It’s easy to associate the Outer Banks with summer time fun — we all love a good long day at the beach. But as a lifelong, year-round OBX native, I’ve found so much to love in the off-season too, especially around the holidays.

With December flying by, I wanted to share my list of the top three not-to-be-missed holiday festivities.

1. Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tour

Dec 12 & 19 — My love for Outer Banks real estate collides with my zeal for the holidays at the Whalehead's Candlelight tour. One of the most storied estates in the areas, the 21,000-square-foot mansion was constructed as a wedding gift from groom to bride. Original Tiffany’s fixtures & a restored Steinway piano are just a couple named luxuries. Add a little Christmas sparkle, and it’s a truly unbeatable holiday event. Only two dates have remaining tickets, so act fast.

2. Winter lights at the elizabethan gardens

December 9-12, 16-19, 23, 26, 30 — Get tickets for this illuminated winter wonderland, and one visit will provide a heavy dose of Christmas cheer to sustain you through the busiest holiday shopping and preparation days. Stroll through the glowing gardens then warm your hands by a crackling open-air fire on the Great Lawn. It’s a perfect holiday tradition!

3. Poulos family christmas lights

12 weeks of preparation
$3,500 in monthly energy bills
Unlimited fun!

Now - Dec 31 — For us, it’s a family event — kids, grandkids, and large mug of hot cocoa. Featured on the Today Show and HGTV, the endless lights create a true wonderland, but for me, it’s all in the details — animal figurines making their way to Noah’s arc two-by-two, a garage remade into Santa’s Workshop, and a living room filled to the brim with collectible Santa’s. After a decade of visits, I still notice something new each year!

What are your favorite OBX-mas traditions? Leave a comment and Like us on Facebook!

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