Southport announces Winterfest 2026 with holiday events, Christmas parade and flotilla

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The City of Southport is preparing to kick off the holiday season with the return of Winterfest 2026, featuring more than 20 festive events throughout historic downtown.

The celebration will run from Dec. 4-12, bringing holiday traditions, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, shopping and community gatherings to Southport.

This year’s festivities include the downtown Christmas tree lighting, Winterfest Tea, holiday craft activities, a Christmas parade and the 32nd annual Southport Winterfest Flotilla.

The celebration begins Friday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. with the downtown tree lighting ceremony at Whittler’s Bench. Mayor Hatem will light the city’s Christmas tree, while the Trinity United Methodist Church Children’s Choir performs Christmas carols. Hot chocolate and cookies will also be available.

Throughout the week, residents and visitors can enjoy several holiday-themed activities, including pictures with Santa, gingerbread decorating, a Christmas movie screening and the city’s annual cookie contest.

The festivities will also feature the first Winterfest-ival of Trees at Franklin Square Park on Dec. 8, where decorated Christmas trees will be displayed alongside holiday crafts, games and caroling.

One of the celebration’s highlights, the Light Up the Night Christmas Parade, will take place Friday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. The parade will travel along Moore and Howe streets before returning to the Southport Fire Station. Children will have an opportunity to visit with Santa afterward.

Winterfest concludes Saturday, Dec. 12, with several events, including the Winter Craft Festival, live performances, historic home tours and the annual Christmas flotilla.

The 32nd annual Southport Winterfest Flotilla begins at 6 p.m., featuring boats decorated with Christmas lights traveling along the city’s waterfront. The route will extend from Old American Fish toward a lighted buoy near Kingsley Street Park, weather permitting, before returning.

Southport Elementary School art students will help judge the decorated boats.

Winterfest 2026 event highlights:

• Dec. 4: Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting — 6 p.m.

• Dec. 5: Winterfest Tea — 1 p.m.; Gingerbread and Gigawatts — 3 p.m.; Shop-with-a-Cop Concert Fundraiser

• Dec. 6: Pet Pictures with Santa — 2-4 p.m.

• Dec. 8: Santa’s Workshop — 4-7 p.m.; Winterfest-ival of Trees — 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• Dec. 9: Annual Cookie Contest — 3-5 p.m.

• Dec. 10: The Polar Express outdoor movie screening — dusk

• Dec. 11: Once More Bookstore Holiday Open House — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Light Up the Night Christmas Parade — 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 12: Winter Craft Festival — 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Winterfest Performing Arts — 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Old Brunswick County Jail Tours — 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Holiday Tour of Homes — 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Spark the Season — 1-5 p.m.; Southport Winterfest Flotilla — 6 p.m.

Local businesses will also participate in the sixth annual Storefront Showcase decorating contest, running Dec. 4-12. Residents and visitors can vote for their favorite holiday storefront displays in several categories.

Some Winterfest events require tickets, including the Winterfest Tea and Holiday Tour of Homes, while many other activities are free.

For a complete schedule and additional information, visit Southport’s official Winterfest website or call the Southport Visitors’ Center at 910-457-7927.