Holiday Season: So Much To Do, So Little Time To Do It

For those who feel there’s never anything going on in Wilmington, ‘tis the season. On behalf of the Grove Project, I’ve compiled an eclectic list of events from now till the New Year.

– These are the last weeks for both the Poplar Grove Farmers’ Market (Dec. 16 is the last day) and the Riverfront Farmers’ Market (Dec. 19), so stock up on organic goat cheese, pickled peppers, fresh cut flowers, dog treats, and of course, vividly colored local produce.

– After four weeks on display, the compelling Toying with Art exhibition at the Cameron Art Museum ends Jan. 1. Great for kids and kids-at-heart alike.

– Now that it’s found its mojo with a splendidly renovated boardwalk, you can’t keep Carolina Beach down. After a successful summer with amusement park rides, fireworks, cotton candy, and live music, the fun continues with seasonal activities including story telling around a fire pit, a live nativity scene, choral and band performances by local students, ornament making for kids, and lots of hot chocolate.

– The Battleship lights up for the holidays beginning Dec. 4.

– Eat and drink too much holiday cheer? Run it off at the first 5K Jingle Bell Run, at Wrightsville Beach, Dec. 12. Call 256-2569.

– Visit the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher on Dec. 12 or 13 and get in for the children’s price ($6). Be sure to look for “Scuba Santa”.

– The UNCW men’s basketball team takes on Wake Forest Dec. 16 at Trask Coliseum, the last home game before a league matchup with Georgia State on Jan. 6.

– If you did the Jingle Bell Run, then it makes sense to pair it with the first Jingle Bell Walk. Scheduled for Dec. 19 at 11am, it includes musicians and artists staked out in the Cotton Exchange parking lot, Riverfront Walk and other downtown areas. Sounds like a good place for last-minute shopping.

For a rockin’ New Year’s Eve minus Dick Clark and/or Ryan Seacrest, check out L-Shaped Lot at Hell’s Kitchen (the band also plays The Grand Union Pub on Dec. 18). Chatham County Line, the energetic bluegrass outfit from Raleigh, descends on The Soapbox (Upstairs) on Dec. 18 for two sets — one acoustic, one electric.

I’ve just scratched the surface. Please feel free to add more in your comments.