Happy Friday, Wilmington. In today’s edition: Thalian Hall renovation, a holiday lights river cruise, a guided history tour, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Debate over keeping property: New Hanover County declared the former sheriff’s space at 104 Fourth Street surplus, seeking $2 million via an upset bid process to offset costs of its new $8 million facility — see what commissioners decided.

Adaptive reuse on Market Street: Studio 6 in Wilmington could become 76 apartments after October variances, with rents around $1,000 including utilities and 20 units set aside as affordable, pending rezoning in early 2026 — read the full story.

Big plans take shape: Wilmington’s Thalian Hall is advancing a $25 million renovation to nearly double its footprint with the Hippodrome 300-seat theater, a day-to-night listening room, incubation studios, and major main-stage upgrades — read the full story.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Swap and assemble puzzles at Northeast Library
• Sail past Wilmington’s sparkling holiday skyline
• Cruise the Cape Fear with Santa
• Enjoy winter break at Cape Fear Museum
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

New traffic layout debuts: Wilmington cut the ribbon on Fifth Avenue’s makeover, slimming the road to one lane each way and adding dedicated bike lanes on both sides while keeping curbside parking. Backed by $12 million in water and sewer upgrades and more for repaving, the smooth new stretch now runs from Market Street to Greenfield Street. Cyclists celebrated with a first spin. See what’s changed on Fifth.

Wilmington explores median partnerships: Wilmington rolled out a pilot letting groups, not individuals, adopt and plant city medians after the Fifth Avenue median garden dust-up. Interested churches, nonprofits, or HOAs must send a letter by Feb. 2, with decisions by March 2. Regardless, the current Fifth Ave. plantings will be removed for safety. If no group applies, the city reverts to basic maintenance. See how and when to apply.

Your bike’s pit stop: Been putting off that squeaky brake? Two Wheeler Dealer keeps Wilmington rolling with honest, any brand repairs, free professional fitting with new bikes, and a showroom full of upgrades. In the saddle since 1974, they make tune-ups painless… and your future commute legs will thank you.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🥃 Christmas Party @ The Rusty Nail | Friday (12/19) at 6:00pm – If you need a reason to dust off that Santa hat you claim you don’t own, the Rusty Nail’s annual Christmas bash is it. No cover, Mystic River onstage, and hometown cheer that pairs with well-worn barstools, good stories, and familiar faces.

🎸 The Snozzberries @ The Palm Room | Friday (12/19) at 10:00pm – Skip the doomscroll and catch The Snozzberries, a high-energy psych, prog, and deep-fried funk crew with festival cred, a Rolling Stone nod, and a rave-reviewed new album. Big kaleidoscopic jams, tight grooves, and enough cosmic swagger to make you forget your aching knees, briefly.

This weekend

⚡ PokeKon-Fest – All Pokemon Show @ Hotel Ballast Wilmington | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – Think you still remember your first Pikachu? PokeKon Fest brings games, cosplay, trading, and a sea of nostalgia to Wilmington, perfect for kids, grandkids, or your inner ten-year-old. Grab a coffee, stroll in, and pretend you are just here for the cards.

🏛️ Guided History Tour @ Airlie Gardens | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – Trade errands for a guided wander at Airlie, with stories of the gardens, the Airlie Oak, and the critters that actually run the place. It’s included with your membership, so register ahead, sign in, and bank some steps, sanity, and local lore.

🏺Sand Art Terrarium Workshop @ Art in Bloom | Saturday (12/20) at 1:00pm – Skip yard work and build a tiny escape at this three-hour sand art terrarium workshop. Design a river, ocean, or mountain scene, then top it with living plants. They bring the glass, the colored sand, and the plants, you bring steady hands and zero drama.

🎅 Santa’s Sleigh Ride on the Cape Fear River @ Wilmington Water Tours | Sunday (12/21) at 3:30pm – Trade mall chaos for a Cape Fear cruise with Wilmington Water Tours where Santa swaps reindeer for an enclosed catamaran, holiday tunes, and warm drinks. It is four days only, perfect for entertaining in-laws, wrangling kids, and scoring cute photos, all without fighting for parking.

🚢 Holiday Lights River Cruise @ Wilmington Water Tours | Sunday (12/21) at 5:30pm – Take a breather and hop aboard Wilmington Water Tours’ holiday lights cruise on the Cape Fear. Settle into the enclosed catamaran, sip a festive cocktail, nibble sweet treats, hear local musicians, and let skyline do the heavy lifting. One cozy hour, kid friendly, in-law approved.

🎭 Christmas Shows @ Bourgie Nights | Sunday (12/21) at 7:00pm – If your holiday playlist needs an upgrade, let The Jim Ferris Trio handle the carols at Bourgie Nights. It is Christmas jazz the way adults like it, cozy downtown room, proper cocktails, and zero mall-speaker energy. Dress like yourself, tap your foot, and enjoy.

Next week

🧩 Puzzle Swap @ Northeast Regional Library | Monday (12/22) at 3:00pm – Clear out that closet of half-finished 1,000-piece epics and swap them for something new-to-you at the Northeast Library. Bring puzzles, trade puzzles, then stick around to piece one together with other edge-piece purists. Cozy, screen-free, strangely satisfying.

🟦 Pop-Up Shuffleboard Tournament @ The Bend | Tuesday (12/23) at 7:00pm – Slide into some friendly competition with this fast, fun shuffleboard showdown on The Bend’s vintage 23-foot table. Sign up solo, get randomly paired, and let the chips (literally) fall where they may — no experience required, just a steady hand and a little swagger. Cold drinks, solid prizes, and serious bragging rights are all on the line.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/19 Paradise @ Dram Tree Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/19 Aaron Berg @ Dead Crow Comedy – 7 pm
• 12/20 Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol @ Wilson Center – 2 pm
• 12/20 Harvey Street and more @ Bowstring Burgers – 6 pm
• 12/20 Bacon Grease Trio @ Dram Tree Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/20 Wilmington Voices @ Music On Market – 7:30 pm
• 12/20 The Snozzberries @ The Palm Room – 10 pm
• 12/22 Open Mic Monday @ Barzarre – 7:30 pm
• 12/27 Audiomelt @ The Rusty Nail – 7 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Wilmington edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Caleb D Courtney (Keller Williams Innovate-Wilmington)

An elevated coastal perch in gated TidalWalk, this light soaked home blends easy upkeep with smart upgrades. A private elevator serves every level. New hurricane shutters stand ready. The primary bath just got a spa worthy refresh. Open kitchen to living flow, multiple decks, partial marsh vistas, and an ocean peek keep the vibe breezy.

Set on the Intracoastal Waterway across from Masonboro Island, the neighborhood stacks the perks, a saltwater pool, clubhouse, private beach, and a pier with day dock and boat slips. Golf cart friendly streets and quick hops to Carolina Beach, dining, and Wilmington favorites.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →