This Where To See Santa In Wilmington, NC list is updated for 2025.
For more holiday help, check out our 25 Christmas Things To Do In Wilmington, NC post too.
This year, we’re doing all the Christmas things in Wilmington. We haven’t been able to in the past, just because of how Thanksgiving fell, so this year, we’re doing it all.
Which means a lot of bumping into Santa. He’s around Wilmington a lot.
You’ll be able to see him at parades, tree lightings, and at a ton of other local events in the area, plus the traditional visits with Santa in the mall. Dates and times for those events are listed below.
Planning a trip to the Port City? Get help with our 24 Hours In Wilmington, NC post.
Where To See Santa In Wilmington, NC
Airlie Gardens
Address: 300 Airlie Rd
Details: Santa Claus used to visit Enchanted Airlie, but he does not anymore. There is, however, a blow up Santa Claus as part of the Enchanted Airlie display.
For more, check out our Enchanted Airlie review.
The Cotton Exchange
Address: 321 N. Front Street
Details: Santa is back at The Cotton Exchange this year.
Santa will arrive on Friday, November 28 at 11 am and you can hang out and watch him arrive.
His hours at The Cotton Exchange will be as follows:
Friday , November 28: 11 am to 4 pm
Saturday, November 29: Noon to 4 pm
Sunday, November 30: 1 pm to 4 pm
Thursday, December 4: 5 pm to 8 pm (the Grinch will also be there)
Saturdays and Sundays (December 6 to 21): Noon to 4pm on Saturday (with the Ginch from 1 pm to 4 pm); 1 pm to 4 pm on Sunday (with the Grinch on 12/13 and 12/21)
Sad note: Robert Blair, who was the known as “Wilmington’s Santa” who at The Cotton Exchange for over 30 years, passed away in 2023.
Downtown Wilmington Tree Lighting
Address: Riverfront Park (Water Street and Market Street)
Date: Friday, November 28,
Details: There will be live entertainment by the Wilmington Sax Quartet that starts at 5:30 pm, plus vendor tents. That’s followed by the tree lighting around 6:25 pm. Then, Santa will arrive. You are permitted to take free photos with Santa.
Free hot chocolate will be available, while supplies last and the full event will take place from 5:30 pm to 8 pm.
Downtown Wilmington Lighted Holiday Parade
Address: Downtown Wilmington
Date: Sunday, December 7
The parade kicks off a 5:55 pm from N. Front St. and Walnut St. It will travel south down Front St. and ends at Church St.
The parade will be held rain or shine.
If you can’t make the parade in person, the parade is usually televised live on Bounce (channel 6.2 on antenna) beginning at 6 pm.
Santa will appear at the end of the parade, so you can see him there but photos with the big guy may not be available.
Downtown Wilmington – Santa Sleigh Rides
Address: Market Street, between Water and Front Streets
Hours: None listed yet.
Details: Santa and his reindeer will be taking you around downtown Wilmington to sing carols and check out Christmas lights on his “sleigh” (aka a horse-drawn carriage).
The cost of Christmas Caroling with Santa & “Reindeer” is $14 per adult, $6 per child under 12. Free candy canes will be given out to children.
Also, the horses used are rescued horses that are well taken care of during the year.
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge
Address: 104 Grace Street
Date: December 18 from 5 pm to 7 pm
Details: Santa will be at the Annual Kids-Cut A-Thon. There are free haircuts for kids ages 4 to 17, a free child ID kit provided by the New Hanover Sheriff’s Department, and pictures with Santa.
Independence Mall
Address: 3500 Oleander Drive
Dates: November 21 until December 24 (closed on Thanksgiving)
Specific times are available to book online and vary by day and availability.
Details: Santa is located in the center of the mall, near Belk. Reservations are encouraged.
Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Santa will be at the tree lighting at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on December 4. The tree lighting is exactly at 6 pm and Santa will be visiting from 6:05 pm to 7:15 pm. It’s free to meet and take photos with Santa at this event.
This replaces the previous Wilmington tree lighting that was held at Greenfield Lake annually.
Mayfaire Town Center
Address: L135 – 865 Inspiration Dr.
Hours: Wednesday, November 26 to December 24
Details: Personal photos are prohibited, but there are lots of photo packages to choose from. They’re also really good about letting you retake a shot if need be.
Poplar Grove Plantation
Address: 10200 US Highway 17
Dates: November 28 to 30; December 5 to 7, 11 to 14, and 18 to 21 from 5 pm to 9 pm
Details: Santa is part of the All Is Bright event, which includes food trucks, drinks for sale, a letter writing station for the USO, and, of course, Santa.
Tickets are $10 for adults (16+) and $5 for kids. You can purchase a family package (2 adults and 2 kids) for $25.
Kids are half price on December 4, but Santa will not be there that day. That’s why it’s not noted above.
Thalian Hall
Address: 310 Chestnut Street
Date: December 1 at 6 pm
Details: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Thalian Hall for the annual lighting of the building’s Christmas lights, which will happen between that day’s performances of A Christmas Carol.
Wilmington Railroad Museum – Polar Express Family Shows
Address: 3316, 505 Nutt St # 6
Dates: November 29 and 30, December 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
Details: $5 a person and reservations are required. As far as we know, Santa is at these events.
For more, read our full Wilmington Railroad Museum review.
Wilmington Railroad Museum – Christmas Train and Lights Spectacular
Address: 3316, 505 Nutt St # 6
Dates: November 28 to 30, December 13, 14, and 20 to 22 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Details: $5 a person and reservations are not required. Santa will be at each event.
Wilmington Water Tours – Santa’s Sleigh Ride
Dates: December 20 to 23
You can take a water cruise with Wilmington Water Tours where you’ll sing Christmas carols, have warm drinks, and be able to take photos with Santa and his elves. Each child also gets a holiday goodie bag.
Pictures with Santa are 3:30 to 4 pm and the cruise is 4 pm to 4:45 pm.
You can get more info here.
Where To See Santa In Leland, NC
Leland is the town next to Wilmington and it has three opportunities to see Santa this Christmas season.
Cookies with Santa
Cookies with Santa is being held on Tuesday, December 9 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center (1212 Magnolia Village Way) from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. It is for children less than 12.
Leland In Lights
Leland In Lights is the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony, the Grand Illumination, held at Founders Park (113 Town Hall Dr). There will be a train that will take you through the park to see the lights, a tree lighting, warm beverages, and Santa will be there.
It’s happening on Saturday, December 6 at 6 pm to 8 pm. Santa will be at the Grand Illumination but only an animatronic Santa will be at the event after.
Find out more in our Leland In Lights review.
More Christmas events in the South:
Christmas events in Wilmington, NC
There is a lot of Santa to be had in Wilmington, NC this year. And there are a lot of other Christmas events in the area as well. Check out our full list of Christmas things to do in Wilmington, NC to plan your December.
Christmas events in Fayetteville, NC
If you’re local to Wilmington and want to see more Christmas in North Carolina, check out our list of 25 Things To Do At Christmastime in Fayetteville, NC.
Christmas things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC
Tree lightings, a double decker bus playing The Polar Express, and tons of opportunities to see Santa are just some of the fun things to do to get ready for Christmas in Myrtle Beach.
Find all the Christmas things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Christmas Things To Do In Charleston, SC
Holiday shopping at local holiday markets and checking out the Christmas village at the botanical garden are just a few of the holiday events in Charleston, SC this time of year.
Find the rest in our Christmas things to do in Charleston, SC post.
Know of any other places to see Santa in Wilmington, NC? Let us know in the comments to be added to the list!
GIanna
Wednesday 25th of December 2019
Hi Santa