Holiday shows, Santa visits & Nutcrackers near Wilmington
The holiday stretch has its own calendar: Santa breakfasts and photo visits, a Nutcracker or two, school and community concerts, and the kids' shows theaters put on between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This list is pulled straight from our calendar, soonest first, and fills in as dates are announced — it's thin before mid-November on purpose. For lights displays, see the holiday lights guide; for the week off school, see winter break.
Zombify Yourself Canvas Painting
Sat, Oct 10 · The Art Studio (NCC)
See everything on the full calendar →
Questions parents ask
When do Santa visits start around Wilmington?
Most Santa events land between the weekend after Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas. Breakfasts and photo sessions usually need tickets or a sign-up, so check the event's own page as soon as it appears here.
Which Nutcracker is best for little kids?
We don't rank them — check run time and whether there's a shortened or sensory-friendly performance on the event's page. Anything listed here is family-appropriate by our editorial bar; fit for a 3-year-old is your call.
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Checked against each place’s current info.
Event dates come straight from our live calendar and refresh automatically. Last reviewed August 21, 2026. Confirm anything dated on the source before you go.