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olorful lights. Hot cider and cookies. A floating, fire-breathing dragon.

It’s the Spirit of Christmas. Oriental celebrates with open houses, lighted displays (on and off the water), and a parade.

This year Spirit of Christmas begins Thursday, December 12, with most of the events on Friday and Saturday, December 13 & 14.

Thursday, December 12

4:30p Lighting of the Tree of Names and Lights There’s a sing-a-long as the Tree of Names and Lights is lit at Lou Mac Park. Hanging on the tree are the names of those honored and those lost. The tree remains up until New Year’s Eve.

Friday, December 13

11a – 3p Oriental’s History Museum The museum is open to learn about the history of Oriental. See the special exhibit of Native Americans of Pamlico County and visit the gift shop for Christmas shopping.

11a – 5p The Provision Company Stop in for hot chocolate and cookies. You probably deserve it. Hodges Street.

1p Luminaria are set out along the streets of Oriental and burn throughout the Spirit of Christmas.

Oriental’s History Museum 11am to 3pm – is open to learn about the history of Oriental. See our special exhibit of Native Americans of Pamlico County and visit our gift shop for Christmas shopping.

1-4p Pamlico Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) PAWS serves hot dogs, chips, and sodas in front of Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital. Courtesy of Dr. Sherri Hicks. 407 Broad Street.

2-4p Nautical Wheelers Open house with complimentary snacks and wine – a thank you to the town from the staff at Nautical Wheelers. 411 Broad Street.

4-5p First Citizens Bank The First Citizens staff serve light refreshments while the Pamlico Flutes perform traditional favorites. 409 Broad Street.

5p(ish) Lighted Kayak Parade & Star Lighting. A flotilla of lighted kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and unmotorized dinghies leave the Wildlife Ramp at 5p and paddle into Oriental Harbor. The Star of Oriental is lit at town dock #1 on Hodges Street directly after.

5:30p(ish) Light Up Oriental Contest Winners announced. Directly after the lighting of the star, stick around to find out the homes and businesses that won this year’s Light Up Oriental contest.

Dusk & the evening The Labyrinth Oriental United Methodist Church is lighting up The Labyrinth for evening walks and meditations. Walk the path with or without a written guided meditation. At Freemason St and South Ave, across from Lou Mac Park.

7:00p The Pamlico Chorale Oriental United Methodist. Join The Pamlico Chorale for a Christmas Sing-a-Long, singing favorite Christmas carols – and a visit from Santa.

Saturday, December 14

8-11a Farmer’s Market Get your holiday shopping done early with local produce, freshly baked good, jams & jellies, fresh Christmas greenery, and fine arts & crafts. Along Hodges Street in front of Garland Fulcher Seafood. 301 Hodges Street.

8a – 11a Brantley’s Village Restaurant Breakfast with Santa (and a visit with the Grinch). There’s also snow outside for the kids to play in, and kids get a goodie bag. 900 Broad Street.

9a-noon Kids’ Gingerbread House Decorating Bring your kids to decorate pre-made gingerbread houses and sugar cookies in the back room of Brantley’s Restaurant. 900 Broad Street.

10a Village Health & Fitness Jingle Run Join the 2 mile run beginning at Village Health & Fitness, and run down to Whittaker Creek Marina and back. A no registration, no pressure fun run.

10a-12noon Marsha’s Cottage Open House Radio remote on the porch. Come by and say hi to radio host Allen Vick. 204 Wall Street.

10a – noon The Bean Coffee Shop Kids enjoy cookies while creating their own signature drink at the hot chocolate bar. Add peppermints, whipped cream, crushed candy canes, graham crackers, marshmallows, and more. 304 Hodges Street.

10:30a-1p (ish) Village Hardware Get your cookies and ‘Holiday Punch’ from the men of Village Hardware. 804 Broad St across from the Post Office

11a-3p Pamlico Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) PAWS is on the porch of Oriental Town Hall serving up Hot Chili. 507 Church St.

11a -3p Nautical Wheelers Open house with complimentary snacks and cider – a thank you to the town from the staff at Nautical Wheelers. Watch the Spirit of Christmas Parade from the seats at 411 Broad Street.
The Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs will be playing music on the front porch from 11a til the parade.

Noon – 3p Oriental First Baptist Church Enjoy snacks and refreshments, and a community blessing. 605 Broad Street.

1p The Spirit of Christmas Parade Line up along Broad Street or Hodges Street to watch this year’s parade.

12noon – 2p Broad Strokes Gallery. Come by for Christmas cookies and a great view of the parade. 730 Broad Street.

2:30p Inland Waterway Provision Company Beer tasting. Shortway Brewing brings their brews to downtown Oriental. 305 Hodges Street.

2-4p Marsha’s Cottage Come visit Santa, and tell him your Christmas wishes. Maybe you will get that pony. 204 Wall Street.

2-4p Pauline Smith plays on the deck of the Tiki Bar 101 Wall Street.

2-5p Hoff’n‘Finch Holiday Sing Along and tunes you forgot happening in the beer garden at New Village Brewery. All tips will be donated to the local food pantry Fishes & Loaves. 702 Broad Street.

3:30p Live Nativity The Children’s Theater Workshop performs a Live Nativity outside Oriental United Methodist Church (weather permitting). 404 Freemason Street.

5:00p Christmas Concert Oriental First Baptist Church presents a Christmas Cantata – “Christmas All Year Long.”

Dusk & the evening The Labyrinth Oriental United Church is lighting up The Labyrinth for evening walks and meditations. Walk the path with or without a written guided meditation. At Freemason St and South Ave, across from Lou Mac Park.

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It takes a lot to organize the events for Spirit of Christmas, and much of it is done through donations – both in time and money. If you would like to make a financial donation to The Spirit of Christmas (to help pay for items like luminaria candles and the tree for the Tree of Names and Lights), you can give your donation to the Head Elf herself, Marsha Paplham, at Marsha’s Cottage, 204 Wall St. Checks can be made out to The Spirit of Christmas.

Posted Wednesday December 11, 2024 by Keith N. Smith