Second only to the springtime Azalea Festival in terms of size, activities and attendance, the annual Riverfest is an all-encompassing festival that celebrates life by the water. Featuring a lineup of events that include exhibits, vendors, competitions, kid activities, fireworks, and so much more, this family-friendly event ignites the Wilmington downtown area with miles of fun to go around.
Hungry visitors will want to bring along a big appetite for the North Carolina Oyster Festival, which is a popular annual event that offers a whole lot more than the staple shellfish. Featuring everything from BBQ and pizza, to music, arts, and crafts, this extensive festival has plenty of ways to delight attendees of all tastes, and of all ages.
The Poplar Grove Plantation witches are ready to throw down for another infamous family-friendly festival with the annual GooseBumps in the Grove. This year, the historic site will celebrate Halloween with two days of over 75 arts and craft vendors, trick or treating with the vendors, Mr. Twister's balloon creations, Mr. Mark's Monster Mash sing-a-long, visits from the barnyard crew, vintage-themed carnival games and so much more for only a $5 entry fee.
The Cape Fear region is a unique coastal community that’s known for its variety of global influences, and visitors can get a first-hand look at this worldly flavor by attending the annual Polish Festival. Held in the smaller region of Castle Hayne, this family-oriented and fun festival features a wealth of food, music, arts and crafts, beverages, and more to provide a hefty sampling of everything this distinctive culture and heritage has to offer.
There’s a world of fun to discover at the Festival Latino, which is an event that celebrates a multi-cultural atmosphere with a wealth of food, music, and entertainment. From special activities designed for kids to dancing lessons and live music, this lively event is a great way to discover the unique global flavors and influences that are found right in the heart of the Cape Fear area.
Holiday shopping is a whole lot more fun with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, and the annual Kure Beach Holiday Market combines a stellar location with a delightful mix of locally crafted and truly one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your Christmas list. Held during Thanksgiving week, with music, food, and more enticements for visitors, the Kure Beach Holiday Market is a great way to get into the spirit of the season while simultaneously getting a jump start on your holiday shopping.
Holiday shopping is a whole lot more fun with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, and the annual Kure Beach Holiday Market combines a stellar location with a delightful mix of locally crafted and truly one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your Christmas list. Held during Thanksgiving week, with music, food, and more enticements for visitors, the Kure Beach Holiday Market is a great way to get into the spirit of the season while simultaneously getting a jump start on your holiday shopping.
Start the holiday season with style and plenty of community spirit by attending the annual Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting in the heart of Wilmington. This annual event is a community celebration that features plenty of music, refreshments, and a glittering tree lighting, and is a great opener to the festive spirit of Wilmington during the holidays.
Head to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for a festive atmosphere that will inspire everyone to embrace the relaxed holiday spirit along the coastline. The annual Christmas by the Sea event is a multiple day celebration of colorful lights, cookies, storytelling, treats, and so much more, and is a great way for holiday visitors to explore this charming community in truly jolly style.
Join in the fun of the season and enjoy a days-long festival that highlights the community spirit of Southport by attending the highly anticipated WinterFest festival. This annual celebration features a wealth of activities at landmarks and popular spots throughout the coastal town, and is a great way to enjoy the spirit of the holidays while taking in everything this popular vacation destination has to offer.
Join in the fun of the season and enjoy a days-long festival that highlights the community spirit of Southport by attending the highly anticipated WinterFest festival. This annual celebration features a wealth of activities at landmarks and popular spots throughout the coastal town, and is a great way to enjoy the spirit of the holidays while taking in everything this popular vacation destination has to offer.
Head to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for a festive atmosphere that will inspire everyone to embrace the relaxed holiday spirit along the coastline. The annual Christmas by the Sea event is a multiple day celebration of colorful lights, cookies, storytelling, treats, and so much more, and is a great way for holiday visitors to explore this charming community in truly jolly style.
Your heart will grow three sizes this year, just like the Grinch himself, at this event that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with young and old grinches alike. The Kure Beach Holiday Whoobie Whatty is a kid-friendly and family-friendly event that features plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit, from arts and crafts, to cookie decorating, to a viewing of the famous movie that bears this green Christmas icon’s name!
Head to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk for a festive atmosphere that will inspire everyone to embrace the relaxed holiday spirit along the coastline. The annual Christmas by the Sea event is a multiple day celebration of colorful lights, cookies, storytelling, treats, and so much more, and is a great way for holiday visitors to explore this charming community in truly jolly style.
Head to the small town of Belville for this enticing festival that will delight visitors of all ages. The NC Rice Festival is a fun and engaging waterfront celebration that features plenty of activities for everyone in the crew. From arts and crafts vendors, to live music, to a cooking contest where rice is the star ingredient, this day-long festival brings a lot of downhome community spirit to a pretty corner of coastal North Carolina.
Celebrate the arrival of warm weather and sunny days along the waterfront with a stop at the always engaging Southport Spring Festival. This two-day festival that takes place in late March features a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages, and is sure to be a highlight of any getaway to the coastal Cape Fear region.
For more than 75 years, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has reigned supreme as one of the biggest and best festivals along the southeast coastline, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun to experience full days of vendors, live music, parades, and other events that shine a spotlight on the lively city of Wilmington. Founded in 1948, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has emerged as one of the most anticipated events in the state, and the celebration attracts visitors from all over the world who want to discover how enchanting the Cape Fear region can be.
