Beach season is now every season in North Carolina — and it’s time to book holiday rentals
Once upon a time, beach towns practically rolled up the sidewalks at the end of summer, and many shops and restaurants shut down over fall and winter. Now, that isn’t the case anymore for many of North Carolina’s beaches, where visitors book trips year round.
Coastal towns from the Outer Banks and Wilmington through Sunset Beach are welcoming visitors for the holiday season, where beach rentals can hold large families so everyone can gather for Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas celebrations — and you can even find a few spots offering discounts.
If an off-peak season trip sounds like a good time to you, here are a few planning points to get you started.
Holiday events at the beach
Here are a few events to check out during holiday vacations at North Carolina beaches:
At Carolina Beach, The Island of Lights Festival kicks off the seasonal festivities each year with the Lighting at the Lake, held the night after Thanksgiving at Carolina Beach Lake Park.
On select Saturdays from September through December in the Brunswick Islands area, Shallotte hosts holiday markets where you can shop for gifts from local vendors as the sounds of live music ring through the air.
In the Outer Banks, winter lights beckon visitors to stroll through the historic Elizabethan Gardens.
The Southport Winterfest Flotilla lights up the waterfront in the Brunswick Islands area with a “dazzling display of Christmas lights” each December. Another Winterfest event to check out is the Southport Christmas Tour of Homes offers a glimpse into beautifully decorated historic residences.
At Sunset Beach, The Ingram Planetarium offers holiday shows including “Santa’s Magic Telescope” and holiday laser music shows to help create memories for visitors of all ages.
[BEST OF THE BEST: These NC beaches are among the best in the South, Southern Living says.]
Year-round dining at the beach
While some restaurants do close at the end of summer, plenty of North Carolina beach spots stay open to serve you through the fall.
The Outer Banks tourism authority created a list of restaurants that remain open through the fall and noted those that are open for Thanksgiving for those who are gathering together at the beach.
In addition to grabbing a taste of North Carolina’s famous Calabash seafood in the Brunswick Islands, another flavorful perk of traveling to the beach at off-peak times is hitting the coast during oyster season, which runs October through March. If you’re an oyster super fan, you can hit up the NC Oyster Trail to explore restaurants to enjoy the fresh, local seafood, along with oyster farms you can tour and places to shop for shellfish jewelry.
Where to stay for a holiday beach getaway
A few options to check out for North Carolina beach rentals outside of Airbnb or Vrbo include:
Bluewater Real Estate & Vacation Rentals
Location: 200 Mangrove Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594
Bluewater Vacation Rentals covers 800 properties from Atlantic Beach to Emerald Isle and offers holiday specials of up to 20 percent off select weeks at some participating rentals from Nov. 20-Jan. 1.
Location: 123 Ocean Boulevard W, Holden Beach, NC 28462
Holden Beach Vacations, which was formerly Brunswickland Realty, has a variety of properties to choose from, including pet-friendly rentals, oceanfront and canal-front homes, and spaces for large groups to gather for multi-family holidays.
Location: Multiple, including Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Hattaras Island
Sun Realty, which has offices throughout the Outer Banks, represents hundreds of properties. Holiday deals are available at select properties — most of which require a seven-night stay.
Location: 275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Blockade Runner is currently undergoing renovations as it transforms to Trailborn Surf & Sound in early 2025, but it remains open for stays in the meantime. Oceanfront rooms offer stunning views, and there’s also a cottage that sleeps up to 26 people for large group gatherings. You can also reach the sound by crosswalk across from the resort..
You can bring your pet along
If you’re looking for holiday vacation spots where you can bring your dog, U.S. News & World Report’s list of 32 best dog-friendly beaches in the U.S. touts North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, particularly the Atlantic, Indian, Emerald Isle and Pine Knoll Shores beaches.
Pets are also so welcome in the Brunswick Islands — which topped another dog-friendly beaches list — that you can find special guides to dog-friendly rentals and pet-friendly restaurants there, too.
