SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — As we approach the final week of 2024, multiple events are still scheduled in celebration of the holiday season.
This week’s Li’l Friday not only features music — lots of music, actually — comedy, tours and the final drone show of the season, it also includes two dozen ways to ring in 2025. Yep, it’s an extended edition featuring more than 30 happenings.
All events featured were scheduled as of Thursday, Dec. 26; however, it’s wise to check in ahead of attending any one. Inclement weather, changes in schedules and unforeseen circumstances may shift for organizers at the last minute.
Thursday, Dec. 26
Cape Fear Festival of Trees
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Road • Included with aquarium admission
Through Dec. 30, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher welcomes back Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s Cape Fear Festival of Trees.
Businesses and organizations sponsor more than 50 trees that are decorated in various themes; some honor loved ones who have passed, others embrace the spirit of the holiday. Visitors can also add a name to the Memory Dove Tree to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. The trees are set against the aquatic backdrop and the display is included with aquarium admission.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare receives no proceeds from admission sales, so donations are appreciated, with funds helping the organization provide end-of-life and supportive services to people community-wide. The aquarium is located at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Road. Festival included with aquarium admission.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
The Justin Cody Fox Band — Wilmington’s rock-n-rollers The Justin Cody Fox Band will perform at Bowstring Brewyard beginning at 7 p.m. The band performs a blend of blues and rock with Fox’s mad guitar skills leading the way. Fox has played since the ripe age of 15 and recorded six albums to date. In 2023, he released “New Southern,” featuring 11 tracks produced with Audley Freed (Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow). The show is free and Bowstring is located at 1002 Princess St.
Friday, Dec. 27
Miss Gladys’ Hawaiian Plates
Concept Kitchen Co., 1815 Castle St. • Various prices, depending on menu
From End of Days Distillery (1815 Castle St.), Concept Kitchen Co. welcomes area chefs to pop up their culinary concepts for a day (or two) and sell goods to the public out of its shipping-container-turned-commerical-grade kitchen.
This Friday and Saturday Miss Gladys’ Hawaiian Plates will be open at noon and closes when the food runs out (by 6 p.m. on Sunday). Chef Brandon Shepard and his wife, Elizabeth (who own Shepard Barbecue in Emerald Isle, with one also opening the Cargo District food court soon) were inspired to do the concept from Brandon’s caretaker in youth, Miss Gladys.
Miss Gladys’ menu is priced $4 to $18 and includes garlic shrimp, Kalua pork (wrapped in banana leaves and served with rice and mac salad), ahi-tuna poke bowl and more.
The chef said Miss Gladys often shared stories and her love of the Hawaiian islands.
The Shepards held a fundraiser at their restaurant earlier this year and raised $10,000 for those devastated by the Hawaiian wildfires that swept through Lahaina in 2022.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Frank Grant and the Feelin’ — Bourbon Street, located at the corner of Princess and Front streets, will be closing its doors due to the building being sold to James Goodnight earlier this year. To have a proper send-off, the restaurant and live music venue is welcoming Frank Grant and the Feelin’ on Friday. The group’s bluesy soul and funkrock includes well-known tracks across the ages, from the soul of the 60’s as heard in Ottis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay,” to the grungy ‘90s with Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.” The show takes place from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Wilmington Victorian Stroll — Stroll through downtown Wilmington’s historic district at sunset with an LED-lit candle to learn about Victorian homes and how they are decorated and celebrated for the holidays. See Wilmington’s most significant architecture on this route, all dressed up for the holidays! Caroling may ensue. Cost is $20 per person and it’s limited to 20 guests per tour. Groups are asked to inquire for a private date. Tickets are $20; the tour group also does pub crawls, history and architecture tours and more.
Saturday, Dec. 28
Holiday Drone Show
Downtown Riverwalk • Free
If you missed the first two shows during the height of the season, you have one more chance to catch hundreds of drones scaling above the Cape Fear River in a holiday spectacular.
The event is free and can be seen along downtown’s Riverwalk, though the best view is at the foot of Market and Water streets. It starts at 7 p.m.
Presented by Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI), Wilmington and Beaches CVB and Downtown Business Alliance of Wilmington, drone shows include imagery created by hundreds of drones flying over the Riverwalk to merge into festive designs like gingerbread cookies, ornaments, bells and Santa Claus himself.
