One (maybe unexpected) area that NC’s Brunswick Islands specializes in is the holiday season. The most wonderful time of year holds nonstop fun with dozens of events going on in the area. From festive parades to Christmas tree lightings, flotillas, and more there is plenty of holiday cheer for both locals and visitors.
Holiday Events for the Whole Family
Discover some of the long-standing holiday traditions that everyone in the family can enjoy this year during a holiday getaway to the Brunswick Islands.
Flotillas
The 22nd Annual Ocean Isle Beach Flotilla marks the start of the coastal Christmas season in NC’s Brunswick Islands. Boats decorated in Christmas lights will travel down the Intracoastal Waterway from Inlet View Bar & Grill at Shallotte Point to Sharky’s in Ocean Isle Beach on Saturday, November 29, 2025. This event is a family favorite every year.
The Southport Winterfest Flotilla, part of the city of Southport’s Winterfest activities, returns for its 31st year on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Dazzlingly decorated boats will begin their parade at the Yacht Basin and travel along the Southport waterfront on Bay St. before turning around and continuing down the Intracoastal Waterway.
Tree Lightings
It is tradition in NC’s Brunswick Islands for nearly all our coastal communities to hold tree lighting events during the holiday season.
Ocean Isle Beach will hold the area’s first Christmas tree lighting on Friday, November 28, 2025, in Town Center Park. The tree lighting is part of the town’s Letters to Santa event which promises to be a day packed full of family-friendly holiday fun.
Nearby in Sunset Beach the town's Christmas tree lighting is scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2025 in Sunset Beach Town Park. There will be music, smores, and hot chocolate. In the spirit of holiday giving, the town will also be accepting donations of dog and cat food that will benefit local pet rescue Pawsability.
Hop on a ferry to Bald Head Island on Saturday, November 29, 2025 for the community Tree Lighting Ceremony. Jailhouse Provisions will host the event and there will be hot chocolate, cookies, and holiday tunes.
The town of Shallotte will hold its Christmas tree lighting on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Mulberry Park.
Meanwhile Holden Beach will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting on Thursday, December 4, 2025 in Bridgeview Park. Entertainment will begin ahead of the Christmas tree lighting.
Oak Island’s Christmas tree lighting kicks off a weekend full of festive cheer. The tree lighting takes place Friday, December 5, 2025, in the Oak Island Recreation Center at 3003 East Oak Island Drive. The town’s annual Christmas by Sea Parade and market round out the weekend—more details on both events later.
The city of Southport’s Downtown Christmas tree lighting will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025. Attendees will warm their hands around cups of hot chocolate and their hearts with Christmas cheer. The evening’s event marks the start of Southport’s beloved Winterfest activities which we’ll have more details on in a following section.
All the way across the Brunswick Islands, the town of Calabash will hold its Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 5, 2025. The lighting ceremony is part of the town’s same day Christmas parade. Head down to our Parades section for more information about the entire event.
The town of Belville, near Leland, will hold its Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Belville Riverwalk Park.
Parades
Bald Head Island's annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade is scheduled for Friday, November 29, 2025 at 4 p.m. The parade is set to begin at the Shoals Club and travel down South Bald Head Wynd to the Bald Head Island Club.
When it’s home to a year-round Christmas store, you know a town knows how to celebrate appropriately. Calabash’s community Christmas Parade will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, in conjunction with the evening’s Christmas tree lighting at Callahan’s of Calabash. Last year’s festivities included music, dance, and an appearance from Mrs. and Mr. Claus.
The Shallotte Christmas Parade is the first of many area parades that will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., making it an especially great event for parents with young children.
The Christmas by the Sea Parade on Oak Island is one of the town’s most anticipated events every year. As always, the parade will be held rain or shine on the first Saturday in December. This year, the parade is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on December 6, 2025 in front of Oak Island Town Hall.
Southport is no exception to the rule above. The city of Southport’s Light Up the Night Christmas Parade, part of the city’s Winterfest activities, will take place on Friday, December 12, 2025. Sponsored by the fire department, this event is a hit with kids of all ages who are invited to board the fire engines before taking part in the parade through the streets of downtown Southport.
Southport Winterfest
What is Southport Winterfest? It’s two straight weeks of daily holiday events taking place in the city of Southport, beginning on December 5th with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and ending with the Winterfest Flotilla on December 13th.
Signature Winterfest events include:
- The Storefront Showcase, beginning on Friday, December 5, 2025. Visitors are encouraged to visit participating shops and cast their vote for their favorite decorated storefront.
- The downtown Christmas tree lighting (see more details under this blog’s Tree Lighting section).
- Shop-with-a-Cop Concert with music from Back Porch Rockers on Monday, December 8, 2025, in Franklin Square Park.
- An outdoor showing of “Polar Express” on the lawn of Fort Johnston Museum and Visitors Center on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
- Hot cider, cookies, and books at the Once More Bookstore’s Holiday Open House on Friday, December 12, 2025
- The Light Up the Night Christmas Parade (see more details under this blog’s Parade section).
- The Winter Craft Festival (more details under this blog’s Markets and Craft Festivals section)
- Tours of the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum by the Southport Historical Society on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Please note that tickets are required for this event.
