Beary Merry Events

Seasons of Giving: A Candlelight Christmas Celebration
2019-12-21 16:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
A Candlelight Christmas Celebration
This famed North Carolina tradition returns to Tryon Palace in 2018 with beautiful, new decorations and heartwarming holiday vignettes illuminated by the magical glow of candlelight.

Make your holiday historic this year at Tryon Palace’s 38th annual “Candlelight Christmas Celebration.” Visit with historic characters in period clothing, witness holiday vignettes spanning two centuries, and experience black powder fireworks on the South Lawn. Explore the grounds and buildings of Tryon Palace to travel from 1771 through 1835, and see how New Bern residents from different times and backgrounds celebrated the holidays.
Candlelight is a site wide event for Tryon Palace that includes tours of the Governor’s Palace, Stanly House, Dixon House, Commission House, and numerous activities on the grounds.
Governor’s Palace – 1771 – Experience the beauty, joy, and magic of the holidays as Governor and Mrs. Josiah Martin invite you to their new home for “Masquerade: A Candlelight Christmas Celebration.” To celebrate their first holiday season at Tryon Palace, the Martins are throwing a masquerade ball and guests have come from far and wide to experience a bit of fun and culture with elegant costumes and beautiful decorations based off of the four elements.
Stanly House – 1800-1801 – John and Elizabeth Stanly have recently moved into the impressive house John’s parents built. It’s time for Elizabeth to put her stamp on the house, but there’s pressure on her to meet New Bern society’s expectations and live up to the Stanly name. Tour her home and see how she meets this challenge.
Dixon House – 1835 – The Dixon House wasn’t just home to the Dixon family, but also to Mr. Dixon’s apprentices. These boys and young men learned the arts and mysteries of tailoring from New Bern’s resident expert. Take a look at a lost part of Christmas told through the apprentices’ views.
At the Commission House, enjoy a visit with Santa, listen to Christmas music, write a Christmas card to New Bern’s first responders, and create your very own Masquerade mask!
Food will be available to purchase from food trucks located outside the Palace gates. You can then stop by The Plucked Peacock Tavern to grab a seat and enjoy beer, wine, and delicious baked goods in a festive holiday setting. Also, warm up with hot cider and cookies from Mack’s Cider House in the Trades Building. Don’t forget to end your enchanted evening with a show of black powder fireworks on the Tryon Palace South Lawn!
Candlelight is a rain or shine event, but fireworks may be cancelled during extreme weather conditions. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. To ensure a more historically accurate experience and fully immerse you in the joy, mystery, and magic of Candlelight, we request no photography or videography within the historic buildings. Tripods, lights, and drones are not allowed on Tryon Palace grounds at any time.

Location:

Governor’s Palace, historic grounds, Commission House, Stanly House, Dixon House. Tryon Palace Gardens will be closed during Candlelight.

The last tours for the Commission House, Stanly House, and Dixon House will begin at 9:15 p.m.

Event Price:
Aug. 1 to Oct. 31 ($20 adults, $10 youth),
Beginning Nov. 1 ($25 adults, $15 youth)
Tryon Palace Foundation Members ($18 adults, $8 youth)

*Tickets are available online until Friday before the event at 11:59 P.M. If available, tickets can be purchased on the Saturday of the event at the North Carolina History Center until 2 P.M.

Mistletoe Market
2020-11-27 11:00 - 20:00
Join us at our 1st Annual Mistletoe Market located on the corner of S.Front & Craven Streets.
Holiday Shopping, Live Entertainment, Festive Food & Wintery Treats!

“Make & Take Gift” Sessions & Story Time with Mrs. Claus
(Advance Reservations Required)
Fri, Nov 27: 11am-8pm
Sat, Nov 28: 11am-8pm
Fri, Dec 4: 5pm-8pm
Sat, Dec 5: 11am-8pm
Sat, Dec 12: 11am-8pm
Sat, Dec 19: 11am-8pm

Community Tree Lighting
2020-11-27 17:30 - 18:30
Beary Merry Christmas 2020 in New Bern officially kicks off Friday, November 29 with the Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. A short ceremony will take place at 6pm.
The 30ft artificial tree is sponsored by the generosity of the greater New Bern Community and will be located at Union Point Park.
Due to COVID-19, the annual block party on Middle Street will not be held.
Don’t miss this wonderful small town Christmas tradition!

