Cargo District Winter Festival 2024

The Cargo District Winter Fest (Dec 15, 12pm-8pm)

Come enjoy a family-friendly winter festival in The Cargo District of Wilmington, NC! More than 20+ local businesses will be joining in the fun—we'll have shop sales, scavenger hunts, flash tattoos, crafts, food and drink specials, and more! For more information day-of, stop by any of our festival information booths at DesignWorx, The Courtyard, and Hello Love. Read on for a list of some of the things we have in store for this unforgettable weekend:

Neighborhood Specials & Activities

- Cargo West -

Cargo District Scavenger Hunt (12pm-4pm): find cool spots around the district for a chance to win gift cards! See details below.
Winter Specials @ Blue Cup Roastery (6am-6pm): Chocolate Caramel Pretzel, Peppermint Mocha, Baklava Latte, Cranberry Orange Ginger Matcha, and more!
Hello, Love Pop-Up (12pm-4pm): in-store sales, Hold Fast Oyster Company pop-up, hello thrift items, 20+ local vendors: Peach Honey Clayworks, Happy Soap Girl, Chainstitch Ghoul, Elevated Wicks, Last Looks Costumes, Sartor Designs, Molly Mac Works, Alyson Layman, True Blue Butcher and Baker, Hold Fast Oyster Co., Goddess Dry Goods, Ambers Attick, Sea Creature Supplies & Rare Goods, With Love From Llivia, Nautical Exposure, Tiny Bones Creations, Sugar Witch Mud Magic, Queen Esther Teas, Heather Hughes Illustrations
Fairy Hair @ The Beauty Box (12pm-4pm): grab some glittery strands to truly shine under the festive lights downtown
$5 Bloody Marys and $4 Mimosas @ Alcove Beer Garden (11am-9pm)
Food Specials @ Beat Street (10am-8pm)
S’mores Trays & Stuffed Cookies @ Mallowdoos (12pm-8pm)

- DesignWorx -

Live Music @ DesignWorx (1pm-3pm): explore container shops, find art studios, and discover records while listening to Caroline Lemley perform!
Kitten Benefit & Pottery Painting with All4Cats Rescue @ Bookworm Pottery (12pm-4pm): paint little cat dishes to raise money for cat rescue efforts in our area (**there are also sculpting classes on Saturday, 12/14**)
"Home Alone" Movie Night & Paint Your Own Ornament (5:30pm): bring the family by to watch "Home Alone" (BYO snacks) - we'll also have optional $5 ceramic ornaments you can paint if you want to craft while watching!
Burning Pages Bookstore (12pm-4pm): snag exclusive coupons and romantasy book merch before their official grand opening in January!
"Parent & Me" Snowflake & Reindeer Painting Class @ The Craft Cabana (1pm): kids can paint reindeer signs while adults paint snowflake door hangers in this fun, family-friendly activity
Permanent Jewelry & Hat Bar @ Tiny Weld (12pm-5pm): Buy 1 permanent bracelet, get 1 %50 OFF! Customize your own trucker hat, grab a permanent chain with your bestie, and peruse fun merchandise
Bouquet Bar @ The Busy Bloom Co (12pm-5pm): make your own bouquet and ornaments while shopping floral goodies
Winter Coffee Specials @ Folkstone Slow Bar (8am-2pm)
Visiting Vendors (12pm-4pm): pottery students from Bookworm Pottery & Co.

- Cargo Central -

Christmas Flash Tattoos @ Queen Street Tattoo (11am-7pm): festive pre-drawn tattoos from in-house artists
Taste of Vietnam @ End of Days Distillery (12pm-6pm): Enjoy a unique culinary experience at the Concept Kitchen with a popup from Shoyu & Cheese. EOD is highlighting Bloody Marys & French Blooms⁣, and will be open for Bottle Sales from 12pm-6pm⁣
Sidewalk Plant Sale @ The Plant Outpost (11am-4pm): grab a plant on sale and peruse their rare plant collection
Free Movie in The Courtyard - "Elf" (5pm): craft, shop, drink, and eat while watching "Elf" (just bring a lawn chair / blanket)
10% off Storewide Sale & Extended Hours @ Auggie & Zo. (12pm-8pm)
Exclusive Discounts @ Moon Me Wax Studio (12pm-2pm): Enjoy 15% off all wax appointments booked during Winter Fest!
15% off Storewide Sale @ Vintage Cellar (12pm-5pm)
15% off Storewide Sale & Vintage Christmas Card Making @ Threads by Sydney (11am-5pm): find your next favorite vintage sweater or trinket while creating unique Christmas cards out of old prints
Mystery Crystal Bags & Nature-Inspired Ornament Making @ The Crafted Outpost (12pm-4pm): enjoy a mystery crystal bag when spending $50 or more
Grilled Cheese Special @ Cheesesmith (11am-9pm): Korean fried chicken tossed in bulgogi sauce with American cheese & slaw
Live Music & Food Truck @ Fermental (both Saturday & Sunday!):

December 14th: "Adventures In Lagerland" - a cold fermented quest of crispy carbonation featuring a full day tap takeover from some of the world's top lager producers (11am-11pm). Food Truck: KT's BBQ. Live Music: Jay Killman Jazz Trio (7pm)
December 15th: Mulled Mead + Winter Beer features all day + Winter Jazz Jam [bring your instruments!] (6pm). Holiday Cookie + Wine Pairing (2pm-5pm) - This free tasting event pairs traditional holiday treats with wines that complement the character of each confectionery selection.

Winter Wood-Fired Specials & Soft Serve @ Salita Pizza (11am-8:30pm)
Pup Photos @ The Photo District NC (1pm-4pm): get some cute winter photos taken of your furry friends!
Salsa Sunday & $10 Painkillers @ The Starling Bar (2pm-8pm)

- Cargo East -

Winter Fest Katsu Special @ Bahn Sai (11am-8pm)
Exclusive Sale @ Shine On Massage (11am-7pm): $10 off Detox Den Sauna and Cold Plunge
DivaDance Port City Popup in Cargo West (12pm-4pm): Enter to win a private party giveaway and snag 50% off their New Client Special (an Unlimited 2-Week Trial). Promo is only good for new clients and in-person sign up at Winter Fest. Giveaway winner will be drawn after Winter Fest.
Wreath Making & More @ Garden Shop on Moss (12pm-4pm): fresh wreath making bar, ornament decorating, 15% off all seasonal bulb gifts, and BOGO outdoor perennials/shrubs

Scavenger Hunt Details

Our annual Scavenger Hunt is back and better than ever! During the Winter Festival, you can use clues to hunt for prizes from various local businesses. Glimpses of locations will be posted on the Instagram page of @cargodistrictfestivals starting at 12pm on December 15. There will be over 20 prizes to find, including a FREE hand-building pottery class ($55 value)! Once you find a prize card, take it to the location listed on it to claim your surprise prize.