Advertisement

15 things to do in Wilmington during the holiday season's biggest weekend for events

With a mix of holiday and non-holiday events, it is a truly busy weekend in the Wilmington area, probably the most action-packed of the entire season.

This story is specifically about what's going on this weekend, but for our full-on list of all the big holiday events in the Wilmington area, see the link below.

More: 29 can't-miss holiday events in the Wilmington area

Friday: No Boundaries + Acme Art

The work of Macedonian painter Sergej Andreevski will be among the dozens of pieces on display at the No Boundaries International Art Colony exhibit starting Dec. 3 at the Wilma Daniels Gallery.
The work of Macedonian painter Sergej Andreevski will be among the dozens of pieces on display at the No Boundaries International Art Colony exhibit starting Dec. 3 at the Wilma Daniels Gallery.

For more than two decades, artists from Wilmington and around the world have gathered on Bald Head Island each fall for a retreat that has produced hundreds and hundreds of artworks, many of them based on interactions with the coastal environment of Southeastern North Carolina. This weekend, the latest exhibit, "Points In Common: No Boundaries Art Colony and Acme Art Studio," opens at Cape Fear Community College's Wilma Daniels Gallery. Based out of Acme Art studios on North Fifth Avenue in Wilmington, Gayle Tustin, Dick Roberts, Marshall Milton, Carol Collier and Pam Toll started the No Boundaries International Art Colony on Bald Head in the late '90s after having spent time at an art colony in Macedonia. "Points in Common," which explores the connection between No Boundaries and Acme Art, will feature the work of 70 artists from 22 countries and is drawn from the No Boundaries and Bald Head Island collections. Details: Receptions are 6-9 p.m. Dec. 3, 17 and Jan. 28 at the Wilma Daniels Gallery, 200 Hanover St., Wilmington. WilmaDanielsGallery.com.

All weekend: 'A Very Merry Mayfaire Christmas'

Opera House Theatre Co.'s "A Very Merry Mayfaire Christmas" stars Wilmington theater luminaries.
Opera House Theatre Co.'s "A Very Merry Mayfaire Christmas" stars Wilmington theater luminaries.

Wilmington-based Broadway veteran Brian Whitted and golden-voiced singer Nygel Robinson — most recently seen in Opera House's stellar "Piano Men" show — team up again for this tuneful Christmas revue from Opera House Theatre Co., which has transformed a Mayfaire storefront into a temporary performance space. Joining Whitted and Robinson will be former Miss North Carolina Beth Stovall, along with local theater vets Jason Aycock and Bradley Barefoot, as they perform a selection of holiday favorites. Details: 7:30 Dec. 2-5 and 9-12 at the former Pier One location behind Santa's Workshop (6885 Main St.) Tickets are $25, $60 and $120 for VIP tables. OperaHouseTheatreCompany.org.

Friday: Christmas Unplugged

From left, Shaun Paul, Robin Cooksley, Shaylah Paul, Tom Micahels (sitting) and Greg Blair of Wilmington rock and pop band Kicking Bird.
From left, Shaun Paul, Robin Cooksley, Shaylah Paul, Tom Micahels (sitting) and Greg Blair of Wilmington rock and pop band Kicking Bird.

A Wilmington music tradition. A dozen of the area's best songwriters will play short sets of two holiday songs and one original tune. It's like a who's who of Wilmington music, featuring such heavy hitters as Justin Lacy (of Library Baby, whose new album, "Signs & Clues," just dropped), Fort Lowell recording artist Tracy Shedd, angel-voiced Julia Rothenberger (of the band Happy Pill), Sean Thomas Gerard (of longtime Wilmington act Onward, Soldiers), Wilmington rock royals Kicking Bird and rootsy raconteur Travis Shallow. Details: 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at Bourgie Nights, 127 Princess St. $10 donation benefits Toys for Tots.

All weekend: Illumination 2021

The Cameron Art Museum's annual display of original lanterns and light sculptures opens this weekend. "Illumination 2021 Rebirth + Renewal" will feature the work of more than 40 artists from Wilmington and around the country, all working from themes tied to "our collective pandemic experience," according to a news release. (Titles include "The New Normal” and “Ultimate Home Makeover," and attendees can vote for a "people's choice" award.) Friday's opening celebration includes live music from the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra (4 p.m.) and the guitar Duo Smokey Dunes (5:30 p.m.), with light bites and cocktails available from CAM Cafe. Details: Exhibit on display during regular museum hours through Jan. 9. 910-395-5999 or CameronArtMuseum.com.

Friday & Saturday: 'Nutcracker' for Young Audiences

New York City's Ballet for Young Audiences returns to Wilmington with a shortened version of the holiday show especially suited for young children. You've got three chances to see the ballet, which features choreography by Harriett and Edwin Kinter, the famous score by Tchaikovsky and a cast of professional dancers, as well as parts for Wilmington-area dance students.

Details: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. Dec. 4 at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., Wilmington. $32 and up. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.

Friday: First Friday Gallery Walk

Franklin Square Gallery in Southport will host the First Friday Gallery Walk Dec. 3.
Franklin Square Gallery in Southport will host the First Friday Gallery Walk Dec. 3.

For this monthly Southport art crawl, drop into the venerable, longstanding Franklin Square Gallery downtown. Work by more than 100 artists is on display, from pottery and paintings to sculpture and more. Visitors can vote for their favorites in the Holiday Mug Challenge, or shop for one-of-a-kind presents at the Holiday Gift Boutique. Details: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Franklin Square Gallery, 140 E. West St., Southport.

