Ready for Christmas now? Check out these 12 early holiday events in Onslow County
As soon as Oct. 31 comes to an end, many jump straight into the Christmas spirit, putting up the Christmas tree and hanging up the stockings.
Fortunately for Onslow County residents, there are plenty of early Christmas events taking place if you're less concerned about turkey and football and more worried about candy canes and sleigh bells.
Check out these 12 early Christmas events taking place throughout the month of November and into early December.
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Southern Magnolia Christmas Spectacular
Humphrey Farm is offering a different event this Christmas, the 2022 Southern Magnolia Christmas Spectacular. The event comes just over a month after Humphrey Farm Owner Barbara Humphrey announced that after a tough year, the farm would be taking a step back.
Fortunately, for fans of the farm, the annual Christmas event lives on -- it will just be a bit different this year.
According to the farm's Facebook page, the two-day event will take place at the Courtyard Marriot in Jacksonville starting on Saturday, Nov. 26 from noon-9 p.m. and lasting through Sunday, Nov. 27 from noon-5 p.m. The event is free to attend and there will be free visits and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Clause, The Grinch and Whoville and a Polar Express backdrop with the conductor who will punch your very own Polar Express ticket.
There will also be live music, over 50 vendors and artisans both inside and out, food trucks, giveaways like bicycles and more.
"Also enjoy Starbucks and the hotel bar serving a special 'Merry Magnolia Margarita,'" the event reads. "The outside courtyard will be beautifully decorated for fall. Come enjoy dinner and sit and listen to Christmas carols or enjoy some yummy baked goods and hot cocoa. This event will take the place of Christmas at the Farm. We hope to see you there."
For more information, visit Humphrey Farm's Facebook page or call 910-548-4669.
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Jacksonville Christmas Holiday Parade
The annual Jacksonville Christmas Holiday Parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9:45 a.m.
The parade is presented by Marine Federal Credit Union in partnership with the Jacksonville/Onslow Chamber of Commerce. Every year, approximately 15,000 spectators from around the region line the streets along Western Boulevard to enjoy the parade, the Facebook event says.
For many, the parade is recognized as the start of the holiday season.
The parade is the Saturday before Thanksgiving at Coastal Carolina Community College and ends at the Brynn Marr Shopping Center.
This year's theme is "12 Days of Christmas." For those entering a professional or amateur float, you have the opportunity to enter it in the float contest. Details can be found at www.jacksonvilleonline.org.
ELJ Farms Light Show
ELJ Farms is located at 133 Batting Cage Lane in Jacksonville and is home to a popular Christmas light show, which opened for the year on Nov. 4 and will run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Dec. 30. The show opens at 5:30 p.m. nightly.
According to the ELJ Farms website, you can either take a wagon ride or drive through in your own vehicle. The ride is over one mile long and consists of one million light bulbs. To ride through the show, the price is $25 per vehicle of four with a $5 charge for each additional person. Wagon rides are free for four and under, $8 for ages 5-12 and $10 for ages 13 and up. Group rates for private wagons, which fit 20-25 people, are available at $200 and must be booked in advance.
There will also be an opportunity to take and purchase photos with Santa, The Grinch and Olaf. For more information, visit ELJ Farms online, on Facebook, or call 910-333-9762.
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Back Swamp Christmas Tree Lighting
The Back Swamp community in Richlands will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the Saturday evening before Thanksgiving from 5-8 p.m., with the tree being lit at 8, according to the Back Swamp Christmas Tree Lighting Facebook group.
Those interested can bring their blanket and/or lawn chairs to enjoy a night of face painting, cookie decorating and ornament making. Children can also enjoy a ride on Thomas the Train or The Polar Express and Santa is expected to make an appearance.
In addition, according to the Facebook event, hotdogs and chili will be available along with a hot beverage bar and tasty treats table. There will also be an area set up for an open jam session.
The event is free to attend.
Mike's Farm Christmas at the Farm
Mike's Farm is located at 1600 Haw Branch Road in Beulaville and has a lot to offer every year for the holiday season.
According to Mike's Farm’s website, the Festival of Lights Hayride will run from Nov. 17-Dec. 23 from 6 – 9 p.m. with an “after Christmas encore” from Dec. 26-28. The hayride is 30 minutes long and is “accompanied by Christmas music with lighted holiday scenes and a live nativity.” Admission to the hayride is $12 for ages five and older.
Mike's Farm also has additional events throughout the season like Supper with Santa, the Ho! Ho! Christmas Show and the Wilmington Celebration Choir Holiday Jubilee.
