
Christmas is always an exciting time in Downtown New Bern, this year is going to be even better!
The 2008 Christmas Committee of the Downtown Council of the Chamber of Commerce has put together a great schedule of events to make this Christmas really special. In addition to our events there are a lot of other things going on in Downtown New Bern during the season. We'll keep you posted right here!
Ongoing events throughout the season November 28-Christmas
Our whole season will be called "A Dickens of a Christmas".
The story of A Christmas Carol will be told on 20 6' Story Boards in windows throughout the Business District. Unveiling Friday Nov 28.

Friday Night Illuminations - Luminaries throughout the Downtown Nov 28, Dec 5, Dec 12, Dec 19 5-8 pm .
Centuries of Celebrations at Tryon Palace with the houses being decorated in different periods, and very special tours throughout the season, read more.
Sculpture show at the Craven Arts Council.
Meadows Inn Dickens of a Christmas Holiday Package.
Calendar
Thurs, Fri, Sat
November 13-15
6:30-11 pm Mystery in the Manor, Dinner Theatre and Silent Auction. For more information click Mystery in the Manor, Dinner Theater and Silent Auction.
Saturday, November 15
3-5 pm Book Signing for our “Elf On the Shelf”, Branchs Furniture, 309 Pollock Street Read More
10-3 pm Festival of Trees Open House at the Foy Munger House, 516 Middle St. Beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and garlands available.
Saturday November 22
4 pm Christmas Tree Ship arrives at the Galley Stores on East Front Street with Christmas Trees for sale, benefits Coastal Classroom, live Fraser firs from North Carolina. To order in advance call Ben Bunn 633-3140 or Carolina Coastal Classroom 633-8246. Fore more info click here.
Friday November 28
Open Houses at Downtown Shops - What shops have an open house?
5-8 pm Friday Night Illumination - Fezziwigs Party Downtown Evening Enjoy shopping and strolling in our beautiful Downtown. Enjoy the decorated windows, the luminaries on the streets, stop in the shops for refreshments. (who is Fezziwig??? Click here to find out)
5-8 pm Bear Essentials hosts a Victorian Tea Tasting Party 309 Middle St
Accidental Artist on Craven Street Two-for-one studio fee all day and lots of holiday items to paint. Refreshments served throughout the holiday season! 
5:30 & 7 pm A Dickens of a Christmas Trolley Tours reservations required $10 Click here for more info
Carriage Rides
Unveiling of the story “A Christmas Carol” in Downtown Shop Windows.
10-5 pm Santa House, Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS in Bear Plaza
Opening of Christmas shop at the Craven Art Council
Unveiling of “original tree” and the annual Hand Crafted Ornament and Nativity Show at Carolina Creations
11-8 pm The Galley Stores has an open house with refrshments and samples, gift bags available for early shopping. Get your tree from Ada Mae at Galley docks.
Saturday, November 29
10-5 pm Dickens Open House in 15 Downtown Shops designated downtown shops
For the month of December The Next Chapter Bookstore will show Ben Watford’s pottery and Cindy Ridlon’s art daily.
Carolina Creations hosts a Nativity and hand crafted ornament show.
December 2008
6 pm Community Caroling on Pollock st sponsored by Christ Church Join our downtown family in celebrating the season by attending this free event. Takes place outdoors. Come and join us!
Friday December 5
4-8 pm Santa in Bear Plaza, Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS during Santa hours
4-8 pm Galley Stores offers sampling for the big kid and the little kid.
5-8 pm Dickens of A Christmas Downtown Illumination Event The Ghost of Christmas Present(s) an evening for the family.
5-8 pm Bear Essentials hosts Live Entertainment at 309 Middle St
5-8 pm free gift wrapping at AG Salem & Associates, 210 Craven Street, also serving wassail and cookies.
5-9 pm Accidental Artist, Two-for-one studio fee.5:30 & 7 pm Dickens of a Christmas Trolley Tours reservations required $10 Click here for more info
6 pm Sheraton Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree, entertainment and refreshments
6 pm Voci Allegre presents its free holiday concert at the First Baptist Church, 239 Middle Street, New Bern.
8 pm Scrooge at New Bern Civic Theatre
Saturday, December 6
9 am check in at Nauti Paws Santa Paws Photos with Santa at Santa House in Bear Plaza More Info
9 am Christ Church Cookie Walk
9 & 10 am Breakfast with Santa CRMC Foundation Sheraton
10-5 Santa House, Toys for Tots, Food Drive RCS
11:30 & 12:30 Lunch with Santa CRMC Foundation Sheraton
2 pm & 8 pm Holiday Pops Concert NC Symphony
4 pm Jaycees Christmas Parade - for more information go to the Jaycees website. Click here.
view the guidelines and entry form
5:30 pm Marine Corps Band Union Point (New Bern Rec)
6 pm Coastal Christmas Flotilla
7 pm Jarman Opry Theatre
8 pm Scrooge - New Bern Civic Theatre
Sunday, December 7
Santa’s House, 12-4 pm, Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
2-5 pm Historic Bed and Breakfast Open House for more information click here.
Shops Open on Sunday click here to see who's open
2 pm Scrooge - New Bern Civic Theatre
5 PM Abendmusik at Christ Church - Advent Lessons and Carols
Friday, December 12
5-8 pm Dickens Downtown Illumination Event - Tiny Tim’s Christmas -
A Childrens Night to shop - Many shops offer free gift wrapping, shopping section for kids items $15 or less, and other specials.
