Start your holiday season in Historic Downtown Southport
This year, we welcome back many of our traditional WINTERFEST favorite events. Southport WINTERFEST 2025, the umbrella under which most of the city’s holiday events fall, will include everything from a “Winterfest Tea” to the “Southport Christmas Flotilla.” Twenty action-packed events of WINTERFEST 2025 include many events that will entertain adults and children of all ages.
Shop, Dine & Enjoy Local This Winterfest.
All Winterfest long, the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce reminds you to “Shop, Dine, and Enjoy” local businesses! Discover unique gifts, holiday dining options, and seasonal promotions from area merchants all in one convenient place. From the Holiday Gift Guide to updated restaurant hours, there’s something for everyone. Explore more at: www.shopsouthportoakisland.com
Southport Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony
In the Spirit of the Holiday Season, The Mayor will light the City of Southport’s Downtown Christmas Tree at Whittler’s Bench for Southport’s Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Southport Beautification Committee will provide hot chocolate and cookies.
RESCHEDULED for Sunday, December 7, at 6 pm due to inclement weather.
Fifth Annual Storefront Showcase
Southport businesses are bringing holiday cheer with the Fifth Annual Storefront Showcase decorating contest! From Friday, December 5, through Saturday, December 13, residents, guests, and visitors can use the Storefront Showcase map, available online, to explore participating shops and cast their votes. Categories include: Most Community Spirit, Most Festive, Best Classic Christmas, Biggest Surprise (wow! factor), and Best Overall. Participants may vote more than once in each category. Winners will be announced on Monday, December 15, 2025, with a special certificate awarded for Best Overall.
Pop-Up Ice Skating
Glide into the holiday season at Southport’s first-ever Pop-Up Ice Skating experience! From Friday, December 5, through Saturday, December 13, the Fort Johnston Tennis Courts will transform into a winter wonderland for all ages to enjoy. Open Friday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Monday-Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., skaters can take to the ice for festive fun, laughter, and holiday cheer. Admission is $15 with skate rental. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or taking your first spin, this exciting addition to Winterfest is sure to make magical memories for the whole family. Children 5 or under are recommended to wear a helmet.
Winterfest Tea
Join us for Southport’s Winterfest Tea, an enchanting tea with special holiday entertainment sponsored by the City of Southport Community Relations Department and the Winterfest Tea Committee. Saturday, December 6, at 1:00 p.m. at the Southport Community Building, located at 223 East Bay Street. Tickets will be $50 and are available at the Ft Johnston Visitors Center and Museum. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit three local organizations.
Tickets, priced at $50, go on sale November 1 and can be purchased at the Ft Johnston Visitors Center and Museum. Ten-top tables can be reserved for $450. To reserve tickets and arrange for will-call at the Visitors Center, please call 910-457-7927.
Pet Pictures with Santa
Pet Pictures with Santa Sponsored by the City of Southport Animal Protective Services and Police Department, the Pet Pictures with Santa will take place on Sunday, December 7, from 2-4 p.m. at Indian Trail Meeting Hall. Bring your pets for a jolly picture with Santa. Enjoy some pet-friendly activities and treats while you wait. Donations will be accepted to receive your photo with a frame.
Shop-with-a-Cop Concert
The Shop-with-a-Cop Concert featuring the BACK PORCH ROCKERS is sponsored by Southport Police Department. It will take place on Monday, December 8, 6-8 p.m., in Franklin Square Park. This year, we are adding an exciting new addition of a Golf-cart decorating contest! Have your cart decked out for the season? Roll by and enter it to win. The Shop-with-a-Cop program is a long-standing tradition in Southport.
Winterfest-ival of Trees
Southport’s Garden Club is looking forward to hosting its first annual Winterfest-ival of Trees at Franklin Square Park on Tuesday, December 9, from 6-8 PM. Individuals, businesses, churches, and public entities will be invited to register and display dozens of lit and decorated Christmas trees throughout the Park. The trees will be on timers for beautiful evening walkthroughs. Be ready for family fun: children’s crafts and games, visits with Santa and/or The Grinch; children’s and adults’ caroling; sales of holiday items and viewing of silent auction items. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information and to register a tree for the Park, visit www.southportgardenclub.org. Be a part – come to Franklin Square Park!
The State Port Pilot Annual Cookie Contest
WINTERFEST continues with this year’s The State Port Pilot Annual Cookie Contest (Sponsored by The State Port Pilot) on Wednesday, December 10, 3:30pm-5:30pm at the Southport Community Building. Free… Come vote for your favorite! For information on entering email cookies@stateportpilot.com. Watch for more details in your copy of the State Port Pilot, the Holiday edition of Coast magazine, on our Facebook page, and at stateportpilot.com.
Supper with Santa’s Elves
Bring your children to enjoy Supper with Santa’s Elves on Wednesday, December 10, from 5-6:30pm. Parents will be able to drop their children off, shop at local stores, or have a romantic dinner. The children will enjoy a pizza dinner and watch a movie. This fun event is sponsored by the Southport Parks & Recreation. You must pre-register by calling 910-457-7945. The cost is $5 per child and is located at 209 Atlantic Ave., beside Southport Gym.
