Celebrating the Holidays in Wilmington, North Carolina

No matter what your interests are, there's always something special happening in the Wilmington, North Carolina area. This is especially true during the Christmas holidays. Virtually any day during the month of December, you can choose from a variety of exciting events and activities that are sure to put you in the warm Christmas spirit. Wilmington is a small town on the coast of North Carolina, and its traditions are as old as the town. The weeks prior to Christmas are truly memorable, and if you're in the southeast then you won't regret your trip to Wilmington. Here are just a few of the signature events that are featured around the area:

North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach
What's not to like about this event? It's unlike any other, a Christmas parade near the surf and sand of one of North Carolina's most well known beaches. Who said Christmas had to be spent with snow and twenty degree weather? The Holiday Flotilla was started twenty three years ago and has quickly grown to be one of the Top 20 must see events in the southeast. It's estimated that approximately 50,000 flock to Wrightsville Beach each year to catch this event.

So what exactly is this event, you may ask? The flotilla features a weekend of family friendly events to help raise money for town projects as well as support local businesses. The signature event is the parade of illuminated ships as they cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway. There is also a beautiful fireworks display that is quite breathtaking over the water. The day in the park festival features children's games, music, and an exchanging of gifts. For the adults, there is a Flotilla party for an elegant evening of dining, dancing, and many cups of eggnog!

The event is to be held on Friday, November 24th and Saturday, November 25th. Call 910-256-2120 or e-mail info@ncholidayflotilla.org for more information.

Old Wilmington by Candlelight
This event is two unique days of fun and jubilation that will bring you back to the Victorian days. It's easily the most popular of the holiday home tours. Celebrating the Lower Cape Fear Historic Society's 50th Anniversary, this event takes place around the Lattimer House Museum. The Lattimer House will take on a beautiful glow as rows of luminaries line the blocked street for the celebration. It's features live music, singers, storytellers, carolers, vendors, and strollers dressed in Victorian costume. There is also a Gingerbread Cookie Contest, as well as a Fruitcake Bakeoff that offers a fifty dollar first place cash reward.

The Old Wilmington historic home and site tour is the major source of fundraising for the event. Each year, about twenty of Wilmington's most historic home are opened to guests. It's your chance to take tours of unique homes with Christmas decorations and candlelight. Stroll into the past to see how yesterday's lifestyles have since adapted.

The event is to be held on December 2nd and 3rd. The Candlelight Jubilee begins Saturday at 4:00-8:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00-6:00 PM.

Airlie Gardens' Enchated Airlie: A Holiday Lightshow
This holiday event is surely magical and is held at one of Wilmington's proudest locations, Airlie Gardens. The actual event is the Holiday Lightshow, which is an elaborate production of landscape lighting that will get your Christmas spirit high. There's also a display of lights that run nightly from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas. Besides the show, there is musical entertainment and refreshments are available.

Call 910-798-7700 for more information and admission fees.

World's Largest Living Christmas Tree
This is one of Wilmington's oldest and most cherished holiday traditions. In fact, the lighting of the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree, which is an enormous live oak, has been a production since 1928. On a Friday in early December, the town turns out to watch the tree being lit to the sounds of music and choirs. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the singing. A brass band is also on site to keep the feet dancing and spirit cheerful.

The festivities begin at 5:35 PM, and the lighting ceremony starts at 6:15. The tree remains lit at 5:30-10:00 PM every night until New Year's Day.

Call 910-341-7855 for more information.