nov. 29.
November 28
Holiday Market on the Porch
Wrightsville Beach Museum • 303 and 307 W. Salisbury St.
Complimentary hot cider, Santa and lots of local vendors will be lining up the porch of the Wrightsville Beach Museum for a holiday market. There will be lots of holiday presents for sale — jewelry, apparel, pottery, baked goods, holiday decor, home goods, and more.
November 30
Leland in Lights
Town of Leland Parks and Recreation • 102 Town Hall Dr.
Founders Park will light up the season on Nov. 30 in the Town of Leland. Folks can walk through the Candy Cane Forest, between its waterfall of lights, and see the lit woodland display.
Admission is free through January 10. The town asks everyone follow Covid-19 protocols by masking up and social distancing.
Holiday Movies Series
Thalian Hall • 310 Chestnut St.
Through Dec. 23 a series of fan-favorite holiday movies will screen Monday through Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Thalian Hall’s main stage. Tickets are $7, except for the Dec. 21-23 screenings of “It’s A Wonderful Life” ($12) — a holiday tradition at Thalian.
- Dec. 1: “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944, starring Judy Garland)
- Dec. 2-3: “Scrooged” (1988, starring Bill Murray)
- Dec. 7-8: “White Christmas” (1954, starring Bing Crosby)
- Dec. 9-10: “A Christmas Story” (1983, based on the writings of Jean Shepard)
- Dec. 14-15: “A Christmas Carol” (with a special introduction from Thalian’s executive director Tony Rivenbark, who has played Ebenezer Scrooge in over 15 local productions)
- Dec. 16-17: “Elf” (2003, starring Will Farrell)
- Dec. 21-23: “It’s A Wonderful Life” (1935, starring James Stewart, also featuring a display of executive director Tony Rivenbark’s famous childhood toy collection and packaged seasonal treats)
December 4
Holiday Drive-In Movies
Mayfaire Town Center • 6835 Conservation Way
Mayfaire Town Center and local nonprofit A Safe Place — which works toward prevention, advocacy and restoration that helps victims of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic sex trafficking — are hosting drive-in movies in the parking lot across from Belk.
They’ll screen “Polar Express” on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. and “Elf” on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Food from Chick-fil-A will be available for purchase at the drive-in. Prices are $40 per carload; tickets must be purchased ahead of time and presented onsite.
Holiday Flea at BAC
Brooklyn Arts Center • 516 N 4th St.
Brooklyn Arts Center will be hosting their annual Holiday Flea on Friday, Dec. 4, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, noon – 5 p.m. The event will welcome 40 local and regional vendors to sell vintage, retro, upcycled, and artisan wares, which will be spread out in the church and in The Annex. Food trucks will be set up, including WilmyWoodie on Friday, Catch The Food Truck on Saturday, and Bill’s Front Porch on Sunday. A coffee shop and full-service bar will be selling drinks. Admission is $5, good for all three days. Children under the age of 12 are free. Masks and social distancing are required.
December 5
Orange St. Pottery Holiday Show and Sale
Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center • 120 South 2nd St.
Every Christmas teachers and students from the Orange Street pottery classes come together for a holiday sale of unique hand-thrown, functional art. This year’s event continues, with Covid-19 restrictions in place, so shoppers can find one-of-a-kind gifts. The sale will take place form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
UPDATE: The Lower Cape Fear Historical Society has postponed the Old Wilmington by Light Tour below until further notice.
48th Old Wilmington by Light Tour
Latimer House • 126 S. Third St.
For almost half a century, the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society has hosted the Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour, which gives folks a peek into downtown’s historic homes to see their decorations for the holidays.
This year will continue the tradition, though the tour will be altered to take place during daylight and only street views outside of the homes, due to the novel coronavirus. Participants still will hear stories about families who originally settled there and learn about the architecture of the structures.
Taking place Dec. 5-6, all tours will be scheduled every half hour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tours are limited to smaller numbers of participants, 10 individuals per slot.
After the tour, participants will be able to purchase crafts, gifts and other items at the Holiday Artisan Fair — which is open to the public at large. Ticket holders also will be invited inside the Latimer House to view each room decorated by local designers for the holidays.
Tickets are $30 or $10 for children under $10.
December 12
Update on Dec. 1: Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens Christmas Open House and Market decided to cancel their event.
Burgwin-Wright Christmas Open House and Market
Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens • 224 Market St.
Downtown’s Burgwin-Wright House, the area’s only colonial-era house built in 1770, will be open on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for an open house and market. For $5 donation, folks can tour the decorated home, see folks dressed in period costumes, learn about its Georgian architecture and what life was like during pre-revolutionary Wilmington.
There will be a holiday market, featuring live music, which folks can roam for free. Locally made items from more than 40 vendors will be for sale.
Mask are required onsite; social distancing is mandated as well.
December 17
Bellamy Mansion Nights of Lights
Bellamy Mansion • 503 Market St.
The annual Nights of Lights allows visitors a chance to walk through the antebellum Bellamy Museum and see it ornately decorated for the season. This year the tour will carry on — but in time slots limited to 50 people each.
Refreshments will be for sale and Father Christmas will be on sit for a socially distanced visit.
A $5 donation is suggested, and folks will have to register to participate in one of the half-hour time slots, slated for Dec. 17-20, 4-7 p.m.
Through December 24
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s annual Cape Fear Festival of Trees
Mayfaire Town Center • 6835 Conservation Way
Going on more than two decades of tradition is the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s annual Cape Fear Festival of Trees. Local businesses and individuals sponsor a tree and decorate it to go on display at Mayfaire Town Center, near H&M, through the holidays.
The 2020 event opened on Nov. 21 and continues through Dec. 24, Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendees can even vote on their favorite trees.
Admission is only $5, with children under 12 admitted free with paying adult. Proceeds benefit LifeCare, which works to support patients, friends and family dealing with serious illnesses and to ensure peaceful transitions in end-of-life care.
Have holiday events you want to add to the list? Email Shea Carver at shea@localdailymedia.com