More information on these events can be found at mikesfarmnc.com/events, Mike's Farm's Facebook page or you can call 910-324-3422.
Countdown to Christmas Vendor Event
Antique 2 Chic's final vendor event of the year, the Christmas Countdown Vendor Event, will take place from Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. to Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.
Antique 2 Chic, located at 2501 Onslow Drive in Jacksonville, asks locals to join them and shop visiting vendors as the store will be full of sales and discounts, live entertainment, visit with Santa, crafts for kids, giveaways and more, according to the Facebook event.
There will also be a Toys for Tots Toy Drive. Those who attend are asked to bring one unwrapped toy per person or consider donating $2 per adult/$1 per child for entrance to the event. 100% of the proceeds will go to Toys for Tots and Christmas Cheer to help local children this Christmas.
For more information, visit Antique 2 Chic Vendor Market's website, Facebook page or call 910-548-2234.
New River Harley-Davidson's Christmas Market
New River Harley-Davidson, located at 2394 Wilmington Highway in Jacksonville, will hold a free Christmas event for everyone to enjoy on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According to Harley-Davidson's Facebook event, there will be free photos with Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., vendors, food trucks and letters to Santa.
For more information, visit New River Harley-Davidson on Facebook or call them at 910-346-9997.
Christmas Character Brunch
Adoption First Animal Rescue will host its first-ever Christmas Character Brunch on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Northwoods United Methodist Church event hall.
According to Adoption First Animal Rescue's Facebook page, the event will feature Santa and his helpers, Mrs. Claus, The Grinch, Cindy Lou Hou and Santa Paws. Those who attend will enjoy brunch, photos with Santa, cookie decorating, letters to Santa and ornaments/crafts.
The event is $30 for those 12 and up, $15 for ages 4-11 and free for ages three and under.
For more information, visit Adoption First Animal Rescue's website, Facebook page or call 910-290-3795.
34th Annual Jacksonville Breakfast Rotary Christmas Flotilla
The Jacksonville Breakfast Rotary Club will hold its 34th annual Christmas Flotilla on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. on Old Bridge Street in Jacksonville.
"Once again our Christmas Flotilla will join with the City of Jacksonville to bring holiday cheer to downtown Jacksonville," the Facebook event reads. "This event is a fun occasion for the families and residents of Onslow County and is a great way to get in the holiday spirit. We are anticipating many guests in attendance this year. There will even be a visit from Santa Claus himself, with children being able to spend time with the Jolly Old Elf."
The event details say the boats will be judged for their holiday spirit and originality and prizes will be awarded in the amounts of $200, $100 and $50 for first, second and third place. There is no entry free and boats of all shapes and sizes are welcome. In addition, all participating boats will receive a captain's goodie bag, appreciation plaque and fish fry meal following the flotilla.
For more information, contact the Rotary Club at 919-699-7911 or stop by Tideline Marine, located at 159 Old Bridge Street in Jacksonville.
Christmas Bazaar
The Purple Chicken will hold a Christmas Bazaar from Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. to Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.
The Purple Chicken is located at 6164 Richlands Highway in Jacksonville. According to The Purple Chicken's Facebook event, those interested should come out for Christmas shopping and an ugly sweater contest.
"Come out for a great family fun time," the event reads. "We will have vendors offering livestock, livestock and pet-related items, homemade/handmade items and direct sales. There will be games, food, baby farm animals and more. Event and games are free. There will be lots of animals out for the kids to see/pet."
For more information, visit The Purple Chicken on Facebook.
The Greater Topsail Area Flotilla and Christmas Market
On Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Greater Topsail Area Flotilla and Christmas Market will take place at Soundside Park.
According to the event's Facebook details, a vendor market will be set up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature arts, crafts and handmade items. Food trucks will also be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Music will start at 5 p.m. and the flotilla will line up at Bush Marine in Topsail Beach at 5:45 p.m., arriving at Soundside Park at about 6:45 p.m. The flotilla will be led by Mr. and Mrs. Claus where they will be available for pictures.
For more information, visit the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or call 910-329-4446.
Richlands Christmas Tree Lighting
The Town of Richlands will hold its second annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
According to Facebook, there will be food, games, crafts, a train, Santa, a bounce house and to end the night, The Polar Express. For more information, visit the Richlands Christmas Tree Lighting Facebook page.
Reporter Morgan Starling can be reached at mstarling@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Check out these 12 early Christmas events in Onslow County
