Carolina Beach Competes for Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town

Hallmark has put a sunny North Carolina getaway in the holiday spotlight, and Carolina Beach is now competing for the coveted title of Merriest Christmas Town. While most people are still thinking about beach days and late-summer plans, this coastal community is making a compelling case that Christmas spirit doesn’t need snow-covered streets to shine.

From a beloved nighttime parade and a marina flotilla to boardwalk lights, cocoa, crafts, and a beach-ready Santa, Carolina Beach has plenty of festive credentials. The public can vote daily through Sept. 4, after which Hallmark judges will select the ultimate winner from 25 nominated towns across the country.

Carolina Beach Is Bringing Coastal Cheer to Hallmark’s Christmas Contest

There is something undeniably charming about a Christmas destination that trades icy sidewalks for ocean breezes. Carolina Beach, located along North Carolina’s coast, has been named among Hallmark’s 25 finalists for its Merriest Christmas Town contest, placing the seaside town alongside holiday-heavy destinations from Oregon to Florida.

The recognition is a major moment for Carolina Beach, which has cultivated a seasonal identity that blends traditional small-town Christmas magic with its laid-back waterfront personality. This isn’t a town trying to imitate a mountain village or a snow globe.

Instead, it leans into the things that make it special: its historic boardwalk, marina setting, local artists, community gatherings, and a holiday celebration that feels unmistakably coastal.

A Christmas Town With Sand, Sea, and Santa

Carolina Beach has found a way to make the holiday season feel festive long before December arrives. One of its most memorable traditions is a summertime celebration at the local farmers market, where Christmas comes to the beach in July.

The event features a beach-themed Santa, vendors adding holiday decorations to their summer setups, and seasonal goods from local creators. It’s a playful twist, sure, but it fits the town.

The town’s nonprofit organization, Island of Lights, plays a central role in keeping that spirit alive. The group offers locally crafted cards and ornaments at the market, giving visitors and residents a chance to take home something personal rather than another generic holiday decoration.

It is the type of hometown touch Hallmark viewers tend to love: artistic, neighborly, and rooted in the local community.

• Christmas in July: A warm-weather holiday gathering at the farmers market with vendors, decorations, and a beachy Santa.
• Local holiday art: Cards and ornaments created by area artists through Island of Lights.
• Coastal personality: A Christmas celebration that embraces the beach instead of hiding it.

The Traditions That Could Help Carolina Beach Win

Hallmark’s eventual winner will not be determined by public votes alone. After the voting period closes, a panel of Hallmark judges will make the final decision using four major factors: community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm, and goodwill.

Carolina Beach appears to have built its nomination around all four. The town is perhaps best known during the holidays for its festive displays and community events.

Its old-fashioned boardwalk becomes part of the Christmas experience, offering a setting that feels nostalgic even without the usual wintry backdrop. Following the annual tree lighting, visitors can explore approximately three-quarters of a mile of holiday lights while taking in caroling, cocoa, Santa visits, and plenty of seasonal cheer.

The Parade Has Been a Carolina Beach Tradition for 35 Years

A centerpiece of the town’s holiday season is its nighttime Christmas parade, a tradition created by Island of Lights roughly 35 years ago. Night parades have a special kind of magic, especially in a waterfront town where glowing floats, decorated streets, and an excited crowd can transform an ordinary evening into a full holiday spectacle.

Island of Lights does far more than organize one parade. The nonprofit also supports the community’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display and hosts a flotilla at the local marina.

Decorated boats take to the water, offering an alternative to the familiar land-based Christmas parade and giving Carolina Beach one of its most distinct holiday traditions. A waterfront flotilla filled with decorated boats delivers a festive visual that belongs specifically to Carolina Beach.

What Happens During Christmas by the Sea

For anyone who wants the full Carolina Beach experience during the holidays, the town’s Christmas by the Sea celebration is a major draw. Held every Saturday during the Christmas season, the event turns the beach community into a recurring seasonal destination rather than a place that only celebrates on one big night.

The weekly setup offers something for families, visitors, and locals who simply want a relaxed evening of holiday fun. Santa makes appearances, children can take part in face painting, and the Island Arts Council sponsors crafts.

There is also a fire pit with s’mores, a detail that gives the celebration a cozy campfire mood even in a coastal setting. It’s an unexpected pairing, perhaps, but that’s part of the appeal.

Why Hallmark Judges May Love This Holiday Formula

Hallmark’s holiday brand is built on picturesque towns, close-knit communities, and traditions that bring people together. Carolina Beach has a strong argument because its celebrations don’t appear to be centered on one massive commercial event.

Instead, they involve local artists, volunteers, nonprofit organizers, seasonal markets, family activities, and traditions that return year after year. That combination could be especially valuable when judges consider goodwill and community spirit.

From supporting handmade local goods to organizing fireworks, a parade, boat events, and weekly Christmas activities, the town has created a seasonal program with room for many different people to participate.

• Community spirit: Local organizations and artists are woven into the holiday programming.
• Holiday traditions: The nighttime parade and marina flotilla give the town long-running festive appeal.
• Neighborhood charm: Boardwalk lights, caroling, cocoa, and a tree lighting make for a classic holiday atmosphere.
• Goodwill: The celebrations are designed as accessible community events for families and visitors.

How to Vote for Carolina Beach Before the Deadline

Fans who want to help Carolina Beach in the competition can cast a vote at the Hallmark Merriest Christmas Town contest website. Voting opened Aug. 14 and remains available until 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 4.

Eligible voters must be at least 18 years old and live in the United States or its territories. There is one particularly important detail for supporters: voters can make one selection per day.

That means Carolina Beach supporters can return throughout the voting window rather than casting only a single vote for the entire contest.

Carolina Beach Faces 24 Other Festive Finalists

The North Carolina town is competing against nominees in 24 other states, including well-known seasonal destinations such as Leavenworth, Washington; Cape May, New Jersey; Eureka Springs, Arkansas; and Winter Garden, Florida.

Other contenders include Ashland, Oregon; Bemidji, Minnesota; Berlin, Maryland; Boerne, Texas; Conway, South Carolina; Cullman, Alabama; Lewisburg, West Virginia; North Conway, New Hampshire; and Versailles, Kentucky.

It’s a crowded field, with plenty of communities that have strong holiday reputations. Carolina Beach, though, has a differentiator that’s difficult to duplicate.

Its celebrations feature Christmas lights reflected on the water, boats dressed for the season, a beloved boardwalk, and a holiday spirit that starts well before winter.

If Hallmark is looking for a town that proves Christmas can be just as merry by the sea, Carolina Beach may have the perfect pitch. The final result will be up to Hallmark’s judges, but with daily voting still open, this coastal contender has a chance to turn its beach-town charm into a national holiday victory.