Celebrate the Holidays Coastal Style in Kure Beach, N.C., at the Island of Lights Festival

November 3, 2010 The holidays are right around the corner and Kure Beach, N.C., is all aglow with the sights and sounds of the season and dressed up for the monthlong Island of Lights celebration. Nestled on the southern end of Pleasure Island, Kure Beach shares some seasonal celebrations with its sister coastal town, Carolina Beach. During the holidays, the area comes alive with the Island of Lights Festival. This monthlong series includes the following featured events: Lighting at the Lake Friday, November 26 Christmas Parade Friday, December 3 Christmas Flotilla Saturday, December 4 Tour of Homes Saturday, December 11 New Year's Eve Celebration Friday, December 31 The Light up the Lake ceremony officially begins the monthlong Island of Lights Festival. Families can walk around the lake to view the beautiful lighted holiday displays. The Christmas Parade happens on land and features floats, bands and Santa Claus while the Holiday Flotilla will include fishing boats and pleasure crafts electrically decorated with thousands of lights. The procession will cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway from Snow's Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back. Many homes in Kure Beach will be featured in the Island of Lights Tour of Homes. Check out beautiful holiday decorations and enjoy Southern hospitality at its best as the homeowners welcome visitors into the privacy of their homes for self-guided tours. The Island's spotlight shines brightly at Kure Beach on New Year's Eve when it becomes the site of the Island of Lights New Year's Eve Celebration...Kure Beach Pier is the place to be for family-friendly festivities. Listen to music and at midnight, say goodbye to 2010 in coastal style with the lowering of a giant lighted beach ball followed by a dazzling display of fireworks...Leave the holiday hustle and bustle behind, enjoy some relaxing time together and stroll the peaceful beach and streets of this laid-back island community. Take advantage of bargain rates offered by accommodations from beach motels and cottages to condominiums and efficiencies...For visitors who want to fit even more into their holiday getaway, Wilmington is just a few miles away. From an old-style Christmas by the river to candlelight tours and holiday theater productions, there's something for everyone. When visitors have done it all and want to relax and enjoy some quiet time, head back to Kure Beach...From the peaceful sounds of the ocean to the stillness of the night air, this small town is one big playground for families to start a happy 2011. To learn more about Kure Beach and its holiday offerings, visit http://www.VisitKure.com/holidays . Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. ### Contact Monique Newton (843) 448-1123