Friday & Saturday: Pleasure Island of Lights

Boats gather in Snow's Cut at the start of the Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla in Carolina Beach, N.C. Saturday, December 3, 2016.
Boats gather in Snow's Cut at the start of the Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla in Carolina Beach, N.C. Saturday, December 3, 2016.

Carolina Beach's annual Christmas celebration kicks off with a parade on Friday evening, with floats, bands and Santa Claus himself proceeding down Atlanta Avenue to Lake Park Boulevard and on to the Federal Point Plaza in Carolina Beach. On Saturday it's Island of Lights' most popular event, the Christmas Flotilla, when crowds gather to see lighted boats cruise between Snows Cut and the Carolina Beach Boat Basin. Details: Parade is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Flotilla is 6 p.m. Dec. 4. PleasureIslandOfLights.com

Friday: Blue Footed Boobies

One of Wilmington's most popular rock acts will pack the house at Reggie's this weekend. The psych/blues rock band features guitar pyrotechnics and straight-to-the-point lyrics from singer and axe-man Logan Chaucer, and wild, punk-infused drumming from Sam Baker. It will sell out, guaranteed, so get there early if you want to rock out. Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 3 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern, Wilmington.

Saturday: Wartime Wilmington Weekend

Wartime postcard of the Second and Orange USO, now the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, the hub of area WWII history preservation activities. It’s in the National Register of Historic Places.
Wartime postcard of the Second and Orange USO, now the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, the hub of area WWII history preservation activities. It’s in the National Register of Historic Places.

More: Port City marks 80 years since start of World War II with 'Wartime Wilmington Week'

Wilmington, which is the country's first (and so far only) World War II Heritage City, will mark the 80th anniversary of the start of WWII with a week's worth of events starting this weekend. At the Community Arts Center at Second and Orange streets, which started life as a USO in 1941, there will be a living history demonstration with re-enactors, uniforms, equipment, artifacts, and a WWII era jeep. Plus, Wilmington author Wilbur Jones, who led Wilmington's effort to the get the WWII Heritage City designation and helped organize the Wartime Wilmington Weekend, will be signing copies of several of his books, including his recently released memoir, "The Day I lost President Ford."

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St., Wilmington. For a full slate of the week's events, go to WilmingtonCommunityArts.org.

Saturday: The Raleigh Ringers

Ring in the holidays, literally, with this Raleigh handbell choir. Formed in 1990, the Ringers have a popular Christmas show that's a mix of sacred and popular tunes, including some rock songs arranged for handbells. Details: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. $45. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.

All weekend: The Holiday Flea at BAC

Jay and wife Tara Tatum bought the Brooklyn Arts Center in 2018 and have made significant improvements and renovations to the buildings. The former church was built in 1888 and fell into disrepair in the late 20th century before being renovated and reopening as an event venue.  [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]
Jay and wife Tara Tatum bought the Brooklyn Arts Center in 2018 and have made significant improvements and renovations to the buildings. The former church was built in 1888 and fell into disrepair in the late 20th century before being renovated and reopening as an event venue. [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

Over 50 local and regional artisans and vendors will have one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, clothes and more during this annual three-day sale timed for holiday shopping. Details: 4-9 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4 and noon-5 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Brooklyn Arts Center, $5 ticket good for all three days. BrooklynArtsNC.com

Saturday & Sunday: 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

Opera House Theatre Co.'s youth company performs "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at Mayfaire this year.
Opera House Theatre Co.'s youth company performs "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at Mayfaire this year.

Opera House's Theatre Co.'s apprentice program is a showcase for some of Wilmington's best young talent. In the musical "A Charlie Brown Christmas," they'll play the beloved characters from the "Peanuts" universe and perform the soul-stirring tunes from the long-running Christmas special. Wilker Ballantine directs. Details: 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11, 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12 at Santa's Workshop, 6885 Main St. in Mayfaire. Tickets are $12, free for kids 5 and under. OperaHouseTheatreCompany.org.

Saturday: Sam Foster

A country, rock and folk music artist hailing from Winston-Salem, Foster formerly played with the band Whiskey Foxtrot, which broke up during the pandemic. Back to his roots as a solo artist, Foster tells stories in his songs, no matter whether you can place them in the country, folk or even soul genre. Opening act is the amazingly named Woody Woodworth, a Virginia songwriter who draws inspiration from Appalachian as well as popular music. Details: 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Dec. 4 at Live at Ted's, 2 Castle St., Wilmington. $10 at the door. LiveAtTeds.com

Sunday: City Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

The City Ballet took the stage for a performance of The Nutcracker in Wilmington in 2016.
The City Ballet took the stage for a performance of The Nutcracker in Wilmington in 2016.

Wilmington's City Ballet will be doing a new version of the holiday show this year, based more closely on E.T.A. Hoffman's story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" after staging the classic ballet as "The Carolina Nutcracker" for the past few years. With big sets and costumes, and dancers of all ages. Also available as a live stream. Details: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at CFCC Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St., Wilmington. $15. 910-362-7999.

Sunday: Christmas carol concert

Voices, the Community Arts Center Choir led by Silivea Johnson, will perform an old-fashioned concert of Christmas carols outside the Community Arts Center. While Voices performs classic Christmas carols, 1940s swing and ballads and jazz standards outside, attendees can enjoy complimentary cookies inside the building, a historic former USO.

Details: 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St., Wilmington. Free.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: From concerts, art & theater, 15 things to do in Wilmington Dec 4-6