Bear Essentials hosts a children's Christmas card and tag making party 3-7 pm at 309 Middle St
Accidental Artist Bring the kids for our evening version of our “Santa’s Workshop” $15.00 for kids (12 and under) includes studio fee, several projects to choose from and refreshments. Two–for-one-studio fee for those 12-Adult!
6 pm Downtown Residents will stroll and Carol on Downtown Streets
4-8 pm Santa in his House in Bear Plaza
3-8 pm At the Galley Stores special kids treats, gift ideas for mom and dad, free hot chocolate-kids under 12-with a purchase of $5.00.
8 pm The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Down East Dance with special guests Paige Whitley-Bauguess New Bern Dancing Assembly 8pm at New Bern Civic Theatre. For more info click here.
Saturday December 13 -
10-5 pm Santa in his house in Bear Plaza, Toys for Tots and Food Drive for RCS.
12-5 pm Holly & Ivy Home Tour for more information click here.5-9 pm Tryon Palace Christmas Candlelight Tour
8pm The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Down East Dance with special guests Paige Whitley-Bauguess New Bern Dancing Assembly at New Bern Civic Theatre For more info click here
Sunday December 14 -
12-4 Santa’s in his house in Bear Plaza Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
Selected Shops Open on Sunday Who's open?
2:30 & 6 pm “A Dickens Christmas” by Howard Burnham New Bern Regional Library, Johnson Street, library auditorium. Click here to read more.
2 pm The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Down East Dance with special guests Paige Whitley-Bauguess New Bern Dancing Assembly 8pm at New Bern Civic Theatre. for more information click here.
Monday, December 15
3 pm open rehearsal and 7:30 pm performance the Messiah at Centenary United Methodist Church. For more information click here.
Friday, December 19
4-8 pm Santa’s in his house Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
Dickens Downtown Illumination Event Ebenezer Goes Shopping - Downtown Promotion A shopping night for Men!
Accidental Artist We will continue a Dickens Theme with this night dedicated to the men. We will have our dedicated staff ready, willing and able to help the guy’s with their last minute gifts! (Of course ladies and kids and welcome too!) Two-for-one studio fee!
5-8 pm Bear Essentials serves hot toddies and provides complimentary gift wrapping 309 Middle St
5:30 & 7 pm Illumination Trolley Tours reservations required $10 Click here for more info
5-8 pm Galley Stores wine tasting, party sampling, gifts for the hard-to-please including gift certificates, wine and accessories
December 20 Saturday
9:30 am Paws on Parade - Pet Parade gather at Nauti Paws
10-5 Santa’s in his house Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
5-9 pm Tryon Palace Christmas Candlelight Tour
December 21 Sunday
12-4 pm Santa’s in his house Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
Selected Shops Open on Sunday Who's open?
December 22
12-4 pm Santa’s in his house Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
7:30-8:30 Centenary United Methodist Church Living Nativity
December 23
12-4 pm Santa’s in his house Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
7:30-8:30 Centenary United Methodist Church Living Nativity
December 24
10-2 Santa’s in his house Toys for Tots & food drive for RCS
7:30-8:30 Centenary United Methodist Church Living Nativity
Sponsors
$500
Morgan's Tavern & Grill - 235 Craven St www.morganstavernnewbern.com
$250
Carolina Creations - 317 Pollock St http://www.carolinacreations.com/
Mitchell Hardware - 215 Craven St. , http://www.mitchellhardwareonline.com/
Four C's, - 252 Middle St
MJ's Raw Bar - 216 Middle Street http://www.mjsrawbar.com/
Port City Java - 323 Middle Street http://www.portcityjava.com/
The Pepsi Store - 256 Middle St http://www.pepsistore.com/
The Aerie B&B - http://www.aeriebedandbreakfast.com/
The Chelsea Restaurant - 335 Middle Street - http://www.thechelsea.com/
Branch's - 309 Pollock St http://www.branchs.net/
Tryon Palace - Pollock St. http://www.tryonpalace.org/
New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce - http://www.newbernchamber.com/
Craven County Convention and Visitors Bureau - http://www.visitnewbern.com/
Sheraton New Bern Hotel & Marina - 100 Middle St Sheraton website
One World Shoppe - 236 Middle St, http://www.oneworldshoppe.com/
Rob Overman Raymond James Financial Services - 256 Middle St http://www.raymondjames.com/
Historic District Residents Association
Craven Arts Council and Gallery http://www.cravenarts.org/
Middle Street Landing, 225 Middle St
$125 Card Sponsors
New Bern Historical Society www.newbernhistorical.org
Bear Essentials - 309 Middle St
Captain Ratty's http://www.captainrattys.com/
Swiss Bear Downtown Redevelopment Assn - http://www.downtownnewbern.com/
The Accidental Artist - 220 Craven Street http://www.theaccidentalartistnc.com/ Read Accidental Artist Holiday Schedule
Nauti Paws Boutique & Bakery - 236 Middle St
Juliette's Boutique - 230 Middle St.
Cow Cafe - 319 Middle St.
Bern Bear Gifts - 301 Pollock St.$50 Sponsors
Lisa Edwards Tony Salem CPA - 210 Craven St.
BoatHouse - 220 Middle St.
Framing Fox - 217 Middle St. http://www.framingfox.com/
Accu Copy - 1505 Glenburnie www.accucopy.com/
$50 Sponsor
Bear City Fudge - 244 Craven St www.bearcityfudge.com
January 4 and throughout the month
A Dickens of a Sale in select shops, Downtown New Bern
For more information on an event scroll down previous posts and follow the link.
