Part 2 of our Topsail Guide to the Holidays puts a focus on shopping and buying local for the holidays and every day, so stay tuned!
Holidays at the beach are a unique and memorable way to spend quality time with those you love. Many of our local coastal Christmas events happen in November, so don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate with us. Everyone knows everything is better at the beach! Consider planning a Topsail Island holiday escape today.
November Holiday Events in Topsail, NC
Veterans Day Holiday
November 12, 2018
Be sure thank a veteran today and every day for their service to our country. November 11 is the actual Veterans Day holiday but this year it’s observed on Monday, November 12.
Don’t forget, military discounts apply to some of our Topsail vacation rentals, so contact us for details and savings.
A Merry Ferry Christmas in Sneads Ferry
November 16, 2018
Longtime Sneads Ferry residents, Ray and Carol Evans, have proudly announced the 1st Annual A Merry Ferry Christmas will take place on November 16th at 6:30pm. They will be placing the first ever Christmas Tree near 4 corners and having a lighting ceremony, singing carols, and just celebrating the season in Sneads Ferry. Save the date!
Surf City Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa at the Park
November 17, 2018
Soundside Park Kicks off the holiday season on Topsail Island with the annual Surf City Christmas Tree Lighting from 4-8p.m. Admission is free with food and drinks available for purchase throughout the event. Enjoy holiday music with the Wilmington Celebration Choir at 4:30p.m., photos with Mr. and Mrs. Clause from 4-6p.m., and the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6p.m. Come out and celebrate the start of the holiday season with family, friends, and the community with warm fellowship and festive fun.
Thanksgiving Day at Topsail Beach
November 22, 2018
Spend your Thanksgiving Day with those you love and in a beautiful beach setting. Your Topsail beach rental is the perfect place to create your holiday meal and pair it with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and wide open beaches. Your vacation rental kitchen has everything you need for Thanksgiving at the beach!
Topsail Island Holiday Lighted Boat Flotilla
November 23, 2018
The Topsail Holiday Boat Flotilla is a quintessential maritime event celebrating the time-loved traditions of Topsail Island. Typically held in November on the Friday after Thanksgiving just after sunset, locals from all the three major island communities: Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach participate in the boat parade. Visitors and vacationers are also provided with the opportunity to participate in the festivities either on land or on the water.
The flotilla highlights dozens of decorated and lighted boats of all shapes and sizes in all their holiday glory sailing down the Intracoastal Waterway off of Topsail Island. The parade starts at the Channel Bend development in Surf City and ends at the southern end of Topsail Beach. Spectators can watch the parade from various vantage points including the Assembly Building, as well as docks, parks, and soundside beaches. (Please note, the flotilla can not be seen from Soundside Park in Surf City.)
Topsail Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 24, 2018
Brush the sand off your shoes and put your jingle bells on! The 14th Annual Topsail Beach Christmas Tree Lighting happens on Saturday evening, November 24 at 6:30p.m. at the Town Center. Come celebrate the start of the holiday season in Topsail Beach and see why we love Christmas at the beach.
Kris Kringle Craft Show & Market
November 24, 2018
Here’s another way to shop and buy local! Find fabulously unique gifts for everyone on your list at the Kris Kringle Craft Show and Market in Topsail Beach. It’s a one-of-kind shopping experience featuring local art and crafts located in the The Assembly Building in Topsail Beach. Kick off holiday shopping on the island with us from 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. on Saturday, November 24.
Hometown Christmas on Topsail Island
November 25-December 20, 2018
This is your incentive to shop local and buy local! Hometown Christmas on Topsail Island is a great opportunity from our small local businesses to you to encourage shopping and buying locally in the Topsail, NC area. Hometown Christmas includes “Shop Local” discount cards, business open houses, food and toy charity drives, prize giveaways and a Hometown Christmas Breakfast with Santa Celebration at the Surf City Community Center. Contact the Topsail Chamber of Commerce for more details!
December Holiday Events on Topsail Island
Topsail Beach Christmas Parade
December 1, 2018
The Topsail Beach Christmas Parade begins at 11a.m. Bring your family and friends and join the community in a holiday celebration where the town comes together to have fun, merriment and laughs as the parade rolls through Topsail Beach. It’s a local favorite, so don’t miss it!
Jingle Bell Ball
December 1, 2018
Dance the night away in a winter wonderland with great food and friendship in a festive atmosphere. The 2018 Jingle Bell Ball is hosted by the Topsail Historical Society and is an annual event that’s sure to please. Visit the Topsail Historical Society’s website for more information and to get your tickets.
Christmas Day at Topsail Beach
December 25, 2018
Have you ever spent a coastal Christmas at the beach on Topsail Island? You should! It offers all of the holiday fun and excitement made even better with the addition of the sand, sun and sea. A beachy Christmas is a wonderful way to celebrate. Come try it and see!
New Year’s Eve on Topsail Island
December 31, 2018
Whether you decide to spend a quiet night ringing in New Year’s Eve in your Topsail vacation rental sipping champagne and toasting to 2019 or you prefer to go out on the town—you can celebrate however you please here in Topsail, NC. Ocean’s Edge Restaurant in North Topsail Beach offers a fantastic New Year’s Eve party and holiday buffet complete with a DJ, ball drop and all you need to celebrate the New Year in true Topsail Island style.
January 2019 New Year’s Day Events
17th Annual Dolphin Dip in Surf City
January 1, 2019
Join thousands of people New Year’s Day for the Dolphin Dip Extravaganza on the beach in Surf City, NC! At noon a horn sounds and the shrieking begins as the crowd runs into the ocean to start a fresh new year with the ocean washing over them. It is exhilarating and the fun begins at Roland Ave Beach Access at 11am with entertainment and costume contests!
The Dolphin Dip starts at Noon and there is no cost to attend. It is a free, family-friendly event. We hope you plan to join us in the water, but if not, please come out and enjoy the fun. Proceeds from the event support Share The Table. Plan to purchase a t-shirt to remember this fun event and support a great cause!
Will you do the Dip in 2019? We want to know!
Whew! As you can see, the holidays are a busy time of year here. You can find more about these and other local Topsail happenings on our Events & Activities page.
Don’t forget to come back for Part 2 of our Topsail Guide to the Holidays where we share the best ways to shop locally for the season—coming soon!
