Christmas Week in Wilmington: December 24th

What’s Happenin’ in Wilmington 👀

Christmas Eve (December 24th)

• Living Nativity at St Andrew’s Covenant: From 4pm to 7pm on the Lawn presented by the Youth of St Andrew’s Covenant! They will also be hosting candlelight services at both 5pm and 7pm.

• Brilliant Battleship Holiday Lights: Head over to the Wilmington Riverwalk for a special Christmas Eve Light show, displayed on Battleship NC! The event runs on a loop from 5:30pm to 9pm!

• Christmas Eve Dinner at Steam Restaurant and Bar: Make your reservations now for a Christmas Eve dinner for two! Open from 1pm to 8pm for only $129 per couple, get rid of the stress around big Holiday dinners, and enjoy some quality time with your special person!

• Holiday Riverwalk Lights Cruise: Take in the beauty of the decorated city of Wilmington and the Battleship lights from the water! Register online now to book your time. The event runs from 6pm to 7pm (with more slots available on Thursday and Friday).

• Kids Art Buzz at Wine and Design: You choose, Rudolph or Clarice! Grab the kids and get out of the house for a little Holiday fun! From 11am to 1pm with artist Janice Harper. Tickets only $29.

Christmas Day (December 25th)

• Ibiza’s Christmas Karaoke Party: Doors open at 8pm with karaoke starting at 9pm in the upstairs lounge. Get your tickets at the front door, 18+ to sing, 21+ to drink.

• Trivia Night at Tavern 14: Looking for a fun outing with your friends? Head over to Tavern 14 and put your Trivia (7pm to 9pm) knowledge to the test, and grab dinner and some drinks while you’re there!

• Open Mic at Laws and Liberations: Opening on Christmas Day at 6pm, Laws and Liberations offers Draft Beers for $4, half-price bottles of wine, and by the glass for $5, as well as an Open Mic Night!

• Christmas Day Dinner at Multiply Church: Hosted by Operation ReachUP Metro Kids Carolina, Volunteers are needed to help out with a Salvation Army Style Dinner. If you’re interested giving back to the community this Christmas find more info online!

• Christmas Day Service: 10am at St Paul’s Episcopal Church includes Holy Eucharist and Carols to start your Holiday!

Thursday, December 26th

•  Weekly Trivia at Hi-Wire Brewery: Hi-Wire Brewery has sent out an official call for all science nerds, current event enthusiasts, and music lovers to join their weekly trivia from 7pm to 9pm (featuring special prizes)!

• Sip and Paint Winter Wonderland: From 6:30pm to 8:30pm enjoy a guided BYOB art experience (with no experience from you required). Grab your ticket online now!

• Traditional Menorah Lighting on the Riverwalk: Come to the Riverwalk at the foot of Market Street (between 5pm and 7pm) to see the 9 foot high Menorah lighting, celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights Hanukkah. Many restaurants will also be serving coffee and hot chocolate nearby!

• Open Mic Night at the Dead Crow Comedy Room: Are you an aspiring comedian? Sign up to make the crowd laugh, or come by for a good time watching others try! This is a free event starting at 8pm, make sure to come earlier to grab a good seat!

Friday, December 27th

• Sip and Paint at Wine and Design: Need a relaxing weekend in the midst of Holiday craziness? From 6:30pm to 8:30pm, enjoy a cozy guided BYO wine, beer, soda, and appetizers event. Book your tickets for “Red Barn in Snow” online now to save your spot!

• Comedian Laurie Kilmartin: Head over to the Dead Crow Comedy room (either Friday or Saturday) for shows starting at 7pm at 9:30pm full of jokes and laughter! Get your tickets online now!

• Fourth Friday Gallery Nights: It’s the last gallery night of the year! Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the ACES Gallery in Downtown Wilmington, full of many artistic genres including oils, watercolor, metals, ceramics, and the list goes on. Get your route and more information online!

• Wilmington’s Festival of Trees: This weekend is your last chance to head over to the Fort Fisher Aquarium and enjoy the annual Cape Fear Festival of Trees! This display features sponsors from your favorite businesses all over Wilmington and provides a festive backdrop for your stroll through the aquarium!

Saturday, December 28th

• Wilmington’s Farmer’s Market: Are you on a low after finishing all your Christmas Shopping? Head over to the weekly farmer’s market at Tidal Creek meeting rain or shine to get you your handmade and organic goods! From 8am to 1pm!

• Holiday Water Drone Show: Catch the last drone show of the season! The magic of the Holidays is displayed in the sky with this spectacular drone show, free for anyone who wants to come! The best viewing is on the riverwalk. The event runs for fifteen minutes, starting at 7pm!

• Holiday Train Expo at Independence Mall: From 12pm to 5pm bring your friends, family, and little ones to experience some Christmas Magic at the Cape Fear Model Railroad Society in the mall! There are 12 unique model train layouts, creating a village of winter wonderlands and gorgeous landscapes!

• Carolina Beach State Park Half Marathon and 5k: Register online now for a scenic course open to all speeds and abilities, perfect for a family holiday tradition!

• 80s Dance Party and Angie’s Hair Salon: From 8pm to midnight, tickets are $10 cash at the door. Bring your own drinks for a night of dancing with several DJs ready to crank up your favorite 80s tunes!