Mistletoe Market
2020-12-04 17:00 - 20:00
Join us at our 1st Annual Mistletoe Market located on the corner of S.Front & Craven Streets.
Holiday Shopping, Live Entertainment, Festive Food & Wintery Treats!

6pm-8pm Christmas Flowers After Hours at the Mistletoe Market
EVERYTHING Christmas is here at Corners of Eden’s very special Flowers After Hours Christmas Spectacular Educational Workshops! Join us as we jump right into Christmas with Eva O’Steen-Cross, designer of Tryon Palace Christmas Past and Corners of Eden Present and Future. Create with us a seasonally suitable arrangement for your family or to give as a special holiday gift. This specialty Christmas Spectacular workshop includes signature Corners of Eden education, plant material, and container for only $35!

Register on Facebook under the events tab.

Live Window Displays
2020-12-04 18:00 - 20:00
Downtown shops participate in this annual event to have their self-made live window displays for visitors and residents to stroll through the historic district and view. There will be a judging and trophy awarded to the winner! Carolina Creations took home in trophy in 2019, who you think will win this year?!
Past Winners:
2019 – Carolina Creations
2018 – Baker’s Kitchen
2017 – Surf, Wind & Fire
Live Window Displays

5th Annual Pancakes for Pie
2020-12-05 07:00 - 10:00
Join us for Pancakes for PIE at Morgan’s Tavern & Grill, 235 Craven Street. Breakfast will be served Saturday, December 5, from 7:00 – 10:00 am to benefit Partners In Education, the local education foundation for Craven County Schools. Morgan’s will be festively decorated for the holiday season and is the perfect setting to start your day with pancakes, bacon, sausage, fruit cup, orange juice, coffee, and water. All this for just $7 per adult, and $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations are not required as this is a pay at the door event. Debit, credit cards, checks, and cash are accepted. In order to expedite seating, please have checks or cash ready.
Morgan’s will have their standard safety precautions in place. As you enter Morgan’s for Pancakes for PIE, remember the three W’s: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, Watch your distance.

Mistletoe Market
2020-12-05 11:00 - 20:00, 2020-12-19 11:00 - 20:00
Join us at our 1st Annual Mistletoe Market located on the corner of S.Front & Craven Streets.
Holiday Shopping, Live Entertainment, Festive Food & Wintery Treats!

11a-12:30p – Corners of Eden Nature School at the Mistletoe Market
Join family activities and workshops with Corners of Eden Nature School. Persons 13 and up join Eva O’Steen-Cross for an educational exploration into the Flora of Christmastide. Learn what native plants have been used to decorate New Bernian’s homes past and present from our own backyard. Choose from an assortment of locally harvested materials to decorate your very own Native New Bern Christmastide Arrangement. Education and materials $35.

While the adults are learning with Eva, Corners of Eden Nature School Kids will be creating and making holiday magic with Meg Wethington. Let’s read a book together about the holiday season and make the Corners of Eden Mistletoe Market Magical Ornament of 2020! Be prepared to close your eyes and make a wish and send it spiraling into an ornament you will have filled with all kinds of precious holiday treasures we can find in our own backyards: flowers, seeds, dried leaves, acorns and more. Let’s create the magic of the season together. Workshop fee $10.

Register on Facebook under the events tab.

Mistletoe Market
2020-12-12 11:00 - 20:00
Join us at our 1st Annual Mistletoe Market. Holiday Shopping, Live Entertainment, Festive Food & Wintery Treats!
“Make & Take Gift” Sessions & Story Time with Mrs. Claus
(Advance Reservations Required)

St. Patrick's Day in Downtown New Bern
2021-03-13 11:00 - 15:00
Eat… Shop… Drink and be Irish in Downtown New Bern Saturday, March 13!
From Family Friendly Shamrock Adventures to our Downtown New Bern Pub Crawl, there’s something for everyone!
Family Friendly Treats:

