EDENTON — The historic waterfront town of Edenton welcomed the holiday season in spectacular fashion on Saturday, December 7, as residents and visitors gathered downtown for Main Street Edenton’s and Visit Edenton’s Kick Off to Christmas Celebration.

Despite the chilly evening air, hundreds of attendees filled the streets of downtown Edenton for an evening of festive cheer, children’s performances, and a boat parade along the waterfront.

Several downtown businesses stayed open later than usual Saturday, allowing visitors to take a break from the chilly weather.

Two bouncy houses and several food trucks and vendors were set up at waterfront park.

After the ceremony, hundreds of children and their parents visited a tent to see Santa on Sunfish Park. Near the entrance, families could by hot cocoa and adult beverages while waiting to take a photo with the jolly man from the North Pole. A nearby outdoor fireplace offered some heat while people waited for a chance to take a photo with Santa.

Young Voices Ring Out

The evening’s entertainment featured heartwarming performances from local elementary school students who brought classic holiday songs to life. Students from White Oak Elementary School opened the program with spirited renditions of “Christmas Bells Are Ringing,” complete with jingling bells that echoed through the historic district.

Students from D.F. Walker Elementary followed with a charming performance of “Pat-a-Pat-a-Pan,” the traditional French carol that tells the story of shepherds visiting the newborn Christ child. The young performers encouraged the crowd to imagine Willie with his drum and Robin with his flute as they sang about playing “a joyous tune today on this joyous holiday.”

The musical celebration reached its crescendo when both schools combined for a rousing rendition of “Deck the Halls,” with the crowd joining in on the familiar “fa la la la la” refrains that have echoed through Christmas celebrations for generations.

Crowd Helps Light the Tree

Following the performances, Mayor Hack High joined Turner to illuminate the town’s Christmas tree, officially marking the beginning of Edenton’s holiday season.

High encouraged the crowd to shop at local small businesses. For every dollar spent at a small business in the United States, approximately 67 cents stay in the local community.

During the 2024 ceremony, the mechanism High used to light the tree didn’t work. He said he talked with Santa who told him the children didn’t countdown loud enough for the tree to light.

This time around, children of all ages used their loudest voices to count down from five with High to light the Christmas tree.

Then, sirens from Edenton Police and Fire Department vehicles grew louder and louder as they escorted Santa down Broad Street. Santa was accompanied by members of the John A. Holmes High School football and cheerleading teams.

The lighting was followed by the evening’s most anticipated attraction: photos with Santa Claus himself, who made his annual appearance to hear Christmas wishes from excited children.

Due to the weather, Santa took pictures with several hundred children from throughout the region in a heated tent at Sunfish Park, near the Herringbone restaurant.

While families waited in line, they could purchase hot cocoa or adult beverages and sit in the heated tent.

Flotilla Brings Magic to the Water

Around 6:15 p.m., the celebration moved to Edenton’s picturesque waterfront for the annual Christmas Flotilla. The Chowan County Sheriff’s Office Regulator led the procession of boats adorned with twinkling lights and holiday decorations. They cruised along the calm water, creating a magical display that reflected off Edenton Bay. Spectators lined the lighthouse porch and breakwater, waving to the festively decorated vessels as they passed by, adding a uniquely coastal touch to the town’s Christmas traditions.

The flotilla included several inflatables, including a boat filled with festively decorated chickens, a snowman, and reindeer and Santa.

The flotilla has become a beloved tradition in this historic port town, where Edenton’s maritime heritage meets holiday spirit in a display that can only be experienced in waterfront communities.
As the evening concluded with the glow of the newly lit Christmas tree reflecting off the surrounding buildings, Edenton’s 2025 holiday season was off to a sparkling start.

The holiday season continues at 10 a.m. Dec. 13 when the Christmas Parade, hosted by Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce, will be held. The parade route will begin on Broad Street near Coke Avenue, and travel south toward the beautiful Waterfront, concluding at Water Street.

Please note:

• All sections of Broad Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during the parade.
• Expect increased pedestrian traffic before and after the event — please drive with extra caution and plan alternate routes.

For more Christmas-related activities, please visit The Albemarle Observer’s events page.