Christmas Movie “Polar Express”
The Christmas Movie “Polar Express,” an annual favorite WINTERFEST event, will be shown on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn at dusk on Thursday, December 11. This event is sponsored by Southport Parks and Recreation. Chairs/blankets are encouraged, and hot chocolate and snacks will be provided by Intracoastal Realty, Southport.
Once More Bookstore’s Holiday Open House
Step into the spirit of the season at Once More Bookstore’s Holiday Open House on Friday, December 12th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at 727 N Howe St, in the back of Southport Realty. Enjoy hot cider, cookies, and books under the outdoor tent, then step inside to discover treasures like books, puzzles, signed pottery, and whimsical baubles. With donations arriving bi-weekly, our shelves are always changing, from bestselling fiction to rare finds and genres like nature, nautical, fantasy, and more. Hosted by Friends of the Library Southport Oak Island (FOLSOI), this festive day adds a touch of literary magic to your holidays. Gift certificates make great stocking stuffers, and every purchase supports local libraries!
Light Up the Night Christmas Parade
Children, grownups, residents, and visitors, look forward to the annual Light Up the Night Christmas Parade, sponsored by Southport Fire Department. On Friday, December 12, at 5:30 p.m. the children will begin to board the fire engines at the Southport Fire Station. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Parade route: follows along Moore and Howe back to the Southport Fire Station. Following the parade, children are invited to visit with Santa.
Winter Craft Festival
Homemade Arts and crafts, homegrown winter vegetables, cut flowers, homemade baked goods, honey, jellies, and pickles are only a few items that you will find at the Winter Craft Festival on Saturday, December 13, from 10am – 4pm on Bay Street.
Want to see who we have joining us as a vendor for the day? Click here!
Santa’s Workshop
Get your children into the holiday spirit at Southport’s Santa’s Workshop on Saturday, December 13. Children will be making ornaments, decorating cookies, and creating other fun crafts. The workshop is from 10-11am at 209 Atlantic Ave., beside the Southport Gym.
Winterfest Performing Arts
Not to be missed is the popular Winterfest Performing Arts program on Saturday, December 13, sponsored by Up Your Arts. Enjoy the performing arts, this year featuring Gary and Lind Sclafani from 11a.m. – 1p.m., and the Sandy Reno Duo from 1-3 p.m. on the Fort Johnston Lawn.
Old Brunswick County Jail Museum Tours
The Old Brunswick County Jail Tours sponsored by the Southport Historical Society will take place on Saturday, December 13, from 11-5 pm at the Old Jail, decorated for the season. The jail was built in 1904 when Southport was the county seat, located on the corner of Nash & Rhett Streets. This is a perfect time to come learn a piece of Southport’s history.
Annual Holiday Tour of Homes
Southport Historical Society’s Annual Holiday Tour of Homes is scheduled for 11-5 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. Tickets are needed to join this tour and can be purchased for $30 through the Southport Historical Society’s website starting on November 19th. Limit of 4 tickets per purchase. A special thanks to Downtown Southport, Inc for helping to put this years program together.
Southport Train and Toy Show
The Southport Train and Toy Show will take place at the Indian Trail Meeting Hall on December 13th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., thanks to the Grand Strand Model Railroaders, who will be bringing their traveling layouts to share with us. Among the highlights will be an N scale model railroad layout, built from a Woodland Scenics foam kit to create realistic hills and terrain. The display also features buildings, vehicles, people, and scenery from hobby shops and online finds, showcasing how modelers use N scale to create intricate, life-like scenes in a compact space.
Charlie Brown Makes New Friends Christmas Party
Get ready to enjoy family fun at the Charlie Brown Makes New Friends Christmas Party on Saturday, December 13, from 3-5 pm at the Southport Community Building. Join us for a Christmas play featuring BAC Community Players. Then party with Santa and many of your favorite Holiday Christmas Characters (and Pirates) together for an afternoon full of fun, games & music! For kids of all ages, including entertainment, snacks, drinks, an Ugly sweater contest, Holiday Photo Booth, and more surprises! This event is hosted by the Brunswick Arts Council. In the spirit of giving, we invite you to bring along a donation—whether it’s cash, a can, or a boxed food item—to help us spread holiday cheer.
Southport Winterfest Flotilla
For the 31st year, the Southport Winterfest Flotilla, sponsored by Cape Fear Yacht Club, Downtown Southport, Inc. (DSI), and the City of Southport, will illuminate the waterfront. Bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the beauty of Christmas lights bouncing off the water on Saturday, December 13, 6 p.m,. along Southport’s Waterfront. The Flotilla route will showcase vessels from Old American Fish to Marker 19 near The Landings, then return to continue down the ICW. This year, Cape Fear Radio will broadcast live, and students from the Southport Elementary School Art Program will be judging the sail and power boats of the Flotilla. The Judges’ Artwork will be on display at the NC Maritime Museum at Southport during the month of December. Come on down to the waterfront and support all the flotilla participants and enjoy the celebration
‘Tis the season for fun, family, and community. So, join Southport for the week-long 2025 Christmas Season celebration.