It’s free to watch along the Riverwalk.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Audiomelt — Bowstring Brewyard will continue the weekend with more rock, this time hard sounds to properly melt your face. The local band — comprising Landon Clark, Owen Wasterval, Josh Cook and Nico Holt — are connoisseurs of grunge and modern metal. They perform originals and covers and cite influences like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Iron Maiden. The band will have a free show from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the 1002 Princess St. restaurant and bar.
‘80s Dance Party — If synthpop and darkwave is more your jam, Angie’s Hair Salon — located in the quonset hut on 16th Street — has the party for you. From 8 p.m. to midnight, the salon will transform into a live music venue until midnight with three bands and a DJ ready to entertain. DJ Dead Boy will spend 80’s dance hits, darkwave, new wave, dark electronic throughout the evening as bands Shoulder Cat (indie synthpop), Dead Cool (salon owners Angie and her husband Johnny’s group, who take on goth sounds, and Night Rivals (synthwave and ‘80s electronic). It’s a $10 cash entry and BYOB, located at 21. S. 16th St., near the corner of Market and 16th, adjacent to Domino’s Pizza.
New Year’s Early Eve — In Leland, Brunswick Beer Xchange is counting down to 2025 early, with a New Year’s Early Eve celebration. A techno rave will be held at the brewery from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. It will feature DJ Rewind Selector and music from electronic band We Make Techno. The night also will feature sounds by Rainmaker and B.elow A.verage D.rummer. Kicking off the party earlier in the day, at 5 p.m., will be La Paloma Taqueria Mixteca. It’s free to attend and the brewery is located at 113 Village Road.
Holiday Train Expo — Annually, the Cape Fear Model Railroad Society sets up a holiday display in the Dillard’s wing of Independence Mall to showcase the wonderland of the holidays. There will be 12 layouts featuring more than 30 trains, dressed for the season. The event’s final day is Dec. 28; admission is $9 for adults, $7 for children ages 3-12, and free for 3 and under, at Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive.
Sunday, Dec. 29
Wilmington Goth Night
The Barzarre, 1612 Castle St. • Free
Continuing the apparent goth theme this week, The Barzarre also is hosting a night of darkwave revelry.
European sounds from synth pop, cold wave, and dark medieval folk tunes, to contemporary dark metal and post-punk will be played as folks are welcomed to the dancefloor. There also will be visual effects and music videos playing on the big screen.
NYE Celebrations — Tuesday, Dec. 31
Alec Flynn at Dead Crow Comedy Room — If laughing into 2025 is more appealing, Dead Crow Comedy (511 N. Third St.) is bringing in LA-based actor and comedian Alex Flynn. The standup has appeared on Netflix’s “Netflix is a Joke Festival, co-headlined at the New York Comedy Festival and was named as one of their “Comics to Watch.” In 2023, he was part of “Don’t Tell Comedy,” a performance when performers and events are kept a secret until the day before it launches. His show garnered three million views online to date. “I had to check on my resume for the first time in a while,” he said. “Every look at an old resume and just marvel at the lies? … I had a line in there that said: ‘Entrepreneur.’ Yeah, I used to sell Adderal.” Flynn will perform two shows, at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $25-$35.
Blind Elephant NYE — Downtown’s favorite speakeasy is bringing in the new year in style, so come glammed out and enjoy the countdown from Times Square on the big screen. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight and members get in for free; $15 admission otherwise. 21 N. Front St.
Blueberry Drop — Burgaw’s annual celebration ringing in the new year includes a giant, glowing blueberry — Burgaw’s most well-known crop — dropping in the town square, followed by fireworks. The event is earlier in the evening, beginning at 5 p.m., with live entertainment from Charlotte country band Bourbon Sons (bring your own lawn chairs and blankets; but no pets, alcohol or outside coolers allowed). Food vendors will be parked on site, including Lanes Ferry Food Truck, Southern Roots, Chris’s Cosmic Cheesecakes, J&T Funnel Cakes, Flattop Grill, Webos, KT’s BBQ, Big Ralphs Street Eats, and Tasty Tees. Hot chocolate will be sold by the Burgaw Lion’s Club and a video game bus will be parked for the kids. The ceremonial drop takes place at 7 p.m., which is midnight Greenwich Mean Time. It’s free to attend.
