Ho, ho, ho! The holiday season is upon us, and New Bern is the place for a Beary Merry Christmas! If you enjoy celebrating the magic of the season, you will find it in our hometown, with music, movies, snow, shopping and gallons of hot cocoa! While there are lots of activities and events for you and your family to enjoy, here are a few of my all-time favorites.
Light Up the Park
Once your Thanksgiving meal has settled, it’s time to come on down to the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, November 29! The block party begins at 4 p.m. on Middle Street, with a DJ, games, axe throwing, aerial circus performances, crafts, face painting and more. The tree lighting takes place at Union Point Park at 5:45 p.m., with Santa arriving soon after. The party continues with entertainment until 8:30 p.m. This is a wonderful way to kick off the holidays.
The Live Window Displays are a must-see this (and every) holiday season!
Light Up the Scene
On Friday, December 13, the windows come alive! New Bern’s Live Window Display takes place 6 – 8 p.m. Will it be a repeat for 2023’s first-place winner Twice as Nice? Bring out the entire family for an evening of window shopping while enjoying the sights of the season. Grab dinner either before or after your stroll at New Bern’s extensive restaurant offerings, including Morgan’s Tavern, Captain Ratty’s or Cypress Hall.
Light Up the Town
The splendor of the season continues throughout December. On Thursday evenings, stores will be open late, so you have extra time to find that special gift, all with festive entertainment. Visits with Santa provide the perfect opportunity to capture memories of your child’s wish list. Santa’s House is a magical place to see where the “Red One” lives this time of year. Definitely do not miss the chance for a carriage ride to enjoy the twinkling, colorful lights!
The holiday season is truly enchanting in New Bern. Be sure to enjoy all these delights (and more) that we have to light up your life! For more information, check out Visit New Bern.