Baker’s Kitchen: St. Patty’s Day themed bakery items
Bear City Fudge Company: St. Patty’s Day themed Truffles & Fudge
Bella’s Café: St Patty’s coffee drinks and cupcakes
Beer Army Gastropub:
Captain Ratty’s:
Kids: Shimmer Green Drink for Kids; Entrees: Rueben for 8.50, NY Strip $18.99; Drinks: Green LookOut Blonde from Shortway Brewery & a Shamrock Martini; Desserts: Homemade Guinness Chocolate Cake with an Irish Cream Buttercream
Community Artist Gallery & Studios:
Galley Store Café:
Corned Beef & Cabbage Reuben; Irish coffee drinks all day
Magnolia Jane Salon: Scavenger Hunt prizes
Morgan’s Tavern & Grill:
Drink: Green Bloody Mary’s made with fresh tomatillo’s; Dessert: Leprechaun Candied Dessert Bowls for the kids all day
Nautical Wheelers:
Sidewalk Sale, Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt (for kids), There will also be sidewalk chalk and white paper on the side of our building for kids to draw leprechauns, shamrocks, rainbows, and more St. Patrick’s Day items.
New Bern Civic Theater:
Southern Charm Salon & Co:
Green Hair Tinsel
The Birthplace of Pepsi:
The Country Biscuit:
Entrees: Corned Beef Cabbage Carrots and Potatoes w/Biscuit $8.95; Dessert: St. Patty’s Donuts
The Grill at Prohibition: Green Slushies

St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl
2021-03-13 17:00 - 21:00
Participating Pub Crawl Establishments:
Beer Army Gastropub
Blackbeard’s Tripleplay
Brewery 99
Captain Ratty’s
Surf Wind & Fire
Tap That Craft Beer and Wine Bar
The Brown Pelican
The Grill at Prohibition

Hop on and off the Shamrock Shuttle from 5p-9p along the Pub Crawl route as you support as many as you can during the night!

Easter Carriage Rides
2021-04-03 14:00 - 19:00
Tickets on sale soon!
Rain date Sunday, April 4th

Mother's Day Carriage Rides
2021-05-08 14:00 - 19:00
Tickets on sale soon!
Rain date: Sunday, May 9th

Beary-Not-So-Scary Halloween
2021-10-30

Christmas Light Tour by Carriage
2021-11-26 15:00 - 20:00
Join S and S Carriage Rides for a festive Christmas Light Tour in Downtown New Bern.
Trolley: $12 each for Adults & $6 for Children
ADVANCE TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS DATE

Light Up the Season
2021-11-26 17:00 - 20:30
Light Up the Season, Friday, November 26, officially kicks off the Beary Merry Christmas 2021 season in New Bern.
Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting – 6pm
Santa Parade to Middle Street (to follow Christmas Tree Lighting)
Bear Plaza Light Up!
Live Entertainment – 5pm
Union Point Park
Middle Street Block Party – 5pm to 8:30pm
Music, Crafts, Reindeer Games, and Trackless Train
(Crafts – while supplies last)
The 30ft artificial tree is sponsored by the generosity of the greater New Bern community and will be located at Union Point Park.
Don’t miss this wonderful small town Christmas tradition!

Christmas Light Tour by Carriage
2021-11-27 15:00 - 20:00
Join S and S Carriage Rides for a festive Christmas Light Tour in Downtown New Bern.
Trolley: $12 each for Adults & $6 for Children

Online Ticket Sales

Aeroshell Aerobatic Team Night Show
2021-11-27 16:45
The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team will be in New Bern on Saturday, November 27th to perform a night air show. The team performs tight, awe-inspiring formation aerial maneuvers in front of millions of airshow fans all over North America.
This show will be held over the Neuse River and can be viewed from Council Bluff Green, the Riverwalk and Union Point Park. The show will last approximately 30-40 minutes.
This event is FREE and is sponsored by Wendy and Buddy Stallings.
This 2nd annual air show drew a large crowd in 2020. Don’t miss this new holiday tradition in beautiful New Bern, NC!
For additional info:
https://cms7.revize.com/…/specia…/aeroshell_air_show.php
For additional information, call New Bern Parks and Recreation at 252-639-2901

Christmas Light Tour by Carriage
2021-12-03 15:00 - 20:00
Join S and S Carriage Rides for a festive Christmas Light Tour in Downtown New Bern.
Private Rides: $75
Trolley: $12 each for Adults & $6 for Children

Online Ticket Sales

LIVE Window Displays
2021-12-03 18:00 - 20:00
Downtown shops participate in this annual event to have their self-made live window displays for visitors and residents to stroll through the historic district and view. There will be a judging and trophy awarded to the winner! Folks Foundation took home in trophy in 2020, who you think will win this year?!
Past Winners:
2020 – Folks Foundation
2019 – Carolina Creations
2018 – Baker’s Kitchen
2017 – Surf, Wind & Fire

