JCO Campground's Holiday Tourism 2025 Guide

JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond in Chinquapin, NC conveniently located on the Onslow and Duplin County line hosts campers and guests within our unique glamping cabins. We are building the Ultimate Holiday Guide for our area with activities, parades, and lighted shows. Our cabins will transform to Christmas themed November 14th-New Years complete with indoor Christmas tree, stockings, and decor. Cabins are heated and each include canoes. Choose from our popular A-frame Couples Glamping Cabin or the Unique Floating Cabin with covered front porch and Wi-Fi! We are also open year-round with RV/Camper sites and Tent sites.

Our kids with Santa at the A-frame Cabin by Nichole Davis Photography 2023

JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond

🎄Kick off the start of the Holiday season with our Annual Toys for Tots fishing tournament November 15th. In the morning a boat/kayak Bass tournament 7am-12 noon. This tournament will help us with pond management as we fish for Crappie for Catch and Keep. We will have soups and chili after the tournaments. All NC wildlife regulations must be followed and licenses required. Nichole Davis Photography will be on site November 15th with Christmas Cabin photoshoots and Santa. (Sessions may be reserved through her photography page and she has a couple spaces available!) Nichole is our exclusive photographer. No other photographers will be scheduled at the Cabins with the exception of proposals/engagements stays.

Both the A-frame Glamping Cabin and the Floating Cabin will be decorated for Christmas from November 14th-New Year's. Make your holiday reservations now! www.junipercreekoutfitters.com This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, proposals, and staycations in a Glamping and outdoorsy way! Or stay cozy inside or around the firepits! Carolina Critters and Preschool Nature Program with Flora and Fauna Festivities will be November 15th 10am-11:30am. Geared for ages 3-6 years old. This will be the last class until Spring.

https://youtu.be/8gpmA5ttU6E?si=mJRXdowwr7C5-VpW. (Fall Bass 2023 Tournament video)

JCO's Aframe Cabin

JCO's Floating Cabin

Lighted Shows and More...

🎄On November 13th-23rd and 26th-28th, Mike's Farm begins their 30 minute, Christmas hayrides around the farm. During the Christmas season you can place to-go orders or use their food truck for your favorite country Mike's Farm favorites. (Inside dining is reservation only during Christmas season) Check out the NC Products barn, gift shop and bakery, and pick up a live Christmas tree for your home. November 16th- December 23rd (Sunday-Tuesday evenings) tickets available for Supper with Santa includes dinner, show, and hayride. The Magic of Christmas Show is new for 2025 and includes Rockstar magic, dinner and hayride. HO HO Christmas Show features Gaylon Pope and Sweetwater variety show dinner and hayride. Tickets available Thursday-Saturday. For more information on tickets, events or details at the Farm visit https://www.mikesfarmnc.com/

🎄On November 19th ELJ Farms of Jacksonville, NC will start their lighted hayrides. Drive through in the comfort of your own heated car or hop on the tractor pulled hay wagon. Check out their Christmas Town for pictures with Santa or possibly other Characters. Various Food trucks on the weekends along with Holiday vendors and events.

Travel Closer to the beach for Hampstead's, Lake Linda Christmas Drive Thru. This is a Free, non-profit venue (donations accepted) and family operated. You can tune your radio and drive through or park and walk. (or do both like we do!) Christmas Characters and Santa may be available throughout the holidays. Check out the Hot Chocolate and gift shop. (start date tbd)

Christmas and Holiday Parades

🎄Jacksonville's Holiday Parade is scheduled November 22nd at 10am-12:30pm. Starting at the college on Western Blvd-Brynn Marr Shopping Center. Santa will be at the Mall after the parade for pictures.

🎄November 29th 11am-1pm Kenansville, NC festival to follow at Duplin Events Center.

🎄Richlands hosts the areas only lighted, nighttime, Christmas Parade on December 13th at 5:30pm. Route starts and ends at the high school.

🎄Beulaville Christmas Parade is December 13th at 2pm. The parade route runs down main Street ending at Whaley's Supermarket.

🎄The community of Nine Mile (Richlands) puts on their own Christmas Parade on December 20th at 2pm. The parade route ends at 1077 Nine Mile Rd. Richlands.

Activities and Events

🎄The Turkey Ball at the Mad Boar in Wallace, NC. Beach Boogie and Blues with the Band of Oz.

🎄Huffman Vineyards in Richlands hosts Vineyard events such as Music Bingo, Trivia nights, Campfires, Music, Murder Mystery, and crafting events. Check Out their facebook page for the holiday lineup.

