The off-season on Ocean Isle Beach has a few traditions of its own, and one of them starts this week. The Museum of Coastal Carolina’s 7th Annual Festival of Trees opens Thursday, Nov. 12, and runs through Dec. 31. During that time the museum’s galleries are filled with decorated trees sponsored by local groups. If you own on the island, are looking at a second home in the South Brunswick Islands, or just want a reason to drive down for the day, here’s what to know.
Details below come from the museum’s own Festival of Trees announcement and event listing, checked Nov. 7, 2026. The festival also appears in WECT’s 2026 holiday season guide (updated Nov. 4, 2026).
Festival of Trees: The Basics
- Where: Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 East 2nd Street, Ocean Isle Beach
- When: Nov. 12 through Dec. 31, 2026
- Festival hours: Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.; also open Dec. 28–31
- Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
- Tickets: The museum says ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing. Check its tickets page for current admission prices.
How It Works
Each tree is sponsored by a local organization or cause. Visitors vote for their favorite, and every tree is also in a silent auction. The museum says each sponsor gets 100% of the winning bid on its tree to donate to the charity or cause it chooses. Every guest gets one ballot, and you can buy more ballots if you want to help a favorite tree. The museum will announce the Favorite Tree winner at 2 p.m. on Dec. 28.
The museum says this year’s trees will benefit groups including the Old Bridge Historical Society, Brunswick Family Assistance, and Foster BrunsCo. The sponsor list includes a property owners association, a sea turtle protection group, the county chamber of commerce, women’s clubs, and several local businesses. In other words, it’s a good look at who’s involved in the community around here.
Make a Day of It: The Planetarium and Evening Lectures
The museum’s sister site, the Ingram Planetarium, is a short drive away at 7625 High Market Street in Sunset Beach. Its posted hours through Dec. 31 list dome shows Thursday through Saturday from late morning into the afternoon, and laser shows Friday and Saturday at 6 and 7 p.m. The museum’s Sandbar Lecture Series also continues on the second Thursday of November and December at 5:30 p.m.
Put together a museum visit, a planetarium show, and dinner on the mainland side of the bridge, and you’ve got an easy family outing. It’s also a good way to see how quiet and friendly the area is once summer renters leave.
Why the Off-Season Is a Smart Time to Look at Ocean Isle Beach
Most people picture Ocean Isle Beach in July. If you’re thinking about a second home, a future retirement spot, or a rental property, you also need to know what the island is like in December. A few things to watch when you visit this season:
- Year-round life: See which restaurants and shops stay open in winter, and how long the drive is to groceries, medical care, and Shallotte. Our guide to living on Ocean Isle Beach year-round covers this in detail.
- The pier: As of our Nov. 5 update, the Ocean Isle Beach pier was closed for repairs. Read our pier update if you’re looking at homes near it.
- Condition in winter weather: Wind and rain show you a lot about a beach house. Look at how the house drains, what shape the decks and stairs are in, and whether the windows seal well.
- Insurance and flood zones: Coastal property insurance costs can vary a lot from one home to the next. Get quotes for wind, homeowners, and flood coverage during your due diligence period, not after.
- Rental history: If you plan to rent the home out, ask for actual booking and expense records instead of projections. Find out how the winter months perform compared with summer.
If you’re weighing an island purchase, our second-home guide for Ocean Isle Beach goes through financing, flood questions, and how to compare streets and canals.
A Note for Sellers
Holiday events bring visitors, and some of them come back as buyers. If you’re planning to list on Ocean Isle Beach or in Sunset Beach, Shallotte, or Calabash this winter or early spring, now is a good time to get your home ready. Take care of small repairs, freshen up the outdoor spaces, and collect your rental records and any recent inspection or repair paperwork. Buyers who visit in the off-season usually have time to look closely.
FAQ
When is the 2026 Festival of Trees in Ocean Isle Beach?
It opens Nov. 12, 2026, and runs through Dec. 31 at the Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 East 2nd Street.
What are the Festival of Trees hours?
Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., plus Dec. 28–31. The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Can you buy the decorated trees?
Yes. Every tree is in a silent auction, and the sponsor donates 100% of the winning bid to the organization or cause it chooses.
When is the Favorite Tree winner announced?
At 2 p.m. on Dec. 28, according to the museum.
Looking at the Brunswick Islands?
Whether you want a full-time home, a second home, or a rental on Ocean Isle Beach or nearby, we can help you compare islands, neighborhoods, and the costs that come with coastal ownership. Reach out to Aspyre Collective to start the conversation.
