Today
in Wilmington
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Salvation Army of the Cape Fear in Wilmington received a $3,000 grant from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to feed local residents facing hunger. The donation supports nightly Community Meals and the food pantry to increase access to nutritious food. WWAY
- ➤ Santa Cop returns to Wilmington this Friday at 8:45 a.m. on Dec. 19 at Walmart on Sigmon Road, pairing children with civilians and officers for a gift card funded shopping spree supported by local donations. Port City Daily
- ➤ Good Shepherd Center in Wilmington hosted a toy drive on Wednesday to distribute bicycles + stuffed animals + games to children and families in need. The event spread holiday cheer among local neighbors. WWAY
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Country band Shenandoah is set to perform at CFCC's Wilson Center in March. The concert is scheduled for Thursday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be bought online or in person. WWAY
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ New Hanover County is launching a free recycling program for natural holiday decorations. Residents can drop off Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands (without ornaments or lights) at Home Depot and county landfill sites from Dec. 26 to Jan. 31 to be turned into mulch for local parks. WECT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Wilmington celebrated the grand re-opening of Fifth Avenue on Wednesday after a two-year, $15M upgrade improved sidewalks, bike lanes, and curbs between downtown and Greenfield Lake Park. The city partnered with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (which contributed $12M) to replace water and sewer utilities beneath the roadway. WWAY
- ➤ Oak Island's $33 million beach renourishment project, which started in November, is about one-third complete and is reshaping the coastline by pumping over 900,000 cubic yards of sand to protect homes and boost local tourism. Officials expect the work to finish by February — ahead of the busy season. WECT
- ➤ London has joined the Wilmington Fire Department's Crisis Response Facility Dog Team to provide comfort after emergencies and help reduce stress and anxiety among firefighters — the program aims to lower long-term effects of PTSD and improve cardiovascular health. WECT
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Hounds Town Wilmington offers holiday travel tips for pet owners planning trips with dogs and advises boarding as a safe alternative when travel is stressful; the interactive daycare (at 1611 Castle Hayne Road, Unit G) groups dogs by size for socialization. WWAY
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UNCW Athletics signed a multiyear deal with Taymar to boost revenue generation + ticket sales, operations, and sponsorship, with Taymar recruiting an Associate Athletics Director to enhance Seahawk fan engagement. WWAY
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Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
4:30-5:30 p.m. — The Elia — Ticketed event — Enjoy a magical evening of Christmas carols performed by the Listeso String Quartet under the soft glow of candlelight.
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A Christmas Carol
2:30-4 p.m. — Kenan Auditorium — Tickets from $86 — Experience the classic tale of transformation and redemption this holiday season.
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New Year's Eve Bash at Bluewater
9:00 PM — Bluewater Waterfront Grill — Ticketed event — Celebrate the New Year with live music, dancing, and a midnight champagne toast overlooking the water.
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Floating Lantern Ceremony
2-7 p.m. — Cameron Art Museum — Free outdoor event — Create and float a lantern while enjoying live music and reflecting on special moments.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you.
~ Jean-Paul Sartre
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