Sunday, February 9, 2025

Take a lights tour, shop downtown and enjoy holiday cheer at Wilmington’s Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll

Christmas trees at Chandlers Wharf.
Christmas trees at Chandlers Wharf.

WILMINGTON — Enjoy shopping, lights and the holiday cheer in downtown Wilmington this weekend during the Historic Wilmington Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll.

The event will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, according to the event website.

The Holly Jolly Stroll will kick off with caroling by Westermark Voice Studio, a youth choral ensemble, at the First Bank Water Garden at 201 Market St.

Area residents are invited to downtown Wilmington to experience the lights, festivities, shopping and other city offerings. Shops in Wilmington’s business district are competing in a decorating contest. The winners of the juried contest will be announced at the start of the event, while the People’s Choice begins accepting online votes from visitors Friday night, during the stroll. More than 50 businesses have decorated their shops. Decorations will remain throughout the weekend event.

The Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll boasts a downtown shopping experience with an “open house setting” as refreshments and holiday gift ideas are being provided by merchants.

Members of the Historic Wilmington Foundation will also be in attendance for guided tours of nearby neighborhoods. Many homes within the city’s historic residential district will have their exteriors decorated for the before tours.

Be sure to bring a camera; event organizers say they expect several appearances from Santa at various times and locations. Musicians, choral groups, and other entertainers will spread throughout downtown Wilmington on Friday and Saturday.

For more information  about the event and to get a holiday guide, visit the Historic Wilmington Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll website.

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