Cape Fear Riverboats — Aboard the Henrietta along the Cape Fear River, New Years Eve celebrators will be treated to light hors d’oeuvres and music spun by DJ Kysheem Remix as dancing is welcomed on the top deck. There will be a champagne toast and party favors at midnight. VIP boarding is allowed at 9 p.m.; cruising takes place from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dance to your favorite tunes played by our DJ Kysheem Remix and enjoy downtown Wilmington’s beautifully lit skyline. Drinks can be purchased at the fully stocked bar. Tickets are $82 to $96, available here.
Circa 1922 — If a quieter night of dinner with a loved one or friends is more your style, Circa 1922 is offering a special NYE menu for $75 a person. It’s three courses and includes choice of appetizer (lobster bisque, tuna crudo, beef tartare), entree (swordfish boullabaise, seared scallops, filet mignon) and chefs’ specialty dessert. Reservations are open: (910) 762-1922.
Disco Ball — The Embassy Suites in downtown Wilmington has packages available including overnight stays, meals and a party to bring in the New Year in glamorous, retro Disco Style. Starting at $529 a couple, the package includes cocktails and butler passed bites, dinner for two, late night bites, and celebratory libations with onsite accommodations and valet parking. The music is provided by Diverse Groove Band in the Riverfront Grand Ballroom and the next morning, the first day of 2025 will come with a complimentary New Year’s Day breakfast. Reservations here.
Fermental NYE — The Cargo District’s bottle shop will be open 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and celebrating with live music from local punk/pop punk all-stars The Fins and Sloppy Copy. There will be a complimentary midnight toast and the food truck A Taste Of Vietnam will be parked starting at 5 p.m. It’s free and the bar is open serving beer and wine from around the globe; 600 S. 17th St.
Island of Lights Beach Ball Drop — Carolina Beach’s Island of Lights wraps another season with the official beach ball countdown. The event takes place at 9 p.m. with a DJ and dancing along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Refreshments and party favors are available for purchase, but it’s free to attend. The beach ball drops at midnight, followed by fireworks.
Karaoke Party at Bottega — North Fourth Street’s art and wine bar is welcoming all to the mic this New Year’s Eve. Karaoke will be hosted by DJ R and there will be live painting from Kim Possible, Marlee Yeates and Jahde. It’s a glow party, some come dressed in your best gear to shine in the black light. Champagne toast at midnight and the event is free; 723 N. Fourth St.
The Kitchen Dwellers — Folk-infused bluegrass with psychedelic rock can be expected of the Montana-based quartet The Kitchen Dwellers at Brooklyn Arts Center for two shows before 2024 finishes out. KD is performing both Dec. 30 and a New Year’s Eve show on the 31st. The band is composed of Shawn Swain (mandolin), Torrin Daniels (banjo), Joe Funk (upright bass), and Max Davies (acoustic guitar) and released its fourth album, “Seven Devils,” this year. Tickets are available here starting at $68.
NYE with Cliff Cash — If you wanna show love to local comedy, head over to Bourgie Nights for a night of laughter with Wilmington’s own Cliff Cash. Cash just released “A Long Road” on YouTube earlier this fall, followed by his comedy album of the same name, which charted number one iTunes last week. Often riffing on Southern culture, family and the world in general — all with a dash of politics thrown in — Cash will be joined by other comedians opening the show including MT Bottles and Lisa Buck. Plus, DJ Battle and rapper Fuzz Jaxx will make the evening a multi-media experience. Music will play before, during and after the show a dance party commences until 1 a.m. There is an early show at 7 p.m. (ticket holders will be allowed back to the afterparty) and 10 p.m., with tickets going for $41 and includes complimentary champagne at midnight.
NYE Masquerade Ball — An annual fundraising event from the Unique Community Fund, the ball held at Sir Tyler Terraces on New Years Eve will benefit suicide awareness and prevention for 2024. Tickets are $150 a person or $1,450 for a table for 10 and include an open bar (wine, beer, spirits), dinner catered by Middle of the Island, live music with local band Machine Gun, a silent auction and midnight champagne toast. No tickets available at the door and dress is formal attire/black tie, with masquerade masks optional.