🎄November 22nd starting at 5pm-8pm, Back Swamp Community Building Hosts Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Family Fun. (We love this event for our family) Santa photos, crafts, Hotdog Roasts, kiddie train ride, music tent, chili cookoff, games, and more! This is one of our favorites since it's in our community and such a great event!

🎄November 29th 9am-1pm Christmas Market at Onslow Feed and Grain in Richlands NC from 9am-1pm. Farm fresh goodies, crafts, and more.

🎄December 5th and 6th 6-8pm Liberty Hall Candlelight Christmas Tours in Kenansville, Nc.

🎄Copper and Stow (Walton's Distillery) hosts Country Christmas Dinner Show December 12-13 and 19th-20th at 5:30pm featuring Colonel Tom and the Moonshine Boys, Billy and the Kids Bluegrass, and Danielle and Cousin Paul. An unforgettable evening of music laughter and Christmas feast.

🎄Richlands Christmas Tree Lighting November 15th 10am-5:30pm with Car show, craft fair, music, and more. Located at the Richlands Police Department.

🎄Swansboro, NC Christmas Flotilla November 28th at 5pm. Music will fill the air from downtown and enjoy shopping the local downtown shops and enjoy sweet treats!

🎄Jacksonville, NC Flotilla December 6th experience snow sledding and snow play area, pictures with Santa, pony rides and petting zoo, hayrides, food trucks, games, and more. After Winterfest the Jacksonville Tree Lighting will take place and following that the Jacksonville Flotilla starts at 5pm. Free Shuttle offered to the flotilla and around the event.

🎄Lights over Onslow: Christmas Tree Lighting and Drone Show Sunday December 7th 2-6pm at Onslow Pines Park.

🎄Bethlehem Church located just around the corner at 2106 South Hwy 111 Chinquapin, NC, you can experience a Walk thru Bethlehem with stories at each store in the town, crafts, food, and don't forget to pay your taxes. Running December 5th-7th, 6:30-8:30pm

More Events may be Added.....

Back Swamp Tree Lighting

Antiques and Coffee

If you are anything like us, we absolutely love to go junking Or Antique shopping....here is a few of our local favorites!

🎄Check out Duplin Square Market, just outside Beulaville, NC for handmade crafts, antiques, and more. Opened Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.

🎄Riverside Antiques opened Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-5pm in Wallace.

🎄Antique2Chic in Jacksonville, NC hosts many vendors from Antiques, boutiques, and handmade crafts.

🎄The Flipping Rooster in Jacksonville, NC opened daily at 10am.

🎄Richlands Fantastic Finds Vendor Mall Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm Sundays 12-6pm.

🎄The Country Barn, Mikes Farm, and many of the places listed on our non-holiday curated tourism list have neat items, furniture, and other items for Christmas gift ideas.

🎄Grab a Holiday themed coffee at the nearby Tarkil Branch Farm Venue , less than 3 miles away. The rustic coffee shop is located in a quaint little farmhouse behind the main venue and open on Saturdays and special occasions. Holiday drinks may include Sugar Cookie Latte, The Polar express, Snoopy's Christmas Ballard, Gingerbread man Dash and more. Opened 7 days a week in Chinquapin, NC is The Mudroom Coffee Company offering holiday favorites, muffins, bagels, cookies, and a relaxing atmosphere.

The Mudroom Coffee Company

The Coffee Co. In Richlands NC serves up craft coffee varieties 7 days a week. In the mood for Ice Cream? Check out Triple C Sweets also in Richlands for their mason jar ice cream deliciousness! If you are out towards Kenansville in Duplin County check out our favorite baker, Everything Nice Sweets! (Taylor creates chocolate covered strawberries, cakes, cookies and desserts for our cabins) Her storefront bakery and Cafe now serves soups, sandwiches and all her favorite desserts! The Hershey Bar Cake or Cupcakes are top tier!

New Year's

🎉Ticketed event at the Mad Boar in Wallace, NC for New Year's Eve. Enjoy everyone's favorite local beach band Jim Quick and the Coastline Band for dinner, dancing, and champagne toast. (Date to be determined)

After Christmas, and for some of you after the Old Christmas holiday, please remember us when you take down your live Christmas Trees. We would love to have your unlit and undecorated trees to sink in the lake for fish structures and houses. Trees may be dropped off near the office.

. https://youtu.be/WPfN9FgpcQE?si=UXzvm7-OCxw_9qGO (link to Christmas Tree Sinking party video with our Pro Fishing Staff in)

Check out our Things to do in Chinquapin, NC for our non-holiday related Tourism Guide for local restaurants, shops, wineries, and more. We hope you find joy and cherish each moment spent with loved ones this Christmas season. Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the Reason for the season! Thank you for your support over the years and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026.

-JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond and the Jones Family