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Wilmington, NC Outdoor & Nature Events - 2025 Schedule

Wilmington, NC Outdoor & Nature Events - 2025 Schedule
Week of August 25, 2025 - August 31, 2025
Saturday, August 30th - Monday, September 1st
Bald Head Island

Labor Day weekend on Bald Head Island is truly a celebration, and the annual Labor Day Cookout offers a lot more besides a chance to feast on burgers and beachy fare. With corresponding activities and events held all along the island, and plenty of unique attractions to discover along the way, the annual celebration is a prime opportunity to uncover everything this popular North Carolina vacation destination has to offer.

Week of September 1, 2025 - September 7, 2025
Saturday, August 30th - Monday, September 1st
Bald Head Island

Labor Day weekend on Bald Head Island is truly a celebration, and the annual Labor Day Cookout offers a lot more besides a chance to feast on burgers and beachy fare. With corresponding activities and events held all along the island, and plenty of unique attractions to discover along the way, the annual celebration is a prime opportunity to uncover everything this popular North Carolina vacation destination has to offer.

Week of September 29, 2025 - October 5, 2025
Saturday, October 4th 11:00 AM
Wrightsville Beach

Celebrating its 31st year in 2025, the annual Bark in the Park is a playful competition that pits high flying canines of all varieties in a number of competitions that will delight participants and their human spectators alike. Featuring a number of activities, and absolutely free to the public, Bark in the Park is a great outing for family members of all varieties, and especially the furry ones who love to make new friends and show off their stuff at one of the coolest parks in Wrightsville Beach.

Saturday, October 4th 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wilmington

Come explore Wilmington’s wild side while garnering a little knowledge about fire safety at this annual event that features ample ways to explore, learn, and have fun – especially for the Port City’s youngest residents and visitors. The Fire in the Pines Festival is a full day of activity and entertainment, with crats and games for kids, hayrides, food trucks, live music, animals, and so much more.

Week of November 3, 2025 - November 9, 2025
Friday, November 7th - Sunday, November 9th
Kure Beach

With fall winds at their peak, the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to be awed by a colorful display of kites of all varieties. Held at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area on the Cape Fear coastline, this impressive event is always a crowd pleaser, with an unforgettable overhead show that will make everyone look to the skies.

Week of November 17, 2025 - November 23, 2025
Saturday, November 22nd - Tuesday, December 30th
Kure Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Week of November 24, 2025 - November 30, 2025
Saturday, November 22nd - Tuesday, December 30th
Kure Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Friday, November 28th - Saturday, November 29th 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Monday, December 1st - Sunday, December 21st 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Wilmington

Ring in the holiday season with this magical display of lights, greenery, and gorgeous local scenery with this month-long event that brings plenty of spirit to the season. The Enchanted Airlie celebration is an opportunity to discover how beautiful and glittering this beloved local landmark can be during the holidays, thanks to a dazzling array of lights, and plenty of activities that will leave young and old visitors alike grinning from ear to ear.

Saturday, November 29th
Wrightsville Beach

Get a jumpstart to your holiday celebrations with this annual event that is always a crowd pleaser for visitors and local Cape Fear residents like, The NC Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach is an enchanting evening that combines holiday celebrations with the allure of the coastline, courtesy of a festive boat parade, fireworks, and so much more.

Week of December 1, 2025 - December 7, 2025
Monday, December 1st - Sunday, December 21st 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Friday, November 28th - Saturday, November 29th 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Wilmington

Ring in the holiday season with this magical display of lights, greenery, and gorgeous local scenery with this month-long event that brings plenty of spirit to the season. The Enchanted Airlie celebration is an opportunity to discover how beautiful and glittering this beloved local landmark can be during the holidays, thanks to a dazzling array of lights, and plenty of activities that will leave young and old visitors alike grinning from ear to ear.

Saturday, November 22nd - Tuesday, December 30th
Kure Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Friday, December 5th - Friday, December 12th
Southport

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.

Saturday, December 6th
Carolina Beach

Pleasure Island is inherently known for celebrating life on the water, and at this holiday event, spectators and participants alike will enjoy a glowing show in one of the prettiest corners of the waterfront Cape Fear region. The Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla is an annual tradition that rings in the holidays with plenty of dazzling style, and which is sure to charm and delight anyone with a front-row seat along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Week of December 8, 2025 - December 14, 2025
Monday, December 1st - Sunday, December 21st 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Friday, November 28th - Saturday, November 29th 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Wilmington

Ring in the holiday season with this magical display of lights, greenery, and gorgeous local scenery with this month-long event that brings plenty of spirit to the season. The Enchanted Airlie celebration is an opportunity to discover how beautiful and glittering this beloved local landmark can be during the holidays, thanks to a dazzling array of lights, and plenty of activities that will leave young and old visitors alike grinning from ear to ear.

Friday, December 5th - Friday, December 12th
Southport

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.

Saturday, November 22nd - Tuesday, December 30th
Kure Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Week of December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025
Monday, December 1st - Sunday, December 21st 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Friday, November 28th - Saturday, November 29th 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Wilmington

Ring in the holiday season with this magical display of lights, greenery, and gorgeous local scenery with this month-long event that brings plenty of spirit to the season. The Enchanted Airlie celebration is an opportunity to discover how beautiful and glittering this beloved local landmark can be during the holidays, thanks to a dazzling array of lights, and plenty of activities that will leave young and old visitors alike grinning from ear to ear.

Saturday, November 22nd - Tuesday, December 30th
Kure Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Week of December 22, 2025 - December 28, 2025
Saturday, November 22nd - Tuesday, December 30th
Kure Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Week of December 29, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Saturday, November 22nd - Tuesday, December 30th
Kure Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Cape Fear Map
Wilmington Sunset Beach Ocean Isle Beach Holden Beach Oak Island Bald Head Island Southport Kure Beach Carolina Beach WrightsvilleBeach
The Loop at Wrightsville Beach

New visitors to Wrightsville Beach may hear the phrase “The Loop” tossed around by locals and long-time visitors in-the-know. This initially unfamiliar term actually refers to one of the town’s literally largest attractions &ndash...

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based...

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"Seasharp Repeat" is a bright and cheerful 4 bedroom, 2 bath beach bungalow, located on the west end of handsome Holden Beach, and perched directly on the oceanfront! Appreciate exceptional vistas of the shining Atlantic Ocean from the living room...

  • Holden Beach
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

There’s an ocean of adventures waiting for visitors at the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Featuring a full range of entertainment options including a water park, mini golf course, go karts, arcade, and so much more, veritably every visitor...

OCEANFRONT 5BR/3BA Linens/Towels.XLrge K...
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'Whata Gift' describes the true beauty of this comfortable, livable OCEANFRONT vacation home. Updated with brightly colored rooms and casual seating, this home openly invites its guests to appreciate their stay. Each bedroom has a flat-screen T.V...

  • Ocean Isle Beach
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
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Cape Fear River

While Wilmington visitors will arguably enjoy the best views of the Cape Fear River, this distinctive river actually spreads out throughout most of the coastal and piedmont regions of North Carolina, originating in the town of Haywood, just north of...