SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Merry Christmas!
It’s Li’l Friday — the holiday edition, featuring plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings and more, as you wind down with family and friends after Christmas.
All events featured were scheduled as of Thursday; 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. 25
Christmas Day Service
Varied locations • Free
In celebration of the birth of Christ, multiple churches will hold Christmas services on Dec. 25.
St. James Parish Episcopal at 25 S. Third St. will have a 10:30 a.m. Rite II Holy Eucharist service. There also will be singing and a livestream is available.
St. Paul’s Episcopal at 16 N. 16th Street will take place at 10 a.m. as well, celebrating the Holy Eucharist with Christmas carols.
St. Mark’s Catholic Church will have mass on Dec. 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Overflow seating will be available in the Parish Hall with a live stream available. Plus, Holy Communion will be given.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 6650 Carolina Beach Rd. will host a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Uncle Lim’s Carrot Mob — Annually, local vegans gather for the Christmas holiday at Uncle Lim’s at the intersection of Carolina Beach Road and Independence Boulevard for a holiday lunch. The Asian eatery is well-known for its vast vegetarian and vegan menu. Wilmington Vegans will come together to Carrot Mob the restaurant from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; anyone is welcome to join.
Restaurants Open for Christmas — Earlier in the week, Port City Daily published a list of restaurants open and serving meals on Dec. 25. IYMI, click here to catch up.
Friday, Dec. 26
Kwanzaa Celebration
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Jackson Hall, 600 Grace St.
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African American culture and unity, as founded in 1966 by activist and professor Maulana Karenga. Her goal was to inspire people of color to connect to their African heritage and work toward building stronger communities.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, in collaboration with the Eaton Museum, is hosting a celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first day of Kwanzaa. Lasting seven days, through Jan. 1, there will be varied activities representing the seven Kwanzaa principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. There will be family fun and entertainment, with speakers including Rev. Skip Walker, Tim Pinnick, Tina McKnight, Rona Sutton, Frank Jordan, JC Brown, Terry Jackson, Alicia Inshira Du and Abdullah.
Learn more here.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Waterline Movie Marathon — From Dec. 26 through Dec. 28, Waterline Brewing Company (721 Surry St.) will have a Marathon Movie Night. The brewery is screening “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” films for free; it will include seven dystopian films, packed with action, rebellion, adventure, drama, uprising and, yes, romance. Themed custom cocktails will be served each night and there will be intermissions between each flick; it’s free to attend and begins at 3 p.m. on Dec. 26, wrapping at 8 p.m. on Dec. 28.
Dubtown Dragonauts — A mashup for all Deadheads is taking place at The Palm Room the day after Christmas. Local funkadelic outfit Dubtown Cosmonauts is joining forces with Grateful Dead tribute act Dragons With Matches to create a super jamband. Bandmembers hitting the stage include Justin Heter, Nate Rimes, Marley Johnson, Brian Platt, and Tom Doeher and they will perform Dead tunes from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Palm Room is located at 11 E. Salisbury St.; expect a cover charge.
Saturday, Dec. 27
Justin Scranton
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $18
Having started his comedy career in his mid-40s while also holding down a corporate job, Justin Scranton is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and will perform for one night only at Dead Crow Comedy Room.
Scranton began his comedy career in 2017 and became a fixture at the local comedy club, Goodnights. He also was a semi-finalist in North Carolina’s Funniest Contest. He’s worked with Jeff Arcuri, Nick Mullen, and Tom Mabe and toured country-wide, often dishing on his life as a father, getting older and learning to deal with mental health needs.
In one bit, he notes: “It’s tough being a father with depression. It’s good for comedy but I don’t fitler well, sometimes, with what comes out of my mouth. I have a high-school aged son.And he does this thing, typical of high-school-aged boys, ‘I don’t want to go to school today.’ But I’m depressed; I’ll just be like: ‘I don’t want to be your dad.’”
Tickets to his show are $18 and he performs at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
2025 Wrap Party — The end of the year is upon as 2026 rises on the horizon. To celebrate and reflect, Ironclad Brewery is hosting a 2025 Wrap Party with Wilmington Latin Dance. The group teaches varied styles, from Tango to cha cha, salsa more; a dance lesson starts out the night at 9 p.m. The floor will open until 1 a.m. thereafter and DJ Speedy will be keeping the tunes fresh. Admission is $15 at the door, 115 N 2nd St.
Oc3ans Trio — This trio has become a hot ticket on the Wilmington scene, bringing the most soulful sounds to the stage, led by Brooke Renshaw on vocals, Josh Boyd on guitar, and Joey Lamb on drums. Renshaw is best known for her stint earlier this year on “American Idol.” Oc3ans performs a blend of of rock, soul and hip-hop and will be at Seawitch in Carolina Beach at 8 p.m.
Downtown Holiday Drone Show — Wilmington Downtown Inc. is hosting its final holiday drone show along the downtown Riverwalk. Taking place at 7:30 p.m., the show includes festival holiday imagery created by hundreds of drones over the Cape Fear River. Music accompanies it and it’s free for everyone to attend.
Joopiter at Pour Fella’s — Wilmington-based indie-pop/alternative band Joopiter is performing at Pour Fella’s, 7211 Market St., starting at 9 p.m. The band started in 2022 in their Ogden garage and cover some of the most revered indie sounds from bands like Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, and Spoon, with a dash of Justin Timberlake and Harry Styles thrown in for good measure. The group is made up of drummer Brittanie Saurus Rex, bassist Bill Patterson, guitarist Ryan Grubb, guitarist and vocalist Mike “Spicy” Carlough and lead vocalist Sam Carradori, and are also working out original music; the group will play until midnight.
Day After Christmas Ugly Sweater Boots Extravaganza — The big day may be over but the celebrations continue at Wilmington Sportsman Club, 1111 Castle St. The Day After Christmas Ugly Sweater & Boots Party will feature live performances at CharMeka Joquelle Coldrank — Chocolate Drop plus DJ-Jsmoove Carr on the 1s and 2s. The event’s door opens at 8 p.m. and closes at 2 a.m. Come rocking your ugliest holiday sweater and most fly boots. Tickets are $23 in advance or $40 at the door; security enforced. It’s open only to ages 21 and older.
Salty Southern Band — Seven Mile Post will have this Wilmington outfit on the stage for one final 2025 blowout. The band performs gritty, coastal-country-rock and there is no cover charge to catch their show, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at 7219 Market St. It’s open only to ages 21 and older.
Sunday, Dec. 28
Doomer New Year
Barzarre, 1610 Castle St. • Free
The Barzarre is ending 2025 with a Doomer New Year on Sunday. Sounds of eastern European post punk, coldwave and dark vibes will be presented by native Finnish DJ Straftanz.
It’s free and all ages are welcome, but expect special visual effects, flashing lights and patterns, as well as music videos which may contain some strobes on the big screen. Anyone with photosensitivity should take heed.
The event takes place from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Pet, Paint and Sip — Think your Fido has what it takes to become the next Picasso? Bring him to Unleashed on Front Street for their final Pet, Paint and Sip event of the year. Located at 2 S. Front St., Unleashed staff will cover a piece of canvas with a plastic bag, put down peanut butter or wet food and let participants’ dogs or cats lick it up. The motion will move around the paint on the canvas to reveal their one-of-a-kind work of art. To participate, choose a pet in need from the Angel Tree and purchase a minimum $10 gift to give. All donations support local rescues. Plus there will be bubbles served as part of the paint event, with supplies provided by Unleashed.
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