home

C

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 11, with most of the events on Friday and Saturday, December 12 & 13.

Thursday, December 11

5p Lighting of the Tree of Names and Lights 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. This year’s donations go to the Oriental History Museum. The Pamlico Chorale, accompanied by the UHOOs, is singing carols and Parks & Rec is doing a Cookie Exchange: bring a dozen cookies to get a dozen cookies. The homes and businesses that won this year’s Light Up Oriental contest will also be announced.

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.

Friday, December 12

11a – 3p Oriental’s History Museum Stop by the Oriental History Museum and see the toys and decorations of Christmas Past.

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

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.

4-5p The Wichrowski Family Stop by and say hello to the Wichrowski family at 408 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.

Stick around to hear the winners of the homes and businesses that won this year’s Light Up Oriental contest will also be announced.

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.

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.

Saturday, December 13

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-10:30a 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. All registration donations go to Hope Clinic.

10a – noon Marsha’s Cottage Open House Radio remote on the porch. Come by at 11a to have a visit with Santa. 204 Wall Street.

10a – 1p Oriental’s History Museum Stop by the Oriental History Museum and see the toys and decorations of Christmas Past.

11a – noon The Bean Coffee Shop Come decorate cupcakes and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. 304 Hodges Street.

Oasis Therapeutic Massage Enjoy refreshments on the porch at 502 Main Street.

10:30a-1p (ish) Village Hardware Get your cookies from the men of Village Hardware. They’re debuting their ‘new coffee’, too. 804 Broad St across from the Post Office.

10a-2p Pamlico Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) PAWS is serving up Hot Chili in front of Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital. Courtesy of Dr. Sherri Hicks. 407 Broad Street.

11:30a -3p Nautical Wheelers Watch the Spirit of Christmas Parade from the polywood seats at 411 Broad Street. Visit with local artist Patty of Pierce Creek Art, local beekeeper Alan with AtEase Honey, local author Liza Wieland, and find out more about the mission of PrimeTime in and around the community.

Noon – 2p Grace Fellowship Academy Enjoy a Christmas craft and bake sale at Oriental First Baptist Church. 605 Broad Street.

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

2p Broad Strokes Gallery Come by for Christmas cookies and a great view of the parade. At 2p, decorate your own wine glass. 730 Broad Street.

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

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.

---

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 Tuesday December 9, 2025 by Allison DeWeese