11 things to do in Wilmington this weekend: Christmas plays, a famous band and more

A white Christmas in Wilmington? Almost certainly not.

An overload of holiday happenings in the Port City? Chances of that are 100%.

The big holiday events really start landing this weekend, with two Christmas plays at Thalian Hall, a showcase of seasonal songs by local songwriters, and a "Nutcracker" ballet that's sure to draw a crowd.

Plus, an iconic North Carolina rock band rolls into town, a world-famous Wilmington artist celebrates a birthday and a longtime local drag artist presents a very special holiday brunch.

For more upcoming holiday events after this week, see the link below. For Brunswick County events, click here.

Christmas fun: 43 can't-miss Wilmington holiday events: Parades, shows, concerts, Nutcrackers and more

ALL WEEKEND

'Every Christmas Story Ever Told'

At Thalian Hall (studio): Wilmington theater troupe Big Dawg Productions had planned to stage the comic play "Bad Jews," about Jewish people of varying degrees of faith, in December, but the war in Gaza led the company to push the show back. To replace it, Big Dawg turned to a comedy it's done several times in the past. "Every Christmas Story Ever Told" sends up a wide array of holiday fare, from Rankin-Bass TV specials to "A Christmas Carol" itself. From our 2021 review of the show: "Short on plot and character development, funny is the premium value of "Every Christmas Story Ever Told.'" 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-9 and 14-16, 3 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17. For tickets, call 910-632-2285.

'Elf: The Musical'

At Thalian Hall: Wilmington's Thalian Association Community Theatre last staged "Elf," the musical version of the classic holiday movie starring Will Ferrell, in 2021. It's back again this year, with Jeff Hidek, who played the title role in 2021, directing. Logan Hayes dons the tights to play beloved man-child Buddy the Elf. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-9 and 14-16, 2 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17. For tickets, call 910-632-2285.

Wilmington City Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

Dec. 9-10 at CFCC Wilson Center: Wilmington's City Ballet has been staging its annual performance of "The Nutcracker" locally since 2011, featuring sumptuous costumes and a live orchestra playing Tchaikovsky's famous score. 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 3 p.m. Dec. 10, tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children. 910-362-7999.

Eric Neumann

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Neumann made his national television debut last year on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," and this weekend he brings his act to Wilmington. He's got one album titled "A Nervous Lover," another one that centers on crowd work, and he has lots of material about his overprotective mom (he's 34) with whom he shares a therapist (!). 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9, tickets are $20 and $30.

FRIDAY

Christmas Unplugged

Dec. 8 at Bourgie Nights: Some of Wilmington's best songwriters will carry on this local tradition, with shorts sets featuring two holiday songs and one original apiece. The slate of a dozen-or-so artists is like a who's who of Wilmington music, with artists including Sean Thomas Gerard, Carlos Rising of Holy Heat (and "The Voice"), Julia Rothenberger (of Lady Die), and Kevin Rhodes and Tom Gossin (of Gloriana) performing their new song "Doghouse Christmas." 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show Dec. 8. Admission is a $10 suggested donation and/or an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

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Southern Culture on the Skids

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: One of the best, and most original, North Carolina bands of all times, Southern Culture on the Skids, or SCOTS for short, has mastered the art of simultaneously sending up and celebrating the redneckier parts of the South while never forgetting to rock out. 'Nana 'puddin' and fried chicken will be thrown to a hungry crowd, and no doubt the band's unlikely 1995 hit "Camel Walk" will be played. 7 p.m. Dec. 8, tickets are sold out, but you never know.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

At CFCC Wilson Center: Every year, CFCC's Department of Fine and Performing Arts puts on this stage show, faithfully replicating the beloved Peanuts Christmas special, which first aired in 1965. A highlight is always the live band, which will play Vince Guaraldi's iconic score. 7 p.m. Dec. 8, tickets are $15, free for kids under 12.

UNCW Symphonic Band

At Kenan Auditorium: The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Symphonic Band presents its final concert of the year, a program called "Perspectives." Works include "Voices Shouting Out" by American composer Nkeiru Okoye ("Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom"), Kevin McKee's "Centennial Horizon" for trumpet and band and Erika Svanoe's symphonic jazz suite "Symphony in Blue and Gold." 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, free.

SATURDAY

Colonial Christmas Open House & Craft Market

At the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens: Historic downtown home that dates to 1770 will be decorated in the style of the 18th century, with fresh fruit, greenery and flowers. Live tunes from Masonboro Parlor. A market filled with three dozen local crafters runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with a free open house from 5-9 p.m.

SUNDAY

Minnie Evans birthday celebration

At the Cameron Art Museum: Minnie Evans, the late Wilmington artist who died in 1987 at the age of 95, and whose visionary, mandala-like drawings attracted the attention of the international art world in the 1970s (her work is now in the collection of the Smithsonian), was born Dec. 12, 1892. The Cameron museum, which was one of the first institutions to draw attention to Evans' work when it was St. John's Museum of Art downtown, will celebrate on Sunday.

Joyce Grear will perform the one-monologue "Miss Minnie," written by retired StarNews writer Ben Steelman, at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., the museum will present a slide show of rarely seen work by Evans, followed by a screening of scenes form "Draw or Die," a documentary from Linda Royal, Liz Penton and the CAM that will come out next year. It features never-published historical photographs, interviews with Evans' family and more. Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 10, $10 donation suggested.

A Tara Nicole Christmas

At the Eagle's Dare: Iconic Wilmington drag queen Tara Nicole, who's been performing locally since the late 1980s, presents this Christmas drag brunch with several other performers. Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 10, tickets are $10.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington Dec. 7-10 2023, Christmas events and more