14 things to do in Wilmington during a big weekend for Christmas and holiday events

The diversity of holiday entertainment in Wilmington hits a high point this weekend, with most every conceivable kind of event showing up on the list.

There's a Christmas play and three Christmas musicals. There's a full-symphony Christmas celebration, and a spirited singer-songwriter affair.

There's a longtime tour of historic homes decorated for the season, and even a parade. For a full list of holiday happenings in Wilmington for the entire month, click here.

For events happening in Brunswick County, see the link below.

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ALL WEEKEND

'A Christmas Story: The Musical'

At Thalian Hall: Wilmington's Thalian Association presents the musical stage version of the beloved holiday movie about young Ralphie's Christmas quest for “an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.” The company last did the show at Thalian Hall in 2017, and it came off very well. From my review of that production: "The songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul − the duo who wrote the tunes for movie musical "La La Land" and Broadway's "Dear Evan Hansen" − are memorable, well-constructed and more or less grafted on to the story we already know and love, making 'A Christmas Story: The Musical' both distinct from the movie and of a piece with it."

7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10 and 16-17, 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 17-18. 910-632-2285.

'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol'

At Thalian Hall's studio theater: This play on "A Christmas Carol" by Tom Mula, told from the perspective of Scrooge's misery business partner, Jacob Marley, has been staged by Wilmington's Big Dawg Productions a few times over the years, and they're bringing it back again for 2023. Four actors reprise their roles from past productions: Steve Vernon as Scrooge, Randy Davis as Marley, Vanessa Davis as spirit guide The Bogle and Fracaswell Hyman in multiple roles. From my 2018 review of the show: "'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol' will help you see the original story with fresh eyes, which makes it a theatrical gift for the season." 910-632-2285.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-10 and 15-17, 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18. 910-632-2285.

'A Very Merry Downtown Christmas'

Dec. 8-11 at the Brooklyn Arts Center: Pianist, singer and Wilmington-based Broadway veteran Brian Whitted is the star of this Opera House Theatre Co. revue featuring holiday favorites and a rotating cast of performers backed by a seven-piece orchestra. Whitted is a rare talent, and this show is a lock to both entertain and impress.

7 p.m. Dec. 8-10 and 3 p.m. Dec. 10-11. Details at 910-762-4234.

Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour

Downtown Wilmington: It's the 50th year for this event, a fundraiser for the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society, in which luminaries mark the paths to historic downtown homes, churches and public buildings that have been decorated for the Christmas season.

4-8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets are $50. Details at 910-762-0492 or LCFHS.org.

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Eagle Witt

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: New York City comic with a high-flying sense of humor has appeared on Comedy Central and says that joking about race on stage "is my favorite thing talk about." Laid-back but incisive, he has described his smart, self-deprecating style of comedy as "sophisticated ignorance."

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10. $18 and $28.

FRIDAY

Let's Dance ILM

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: For this community dance jam, which has been held at several different Wilmington venues, James Tritten of Wilmington's Fort Lowell Records brings a mix of up-tempo indie and underground rock and pop songs, all of them on vinyl and specifically calibrated to pull you onto the dance floor. Sweaty, cathartic fun.

9 p.m. Dec. 9.

Christmas Unplugged

Dec. 9 at Bourgie Nights: Some of Wilmington's best songwriters will carry on this local tradition, with shorts sets featuring two holiday songs and one original. The slate of a dozen-or-so artists is like a who's who of Wilmington music, with artists including Sean Thomas Gerard (his new Christmas song, "When We Hit December," is lit), Billy Heathen, Sheme of Gold and many more.

7 p.m. Dec. 9. Admission is a $10 suggested donation and/or an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

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The Vibe grand opening

At The Vibe Music and Cocktail Lounge: If you've not yet been to this sweet, intimate new spot for music, drinks and comedy in the Cotton Exchange (just off the parking lot), this weekend's grand opening is the perfect time to stop by. Ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. if you feel like starting early, followed by music on the red-curtain-bedecked stage from songwriter Kelly Messina Godfrey and, a bit later in the evening, from Wilmington psychobilly act The Phantom Playboys.

SATURDAY

John R. Miller

At Bourgie Nights: Low-ticket alert for this show by the Rounder Records singer-songwriter, whose star is on the rise thanks to his recent album "Depreciated." In songs like the stunner "Borrowed Time" − on which he wearily sings, "Borrowed time/ As soon as you drive if off the lot it's in decline" − Miller mixes blues, country and jazzy, finger-picked guitar licks with wary, searching lyrics about the dark complexity of life and the difficulty of making real connections. Opening act is Taylor Kingman.

9 p.m. Dec. 10, tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

At CFCC Wilson Center: Cape Fear Community College's department of fine and performing arts presents its annual stage version of the classic animated "Peanuts" Christmas special. In the spirit of the season, bring a non-perishable food donation for the Good Shepherd Center.

3 p.m. Dec. 10. Tickets are $15, and free for kids under 12. 910-362-7999.

Burgwin-Wright holiday open house

Dec. 10 at Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens: This historic home in downtown Wilmington will be decorated for the season, and will look much as it may have appeared more than 250 years ago. Guests can tour every room in the house, including a former jail on site, and luminaries will be placed throughout the grounds and gardens. Holiday craft market is 9 a.m.-3 p.m., open house is 5-9 p.m. Free to attend, donations requested.

SUNDAY

Minnie Evans birthday celebration

At the Cameron Art Museum: Wilmington's art museum celebrates the life and work of one of the Port City's most iconic artists: Minnie Evans, who was born Dec. 12, 1892, and died in 1987 at the age of 95, leaving behind an array of stunning and mysterious paintings and colored drawings. Some of Evans' work is on display in the current exhibition "60+," which marks the CAM's 60th anniversary as an institution.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., families are invited to created a hand-decorated Christmas ornament inspired by Evans' work. At 1 p.m., Wilmington actress and storyteller Joyce Great will perform "Miss Minnie," a one-woman show that delves into Evans' life and work. At 2 p.m., there will be a work-in-progress screening of the documentary film "Minnie Evans: Visionary Artist" by Linda Royal, with surviving members of Evans' family in attendance. Programs are free with museum admission.

N.C. Symphony's Holiday Pops

At CFCC Wilson Center: The state symphony brings its annual program of classical and popular holiday music to town. As always, one of the highlights is an audience sing-along.

3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 11 tickets start at $20. 910-362-7999.

Wilmington Holiday Parade

Downtown Wilmington: Thousands are expected for the 19th annual Wilmington Holiday Parade, which features Santa Claus in a fire truck rolling down Front Street, as well as area dignitaries and community groups.

Start time is 6 p.m. Dec. 11.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC this weekend, Dec. 8-11