Southport Magazine

Oak Island may be a summer vacation destination for many, but the Christmas Season is always one of our favorites times to call Oak Island home. This year’s celebrations are going to be different, but what hasn’t been different this year? The important thing is that we are carrying on being jolly, celebrating community and getting into the holiday spirit in our gloriously beach way. 

As usual this year, circumstances are ever-changing, so after we go to press events are subject to change and somethings may be added as officials noodle out ways to carry on safely. Be patient and stay tuned to Southport Magazine and Town of Oak Island social media for updates. Having said that, here are all the Christmas happenings on Oak Island as of now.

The Christmas By The Sea Parade: Flip-Flopped Edition

The Christmas By The Sea Parade is on for Saturday, December 5 this year, but it’s getting some new shoes. This year the parade will be presented in a ‘flip flopped’ format with parade units staying stationery and spectators driving past them. Organizers have included some fun new elements to make this year’s parade very special for all that participate.

The ‘Flip Flop Drive-Thru’ Christmas by the Sea Parade will be staged along E. Dolphin Drive beginning at Middleton Avenue on Oak Island. The event kicks off at 1 pm with a ribbon-cutting hosted by none other than Santa Claus himself. Santa and the Mrs. will lead traffic down E. Dolphin past more than 75 parade units and the drive-thru route will be open to spectators until 4 pm. 

The parade route will be one-way on E. Dolphin Drive. Residents and visitors are encouraged to add to the festivities by decorating their vehicles, too. As always, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the final float at the end of the parade route waving to children and the young at heart as they drive by. 

Normal traffic safety rules apply. Spectators (riding only) in cars, trucks or golf carts will be permitted along the parade route.

Holiday Craft Market

The Annual Holiday Craft Market is moving from the recreation Center to the Middleton Park fields (home to the Farmers Market) to accommodate social distancing requirements. The market will run from 9 am to 2 pm and will feature a wide variety of vendors, mostly from the Southport-Oak Island area. 

Oak Island Parks and Recreation Director Rebecca Squires said she expects 50-60 vendors at this year’s market, all spaced safely apart. Shoppers can expect to find “handmade wood products, needlepoint products, lotions/soaps, original painting and pictures, unique beachy crafts, and surprises around every corner!” she said. 

Oak Island 4th Annual “Virtual” Gingerbread Beach House Contest, Sponsored by Nancy Jo’s Homemade

The most delicious part of Oak Island’s celebration is back! Bake up your best beach-themed gingerbread house, drop it off at the Oak Island Recreation Center, 3003 E. Oak Island Drive, and be judged by a panel of experts and the public! Entries must be dropped off in completed form at the Rec Center by Monday, December & and will be on display from then until December 19. All the contest entires may also be viewed on the Recreation Department’s Facebook page and on the town’s website at oakislandnc.com/government/parks-recreation, where votes for the People’s Choice Award can be cast as well. 

Contest Divisions are as follows: Child, ages 6-12; Teen, ages 13-17; Adult, ages 18 and up; and Family, groups of 3-7 including at least one adult and one child. Entry forms can be found online at oak island.recdesk.com or at the Recreation Center. 

12 days of Fitmas

After eating all the “extra” gingerbread from that beach house you just baked, it may be time for some exercise. From December 11-22, celebrate the holiday season through active island living with the Town of Oak Island’s 12 Days of Fitmas! Each day will offer engaging fitness & holiday challenges that offers a seasonal spin on battling the bulge! All challenges will be posted to the OKI Parks & Recreation social media pages, and can be completed from the comforts of home or at OKI Recreation Center. Free to participate. 

Holidays In Hyperdrive: Tacky Holiday Sweater Contest

Come one and all as a holiday classic takes on a virtual twist as OKI Parks and Recreation hosts a Tacky Holiday Sweater Contest! Dress in your tackiest holiday sweater (all holidays are welcome), submit a photo of you in your seasonal finery, and be entered for a chance to win holiday prizes and bragging rights for the next year.

Holidays In Hyperdrive: Holiday Homes Contest

Do your outdoor holiday lights and decorations shine above the rest? Share your creativity this holiday season by entering the first ever Oak Island Holiday Homes Contest. Simply decorate your yard and/or outside of your home with your favorite seasonal décor and submit a photo for a chance to be entered to win a holiday prize and bragging rights for a year!

Holidays In Hyperdrive: Sandyman Contest

Enjoy a coastal twist on a favorite holiday pastime with Oak Island! Create a sea side snowman using sand and items found along the beach, and then enter a photo of your sandyman for a chance to win a holiday prize! 

*Please remember to leave the beach better than you found it*

All Holidays In Hyperdrive Contest entries will be accepted until 5 pm on December 21 and will be posted to the social media outlets for Oak Island Parks and Recreation. Winning contestants will be able to pick up their prizes at OKI Recreation Center. While all are invited to participate, prizes will NOT be mailed or delivered.