WILMINGTON WINTER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
A Holiday of Lights on Scotts Hill — Poplar Grove’s Merry & Bright Celebration
An evening-long holiday event at Poplar Grove Plantation featuring light displays, visits with Santa, live music, carnival games and food trucks; this guide lays out what to expect and how to plan.
A Holiday of Lights on Scotts Hill — Poplar Grove’s Merry & Bright Celebration.
On Scotts Hill, Poplar Grove Plantation becomes an intimate, themed holiday celebration—an illuminated evening of family-friendly programming that runs through the holiday season and gathers food, music and carnival-style attractions around a historic manor house.
Route Schematic
Event Route & Key Stops
A looped evening experience with multiple activity zones—lights and photo spots, entertainment tents, concessions and themed activations—centered at Poplar Grove.
Main Light Display & Photo Opportunities
Scattered throughout the grounds, the light installations and decorated manor house provide the primary visual draws and plentiful photo moments.
Santa’s Visit Station
Visits with Santa are scheduled nightly between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m.; guests can plan an evening stop to meet Santa during that window.
Entertainment & Games Zone
Live music in the Holiday Hootenanny tent, carnival games, Mr. Twister’s balloon creations and holiday movie showings provide intermittent entertainment throughout the evening.
Concessions, Fire Pits & Gift Show
Food trucks and concessions serve the site while outdoor fire pits offer marshmallow roasting; a juried gift show and themed vendors are also on site.
The event takes place at Poplar Grove Plantation and runs on scheduled evenings; tickets are good for the entire evening, and family pricing and age-specific admissions apply.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Enchanted Evening Light Display
A spectacularly lit evening transforms Poplar Grove into a seasonal landscape of lights and photo opportunities that anchor the event’s festive atmosphere.
Santa, Live Music and Carnival Fun
Each night features visits with Santa, a Holiday Hootenanny live music tent, carnival games and family entertainment such as Mr. Twister’s balloon creations and holiday movie favorites.
Food Trucks, Fire Pits and Themed Attractions
On-site food trucks and concessions, outdoor fire pits for marshmallow roasting, a juried gift show, the Spirit of ’76 Tavern and themed features like the Grinch’s Junk Shop round out the evening.
What the day feels like
What the Evening Feels Like
As dusk falls on Scotts Hill, Poplar Grove stages an evening of curated holiday moments: wander lit pathways, stop for visits with Santa between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m., listen to live sets in the music tent, play carnival games and gather around fire pits while food trucks serve dinner. The event is designed to be experienced across the full evening—tickets are valid for the entire 5–9 p.m. window.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this celebration suits—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Event dates run in the holiday season: nightly programming runs from late November through December, with hours typically 5:00–9:00 p.m.; the schedule includes weekend spans and a final multi-day weekend run in mid–late December.
Pre-sale tickets offer a 10% discount through November 1st; standard pricing lists All Ages Tickets at $10, children 2 and under are free, and a Family Pass is $35 for 2 adults and 2 children ages 2–11. Tickets are good for the entire evening.
Food trucks and concessions, a juried gift show, fire pits for marshmallow roasting, the Spirit of ’76 Tavern and themed activations such as the Grinch’s Junk Shop and Mr. Twister’s balloon creations are available on site.
Event and programming are centered at Poplar Grove Plantation on Scotts Hill.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When does the Merry & Bright event run each evening?
Programming runs in the evening, with visits with Santa and event activities between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. on scheduled dates.
Where does the event take place?
The celebration is held at Poplar Grove Plantation on Scotts Hill.
Are there ticket discounts or family pricing?
Pre-sale tickets are available at a 10% discount through November 1st; All Ages Tickets are $10, children 2 and under are free, and a Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children ages 2–11) is $35.
What kinds of activities and amenities are on site?
The event includes an illuminated light display, visits with Santa, live music, carnival games, food trucks and concessions, outdoor fire pits for marshmallow roasting, a juried gift show and themed attractions like the Spirit of ’76 Tavern and the Grinch’s Junk Shop.
How long are tickets valid during the evening?
Tickets are good for the entire evening.
On which dates does the event operate?
The event runs on scheduled dates across late November into December, including multiple weekend spans and a final multi-day weekend run through mid–late December.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-10T12:13:45.376Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.