Tree lighting, Christmas parade, holiday home tours, craft festival and flotilla highlight festive celebration December 4 through December 12
SOUTHPORT, NC — Historic Southport will welcome the holiday season with Winterfest 2026, a nine-day celebration filled with Christmas traditions, family activities, shopping, entertainment and waterfront charm from December 4 through December 12.
Visitors can enjoy holiday shopping and dining throughout downtown while viewing decorated storefronts participating in the annual Holiday Promotions Contest. Residents and businesses will compete in festive decorating categories, with winners announced on December 14.
Winterfest begins on Friday, December 4, at 6:00 p.m. with the Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony at Whierl’s Beach. The event will feature remarks from Mayor Robert Carroll, performances by the Trinity Children’s Choir and local dance groups.
On Saturday, December 5, at 1:00 p.m., the Winterfest Fun Time Building will host holiday-themed entertainment. Additional events include Gingerbread and Gigawatts at 3:00 p.m. and the annual Shop-With-A-Cop Concert fundraiser at 6:00 p.m.
Family activities continue throughout the week, including Pet Pictures with Santa on Sunday, December 6, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Winterfest-Ival of Trees on Tuesday, December 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., a Cookie Contest on Wednesday, December 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and an outdoor showing of The Polar Express on Thursday, December 10, at dusk at Franklin Square.
Book lovers can enjoy a Bookstore Holiday Open House on Friday, December 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., followed by the Guided Holiday Tour of Homes from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., showcasing beautifully decorated Southport residences.
The final day of Winterfest, Saturday, December 12, features several signature events:
• Winter Arts & Craft Festival from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Bay Street, featuring arts, crafts, baked goods, produce, gifts and more.
• Performing Arts Program from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fort Johnston Lawn.
• Old Jail Tours from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum.
• Holiday Tour of Homes self-guided tour from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Train & Toy Show from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Trinity Hall.
• Spark the Season from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Southport Community Building, featuring youth arts programming, holiday characters and family activities.
One of Winterfest’s most anticipated events, the Christmas Parade, begins at 6:30 p.m. along Moore and Howe streets before Santa Claus makes a special appearance in downtown Southport.
The celebration concludes with the Winterfest Flotilla at 6:00 p.m., when decorated boats travel from American Fish toward the Cape Fear Yacht Club. The holiday boat parade will feature student judges and a live broadcast.
Winterfest is bringing the holiday spirit to historic Southport with nine days of seasonal festivities, waterfront traditions and community celebrations that have become a beloved part of the area’s Christmas season.
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