Christmas in New Bern

Beary Merry Christmas is a month long event held in Downtown New Bern. Our downtown area is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland with a number of exciting events planned to enhance your holiday experience. Our signature event “Light Up the Season & Santa's Arrival” kicks off the festivities the day after Thanksgiving with games, crafts, live entertainment and SNOW!

Santa’s holiday home in Bear Plaza is typically open Friday through Sunday during the Christmas season allowing children to visit with Santa and have a photo.  Dates and times subject to change.

BMC Kickoff 202023

Please read through information below regarding the 2023 Santa Experience.  Click here for reservations.

  1. Please arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to your arrival time.
  2. Join the waiting area.  There may be a short wait as you booked an “arrival” time and not a specific “appointment” time.
  3. Interacting with Santa is typically 3-5 minutes long depending on the age, size of group, and/or how the visit is going.  Sometimes longer, sometimes less.
  4. After your In-person visit, view the photos of your Santa visit with the assistance of a Santa helper. 
  5. Finalize your purchases and please let us know what else we can do for you to ensure your experience was a fun and positive one.
Booking Tickets
  1. Pay Now, Decide Later!  Online reservation fee of $7 will be applied towards your Santa photo purchase.
  2. Only 1 reservation is needed per immediate family. Families with more than one child only need 1 reservation. Cousins or friends wanting to attend together require separate reservations.
  3. Tickets are not for resale and should only be purchased for personal use.
  4. Tickets are only valid for the time and date stated on your ticket. Your booking is for a place within a 15 minute slot.  Late or missed appointments may be worked in based on availability.
  5. Children must be accompanied at all times by an adult (ie. someone over the age of 18).
Changes, Cancellation & Refunds
  1. In the event that you need to change or cancel your tickets, we require at least 24 hours notice. Your booking can be changed or cancelled free of charge by following the link in your ticket email. Refunds will not be given unless at least 24 hours notice is given about a cancellation.
  2. We do not accept cancellation requests by email or social media.
  3. Refunds will only be given in the case of adverse weather if the event has to be cancelled.
  4. We do not offer refunds for non-attendance. It is your responsibility to check your booking’s time, date, and location.
  5. If the event must be cancelled for any reason outside of our control, we will contact all affected customers and offer an alternative booking date subject to availability or a full refund.

Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to the availability of volunteers and inclement weather.

Santa Experience 2023

FRIDAY, NOV. 24: 10AM-3PM; 4PM-9PM
Light Up the Season & Community Tree Lighting

SATURDAY, NOV. 25: 10AM-3PM; 4PM-9PM
Small Business Saturday

SUNDAY, NOV. 26: 12PM-4PM 

THURSDAY, NOV. 30: 4PM-8PM

FRIDAY, DEC 1: 4PM-9PM

SATURDAY, DEC. 2: 10AM-3PM; 4PM-9PM
Christmas Parade 10am; Flotilla 5:30pm


SUNDAY, DEC. 3: 12PM-4PM

THURSDAY, DEC. 7: 4PM-8PM

FRIDAY, DEC. 8: 4PM-9PM
Live Window Displays 6pm-8pm 

SATURDAY, DEC. 9: 10AM-3PM; 4PM-9PM

SUNDAY, DEC. 10
: 12PM-6PM

THURSDAY, DEC. 14: 4PM-8PM

FRIDAY, DEC. 15: 12PM-3PM;4PM-9PM
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!

SATURDAY, DEC. 16: 10AM-3PM; 4PM-9PM

SUNDAY, DEC. 17: 12PM-6PM

MONDAY, DEC. 18: 4PM-8PM

TUESDAY, DEC. 19: 4PM-8PM

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20: 4PM-8PM

THURSDAY, DEC. 21: 12PM-3PM; 4PM-8PM 

FRIDAY, DEC. 22: 10AM-3PM; 4PM-9PM

SATURDAY, DEC. 23: 10AM-3PM; 4PM-9PM

SUNDAY, DEC. 24: 10AM-2PM
Christmas Eve 

IMG 5656

Snow Schedule: Fridays & Saturdays 6pm-8pm (weather permitting)

Bear Plaza is under 24 hour Elf Surveillance once decorations go up. Please don't touch or steal any of our decorations, our team works hard to make the area enjoyable.

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