Southport WinterFest 2021
Start your holiday season in Historic Downtown Southport
This year, we welcome back many of our traditional Winterfest favorite events. Southport WINTERFEST 2021, the umbrella under which most of the city’s holiday events fall, will include everything from “Pet Pictures with Santa,” to the “Southport Christmas Flotilla.” Fifteen action-packed events of WINTERFEST 2021 include many events that will entertain adults and children of all ages.
Storefront Showcase
Sponsored by the City of Southport
Displays will be able to be voted from December 1 until December 11, with winners announced on December 13.
The Southport Winterfest Committee invites local businesses to participate in the First Annual Storefront Showcase, a holiday decorating contest. There is no charge to participate, and any business within the City limits is eligible.
Sunday, December 1 to Sunday, December 11, visitors, guests, or residents of Southport can follow the Storefront Showcase map that will be available online to visit each store and cast votes on each participating business.
There will be five categories: Most Original, Most Kid-friendly, Most traditional, Biggest Surprise, or Best Overall. Voting participants may vote more than once per category. On Monday, December 13, 2021, winners will be announced, and a trophy given for Best Overall.
Pet Pictures with Santa
Sponsored by Southport Animal Protective Services
Sunday, December 5, from 2 – 4 p.m.
Indian Trail Meeting Hall / Keziah Park, 113 W. Moore St.
Pet Pictures with Santa, sponsored by the City of Southport Animal Protection Department will take place on Sunday, December 5 from 2-4 p.m. at the Indian Trail Meeting Hall/Keziah Park, weather dependant, at 113 W. Moore Street. 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.
Bicycle & Golf Cart Christmas Parade
Sponsored by Southport Evening Rotary Club
Sunday, December 5, at 6 p.m.
Meet at Franklin Square Park to participate
Join us for the First Annual Bicycle/Golf Cart Christmas Parade. Deck your bike/golf cart (and yourself) with Christmas decorations. (Wearing lights will help you be seen!) Be ready to depart from Franklin Square at 6 p.m. and join in for a ride around Southport ringing bells and singing carols and just bringing lots of JOY!
Shop-with-a-Cop Concert
Featuring the Back Porch Rockers
Sponsored by Southport Police Dept.
Monday, December 6, at 6-8 p.m.
Franklin Square Park
Shop-with-a-Cop Concert featuring the BACK PORCH ROCKERS is sponsored by Southport Police Department. It will take place on Monday, December 6, 6-8 p.m., in Franklin Square Park. This is a fundraiser to support the Southport Shop-with-a-Cop program. Last year 145 children received presents through this program!
Candy Cane Garden Party
Sponsored by Southport Garden Club
Tuesday, December 7, from 6– 7 p.m.
Keziah Park
Individuals, businesses, Churches, and Civic Groups are all invited to get creative and participate in a fundraiser in support of the Southport Garden Club gardens, downtown planter boxes, community garden food-share program, and various community outreach projects.
The candy canes are available for $50 each (payable by cash or check to The Southport Garden Club) at the Fort Johnson Visitor’s Center starting on November 1st. The 48-inch candy cane forms are primed and ready to be painted. Create your unique design to be debuted in the garden, then please return the decorated candy canes to the Visitor’s Center by December 3rd. You are welcome to pick up your decorated Candy Cane after December 12th from Keziah Park.
The Candy Cane Garden will be displayed in Keziah Park from December 6th to December 12th, during the week of Southport Winterfest, with a special Candy Cane Garden Party event on December 7th from 6-7 p.m. Residents and visitors will be able to stroll through the park that has been transformed into holiday wonderland to view the decorated candy canes.
Annual Cookie Contest
Sponsored by The State Port Pilot
Wednesday, December 8, from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Community Building, 223 E Bay St
WINTERFEST continues with this year’s The State Port Pilot Annual Cookie Contest (Sponsored by The State Port Pilot) on Wednesday, December 8. Join us from 3:30-5:30 to view this year’s submissions!