- The Holiday Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 13, 2025 is an always special annual event where locals open the doors to their historic and beautifully decorated downtown homes for one evening only. Tickets are required and can be purchased on the Southport Historical Society’s website.
This year Winterfest welcomes new activities, performances, and events to the calendar, including:
- The Winterfest-ival of Trees on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, where dozens of lit and decorated Christmas trees will be on display in Franklin Square Park. Attendees can look forward to the beautiful sights, but also caroling, a visit from Santa, and crafts for children.
- The Winterfest Performing Arts show is on Saturday, December 13, 2025, on the lawn of the Ft. Johnston Museum and Visitors Center. This year’s performance will feature music from a barbershop quartet.
- The Charlie Brown Makes New Friends Christmas Party on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Southport Community Building. Following the play, the afternoon will be filled with snacks, drinks, an ugly sweater contest, and a holiday photo booth.
Also new to Southport's Winterfest celebrations this year is Pop-up Ice Skating - running Friday, December 5, 2025 through Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Fort Johnston tennis courts! Admission is $15 per person and includes skate rental. Children 5 and under are encouraged to wear a helmet.
Markets and Craft Festivals
There are Christmas holiday markets and festivals taking place across the Brunswick Islands this year. Whether you’re searching for seasonal souvenirs, gifts for friends or family, or just something to catch your eye, you’re sure to find an event nearby.
Ocean Isle Beach hosts its Black Friday Market, the first of the season, on Friday, November 28, 2025. It's the perfect opportunity to escape the after Thanksgiving crowds in stores and shop local instead!
The next day on Small Business Saturday, the Sunset Beach Holiday Market will set up in Sunset Beach Town Park on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
You can shop from a variety of local gifts and goods at the Leland Holiday Art Market on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Leland Cultural Arts Center. Live music will soundtrack the event which will run from morning into the afternoon.
Just one day later, the Oak Island Holiday Market wraps up the island’s weekend of Christmas cheer on Sunday, December 7, 2025. More details on timing to come, but the event is scheduled to take place at Middleton Park.
Southport’s Winter Craft Festival, part of the town’s Winterfest activities, is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025. Look out for fresh winter vegetables, baked goods, art, homemade jewelry, and more along waterfront Bay Street.
In Belville (near Leland), the Christmas Craft Festival will be taking place at the same time on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Belville Riverwalk Park.
Meanwhile across the Brunswick Islands in Shallotte, the Market at Mulberry will set up shop for the final time in 2025 on December 13. As usual, the market will take place at Mulberry Park and visitors can expect to see a variety of fresh and homemade local goods. We also hear Santa Claus is stopping by for photos.
Other Holiday Events
The holiday fun isn’t limited to the standard tree lightings and parades in NC’s Brunswick Islands.
Watch in awe as luminaries light up the grounds of Old Baldy Lighthouse on Saturday, November 29, 2025 for the town's Old Baldy Luminary Night. There will also be hot cider, Christmas music, decorations at the neighboring Bald Head Island Village Chapel.
2025 marks the return of a beloved holiday tradition in the Brunswick Islands—Leland in Lights! The Grand Illumination of Leland in Lights will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. but the display will be up through January 4, 2026, in Founders Park. This year, children can look forward to the Leland Express Train Rides on select nights of the light display. For more details on exact dates, times, and food vendors, please visit our Events page here.
This year the town of Leland will once again host Sensory-Friendly Santa Visits at the Leland Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Visit times will be staggered in 30-minute sessions to ensure a calm and joyful experience for everyone. Registration for this event is required.
Think this is all the fun you and your family can look forward to this holiday season in NC’s Brunswick Islands? Think again. Our Events calendar is constantly being updated with new events and details. Head there now for more information on all the events mentioned so far, and many more!
Get in the Spirit with Seasonal Shopping
Offering more than just events, the Brunswick Islands are home to a pair of long-standing and cherished holiday stores that keep families coming back year after year.
The first is St. Nick Nacks, where you'll find a fun collection of festive goodies for all ages, a forest of 150+ decorated trees, and more than 4 million Christmas tree ornaments. This holiday haven is part of the larger Callahan's of Calabash gift shop, which has been a destination for shoppers since 1978.
Another must-visit shop is The Christmas House in Southport. Since 1997, this family-owned and operated business has strived to bring Christmas Day to its customers year-round.
For even more unique gifts, or just to find some holiday inspiration, be sure to check out the various holiday markets in the area (mentioned above) that offer unique handmade items paired with an extra festive shopping experience.
Deals on Holiday Vacation Homes
The best part of celebrating the Christmas season at the beach might just be that the entire coastline feels like it belongs to just you. With fewer crowds, but still, lots of fun, December is also one of the best months to enjoy off-season rates on vacation rental homes across NC’s Brunswick Islands.
So, if you’re looking for a beachy escape that encompasses holiday cheer, then look no further than NC’s Brunswick Islands! From holiday events that appeal to the whole family to unique shopping experiences that can get anyone in the spirit, there's no better place to celebrate with the ones you love.
To learn more about the Brunswick Islands, and to plan your trip, visit www.ncbrunswick.com.