New Hanover County
Cape Fear Festival of Trees
November 19th – January 2nd
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Admission: $10.95-12.95
https://www.lcfh.org/ways-to-give/foundation-events/festival-of-trees/
A local holiday tradition featuring 50 festive trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Proceeds benefit Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation.
Enchanted Airlie
December 7-22nd
Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, NC 28403
$30-55
http://airliegardens.org/events-news/enchanted-airlie/
Half-mile self-guided stroll through Airlie Gardens featuring festive lights, holiday displays, Santa Claus, plus local food and beverage vendors. Tickets are purchased per carload.
Brunswick County
Southport Winter Craft Festival
December 8th
Franklin Square Park
105 E West Street, Southport, NC 28461
Shop 140 vendors for the holidays including hand crafted home décor, jewelry, arts and crafts, baked goods and more.
https://www.ncbrunswick.com/event/winter-craft-festival-southport-nc
Sandy Paws Parade
December 14th
Holden Beach Town Hall
110 Rothschild Street, Holden Beach, NC 28462
Bring your dog out for a short stroll in the doggie parade and then have a picture made with Santa.
Pender County
Lighted Christmas Parade
December 8th
Downtown Burgaw
106 E Wilmington Street, Burgaw, NC 28425
https://www.visitpender.com/events
The only lighted nighttime Christmas Parade in the county, this an event the whole family will enjoy! There will be snow!
Santa’s Workshop
December 8th
Burgaw Depot
115 South Dickerson Street, Burgaw, NC
https://www.facebook.com/events/1941400249254818/
Join the Town of Burgaw for their Santa’s Workshop in the historic Burgaw Train Depot. Features photos with Santa, a gingerbread house contest and display, crafts and cookies.
Onslow County
MCCS Naught & Nice 5k
December 8th
Camp Lejeune Wallace Creek Fitness Center
Birch Street, Camp Lejeune, NC
http://www.onlyinonslow.com/events/#!/133519-mccs-naughty-and-nice-5k-run
Celebrate the holiday season and the coming of the new year with a celebratory 5K run. The race takes place on a scenic route aboard Camp Lejeune. Come dressed in your favorite holiday running gear and stick around afterward for the Grand Prix Series end of the year awards ceremony.
Holiday Pops – NC Symphony
December 13th
White Oak High School
1001 Pine Green Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546
http://www.onlyinonslow.com/events/#!/139446-holiday-pops-north-carolina-symphony
Join the NC Symphony for a spectacular holiday celebration filled with joyful symphonic arrangements of holiday classics including a sing-a-long.
Craven County
The Holly & Ivy Historic Homes Tour
December 8th
Ghent Neighborhood
216 Johnson Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Admission: $15-18
https://www.visitnewbern.com/event/the-holly-and-the-ivy/?instance_id=1648
Four lovely historic homes and a charming craftman-style cottage in Ghent will be decorated for the holidays. Sample home baked cookies and visit with the foxes at the Sugar Plum Treats House.
Seasons of Giving: A Candlelight Christmas Celebration
December 15th
Tryon Palace
529 S Front Street, New Bern, NC 28562
http://www.onlyinonslow.com/events/#!/139119-candlelight-christmas-celebration-in-new-bern
An event inspired by traditions of giving back that date back to the colonial period with decorations inspired by the 12 days of Christmas, historic characters in period clothing and holiday vignettes spanning across centuries.
Carteret County
Christmas at the Barnyard
December 13th & 14th
844 Roberts Road, Newport, NC
Admission: $7
Visit the barnyard with a Christmas twist. See all the petting zoo animals under the Christmas lights, drink hot chocolate by the fire and visit with Santa. Live wreaths will be for sale.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Festival
December 15th
Salty Air Open Market
307 Cedar Point Boulevard, Cedar Point, NC
https://www.crystalcoastnc.org/location/ugly-christmas-sweater-festival-salty-air-open-market
Wear your ugly Christmas sweaters to the market and let the kids participate in a vendor’s scavenger hunt and bounce houses. Santa will be at the market from 10am-2pm. Includes vendors, face painting, crafts, a kids’ corner, food truck and more.