Sunday, December 29th

• Kids Beary Cold Art Buzz at Wine and Design: Here’s another opportunity for your kids to get out of the house this holiday weekend! Wine and Design hosts a winter themed two hour guided activity from 12pm to 2pm perfect for your youngsters!

• Wilmington Historic Happy Hour: Drinks and history stroll presented by Wilmington Walking Tours. 2 hour guided tour (starting at 4pm) featuring various drink stops. $30 per person.

• Live Music at Waterline Brewing: Crystal Fussell, singer/songwriter will be accompanying your drinks and bites from 3pm to 5pm!

• Wilmington Goth Night: Interested in Goth, Industrial, EDM live music? Head over to Barzarre Beer, Spirits, and Tacos for a night of bubble fog, lasers, live music, and partying.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK: 🐎
Ponysaurus Brewing - Wilmington’s Staple Gathering Place

Ponysaurus Brewing Co., located in downtown Wilmington has quickly become a popular spot for craft beer lovers since their opening earlier this year. The brewery features a large beer garden and a pizzeria, with a menu that includes gluten-free options like pizza and buns to accommodate different dietary needs. With 24 taps, visitors can sample a wide range of beers, including their standout Scottish Ale. In addition to craft brews, Ponysaurus offers a full bar with beer cocktails, liquor, wine (and the famous frozen espresso martini), making this a versatile destination for an evening out!

Ponysaurus has made a name for itself through community engagement with creative events that draw locals and tourists alike. From live music nights to trivia and beer release parties, the brewery offers more than just drinks - it creates an experience that reflects Wilmington’s vibrant social scene.

📍214 Market Street

Wilmy Weekly Tip: Want to get a feel for the atmosphere before you visit yourself? Keep scrolling to see our featured instagram post of the week, all about our trip to Ponysaurus Brewing!

Featured Food Deal of The Week: 🥂
Family Friendly Holiday Pop-Up Bar at Beer Barrio

Head over to Beer Barrio for a pop-up bar on the upstairs mezzanine to grab your favorite beverages (including hot chocolate with or without alcohol), and special holiday treat platters with candies and cookies!

Find more info on their Instagram @beerbarrio

📍 34 N Front Street

LIVE MUSIC 🎸 

Thursday

• Ponysaurus Brewing | Adam Fenton | 6:30pm

• Waterman’s Brewing | Various Artists | 6pm

• The Blind Elephant Speakeasy | Jazz Trio | 8pm

Friday

• Mad Katz | Rose Rebellion | 9pm

• Cooper’s Tavern | Jared Michael Cline | 6:30pm

Saturday

• Seawitch Cafe and Tiki Bar | Southern Trouble | 8pm

• Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard | Audiomelt | 8pm

• Circa 1922 | Live Piano | 6:30pm

• Relay Relay | Waterline Brewing | 7pm

FOOD TRUCKS
This Week’s Featured Food Trucks 🚛 

WHEELZ GOURMET PIZZA:
December 26 — Flytrap Brewing — 5pm to 8pm
December 27 — Outer Dunes Brewing Company — 5pm to 8pm

EASTSIDE:
December 27 — Mad Mole Brewing — 5pm to 8pm

CHEF DRIVEN:
December 27 — Waterline Brewing Company — 5pm to 8pm

PEPE’S TACO TRUCK:
December 27 — Flytrap Brewing 5pm to 8pm

PORT CITY QUE:
December 26 — Pender County Health Dept — 11am to 2pm
December 27 — Hudson’s Hardware — 11am to 2pm

WILMINGTON NEWS AND UPDATES 

🅿️ FREE PARKING in Downtown Wilmington for Christmas Week: The City of Wilmington is offering free parking on all street-metered parking spots today (12/24) through Thursday (12/26).

🕯️Candle Light Christmas Eve Services: If you’re looking for a more traditional way to celebrate the holidays, but aren’t sure where to start, here are some church services around town today! First Baptist Church offers a modern service at 2:30pm and traditional candle light services at 5pm and 11pm. Grace Baptist Church at 6pm. Life Church at 3pm and 5pm. The Pentecostals of Wilmington at 7pm. Messiah Lutheran Church at 7pm. Grace United Methodist Church at 5pm and 7pm

🥘 Restaurants Open on Christmas Day: If the best Christmas gift would be not having to cook, check out some of these options around town! Bdobo Mongolian Grill, The Dive, The Harp, Hibachi Grill Buffet, Indochine, Joe’s Oasis, Nori Sushi, Solstice Kitchen and Cocktails, Uncle Lim’s Kitchen, Yoshi, Buzz’s Roost on the Beach.

FEATURED WILYMYWEEKLY POST OF THE WEEK:

wilmyweekly

View more on Instagram

WEATHER 🌡️ 

Thursday
35🌡️55 | ⛅️ | 🌧️0% | 💨 SW 12 mph

Friday
39🌡️60 | ⛅️ | 🌧️0% | 💨 SW 11 mph

Saturday
49🌡️69 | ⛅️ | 🌧️0% | 💨 NW 14 mph

Sunday
56🌡️69 | 🌧️ | 🌧️65% | 💨 N 16 mph

Monday
47🌡️63 | ☁️ | 🌧️0% | 💨 SE 7 mph

🌊🌡️ Ocean temperature = 54°F