No snow, no ice, no freezing weather, how do residents of NC’s Coast get in the holiday spirit? The Christmas by the Sea Festival is how. The numerous events held throughout Boiling Spring Lakes, Oak Island and Southport during the Christmas by the Sea Festival would warm any heart including one E. Scrooge, Esq.
The festival begins Friday, December 4th and runs through Friday, December 18th.
Music is the key to any holiday celebration and the Christmas by the Sea Festival events offer an abundance of musical performances.
The Brunswick Concert Band will perform their annual Christmas concert with various selections of holiday music on Friday, December 4th at 7:30pm and again on Sunday, December 6th at 3pm.
The Sea Notes Choral Society will present “The Old, The New, The Traditional” directed by Dave Christensen and accompanied by Jane Boberg Thursday, December 10th, Friday, December 11th and Sunday, December 13th.
Talented choirs abound in the area as the Ocean View United Methodist Concert Choir will present “Hallelujah Light Has Come”, Friday, December 11th thru Sunday, December 13th and the Brunswick Little Theater will be presenting our favorite Christmas Carols at Fort Johnston Garrison House on Saturday, December 12th.
Tree lightings at Dosher Memorial Hospital in conjunction with Santa’s arrival at the Southport Fire Department on December 8th and the Town of Oak Island Tree Lighting at Middleton Park on Friday, December 4th provide the family an opportunity to incorporate tradition and music into their holiday plans.
Stage II Productions will present Winter Nightsong: A Reflection on the Christmas Eve Wanderings of one E. Scrooge Esq. December 11th thru December 13th and December 18th at the historic Amuzu Theatre in Southport.
Author and playwright K. Robert Campbell takes the Charles Dickens’ Classic tale of Christmas and adapts it for the Southport stage and local musicians Cathy Furpless and Dean Powell brought in musical numbers, lending to the addition of dance and spectacle.
A new event on the Christmas by the Sea Festival calendar for 2009 is the Brunswick Ballet Company’s original production of “Nutcracker under the Sea” on Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December 13th. “Nutcracker Under the Sea” is an adaptation of the classic “The Nutcracker,” and the first production for the newly formed Brunswick Ballet Company.
Decorations have always been a part of any holiday celebration and with two tours of homes you will pick up traditional and modern techniques for decorating your home. Oak Island Beautification Club’s 22nd Annual Tour of Homes, held Sunday, December 6th will include six homes and the new Yaupon Fire Department Station on Oak Island. The Southport Historical Society Southport Christmas Tour of Homes is Saturday, December 12th and will be limited to 1200 tickets and free trolley transportation for the home tour participants will be provided.
The Christmas by the Sea Festival includes a variety of fun activities aimed at children and teens but providing plenty of opportunity for family participation. Boiling Spring Lakes Parks and Recreation Department has events planned in the Boiling Spring Lakes Community Center including a Gingerbread Workshop, Breakfast with Santa, and Holiday Crafts.
Southport Parks & Recreation Department will hold its annual Secret Santa Workshop on Saturday, December 12th with the Southport Department of Tourism providing an opportunity for the entire family to enjoy the movie “Polar Express” on Southport’s Waterfront on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn on Friday, December 11th . The Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department will utilize the Teen Center holding Secret Santa Workshops on Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th , and Christmas Family Fun Hunt, Friday, December 18th , while the Nature Center will host an event for our four legged companions called Santa Claws with Paws on Saturday, December 12th.
For a complete calendar of festival events including fees and ticket locations, area merchant discount coupons totaling over $1,000 or applications for the festival parade go to www.christmasbysea.com or call the Southport Oak Island Area Chamber Of Commerce at 910.457-6964 or 800-457-6964.
