Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Wilmington bands are rocking Wilson Center’s free winter concert?

Also check out Holiday Lights River Cruise on the Wilmington Patch calendar

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Good morning to you Wilmington! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Wilmington bands are rocking Wilson Center’s free winter concert?
  • How high could Wilmington public housing rents jump next year?
  • How many free trees can your Wilmington household grab at TreeFest?

Also on today's calendar: Holiday Lights River Cruise and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Wilmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Ann M.!

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Wilmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Sunny and cooler, with a high of 56 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 64, low: 33.
  • Monday: Sunny and cooler, with a high of 51 and low of 34 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Free Concert Friday comes to CFCC's Wilson Center with winter edition (wwaytv3.com) — A free indoor “Free Concert Friday” is coming to CFCC’s Wilson Center in downtown Wilmington on January 16, 2026, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Three Wilmington bands, local label Fort Lowell Records, food trucks, and drink specials will turn the main stage into a winter music hub, continuing a long-running local concert tradition.
   

2. Wilmington Housing Authority set to raise rents on 500+ apartments next year (whqr.org) — Hundreds of Wilmington Housing Authority tenants at Creekwood and other properties face steep rent hikes next year as rates shift from income-based to area median income levels. Residents worry about doubling or tripling payments, while WHA says it’s correcting long-overdue compliance issues and planning LIHTC-funded redevelopments that will also tie future “affordable” rents to Wilmington’s rising median income.
   

3. TreeFest offers free tree seedlings to restore regional canopy (wect.com) — Free tree seedlings and grass plugs will be handed out at Wilmington’s Independence Mall Jan. 16-17 as part of TreeFest’s push to restore the regional tree canopy. Households can pick up to five trees or grasses with an optional $5 donation, in an effort backed by the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County partners, and UNCW.
   

4. MLK parade returns to Wilmington with former WNBA player as grand marshal (wect.com) — Downtown Wilmington’s Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is coming back Jan. 19, 2026, after a one-year break, with hometown WNBA alum Tamara “Ty” Young as grand marshal. The SENC MLK Celebration Committee is also planning nearly two weeks of events, including a pageant, family fun day, and ecumenical service, all focused on unity and service.
   

5. THC products face federal ban under new spending bill (wect.com) — A new federal spending bill will effectively ban most THC edibles and drinks by November 2026, and a Wilmington shop owner says it could wipe out about 40% of her inventory. Sugar Buzzed on South 2nd Street is warning customers and urging them to contact legislators, arguing for tighter regulations and age limits instead of an outright ban that could hit North Carolina’s $1 billion hemp industry.
   

📸 Around Wilmington

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📸 Checking the Crab traps —Ann M. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilmington

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • A SAD FAREWELL!
    Owner of Beloved Wilmington Restaurant Brand Dies! 'She Had a Vision' StarNews Online, 12/18/25 The owner of one of Wilmington’s most beloved… (Nextdoor Kings Grant)
  • I’ve seen a lot of people post about wanting Airlie Gardens tickets.
    I just wanted to share with you guys a gem of a house we go to at least 5 times every Christmas! Melton Rd off of River Road. Some of you may know,… (Nextdoor Beau Rivage)
  • BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA Dec 19 Climate: High: 67 Low: 56 Precip:" Snow: Missing... (X: iembot_ilm)
  • Yesterday, we celebrated the completion of the Fifth Avenue Improvements Project — a coordinated effort with @CFPUA to improve safety, mobility, and... (X: CityofWilm)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for PT-Custodian-Wilson Center in Wilmington. Apply here.
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Meat Cutter and Wrapper in Wilmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wilmington here.

Ok Wilmington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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