On Veterans Day weekend, a ceremony to honor our military will take place in Burgaw at the Historic Train Depot on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
That evening, turn your attention to the heroes of the Revolutionary War at the very site where the first victory was won by those seeking independence from British rule. Moores Creek National Battlefield will host the annual Candlelight Tour on Nov. 11. Call the park office at 910 283-9272 to select a time to walk the less than one-mile trail. The event is free and family-friendly. A hayride returns you to your vehicle. Hurry! Registrations fill up fast!
The first of the tree-lighting celebrations begin in Surf City on Nov. 18 in Soundside Park. Santa joins the celebration for fun family-friendly festivities and ends the evening at 6 p.m. with the lighting of Surf City’s beautiful 42-ft. tall Christmas tree. For more information go to SurfCityNC.gov.
Thanksgiving Day kicks off with twinkling lights and displays at Lake Linda’s Christmas Lights. Featured on ABC’s Light Fight, Lake Linda is a drive-through display, but you can stop and enjoy the sights.
Two other light displays will be available at Poplar Grove Plantation and the Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina at Johnson Nursery.
Poplar Grove’s All Is Bright, A Holiday of Lights is open between Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas weekend. Enjoy the light displays on the grounds of the former peanut farm. For more information visit https://poplargrove.org/events.
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina’s The Southern Lights begins Nov. 24 and concludes Dec. 22. Be sure to go online because throughout the season, The Southern Lights will host a variety of movies and events. Purchase tickets and review the schedule online at https://thegardensofsenc.com/event-calendar-1.
On Nov. 25, the Town of Topsail Beach will usher in the holidays with its annual Parade and Tree Lighting. The parade steps off at 4:30 p.m. and will feature entries with twinkling holiday lights in the early evening. The parade will conclude, and we'll move to Town Park to light up the Christmas tree. The Jolly Old Elf and the Missus will be on hand too!
The Town of Burgaw will light its Christmas tree on the Courthouse Square on Nov. 25. An outdoor movie featuring "The Santa Clause" will begin on Courthouse Square following the 6:30 p.m. tree lighting. Bring blankets and/or a lawn chair and watch the movie with the townfolk. For more information, contact 910-661-3100 or recreation@burgawnc.gov.
On Dec. 1 the Hampstead Tree Lighting in Kiwanis Park will light up Sloop Point Loop Road and Country Club Road. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and the tree lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks, music, and Santa will be on hand.
If you have never taken the Holiday Home Tour with the Pender County Historical Society, on Dec. 2 you will have an opportunity to see how others decorate their homes for the holidays. Tickets may be purchased from the Pender Historical Museum and at several businesses in historic downtown Burgaw. The tour is a driving tour. The map comes with your purchased ticket.
It’s a holiday tradition! Don’t miss the Burgaw Lighted Christmas Parade on Dec. 9. This beautiful parade takes place around the Courthouse Square. The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. The Town of Burgaw is beautifully decorated for the holidays and the parade is all the more magical!
The Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism will host its annual Topsail Flotilla and Christmas Market. At Soundside Park in Surf City, the market opens at 12 p.m. and continues through the day until 6 p.m. The flotilla will arrive around 6 p.m. Music will be performed by Fryed on the Boat, sponsored by Topsail Dental. The flotilla is sponsored by Sea Tow of Wrightsville Beach. Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet with families from 3-6 p.m.
The holiday season stops when the blueberry drops on Dec. 31 as the Town of Burgaw hosts the annual New Year’s Eve Blueberry Drop. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a featured band, food trucks, free photos, and more. The Blueberry will drop at 7 p.m., which is midnight Greenwich Mean Time. The event will be capped off with a fireworks display.
