The 12 events of Wilmington Christmas: A dozen things to do this weekend
Welcome to what might be the busiest weekend of the holiday season — one you can actually kind of enjoy before the all-out panic of next weekend, when Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday.
Or maybe you're one of those people who got their shopping done weeks ago, and now have nothing to do but relax. If so, well, Merry Christmas to you.
As for most of us, we'll be trying to balance holiday parties and holiday events with holiday shopping and, you know, work.
Speaking of events, we've got a stellar collection to gift you with this weekend. See below for details. (For Brunswick County events, click here.)
To see more Christmas and holiday events, click here or see the link below.
Christmas events: 43 can't-miss Wilmington holiday events: Parades, shows, concerts, Nutcrackers and more
ALL WEEKEND
'Elf: The Musical'
At Thalian Hall: In the two decades since it was released in 2003, "Elf," starring Will Ferrell as an oversized man-child who thinks he's one of Santa's helpers, has quickly become one of our most familiar Christmas movies. Over Thanksgiving, my family was already playing it on a loop.
In Wilmington, "Elf: The Musical" is perhaps our most familiar theatrical production of late. The Thalian Association is staging the show this year for the third time since 2019, and judging from Saturday night's packed house, its popularity has yet to wane. "Elf" 2023, under the direction of Jeff Hidek, opened last weekend and runs through Sunday on Thalian Hall's main stage.
The musical's story generally mirrors that of the movie, although there are some key differences. Plus, it adds numbers that range from chirpy ("SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley") to rousing ("Nobody Cares About Santa") to stirring ("Never Fall in Love — with an Elf").
Logan Hayes brings an appropriately childlike enthusiasm to the leading role of Buddy the Elf, while Jon Wallin is a charmingly gruff Santa. Jim Bowling makes a nicely hateable villain as the supercilious Mr. Greenway, and Audra Schaffer and Oliver Chulak lend great voices to Buddy's stepmom and little brother, respectively.
Saturday's performance struggled at times to get much of a reaction from the big crowd, though one exception was Bianca Shaw, whose roof-raising voice as Buddy's beleaguered love interest, Jovie, is both a highlight and the emotional center of the show.
There's nothing new about the Thalians' production of "Elf," but that's kind of point: to serve both as holiday entertainment comfort food, and as motivation to get into the Christmas spirit. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-16, 2 p.m. Dec. 16-17. For tickets, call 910-632-2285.
Hark, the Herald Angels Swing!
Thalian Hall (ballroom): Opera House Theatre Co.'s annual Christmas cabaret and fundraiser directed by Ray Kennedy marks its 15th year. Featuring both jazzy and traditional versions of popular holiday songs sung by some of Wilmington's best musial theater talent, the event also features a full meal and live and silent auctions. 6 p.m. Dec. 15-16 (dinner and show), noon Dec. 17 (brunch and show). For tickets, call 910-632-2285.
'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. 14-16, 3 p.m. Dec. 17. For tickets, call 910-632-2285.
Wilmington Dance Theatre's 'The Nutcracker'
At CFCC Wilson Center: Presented by the Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts and Wilmington Dance Theatre, this performance of "The Nutcracker" will be a homecoming for Wilmington native and dancer Dara Holmes, who is now a member of Chicago's Joffrey Ballet. Holmes will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and joining her will be dozens of dancers, both professionals and students from the area. 7 p.m. Dec. 16, 3 p.m. Dec. 17, tickets start at $25. 910-362-7999.
THURSDAY
Pineapple-Shaped 'Elf'
At the Eagle's Dare: Wilmington comedy troupe Pineapple-Shaped Lamps is known for, among other things, doing live "shadow cast" performances for movies like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," with live actors in costume playing out the action along to the film screening behind (or near) them. For its final performance of 2023, PSL presents an interactive screening of Christmas classic "Elf," with actors playing out some scenes. According to PSL, "There'll be festive drinks, snowball fights, and maybe an appearance by ol' Kris Kringle himself." 8 p.m. Dec. 14, free.
FRIDAY
The Midatlantic Holiday Revue Benefit Concert
At Brooklyn Arts Center: For years, the Wilmington band L Shape Lot held an annual and very popular benefit for Toys for Tots at the Brooklyn Arts Center. L Shape split up last year, so Jason Andre and his band The Midatlantic stepped up to keep the tradition going. This marks year No. 2 for the Midatlantic Holiday Revue. Also performing this year: Wilmington folk-rockers The Paper Stars. 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets are $20 and $50, and attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for donation to Toys for Tots. Proceeds will also benefit the Plastic Ocean Project.
Kure Beach Whoobie Whatty
Dec. 15 at Kure Beach: One of the more unique events on the calendar is this Grinch-themed affair. Enjoy Grinch face-painting, Grinch cookies, Grinch crafts, a screening of 2000's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" starring Jim Carrey and more. Plus, meet the 2023 Kure Beach Cheermeister. 6:30-8:30 p.m., free.
Coast Poetry Jam
At Cameron Art Museum: Always a big crowd for this event, with music, comedy and of course spoken word, with plenty of crowd participation. Hosted by Brandon “Bigg B” Hickman of Coast 97.3 FM, with proceeds to benefit the N.C. Black Film Festival. 7 p.m. Dec. 15, tickets are $20.
Ugly Christmas Sweater & Pajama Party
At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: This one takes the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party to the next level, but it's for a good cause. Soundtrack to you looking your holiday finest is a lineup of some of Wilmington's best rock bands: Hyperloops, Microdose, Some Are Travelers and of course the one, the only, the legendary Timmy Buffett. Proceeds benefit a very good cause, the Play It Forward musical instrument donation program, which gets instruments in the hands of kids who need one. 7 p.m. Dec. 15, free entry with donation.
SATURDAY
'The Invitation'
At Kenan Auditorium: GAFA Studios of Wilmington presents this dance performance it terms a "fun and festive Christmas allegory ... an adventure in the land of Snow Hill where the people of the town celebrate the bright and colorful (holiday called) 'Kingstival.'" 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 16, tickets are $15 and $20.
Winter Wanderland
Children's Museum of Wilmington: At this kid-centric celebration, children can play games, make crafts, tour various activity stations and learn about how different cultures celebrate winter holidays. Festive attire is encouraged. 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 16, tickets are $10.
SUNDAY
Christmas 'Colonial Apparition' Water Tour
Dec. 17, Wilmington Water Tours: If you like your holidays with a touch of the supernatural, this event might fit the bill. Presented by Wilmington Water Tours, it revives a 19th-century story by Wilmingtonian James Sprunt about a Christmas Eve cruise coming into contact with an apparition that might have ties to the Revolutionary War. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 17, tickets are $15 and $35.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Holiday events and things to do in Wilmington NC, Dec. 14-17 2023
