Events & Entertainment
January
Gingerbread Fantasy
Held through early January
Location: Holiday Inn SunSpree
Resort
910-256-2231
Highlights includes 5 life size
gingerbread houses in an enchanting holiday winter setting, a gingerbread house
workshop, a display of miniature gingerbread houses, evening fireside
storytelling with cookies and cocoa for the children, visits from Santa and the
hotel’s mascot, Gabby the Parrot, and special holiday Sunday brunch buffets.
Annual Holiday Lighting of the
Battleship
Held through early January
Location: Historic Downtown
Wilmington
910-251-5797
Part of historic downtown
Wilmington's annual holiday light celebration and naval tradition, the
Battleship is dressed in lights strung from the bow up to the masts and down to
the stern. Enjoy nightly. Free viewing from downtown Wilmington.
February
North Carolina Jazz Festival
Held in early February
Location: Riverside
910-763-8585
The Annual North Carolina Jazz
Festival features eight sets nightly with a different combination of musicians.
Annual Camellia Show
Held in late February
Location: Scottish Rite Temple
910- 791-3455
The Tidewater Camellia Club
presents this long standing community event free of charge to the public. Come
and see approximately a thousand camellia blooms, grown inside and outdoors. The
blooms will compete for exquisite prizes and more importantly, "bragging
rights." A panel of American Camellia Society certified judges adjudicates the
blooms.
March
Annual Festival of Black Film
Held in early March
Location: Varies throughout the
city
The four-day jury and
invitational screenings of independent and major motion pictures by
African-American filmmakers showcases feature-length, short subject, animation
and documentary films.
Annual Summer Camp Fair
Held in early March
Location: Coast Line Convention
Center
910-763-6739
Admission Free
A variety of local and regional camps for children of all ages. The fair
includes entertainment, demonstrations and door prizes.
Cucalorus Festival of
Independent Film
Held in late March – early
April
Location: Thalian Hall,
Community Arts Center, City Stage Theatre
910-343-5995
The Annual Cucalorus Film
Festival is a five-day showcase of independent film. Dubbed “the best kept
secret on the indie-fest circuit,” by MovieMaker magazine, the festival brings
shorts, documentaries and features to Wilmington audiences.
Master Gardener Plant Sale
Held in late March – early
April
Location: The Arboretum
910-452-6393
Over 30 varieties of Azaleas,
perennials, annuals, vines, hanging baskets, flowering trees, shrubs and herbs.
April
North Carolina Festival Street
Fair
Held in early – mid April
Location: Downtown Wilmington
910-794-4650
The annual North Carolina
Azalea Festival Street Fair provides more fun, excitement and action with each
passing year. The event includes arts, crafts, food, dance troupes, jugglers,
costumed characters, rock-climbing walls and many other events for families and
children of all ages to enjoy. Over 200 crafters converge on Water Street, over
thirty-five food vendors stretching from Red Cross Street to Dock Street; offer
something for every taste, from alligator tail to funnel cakes, costumed
characters stroll throughout the day. Also four stages of non stop
entertainment with dance troupes on the Riverfront Stage will perform.
North Carolina Festival Horse
Show
Held in mid April
Location: Hugh MacRae Park
910-791-5773
Competitions in dozens of
classes and various styles of riding are featured in the North Carolina Azalea
Festival Horse Show, which is held at Hugh MacRae Park. Organized by the Seagate
Saddle Club, the show awards trophies and ribbons to competitors in the Game
Show, Hunter-English Show and Western Pleasure Show. Competitors from across the
state compete in this well-known annual event.
Pleasure Island Chowder
Cook-Off
Held in mid April
Location: Jubilee Park
910-200-3288
Taste and vote on all types and
styles of delicious chowder prepared by some of the finest restaurants in South
Eastern North Carolina. The daylong event features live blues, rock, and beach
music. Children can take part in the activities planned for them. If you love
chowder, music, and family fun, don't miss this annual event presented by the
Pleasure Island Merchants Association.
May
Jazz-in-the-Park
Held in early May
Location: Wrightsville Beach
Park
CFJAS holds its annual “Jazz-In-The Park”. Several bands perform at Wrightsville
Beach Park. The music is free and open to the public. Bring the family, a picnic
lunch and lawn chairs.
Annual Thalian Hall 5K/1 Mile
Walk
Held in early May
Location: Thalian Hall
The annual Thalian Hall
5K/1-Mile Walk benefits Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts in its
continued effort to bring the finest in entertainment to the southeast region
and to be a first-class facility for the more than 30 area non-profit groups
that utilize the building each year.
Airlie Arts Festival
Held in early May
Location: Airlie Gardens
910-798-7700
The Airlie Arts Festival is an
annual event that showcases outstanding art and music in one of the Southeast's
most beautiful and historic venues, Airlie Gardens, in Wilmington, NC. It is
held every year during the first full weekend in May, when the garden is in
spring bloom and the weather is likely to be pleasantly warm.
Cape Fear Disabled Sportsman’s
Tournament
Held in mid May
Location: Kure Beach Fishing
Pier
910-458-1202
The Cape Fear Disabled
Sportsman's Tournament is put on annually by the Got Em On Live Bait fishing
club and they really throw a shindig. The tourney is held at the Kure Beach
Fishing Pier in Kure Beach, North Carolina and is free for disabled anglers.
Participants are provided with rods, tackle, bait, refreshments, food, t-shirts
and prizes.
