101 North Carolina Festivals: December

Lu Mil Vineyard Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of lumilvineyard.com.

Lu Mil Vineyard Festival of Lights

Sponsored by Four County EMC
Elizabethtown
lumilvineyard.com

An enchanting Christmas display with over one half million lights on the 58-acre vineyard. Includes a country buffet, candy shop, and appearances from Santa.

Appalachian Christmas

Lake Junaluska | bit.ly/appalachian-christmas

Let the nostalgic charm of Appalachian hospitality warm you this holiday season. Awaken the spirit of Christmas through festive live music, hearty meals and local artistry. Visit area shops or step back in time with turn-of-the-century Christmas décor at the exquisite Biltmore Estate. Festivities feature a performance of Handel’s Messiah, the Appalachian Christmas Craft Show showcasing dozens of local artisans, and matinee concert by The Cockman Family, a local treasure.

Core Sound Decoy Festival

Sponsored by Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative
Harkers Island | decoyguild.com

The festival has many attractions that include antique decoy exhibits, retriever demonstrations, competitions including duck calling, loon calling, head whittling, and a live and silent auction. There’s always delicious food offered by Harkers Island Elementary School staff and volunteers, and plenty of shopping opportunities from the many vendors who flock to the festival each year. First full weekend in December.

Festival of Trees

Pinehurst | sandhillschildrenscenter.org

Sure to delight the young and the young-at-heart — a sparkling winter wonderland! Admission is by any monetary donation at the door. You won’t believe your eyes as you stroll down the aisles featuring over 100 trees of various sizes all decked out in their holiday finery. The Festival of Trees also has decorated wreaths, gingerbread houses, and gift baskets.

Southport Winter Craft Festival

Southport | downtownsouthport.org

Homemade arts & crafts, homegrown winter vegetables, cut flowers, homemade baked goods, honey, jellies, and pickles are only a few items that you will find.

Swan Days Festival. Photo courtesy of swandays.com.

Swan Days Festival

Swan Quarter | swandays.com

An annual event celebrating the return of the Alaskan tundra swan to the beautiful Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. See exotic bird exhibits and get up close and personal with birds of prey, plus nature exhibits, educational activities, food vendors, craftspeople, local artists, and something for people of all ages to enjoy.