THINGS TO DO AND SEE TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN WILMINGTON, NC

Christmas Eve Snow Photos
December 24th  2:00 pm to 7:00 pm FREE
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
1401 South College Road
Midtown

Wesley Memorial UMC in Wilmington, NC, presents Christmas Eve Snow Photos, a chance to see it snow in the pumpkin patch.

Christmas Eve Meals
10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Pine Valley United Methodist Church
3788 Shipyard Blvd
Midtown

Pine Valley United Methodist Church in Wilmington, NC, provides a free traditional holiday meal featuring freshly cooked ham and all the trimmings, to individuals and families in need on Christmas Eve. The yearly outreach brings together more than 100 volunteers who work for five days to prepare the feast. Meals will be delivered to several shelters, charity organizations, church members in nursing homes, and city fire stations. The Pine Valley Christmas Eve Dinner will be served at 6pm in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Meals can also be picked up at the church from 10am to 4:30pm. All are welcome.

December 25th 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Bottegga Wine & Art
723 N. Fourth Street
Downtown

Come out and enjoy holiday cookies and drinks on Christmas Day!

14th Annual Holiday Train Expo
December 15th
Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive, Midtown
Hours: Friday: 6:00 -9:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 1:00 pm -6:00 pm

Be enchanted by spectacular displays of eight unique model train layouts as they travel across miles of scale track through a wonderland of villages, parks and landscapes. Take advantage of a photo-op with the famed Polar Express. Start your holiday season with a visit to the Holiday Train Expo presented by the Cape Fear Model Railroad Society. Admission: $4 pm-$6 pm

Cape Fear Festival of Trees
November 18th – January 2nd
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach

The Cape Fear Festival of Trees at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher features festive trees decorated by local businesses, various organizations and individual artists, transforming the aquarium space into an enchanted forest.

Enchanted Airlie Gardens
December 6-Decmber 22
Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Road
Near Wrightsville Beach
Viewing Times: 5:00 -7:00 pm and 7:00 -9:00 pm

Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, NC, presents Enchanted Airlie, an opportunity for families to share in the joy of the season with a half-mile self-guided stroll through the gardens featuring festive lights, holiday displays, and Santa Claus, plus local food and beverage vendors with coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn, cookies and more. Tickets must be pre-purchased, and are per carload. Viewing times: 5-7pm and 7-9pm. Carload: $30.00 to $55.00

Link:

Polar Express Holiday Show
December 20-21, 2019 6:30 pm-8;30 pm
Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt Street
Downtown

The Polar Express Holiday Show at the Railroad Museum in downtown Wilmington, NC, features a reading of The Polar Express  with a local celebrity, a visit with Santa, and hot chocolate. Shows: 6:30 and 8:30pm. Admission: $5

Link

A Merry Little Christmas Festival
December 13-15, 2019
Poplar Grove Plantation
10200 US Hwy 17 North
Near Ogden

Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington, NC, presents A Merry Little Christmas Festival featuring a European Winter Bazaar experience with arts and craft vendors, a bonfire, lawn games, outdoors screenings of classic movies such as The Polar Express, A Christmas Story, and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The grounds and barnyard will be decorated with seasonal vignettes and interactive activities for kids, and the manor house will be open for evening candlelit tours ($7).

Hours: Friday, 5-8pm; Saturday, 10am to 8pm; Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Link

Christmas Caroling with Santa and His Reindeer

Horsedrawn Tours in downtown Wilmington, NC, presents Christmas Caroling with Santa and His Special “Reindeer.” Free candy canes for the kids. $5-$12
Catch the ride at Market Street between Front and Water Street

Note: We make every attempt to provide current and accurate event information. However, dates, hours and event content is provided by the venue and may be subject to change. Please contact venue to confirm information posted here.