2023 Annual Holiday Celebration & Grand Illumination

Elizabeth City’s 2023 Annual Holiday Celebration & Grand Illumination is an old-fashioned, small town celebration that pairs with our merry musical Hot Cocoa Capital Kickoff on Friday, November 24, from 6pm – 8pm. Sip hand-made hot cocoa served by Sweet Iris Mobile and watch Meraki Academy of Dance holiday numbers, local voices including talent from ECPPS Jazz Band, Christmas Carols, and more!

First Friday ArtWalk & Lighted Boat Parade

A special holiday edition of the community’s First Friday ArtWalk on December 1, from 4pm – 7pm will feature downtown shops, local artists, live music, followed at 7pm by the award-winning Lighted Boat Parade — an annual tradition featuring brightly-lit skiffs, sailboats and pontoon boats with twinkling lights circling the harbor to the sound of carols!

SantaCon

Roam the streets in your favorite red suit and matching hat for ECity’s first ever SantaCon — because we all know the best Santas come in all shapes and sizes! Saturday, December 2 from 1pm – 5pm.

Elizabeth City Bed & Breakfast Holiday Open House

Enjoy hot cocoa and treats while touring the community’s historic B&Bs during the Elizabeth City Bed & Breakfast Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 2 from 2pm – 5pm. Head downtown for the Annual Christmas Parade!

Annual Christmas Parade

This year’s Annual Christmas Parade — themed “Hometown Christmas: Past, Present Future” — is on Saturday, December 2 at 5:30pm. To help you stay cozy, First United Methodist Church will serve hot cocoa at the par

The Philemon House 

Reserve your spot today for The Philemon's Chocolate Lover's Farmhouse Breakfast, Chocolate Lover's Tea, and/or their Chocoholic Dessert Drop In! 

Turn your cocoa obsession into a whole series! The Philemon House Bed & Breakfast offers 3 different coco-tastic, delectable experiences throughout the Hot Cocoa Crawl! From Assorted Chocolate Teas, to Biscuits with Chocolate Gravy, The Philemon House is letting the chocolate do the talking!

Reservations: 252-489-7214

Port Discover

Those who visit Port Discover on Friday, December 8 from 11 am – 12 pm will have the opportunity to concoct “Hot Cocoa Slime Dough!” Also, throughout the Hot Cocoa Crawl season, young scientists can also build “Marshmallow Catapults”.

Main Street Tea House

Join Main Street Tea House for “Judy the Elf’s Hot Cocoa and Cookie Decorating” followed by a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and a visit from Santa. Cost per child is $5 plus a donation of bag of disposable diapers or canned or bagged pet food. All donations will be taken to local charities serving the Elizabeth City Community.

Maximum attendance of 20 children (one adult must attend). December 16 with two start times of 6pm and 7:30pm

The Pepperberry Inn

Book your stay at The Pepperberry Inn and enjoy a complimentary Hot Cocoa Bar. If that’s not sweet enough, order room service with hot chocolate and cookies!

Hampton Inn Elizabeth City

Throughout the season, Hampton Inn Elizabeth City guests enjoy Hot Cocoa Social on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, with a build-your-own hot cocoa bar and photo-op of a winter scene featuring a sign reading, “Welcome to the Hot Cocoa Capital of the World!” for instagrammable pictures from your stay!!