‘Tis the Season!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tis the season to be Merry! Christmas at the beach is both fun and charming. Who doesn’t love to deck the halls while making those sand snowmen? Hampstead and Topsail boasts plenty of fun family activities to help you and yours celebrate the season. Make your list and check it twice because here are the top Holiday happenings in the area. These are the same events every year, but the exact dates and prices move. The links go straight to the organizers, so check those for this season.
Hampstead Christmas Tree Lighting
An evening in early December
Head to Hampstead’s Kiwanis Park for live performances, photos with Santa, storytelling, hot chocolate, food trucks, and more!
Topsail Island Christmas Market and Flotilla
A Saturday in mid-December, midday into the evening
This event at Soundside Park in Surf City features unique handmade gifts, food trucks, live entertainment, and a holiday boat parade starting at 6 pm!
Christmas on the Farm
One afternoon in early December
At Agape Farm in nearby Watha you get hayrides, ornament making, a snow globe, and s’mores by the campfire. Tickets are sold in advance and the date moves each year, so check their events page.
Lake Linda’s Christmas Light Show
218 Old House Road, Hampstead, NC, 28443
Lake Linda’s Christmas Lights in Hampstead is a beloved holiday event that Mike and Tonia Register created. This impressive display featuring 750,000 synchronized lights, inflatables, and festive music runs annually from Thanksgiving evening through January 1st. Visitors can drive or walk through the light show, including a charming Christmas house selling hot cocoa and handmade gifts. Santa and the Grinch make appearances throughout the season. The event is free but donations are welcome. The lights are on from 5:30 - 10 pm nightly.
Merry & Bright Holiday of Lights
Poplar Grove Plantation
Late November through just before Christmas
This event is fun for the whole family! Featuring thousands of holiday lights, including illuminated ancient oak trees. Take a tour of the Victorian-style decorations at the 1850s Manor House, or stop by the Grinch-themed shop, vintage carnival games, a USO letter writing station, and balloon artistry by “Mr. Twister.” Santa is present Thursday - Saturday! Food trucks, a French Quarter bar, fire pits, snow machines, and even live music on select nights!
The festival runs Thursday and Sunday evenings and later on Friday and Saturday. Check Poplar Grove’s site for this season’s hours and admission. Proceeds support education, conservation, and preservation at the historical Poplar Grove Plantation.
Mike’s Farm
Beulaville, NC
Festival of Lights Hayride
Runs nightly from mid-November through the week before Christmas, with a few encore nights after.
This 30-minute hayride runs a mile and a half through holiday lights and Christmas music, with a live nativity scene. Hayrides run nightly from 6 to 9 pm. Check the farm’s site for current ticket prices.
Ho! Ho! Christmas Show
Thursday through Saturday from late November to just before Christmas, plus a couple of nights after.
A dinner show featuring a musical variety performance of Gaylon Pope + SweetWater. It includes a family-style meal and the Festival of Lights Hayride afterward!
Family Style Restaurant
During the holiday season, the restaurant operates by reservation only.
Shops and Santa!
Mike’s Farm is a magical place that transforms into a Christmas Wonderland during the holidays. Before or after your hayride or show you can browse several shops on the property. Selling local foods and goods, its large barn building will give you all the Holiday spirit you need. Offering seasonal decor, candles, jewelry, and unique gifts. There is even a North Carolina products barn that showcases goods made in NC, including pottery, coffee, and wine. Handcrafted foods. Hot chocolate or warm spiced cider? Head over to the Bakery which is known for its 10-layer chocolate cake. The Bakery also serves apple turnovers, cookies, and over 20+ flavors of fudge.
Visit Mike’s Farm for more info. www.mikesfarmnc.com
Enchanted Airlie
Airlie Gardens, Wilmington NC
Just a short 30-minute drive from Hampstead is Airlie Gardens, which holds the beloved tradition of Enchanted Airlie. The garden grounds turn into a winter wonderland from late November through the week before Christmas. It sells out most nights, so book early.
The event transforms the 67-acre Airlie Gardens into a dazzling display of over ONE MILLION lights, festive decorations, and live entertainment. Visitors enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the gardens, accompanied by seasonal music, and holiday-themed displays.
For openings and tickets visit, www.airliegardens.org