New Year’s Noon— The Children’s Museum of Wilmington hosts a family-friendly event annually from 9 a.m. to noon for those who want to celebrate but can’t make it to the midnight ball drops worldwide. There will be craft stations, including the creation of a streamer stick, a confetti toss and juice toast at noon to ring in 2025. Tickets are $15.
Noon’s Year Eve at Ocean Isle Beach — Open to the public, the Museum of Coastal Carolina and the Town of Ocean Isle Beach Recreation Department is holding a kid-friendly event at 11 a.m., featuring crafts, face-painting and a dance party at Town Center Park. Blondiez Donuts will be selling donuts and refreshments. The countdown to the “Noon Year” takes place at noon sharp, 11 E. Second Street.
Olivero — Downtown’s Spanish-New Orleans-Italian restaurant by Sunny Gerhart will offer a prix-fixe menu at its Third and Castle street location. The cost is $89 a person for three courses, as well as snacks and desserts. According to Gerhart and co-executive Chef Lauren Krall Ivey, it will be: “An experience that tastes like travel but feels like home.” Paired wine tastings and bubbles are available for an additional cost and reservations can be made here.
Pink Pony NYE with Beehive Blondes and Kicking Bird — The Eagle’s Dare will have live music from local indie pop outfit Kicking Bird (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and tunes spun across the ages from local DJ’s Beehive Blondes (10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.). There also will be a Pink Pony-inspired burlesque show and line dance performance, with complimentary light bites, champagne toast and balloon drop as 2025 rings in. Tickets are $45 to $65, and it’s encouraged to come dressed in pink, with $100 best dressed prize up for grabs. 420 N. Third St.
Satellite Bar and Lounge — Fort Lowell Records hosts a dance party at Satellite Bar and Lounge on Saturdays each month. This weekend will be a special edition, not only with vinyl spun by Fort Lowell’s own James Tritten but also featuring a concert. Local band Lauds — who play guitar-driven, dreamy indie pop-rock, will headline the show, with Leslie Blowup Band opening at 8 p.m. Satellite is located at 1510 S. Second St.; it’s free.
Seawitch New Year’s Eve — Carolina Beach’s live music venue and restaurant will host a party until 1 a.m. The band The Conspiracy performs from 8 p.m. to midnight with a DJ taking over afterward until 1 a.m. The red carpet will be rolled out into the venue, and there will be a photo booth, complimentary champagne split, party favors and more. The restaurant will be open ahead of time serving a special menu. Tickets to the party are $25; reservations: 910-707-0533 or email information@seawitchtikibar.com.
South Front Tavern — The South Front District’s newest restaurant will be celebrating 2025 with dancing, food, party favors and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. South Front Tavern will have passed hors d’oeuvres and food display stations, in addition to a DJ spinning tunes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Plenty of big screens are in the restaurant to catch the ball drop in Times Square. Before the party gets underway, South Front is serving dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. as well from its regular menu. The NYE party tickets are $54 (doesn’t include alcohol).
Steam — Located in the Embassy Suites, Steam is offering a New Year’s Eve dinner for $129 a couple. Reservations from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., (910) 726-9226; a menu wasn’t posted by press.
Thalian Hall Gala — Thalian Hall will host its annual NYE gala, featuring a performance of the the classic “Cabaret,” by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Joe Masteroff. The show follows performers at the famed Kit Kat Club during the jazz age in Berlin, Germany, as an American performer, Sally Bowles falls for American writer Clifford Bradshaw. The Opera House Theater Company cast will join the afterparty in Thalian Hall’s grand ballroom, with karaoke open in the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater. There will be a ball drop at midnight; tickets for show, open bar, dessert and afterparty are $150; party only tickets are $75 and includes and open bar.
Uptown Easy at Bluewater — Wrightsville Beach’s marina waterfront grill welcomes everyone to party along the Intracoastal Waterway. There will be live music from Uptown Easy party band, playing all the hits through every era and $75 tickets include complimentary late night bar bites, champagne toast at midnight, and party favors. Dinner is also served in the restaurant ahead of the event with a chef’s special menu; 4 Marina St.
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