The holiday season is a magical time at North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, delivering the type of charm that looks and feels like a scene from a Hallmark Christmas movie. Minus all that snow of course. The moderate climate lets you enjoy the most wonderful time of year without all that winter gear.
There is something special about small towns and the way they celebrate the holidays. The Crystal Coast really shines between boats covered in twinkling lights parading down waterfronts, a huge bonfire at the beach, and a crawl through decorated shops, bars, and restaurants competing for best chowder and cheer around.
From late November through December, the Crystal Coast comes alive with a variety of festive events. Each of our distinct communities brings its own special flair to the season, offering everything from traditional parades to unique coastal celebrations. Whether you're a local or a visitor, there's something for everyone to enjoy during this magical time of year.
Thanksgiving on the Crystal Coast is not only beautiful, but can also be easy and stress free. Several local restaurants provide full traditional Thanksgiving meals to go so you can enjoy turkey, fixings and southern sides at your vacation rental without having to plan, shop or cook. Private chefs can also create a menu that will make your guests do a turkey trot. Your only job is to focus on friends, family and making memories.
Holiday shopping events, parades, and tree lightings kick off as early as November. We have 11 distinct communities with many of them hosting their own Christmas Parades, each with their own special holiday flare. Watching children's eyes light up as Old Saint Nick rolls by is truly magical.
Chowder and Cheer is the perfect way to discover downtown Morehead City. This event is beloved by locals, where more than 30 locations serve up a chowder or a cheer (a holiday themed drink) and participants get to vote for their favorite.
That same evening a parade of boats line up along the waterfront and sail from Morehead City to Beaufort for the annual Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla. The lit up and decorated boats bring as many ohhhs and ahhhs as 4th of July fireworks from adults and children alike.
If you watch the Flotilla from Beaufort, you’ll be in one of “America’s 25 Most Festive Towns to Visit for the Holidays” according to Travel + Leisure. From the beautifully decorated downtown you’ll get to experience Christmas candlelight tours through historic homes, holiday art walks, a train show, Christmas parades and double decker bus tours. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to meet Santa Claus. Down the road in Harkers Island you’ll find the Core Sound Decoy Festival, a unique event that celebrates the heritage of waterfowl carving in the area.
When you choose to spend the holidays on the Crystal Coast, we have your Christmas shopping list covered too! Our holiday arts and craft fairs, farmers markets and local shops are great places to wrap up your holiday shopping. A souvenir from the Crystal Coast is the perfect present and so is gifting an experience your loved one will never forget.
The culinary scene truly shines during the holiday season. Many of our local restaurants offer special holiday menus, combining traditional favorites with coastal specialties. Look out for festive dining experiences featuring local seafood, such as oyster roasts or special Christmas Eve seafood feasts. Some restaurants even offer holiday cooking classes, where you can learn to prepare local specialties with a festive twist.
The Crystal Coast's mild winter weather allows for unique outdoor holiday experiences. Take a festive beach walk, where you might find stretches of sand adorned with holiday decorations. Nature trails in our state parks and preserves offer peaceful winter hikes, sometimes featuring holiday-themed events or decorations. Don't miss the chance to spot winter migratory birds or even catch a glimpse of our famous wild horses in their winter coats.
Everyone loves s’mores, right? Well, Atlantic Beach takes the sweet treat to a whole new level with the annual Smoke on the Water Bonfire. This isn’t your backyard fire pit we’re talking about here. It is an ENORMOUS bonfire lit right on the beach with live music, dancing, and of course, s’more supplies for sale. That view and experience is something you and the kids will not forget.
Our coastal towns offer a wealth of family-friendly holiday activities. Visit Santa at various locations across our communities, often with a coastal twist – you might find him arriving by boat! Many local libraries and community centers host holiday storytimes and craft workshops for children. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores often has special holiday programs, combining marine education with festive fun.
After Christmas there is a full schedule of New Year’s festivities as part of the Crystal Coast Countdown. If you haven’t seen a pig drop or crab pot drop as the clock strikes midnight, or if you haven’t hopped in the ocean for penguin or pirate plunge, this is your year to try something new and adventurous and get a fresh salty start to the new year.
As you can see, the Crystal Coast offers a holiday experience unlike any other. Our unique blend of coastal charm, small-town warmth, and festive spirit creates the perfect backdrop for unforgettable holiday memories. Whether you're watching twinkling boats parade down the waterfront, roasting s'mores on a beach bonfire, or plunging into the Atlantic on New Year's Day, you'll discover that Christmas on the Crystal Coast is truly magical.
For more information on any of these activities visit our events calendar. The Crystal Coast is the perfect spot to make memories and start new traditions this holiday season. Find some great deals on accommodations here.
From all of us at the Crystal Coast, happy holidays.
