Presented By
 

 





Thanks to our Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors







Gold Sponsors







Sleigh Bell Sponsors





Santa's Coming to Town
Date: Sat, Dec 9
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Visitor Center at Market and Water Street

Santa Claus will arrive by a water-sleigh to kick-off festivities on Saturday morning. Activities will start a 9:45AM along Riverfront Park with the big man gliding in shortly thereafter on a Wilmington Water Tours boat. Attendees can get in the spirit by wearing festive holiday attire, such as hats, period costumes or even "ugly" holiday sweaters.

The Wilmington Ballet Company will perform delightful dances from The Great Wilmington Nutcracker. Meet professionals from the newly formed U.S. International Ballet Company - the Cape Fear region's first professional ballet company. Don't miss the fun of getting a sneak peek of The Great Wilmington Nutcracker.
The Great Holiday Hunt
Date: Sat, Dec 9
Time: 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Location: Throughout Downtown Wilmington


Snowflakes, Elves, Presents, Candy Canes and more are hidden all through downtown.  Do you have the skill to track them all down?  
 
This free event will feature kid friendly scavenger hunts with clues to crack the code at various shops, restaurants and historical sites.  Get in the spirit by wearing festive holiday attire, such as hats, period costumes or even "ugly" holiday sweaters.
 
At the end of the Hunt, judges will tabulate correct answers and enter everyone in a drawing for cool prizes.  Contestants can also qualify for a bonus entry by providing a receipt from any Downtown business. 
 
The event is free and pre-registration is highly suggested as space is limited.   Use this link  to sign up now.   (You can also sign up day of the event)
 
The event check-in starts at 12:30 pm at the Wilmington Downtown Inc. office located at 221 N. Front Street.  Participants must start no later than 2:00 PM.  Contestants are encouraged to post progress on social media by using #ilmscavengers
 
Before, during and after the hunt, enjoy Downtown and all that the area has to offer during the Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll.  Have lunch, stroll the Riverwalk and check out area shops and restaurants.  
Window Decorating Contest
Windows throughout the historic downtown area will light up again this 2017 holiday season.  You may even see boats and the Riverwalk decked out festively along the bustling River District. View them all to find your favorite.  

The Window Decorating contest is organized by the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) and includes a People's Choice award that is part of the Historic Wilmington Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll.

Anyone is eligible to vote by visiting the shops before or during the Holly Jolly Stroll.  Voting begins on Friday, December 8th and ends at midnight on December 10th.

Visit this link to see the 2017 Holiday Decorating Contest Participants.

Use this Link  to cast your vote.
Historic Home Tour
Date: Sat, Dec 9
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Wilmington

Spend your Saturday evening touring our historic neighborhood where the homes will be lit up for the holiday season. The Historic Wilmington Foundation will lead the tour that will highlight exterior decorations of nearby historic homes. The tour is free but donations are appreciated. 

The tour will end at the beautifully decorated Latimer House.  Enjoy their Christmas decorations and some light refreshments.  

Tours begin at the Visitor Center at Market and Water Street.
Holly Jolly Entertainment
Friday, December 8
Event
When
Where
Charity Christmas Tree Event
10:00 AM-5:30 PM
The Cotton Exchange
321 N Front St
Holiday Show & Small Sketch Sale
4:00 PM
Dan Beck Fine Art
545 Castle Street
Holiday Lights Cruise with Live Music ($)
5:30 PM
Wilmington Water Tours
212 S. Water Street
Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll Open House @ Shops and Galleries 
6:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Downtown
Sip and Shop Fundraiser for Full Belly Project
6:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Swahili Coast
342 Nutt Street
Open House with Refreshments and Live Music by Haley Heath
6:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Art in Bloom Gallery
210 Princess Street
Christmas Train & Light Spectacular ($)
6:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt St
The Greatest Gift ($)
7:00 PM
TheatreNow
19 S. 10th Street
Cosmic Christmas ($)
7:00 PM
Hannah Block Historic USO Community Arts Center
120 S 2nd Street
A Christmas Story The Musical ($)
7:30 PM
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some) ($)
8:00 PM
Cape Fear Playhouse
613 Castle St
Piano Jazz with James Jarvis
8:00 PM-10:00 PM
709 N Fourth St
 
Saturday, December 9
Event
When
Where
Santa's Arrival
10:00 AM
Visitor's Center
Charity Christmas Tree Event
10:00 AM-5:30 PM
The Cotton Exchange
321 N Front St
Holly Jolly Holiday Stroll Open House @ Shops and Galleries 
11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Downtown
Dahria Kianpour-musician
12:00 PM
Post Office
Santa
12:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Cotton Exchange
321 N Front St
Laura McLean-musician
12:00 PM
Riverfront Park
Madafo-storyteller & musician
12:00 PM
Arts Council/Bijou Park
Scavenger Hunt
1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Downtown
Roger Gause-musician
1:00 PM
Arts Council/Bijou Park
Giving Bowl Workshop
1:30 PM-3:00 PM
EXPO 216 Museum and Gallery
216 N Front Street
Delia Stanley & Friends play ukelele & percussions
2:00 PM
Post Office
Justin Lacey-musician
2:00 PM
Riverfront Park
Susan Savia-singer & musician
2:00 PM
Arts Council/Bijou Park
Wine Tasting
2:30 PM-5:30 PM
Platypus and Gnome
9 S Front St
Charlie Brown Christmas Play and Food Drive ($)
3:00 PM
CFCC Wilson Center
703 N. 3rd St.
Snow Sisters, Elsa & Ana
3:00 PM
Arts Council/Bijou Park
A Christmas Stroll Through the Past ($)
4:30 PM- 8:30 PM
Bellamy Mansion
503 Market St
Polar Express ($)
4:30 PM & 5:30 PM
Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt St
Stray Local-folk music
5:00 PM
Post Office
FitFunHoopDance-hula hoopers
5:00 PM
Riverfront Park
Open House with Refreshments and Live Music by Haley Heath
5:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Art in Bloom Gallery
210 Princess Street
The Coastal Quartet from Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra
5:00 PM
Arts Council/Bijou Park
Holiday Lights Cruise with Live Music ($)
5:30 PM
Wilmington Water Tours
212 S. Water Street
Tour Historic Homes-exterior decorations
6:00 PM
Tour begins at the Visitors' Center at foot of Market Street & Water Street
Christmas Train & Light Spectacular ($)
6:30 PM- 8:00 PM
Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt St
Cosmic Christmas ($)
2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Hannah Block Historic USO Community Arts Center
120 S 2nd Street
A Christmas Story The Musical ($)
7:30 PM
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut St
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some) ($)
8:00 PM
Cape Fear Playhouse
613 Castle St
The Greatest Gift ($)
7:00 PM
TheatreNow
19 S. 10th Street


For other holiday events taking place in downtown, visit this link.