Local NC Christmas Favorites: Our Family’s Beloved Traditions & New Holiday Adventures

The holiday season is a time for slowing down, soaking up the magic, and remembering the true reason we celebrate: the birth of Jesus. Here in North Carolina, we’re blessed with festive local traditions, small-town charm, and family-centered holiday events that make this time of year feel extra meaningful.

As a mom of 5, I’m always searching for ways to create memories with my own family amidst the busyness of the season. These are the traditions my kids talk about all year long, the places that feel woven into our family story, and the moments that remind us why this season is so special.

Today, I’m sharing our favorite Christmas activities across coastal North Carolina, plus a couple of new traditions that we’re adding to our list this year. Whether you live in Wilmington, Hampstead, or you’re traveling to the coast for the holiday season, I hope these ideas spark something magical for your family too.

Hi, I’m Emily, a newborn and family photographer near Wilmington, NC. I work with families to capture the quiet beauty of your baby’s first weeks. These early days go by fast, and my calm, cozy studio sessions are designed to preserve every tiny, tender detail with care. Follow along on Instagram or reach out when you’re ready to connect. I’d be honored to help you remember this fleeting season.

1. Visit Mike’s Farm in Beulaville, NC

This is THE Christmas experience my family looks forward to every single year. Truly—if we had to choose just one holiday outing, Mike’s Farm would win every time.

Tickets go on sale in early October and disappear fast (like… faster than Santa sliding down a chimney). But once you’re there, you’ll see why: Mike’s Farm feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie infused with the true spirit of Christmas.

Your visit begins with a family-style feast—fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, mac and cheese, biscuits, and desserts that honestly deserve their own parade route. The cheesecake, banana pudding, and peppermint chocolate cake are always winners in our house.

But the real magic happens after dinner. You’ll board a hayride for a 30-minute journey through their breathtaking Christmas light displays. The rolling scenes, the soft glow, the music, and the focus on the nativity story make this a can’t-miss tradition for families who want to keep CHRIST in Christmas.

It’s an hour from Wilmington/Hampstead, but completely worth the drive.  Check out the details here.

2. Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens — Wilmington, NC

If you’re dreaming of a southern Christmas wrapped in twinkling lights and draped across centuries-old live oak trees, Enchanted Airlie is your spot.

This beloved event transforms Airlie Gardens into a glowing winter wonderland. Families walk through illuminated garden paths, sip local wine or craft beer from the food tent, and experience the coastal charm that makes Wilmington such a magical place during the holidays.

Tickets can be tricky to grab—members get first access—but one of the best perks for larger families is the carload pricing. Load up the kids, Grandma, the cousins… the more the merrier.

Beyond the beauty, purchasing a ticket also supports the preservation of these historic gardens, which play an important role in filtering the Bradley Creek watershed.  Learn more about Enchanted Airlie.

3. Merry & Bright at Poplar Grove Plantation — Wilmington, NC

This event is a new tradition for us last year, and my kids immediately declared it one of their absolute favorites.

Merry & Bright feels like Christmas coziness wrapped in community spirit. Think: campfires crackling, s’mores melting, kids laughing as they play lawn games, and families gathered around fire pits under strings of holiday lights. Add in food trucks, a bar and lounge for the grownups, and plenty of space for kids to run and play, and you have the perfect December evening.

Tickets are $10 for ages 3+, and if you want to see Santa, make sure to come Thursday through Saturday. Sundays offer half-price admission—which is perfect for families wanting a relaxed outing before the school week begins.  Buy tickets here.

4. Lake Linda’s Christmas Lights — Hampstead, NC

This one is close to home, and it’s woven perfectly into the heart of our holiday season.

Lake Linda’s is operated by a local non-profit and is one of the most meaningful Christmas light displays in our community. It’s all free-will donation based—money or toys—and every bit of it supports local families.

You can either walk or drive through, but our favorite way to experience it is to grab a box of donuts, tune the radio to 89.5FM, and watch the lights “dance” to the music as we drive through in our pajamas.

There’s also a sweet Christmas Shoppe with treats, souvenirs, and gifts, and Santa pops in throughout the season. It’s classic small-town Christmas joy, right here in Hampstead.

5. Our Neighborhood’s Annual Christmas Mowtilla

Every December, our own neighborhood kicks off its most beloved tradition: the Christmas Mowtilla. Yes, it is exactly as wonderful as it sounds.

The evening starts with a cookie swap and a visit from Santa himself. Then the real fun begins—neighbors decorate anything with a motor (golf carts, lawnmowers, tractors… you name it) and parade through the neighborhood spreading Christmas cheer.

If we’re not frozen solid by the end, we all gather around a warm fire with snacks and festive drinks. It’s simple, joyful, community-centered fun—and truly one of my favorite celebrations of the season.

Two New Traditions We’re Adding This Year

Every year, we try to find ways to make the holiday season feel fresh and memorable. Here’s what’s new on our list for 2025:

6. A Downtown Wilmington Staycation

With so much charm right at our fingertips, we’re carving out a night to stay downtown—just us, soaking up the holiday spirit without rushing home for bedtime.

We’re planning:

• Dinner somewhere cozy and festive

• A slow walk to admire the riverfront lights

• Visiting Santa and the Grinch at the Cotton Exchange

• Get fancy and go to the Nutcracker Ballet

• Watch the Annual Christmas Parade

It feels simple, but with kids, “simple” often becomes the most magical.

7. A Cozy Mountain Getaway

North Carolina’s mountains are breathtaking year-round, but at Christmas? Absolute magic.

We’re planning a weekend where we can:

• Bundle up and explore small mountain towns

• Take the kids on scenic drives to see the snow

• Sip hot chocolate by the fire

• Disconnect from the noise and reconnect as a family

It’s the perfect slow-down in the midst of the hectic holiday rush—and a memory I know our kids will hold onto.

Wishing You the Merriest, Most Meaningful Christmas Season

Looking to document your family’s memories this holiday season? Just like holiday traditions we return to year after year, every season of life brings its own magic, its own challenges, and its own kind of joy.  A session isn’t just about the pictures—it’s a chance to pause and honor the love, connection, and togetherness that make your family uniquely yours.

Whether you’re building new traditions or revisiting the ones that feel like home, you deserve to remember these moments exactly as they are. If your heart is tugging you toward documenting this season of your family’s story, I’d be honored to help you hold onto it. Reach out when you’re ready.

Merry Christmas, friends.