37th Annual Coastal Christmas Flotilla
2021-12-04 17:30 - 18:30
Join our community at Union Point Park in Historic Downtown New Bern to watch in amazement at the 37th Annual Coastal Christmas Flotilla! Boats will float from the park down the river in their most festive look of the year!
Flotilla will begin at 5:30 pm.
Registration is required. The deadline to register is December 2, 2021.
You can register online at the link below, or in person at Parks and Recreation Administration, 1307 Country Club Road.
https://newbern.recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=6The
Annual Coastal Christmas Flotilla is organized and sponsored by City of New Bern Parks & Recreation. For additional questions, contact Kari Warren, Special Event Coordinator at 252-639-2902.

Christmas Light Tour by Carriage
2021-12-10 15:00 - 20:00, 2021-12-11 15:00 - 20:00
Join S and S Carriage Rides for a festive Christmas Light Tour in Downtown New Bern.
Private Rides: $75
Trolley: $12 each for Adults & $6 for Children

Craven Smart Start Holiday Hustle
2021-12-11 07:30
Working with community partners, Craven Smart Start provides Craven County children with quality early learning opportunities and health and family support to give them a foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. Proceeds raised from the Holiday Hustle will expand Craven Smart Start’s ability to provide more services for children, birth to five, and their families in Craven County. The Holiday Hustle will feature the Tinsel 10K and Jingle Bell Jog 5K, which take runners on a course through downtown New Bern starting and ending in Union Point Park. The event also includes the Santa Family Fun Run with a course around Union Point Park. All races will be available as a virtual option including the virtual 48.6 mile 12 Days of Christmas Challenge we introduced in 2020.
Registration info: runsignup.com/Race/NC/NewBern/CravenSmartStartHolidayHustle

Christmas Light Tour by Carriage
2021-12-17 15:00 - 20:00
Join S and S Carriage Rides for a festive Christmas Light Tour in Downtown New Bern.
Private Rides: $60
Trolley: $12 each for Adults & $6 for Children

Christmas Light Tour by Carriage
2021-12-18 15:00 - 20:00
Join S and S Carriage Rides for a festive Christmas Light Tour in Downtown New Bern.
Trolley: $12 each for Adults & $6 for Children

2022 Halloween Preschool Parade
2022-10-28 09:15
Meet at the corner of Broad & Middle Streets at 9:15am for parade line up Bring your preschoolers for a special Halloween treat in Historic Downtown New Bern! We will parade down Middle Street and S. Front Street in our Halloween costumes, and end at Union Point Park for games and refreshments!
For additional information, call Parks & Recreation Administration at 252.639.2901

Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade + Costume Contest
2022-10-29 09:30
We are bringing back Downtown New Bern’s Howl-O-Ween pet parade and costume contest!
On Saturday, October 29th, we will kick things off at the corner of South Front St. and Craven St. with the pet costume contest. Once prizes have been awarded to the best dressed pup, we will make a leisurely loop around Downtown New Bern.
The parade and costume contest are free to attend, and no registration is required to participate!

Beary Not-So-Scary Costume Contest
2022-10-29 15:00 - 16:00
Contest Rules:
– Individual categories are open to children up to 12 years of age
– Children must be accompanied by an adult
– All costumes must be age appropriate and family friendly
– Must be present to win
– Winners to be announced at 4:00pm
– One winner will be announced for each category
– Family category participants must not exceed 6 per family/group
– Each contest category will be judged based on the following criteria:
Originality, Creativity, Effort & Authenticity
– The Family category will also be judged based on a unified theme
– Photos will be taken during the contest and will be posted online. By entering the costume contest, you are agreeing to allow your image to be used on Beary Merry Events online presence and in future advertising efforts.
– While no changes to these rules are foreseen, certain circumstances may require that the rules be changed. A complete set of current rules will be posted at the costume contest check-in area.

Spooktacular Carriage Rides
2022-10-29 15:00 - 18:00
Join S and S Carriage Rides for a Beary Not-So-Scary Spooktacular Carriage Ride through the streets of downtown New Bern.
Starting at Bear Plaza leaving out every 15/18 mins. No advance tickets will be sold for this date. Walk ups only.
