Wilmington, NC Watersports Events - 2026 Schedule

Celebrate the season in true coastal style with this annual event that has become a tradition for Southport locals and frequent visitors alike. The Southport Christmas Flotilla features a beautiful array of decorated vessels of all varieties that are decked out for the holidays, and which pay homage to the maritime spirit that is inherent in this small coastal town.

Pleasure Island is inherently known for celebrating life on the water, and at this holiday event, spectators and participants alike will enjoy a glowing show in one of the prettiest corners of the waterfront Cape Fear region. The Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla is an annual tradition that rings in the holidays with plenty of dazzling style, and which is sure to charm and delight anyone with a front-row seat along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Athletes of all abilities will want to join in this event which provides a chilly way to celebrate the winter season while supporting a very worthy and local cause. The annual Polar Plunge, 5K Run-N-Plunge, or one-mile fun walk is a great way to experience the stunning Kure Beach shoreline in the off-season months while having a chilly but fun time embracing an inner superhero.