To enter the contest, email your recipe and contact information to [email protected] or drop it off at 114 East Moore Street by 5p on Friday, December 3. The contest is free to enter. Our panel of judges will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the categories of taste, texture, and appearance. Winners will be announced at 5 p.m.
Watch for more details in your copy of the State Port Pilot, the Holiday edition of Coast magazine, on our Facebook page, and at www.stateportpilot.com.
Supper with Santa’s Elves
Sponsored by Southport Parks & Rec.
Wednesday, December 8, at 5 – 7 p.m. $5 per child
209 Atlantic Ave., beside Southport Gym
Bring your children to enjoy Supper with Santa’s Elves on Wednesday, December 8 from 5-7 p.m. 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. The cost is $5 per child and is located at 209 Atlantic Ave., beside Southport Gym.
Christmas Movie “Polar Express”
Sponsored by Southport Parks & Rec.
Thursday, December 9, at dusk
Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn – Chairs/blankets are encouraged
Costumed Holiday History Tour
Sponsored by NC Maritime Museum at Southport
Friday, December 10, at 3 p.m.
204 E. Moore St.
Enjoy a costumed tour at the NC Maritime Museum at Southport, 204 E. Moore Street. Visitors will tour the exhibit hall to learn about holiday customs during the Colonial, Victorian, and Edwardian periods. This annual tradition, presented by the museum crew, starts at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10. Space is limited.
Caroling with the Sea Notes
Friday, December 10
from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Franklin Square Park Stage
The Sea Notes Choral Society Performance will be held prior to the Light Up the Night Christmas Parade on Friday, December 10, 5:30–6:30 p.m. in Franklin Square Park. Bob Marks from Trinity UMC will direct the choir of about thirty people in rousing holiday cheer.
Light Up the Night Christmas Parade
Sponsored by Southport Fire Dept.
Friday, December 10
Children will board the fire engines at the Southport Fire Station at 5:30 p.m. Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Parade route: Waterfront Park, down Howe St., back to the Southport Fire Station. Following the parade, children are invited to visit with Santa and will receive a gift. Concessions available.
To read more, or sign up to participate in the parade, please click here!
Winter Craft Festival
Sponsored by Downtown Southport, Inc. & City of Southport
Saturday, December 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Franklin Square Park
Homemade Arts & 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 11, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. in Franklin Square Park. For vendor sign0up and information, visit www.downtownsouthport.com
Winterfest Performing Arts
Sponsored by Brunswick Arts Council
Saturday, December 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Franklin Square Park Stage
Not to be missed, is the popular WinterFest Performing Arts program, sponsored by the Brunswick Arts Council. Enjoy the performing arts, including instrumentals, singing, and dancing on Saturday, December 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Franklin Square Park.
Santa’s Workshop
Sponsored by Southport Parks & Rec.
Saturday, December 11, from 10 – 11 a.m.
209 Atlantic Ave., beside Southport Gym
Get your children into the holiday spirit at Southport’s Santa’s Workshop on Saturday, December 11. Children will be making ornaments, decorating cookies, and creating other fun crafts. The workshop is from 10-11a.m. at 209 Atlantic Ave., besides the Southport Gym.
Book Sale
Sponsored by Friends of the Library
Saturday, December 11, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Southport Realty, 727 N. Howe St
The Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island (FOLSOI) Book Sale will be held on Saturday, December 11, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Southport Realty, 727 N. Howe Street. Proceeds from these sales provide support for the libraries’ youth programs, fund educational programs for adults, and supplement each libraries’ operational budget.
Southport Winterfest Flotilla
Sponsored by Cape Fear Yacht Club, Downtown Southport, Inc., & City of Southport
Saturday, December 11, 7 p.m.
Join us Saturday, December 11 at 7 p.m. on the Southport Waterfront. Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy the beauty of the Christmas lights bouncing off the water. The judges for this years’ flotilla will be Southport Elementary School Art Classes. Click here to view the Flotilla Route!
Boaters – Would you like to participate? We’d love to have you! Check out the “Captains Letter” with all of the details, and then complete the Registration Form. Questions? Contact Woody Wilson at 910-520-8858.
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