December 30, 2025
There's something about the holidays in Brunswick County that just hits different. Maybe it's the way the Christmas lights reflect off the Intracoastal Waterway, or how you can actually enjoy outdoor events without freezing your toes off. Whatever it is, if you're living at The Landing at Stone Chimney, or thinking about making Supply your home, you're about to discover why locals get so excited when November rolls around.
We're talking boat parades that look like something out of a dream, small-town Christmas celebrations that feel straight out of a Hallmark movie (but better, because they're real), and enough holiday markets to check everyone off your gift list. Let me walk you through what makes the holiday season here so special.
Here's the thing about living in Supply: you're smack in the middle of some of the most unique holiday celebrations on the North Carolina coast. While folks inland are bundling up in parkas, we're throwing on a light jacket and heading out to watch boats covered in thousands of lights cruise down the waterway.
The towns around here, Southport, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, they don't just do Christmas. They celebrate it. And because we're a coastal community, everything has this maritime twist that you won't find anywhere else.
If Brunswick County has a holiday headquarters, it's Southport during Winterfest. This historic little town goes all-in for two solid weeks, and honestly, you could hit a different event every night and still not do everything.
The tree lighting at Whittler's Bench is one of those things that sounds simple but ends up being way more special than you'd expect. The whole town shows up, local choirs sing carols, and when that tree lights up, you can't help but feel like the holidays have officially arrived.
They hand out free hot chocolate and cookies. After the ceremony, the shops downtown stay open late, and walking through those decorated streets with everyone in a good mood? That's the stuff holiday memories are made of.
This isn't your average parade where you stand on the sidewalk for two hours watching the same float go by seventeen times. The fire department leads it (and yes, kids can actually ride on the fire trucks beforehand), and the whole parade winds through Moore and Howe Streets with floats, bands, dancers, and Santa bringing up the rear.
If the Ocean Isle flotilla is the appetizer, this is the main course. 31 years of tradition here, with boats competing in different categories, all judged by local schoolkids.
The boats range from small fishing vessels to massive yachts, and the creativity is off the charts. Watching them glide past with all those lights reflecting on the water.
Before the flotilla, there's a fun event at the Southport Community Building that's perfect if you've got little ones. They do a Charlie Brown Christmas with games, crafts, and photos with Santa. It's one of those events where your kids will be entertained for two hours straight.
Parking: It's going to be tight at popular events. Arrive early or be prepared to walk a bit. Sometimes the walk is part of the fun.
Weather: December in Brunswick County is usually pretty mild, 40s to 60s. But coastal weather is moody, so check the forecast and dress accordingly.
Food: Most events have food trucks or nearby restaurants. But bringing snacks never hurts, especially if you've got kids.
Photos: The lighting at these events is actually pretty good for photos. Your phone will do fine, but if you're into photography, bring your real camera.
Locals vs. Tourists: These events get a mix, but they're definitely geared toward the community. That means they're authentic, not manufactured for Instagram (though they're definitely Instagram-worthy).
Don't worry, these events happen every year, and the dates are pretty consistent. The Ocean Isle flotilla is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Southport Winterfest is always the first two weeks of December, and everything else falls into place around that.
Follow the local town social media pages and sign up for community newsletters in October, and you'll get all the specific dates for next year.
What really makes a place home is the community and the experiences you have there. These holiday events? They're not just things to do. They're traditions you'll look forward to every year. They're where you'll run into neighbors and make plans for New Year's. They're the stories you'll tell when people ask what it's like living in Supply.
Whether you're watching boats covered in lights drift past on the Intracoastal, singing carols in downtown Southport, or watching your kids hunt for candy canes by flashlight, you're not just attending events, you're becoming part of something.
And that's really what the holidays are about, right?
The holiday season in Brunswick County is something you need to experience firsthand. And there's no better home base than The Landing at Stone Chimney, where you'll have the space, comfort, and location to make the most of everything this area has to offer.
We've got spacious 3, 4, and 5-bedroom homes with open-concept layouts perfect for holiday gatherings, modern kitchens for all that holiday cooking, and fenced backyards where you can create your own winter wonderland.
Schedule a tour, or check out our floor plans online. Come see why Supply, NC isn't just a great place to live, it's a great place to celebrate.
