Today
in Wilmington
Friday, December 26th, 2025
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 26th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Saint Nicholas Christmas Foundation delivered gifts to seniors at Cedar Cove Assisted Living on Christmas Eve, brightening the holiday season with a surprise visit in Wilmington. Nicholas Newell organized the delivery to ensure the residents felt less lonely during the holidays. WECT
- ➤ Pine Valley Methodist Church fed thousands on Christmas Eve by providing warm meals to local residents. The church carried out its annual outreach to support families in need. WECT
- ➤ Todd Beaty surprised locals at Wrightsville Beach on Thursday by dressing in his inherited red suit and offering free Santa photos (his fourth year doing so) while a longstanding Christmas brunch from 2011 added to the festive mood. Residents enjoyed sun, sand and holiday cheer. WWAY
- ➤ Locals and visitors enjoyed free street parking downtown from Wednesday through Friday as warm weather drew them out. Paid parking resumes Saturday at $3 per hour (9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.). WWAY
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Today, Wilmington hosts two festive events: a Kwanzaa celebration at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church from 6 to 9 p.m. (600 Grace St.) with speakers and family fun, and a mashup by Dubtown Cosmonauts and Dragons With Matches at The Palm Room from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Port City Daily
- ➤ Wishing readers a Merry Christmas, the StarNews presents an arts + culture guide for a weekend that includes movie releases, live concerts, and local food highlights with temperatures rising to 70 on Saturday while Wilmington celebrates family-friendly events and holiday cheer. Wilmington Star-News
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Long-time residents recall a historic Dec. 22-24, 1989 snowstorm that blanketed coastal Wilmington with a record 15 inches while nearby towns saw up to 20 inches. The severe storm brought strong winds and near-blizzard conditions, with Christmas morning dipping to 0°. WECT
- ➤ New Hanover County posted a holiday recycling guide on social media to help residents sort recyclables during the festivities. The guide lists items like gift wrap and cardboard, and warns against recycling string lights and tinsel + other non-recyclable items. WWAY
- ➤ Residents can recycle live Christmas trees without decorations at Brunswick County Landfill (free) or Convenience Centers ($5 per tree from Jan. 2 to Jan. 31) and via New Hanover County’s pickup service, while Oak Island’s Grinding of the Greens program turns trees into mulch from today until Jan. 16. WWAY
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Morgan King of N.C. Cooperative Extension Center urges Wilmington residents to reframe New Year's goals for 2026 as enjoyable changes, suggesting cooking more at home and outdoor activities to promote physical health, social connection, and rest. Wilmington Star-News
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Brunswick County Planning Board meetings have seen thousands of housing proposals in 2025. In September, the board denied plans for 1,650 homes in Ash & Winnabow while a month earlier approving 1,700 homes near Leland, with public input on traffic and flooding concerns. Port City Daily
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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.
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Charleston Cougars at UNC Wilmington Seahawks Women's Basketball
7-11 p.m. — Trask Coliseum — Tickets available — Catch the action as the Cougars take on the Seahawks in a thrilling women's basketball matchup.
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Welcome to the Today in Wilmington, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Wilmington, North Carolina community. If you like the Today in Wilmington, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Wilmington.
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