Join us for an evening of Christmas Celebrations at the Christmas by the Sea event on December 21st, 2019.

Then the Christmas by the Sea at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk goes from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and features pony rides, a fire pit for roasting marshmallows, Santa in his workshop, Snow Queen and Princess, and cookies and hot chocolate. 

Admission is free!

Carolina Beach Christmas By The Sea

Join us over two weekends in December for a twinkling arts, crafts and gifts bazaar as well as lights, lights, lights! Let the kids run around & join in the reindeer games. A Merry Little Christmas Festival is our way of sharing a little of the holiday spirit with our neighbors, families and friends.

Each weekend will feature 70+ vendors, concessions and 6 food trucks – different each weekend!

The grounds, outbuildings and Manor House of Poplar Grove will be specially lit with interactive experiences, so bring family and friends, and spend a small part of your holiday with us!

Dates & Times:

First Weekend:

Friday, December 6 from 5-8 PM (plus evening Candlelight Tours with advanced reservation)

Saturday, December 7 from 10-8 PM (self-guided daytime tours of Manor House; plus evening Candlelight Tours with advanced reservation)

Sunday, December 8 from 10-4 PM (self-guided daytime tours of Manor House)

Second Weekend:

Friday, December 13 from 5-8 PM (plus evening Candlelight Tours with advanced reservation)

Saturday, December 14 from 10-8 PM (self-guided daytime tours of Manor House; plus evening Candlelight Tours with advanced reservation)

Sunday, December 15 from 10-4 PM (self-guided daytime tours of Manor House)

When they are available and able to get away from their very important duties this holiday season, Santa and the Snow Queen will be making an appearance each weekend. The Snow Queen will appear the 1st weekend at the Gazebo from 5:30 – 7:30 PM on Friday; 1 – 3 PM and 6 – 7:30 PM on Saturday; and from 1 – 3 PM on Sunday. Santa will be available for Christmas wishes on the 2nd weekend. Times posted day before the event.

Admission includes a blazing bonfire for roasted marshmallows, activities for the family including a letter writing station to post those little wishes to the North Pole, lawn games, a USO vignette to write letters to our US soldiers serving abroad, concurrent outdoor screenings of a few classic movie favorites.  If you dare, peek inside the Toy Junk Shop in the Blacksmith Studio.

Mr. Twister will also be on site as well as a special visit by Mark from The Broccoli Brothers for the little ones for a live sing-a-long.  The Stables will be conducting barnyard tours on Saturday and Sunday on the hour from 11 AM (first tour) – 3 PM (last tour) for $5. Please wear closed toes shoes for an interactive experience with our barnyard friends.

This is an opportunity to spend time with your family without waiting in long lines, but rather strolling our lighted grounds and playing midway games of the past. Remember ring toss? Come try your aim at our Shoot ‘Em Up booth, or see how well you can pitch a penny. Plan to stay a while and enjoy a Southern December day in the sunshine!

And for something a little more intimate and a lot less commercial, share a wagon ride through the Abbey Nature Preserve with your cuddled up family, dear friends or special someone – no lights, no camera, no action, just the quiet woods, the moon alight and the stars above … and maybe just a few lyrics of a favorite holiday song of celebration. Wagon rides are $2 a person, day and evening.

Manor House Candlelight Tours are also available by advanced reservation.

So sing along to your favorite holiday music under the stars, and come on out and meet your neighbors and friends, and glimpse out into the night sky for a sign of Santa’s sleigh…

To compliment the daytime outdoor experience, self-guided tours will be offered through the eight rooms of the Manor House for $7.00 a person. The front and back parlors each feature a 12 ft. live tree and a 10 ft. live tree in the morning room as well as two 8 ft. trees upstairs in the hallway and winter bedroom.

Each room of the Manor House is lovingly decorated by theme and color, including natural flora and greenery inspired by the Colonial through Victorian periods of American history – with a few contemporary flourishes to echo the Foy family’s four centuries in coastal North Carolina. 

The December Issue of Island Life NC is Available Now!

Island Life NC Magazine highlights the lifestyle and beauty of the islands of Coastal North Carolina with stories of its people, history, and places to visit!

In the December Issue, read about Holiday Festivals, Flotillas and Christmas Light Shows, Christmas DIY tips, delicious recipes, refreshing drinks, and events all along the North Carolina Coast!

Visit www.IslandLifeNC.com

Read Island Life NC Magazine online for FREE!

The Island of Lights Christmas Parade in Carolina Beach, NC and features festive floats, buoyant bands and a visit from Santa Claus.

Area residents young and old look forward to the annual Christmas Parade. The Christmas Parade is always the second Friday after Thanksgiving and begins at 7:30 PM.

The parade proceeds from Atlanta Ave down Lake Park Blvd to the Federal Point Plaza in Carolina Beach. Floats, bands and Santa Clause will be there to add to the festivities of the season and provide a night of entertainment for families.

For more information visit www.pleasureislandoflights.com

Fishing boats and pleasure craft electrically decorated with thousands of lights present a spectacular display on the Intracoastal Waterway. They cruise from Snows Cut to the Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back. The boats compete for prizes and add to the wonderful holiday spirit.

The flotilla always takes place on the second Saturday after Thanksgiving (This year Dec. 7th, 2019) and begins at 6 PM. A panel of judges will be on hand to choose the winners. Bring the family and enjoy the evening at Carolina Beach.