Surf City's Christmas Flotilla Comes Early This Year. Here's How the Soundside Park Holiday Weekends Line Up.
On December 14, 2024, thirteen captains took decorated boats up a chilly, choppy Intracoastal Waterway from Bush Marina to Soundside Park. Jason Williford's boat took first place. It showed Santa's sleigh pulled by a team of marlin, with the lead marlin wearing a Rudolph-red nose and the Grinch hanging off the stern. That was Williford's second flotilla win, after his first in 2021. In 2025 the flotilla was set for December 13, still deep in the month.
This year it sails on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Surf City's tree lighting is on November 21, so Surf City's big holiday events now fall within fifteen days at one waterfront park on Roland Avenue. You can plan the season around two Saturdays and keep the rest of December open.
The Greater Topsail Area Christmas Market always runs on flotilla day. The Chamber calls it an annual December event "held in conjunction with the Annual Flotilla," so the earlier boat parade brings the market forward too. Both now land on December 5. In past years the market was a mid-December stop. This year it comes early enough for a first round of gift shopping.
There's a second change for anyone with a boat. The Chamber's 2026 flotilla page says that "due to high fuel costs, all registration fees have been waived." The Town of Surf City's calendar listing still shows the older tiered schedule, with $25 and $40 fees and an August 31 early-bird deadline. The waiver is on the Chamber's own 2026 flotilla page, and that's where captains register. Spots are first come, first served, and every captain has to attend a Captains Meeting unless they make other arrangements.
Every event below is at Soundside Park, 517 Roland Avenue. Here's how the season runs:
November starts with the movie on the lawn Friday night. Saturday morning is the vendor market, then there's a gap of a few hours before the lights come on at 4. If you want to do both Saturday events, that gap is time for lunch on the island or a walk before you come back to the sound.
On December 5 the market opens at 11 a.m., so you can shop at midday, get dinner from a food truck as the light fades, and be at the water when the first boats come into view around 6.
The route is set. Decorated boats leave Bush Marina at the south end of the island and head up the Intracoastal Waterway into the water off Soundside Park. Judging happens at the park. In 2024, the boats paraded past five judges there. That makes Soundside the finish line and the scoring table in one place, which is why the market is set up there too.
Sea Tow has a hands-on role, too. In 2024 Sea Tow was the premier sponsor. Its crew guided the boats and made sure every boater knew the Captains' Rules, and its sponsorship paid for the prize checks: $1,000 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third. The Chamber listed the same prize amounts for 2025. Topsail Magazine named Sea Tow of Wrightsville Beach as the major flotilla sponsor for 2025. It also listed Rizzo & Blackburn and Pirates' Turf Putt Putt and Arrrcade as music sponsors, and Bluewater Yacht Sales and Surf City Signs as event sponsors. Businesses that want to sponsor the 2026 flotilla can call the Chamber at 910-329-4446.
For an idea of the market itself, Port City Daily's preview of the 2025 event described music, food trucks, artisans and crafters, and an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
The Chamber puts the event on its short list.
"This is one of our signature events of the year."
That's how Karen Seibert, Chairperson of the Chamber Board of Directors, put it in the Chamber's 2024 recap, where she also called the flotilla and Christmas Market "well attended – again."
Part of the fun of a small-town flotilla is seeing the same captains come back. The 2024 results show a group of captains who enter year after year.
Jason Williford won first place in 2024 with the marlin-drawn sleigh, three years after his 2021 win. Adam Hawley took second with a brightly lit Santa and reindeer aboard the Topsail Voyages. Rick Brown placed third with a Christmas Pirates theme. The Chamber noted that Brown also won the Swansboro and Jacksonville flotillas that same year. Brown's boat traveled between three coastal towns' parades in one season, so the Topsail fleet competes alongside the best decorated boats on this stretch of coast.
The prizes are handed out after the night itself. In 2024, the winners were honored at the Chamber's Annual Christmas Party on December 16, hosted by Daddy Mac's Beach Grille.
This year's earlier date might help the captains, too. The 2024 fleet ran in chilly, windy conditions in mid-December. The first Saturday in December won't guarantee calmer water, though, and the Chamber's 2026 page says the arrival time depends on the weather.
The Chamber's 2026 flotilla listing says the boats arrive around 6 p.m. "weather permitting," and its safety clause covers possible cancellations. The listing doesn't give a rain date, so check the Chamber's event page the morning of December 5 before you head out. For the November events, the Town's Parks, Recreation & Tourism office answers at 910-328-4887 and posts updates on the Town of Surf City Facebook page.
Because of the new calendar, Thanksgiving weekend now falls between Surf City's two Saturdays. For a holiday outing that week, Visit Pender lists Southern Lights at The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina in Willard. It runs November 26 through December 26, 2026, with illuminated gardens, an Elf Quest wagon ride and a holiday maze. That makes it a good pick for out-of-town Thanksgiving guests who'll be gone before the boats sail.
By the time this reaches you, Elf at Soundside Park is about three weeks away and the flotilla is a little over five weeks out. You can block out November 21 and December 5 now.
Holidays at home look and feel different when you've just moved, and helping families settle in is a big part of what we do. If you're new to Surf City this year and want suggestions for the Soundside Park weekends, from where to eat to how to fill the afternoon between the morning market and the 4 p.m. tree lighting, Savannah Holman is glad to help. Let's Connect.
Savannah Holman is a dedicated real estate professional who brings both personal insight and professional expertise to every client relationship. After experiencing the challenges of relocating with her own family through military orders, she developed a passion for making the home-buying and relocation process easier for others. With degrees in psychology and business, a background in corporate sales, and over eight years of real estate success with 500+ transactions, Savannah combines knowledge, compassion, and advocacy to deliver a seamless and positive experience. She is committed to treating every client like her first, ensuring their journey to a new home is both memorable and rewarding.
📍 110 Dungannon Blvd., Ste. 100, Wilmington, NC 28403
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The building blocks that Savannah utilized to help create the experience that she wanted for her clients were instilled in her through lessons she learned from her family, mentors in her youth, and early career opportunities. Contact her today to find out how she can be of assistance to you!