Surf-Sun-Sand Co-ed Volleyball
Tournament
Held in mid – late May
Location: Wrightsville Beach
Park
910-256-7925
Wrightsville Beach Parks and
Recreation is hosting the Annual Surf-Sun-Sand Volleyball tournament. This six
or four-person co-ed volleyball tournament has divisions for skill levels
including Novice and Intermediate. All players receive a t-shirt, and prizes are
awarded to the players from the winning team in each division. There is a limit
of 36 teams for this tournament, and pre-registration is required.
Seaside Soccer Classic
Held in mid – late May
Location: Soccer Fields
throughout NHC
910-392-0306
Spring soccer tournament that
includes youth teams from throughout North Carolina and other states.
Port of Wilmington Maritime Day
Festival
Held in mid May
Location: North Carolina State
Ports
910-763-1621
The festival is designed to
promote in an entertaining and educational way, the importance of maritime
commerce on the Cape Fear River, and to honor past and present members of our
nation’s merchant marine. It’s an opportunity for those of us in the maritime
community and the general public to come together and learn more about
international and domestic waterborne commerce, and the business, industry and
labor throughout our region that use and depend on the Port of Wilmington.
Highlights of the day’s activities will include a special dockside Maritime Day
Memorial Ceremony. Other activities will include port tours and vessel tours.
Maritime businesses, as well as historical and environmental agencies, will have
special exhibits.
Wilmington Exchange Festival
Held in late May
Location: SoapBox Laundro
Lounge
An annual celebration of
independent music, featuring bands that range from country to experimental to
metal, across all genres.
June
Annual Beach Music Festival
Held in early June
Location: Ocean Front Beach
Stage
910-200-3288
Carolina Beach Music Festival
features four beach music bands.
Greater Wilmington King
Mackerel Tournament
Held in late June
Location: Wrightsville Beach
910-452-9740
Annual tournament benefits
Teach a Kid to Fish, Children's Fishing Foundation. Largest cash prize King
Mackerel Tournament.
July
Cape Fear 7’s Rugby Tournament
Held in early July
Location: Ogden Park
910-264-5277
Admission Free
The Cape Fear Rugby Football
Club hosts the Annual Cape Fear 7's Rugby Tournament. Cape Fear 7's is one of
the oldest and largest 7-a-side weekend rugby tournaments in the entire United
States of America and attracts over 60+ teams from throughout the United States
and from many international locations, as well.
Battleship Blast
Held on the fourth of July
Location: Battleship North
Carolina
910-251-5797
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA
hosts the Annual “BATTLESHIP BLAST” fireworks spectacular. This production by
PYRO SHOWS, an international award-winning pyrotechnics company, is guaranteed
to dazzle residents and visitors alike. Watch one of the largest choreographed
fireworks displays in North Carolina cascade over the Battleship. Bring the
entire family and enjoy an explosive evening! Primary viewing from historic
downtown Wilmington.
Annual East Coast Got-Em-On
Classic
Held in early – mid July
Location: Carolina Beach
Enjoy this long running fishing
tournament. Sponsored by the East Coast Got Em On Live.
Cape Fear Blues Festival
Held in late July
Location: Battleship Park &
other locations
910-350-8822
Four days of Blues music
nestled between the beautiful beaches of the Cape Fear Coast and the Historic
Riverfront of downtown Wilmington. Cruises, concerts, workshops and more.
September
Art in the Gardens Tour
Held in late September
Location: Various Gardens
910-452-6393
Gardens are on tour, both
private and public and feature beautiful designs and floral displays enhanced by
art and music.
October
Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues
& Jazz Festival
Held in early October
Location: Fort Fisher Military
Recreation
910-458-8434
A 2-day event at Fort Fisher on
the Cape Fear River. Feast on fresh seafood prepared by top Southeastern NC
restaurants. Three music stages with non-stop Blues and Jazz music.
November
Annual Battleship Half Marathon
Held in mid November
Location: Battleship North
Carolina
910-251-9622
The Wilmington Roadrunners
conduct this challenging TAC-certified race that starts and finishes at the
Battleship, encompassing three bridges and Greenfield Lake. Funds benefit the
Battleship and the Wilmington Family YMCA.
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
Held in late November
Location: Wrightsville Beach
910-509-1204
The spectacular lighted boat
parade is a holiday tradition at Wrightsville Beach for locals, boat lovers, and
tourists. It is one of the top 20 November events in the Southeast with over 30
boats ranging from yachts to personal watercrafts decorated for the holiday
display. Spend the day in the park (10am to 4:30pm) and enjoy a lighted boat
parade on Banks Channel with fireworks in the evening.
December
Annual Holiday Lighting of the
Battleship
Held in early December – early
January
Location: View from Historic
Downtown Wilmington
910-251-5797
Part of historic downtown
Wilmington's annual holiday light celebration and naval tradition, the
Battleship is dressed in lights strung from the bow up to the masts and down to
the stern. Enjoy nightly. Free viewing from downtown Wilmington.
Entertainment
Showtime Theatre
103 North Lake Park
Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910-458-1771
Call for performance schedule
Thalian Hall
310 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
800-523-2820
Call for performance schedule
One of the oldest and most
beautiful theatres in America, THCPA has been in continuous use since it opened
in 1858. Forming the east wing of Wilmington's magnificent City Hall, the
facility hosts over 250 performance events annually. The complex houses three
performance venues, the Main Stage, the Grand Ballroom, and the Studio Theatre.
Kenan Auditorium - UNCW
600 South College
Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
800-732-3643
Call for performance schedule
Level 5 at City Stage
21 North Front
Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-342-0272
Call for performance schedule
SRO Theatre
UNCW, 601 S College
Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-962-3500
Call for performance schedule
