Events
UnFROGettable - Art in the Garden
Wilmington
Oct 15th – Dec 31st
Join Airlie Gardens as they host UnFROGetable 14th Annual Art in the Garden with larger than life toad-tastic sculptures nestled throughout the grounds. This year's exhibit features fancifully decorated colorful giant frogs placed for you to enjoy as part of your garden experience. They will even…
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Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Gardens/Flowers Wildlife/Nature
1.1K
Fall Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch at Trask Family Farms
Surrounding Areas
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun
Autumn isn't complete without a trip to the Trask Family Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, one of the biggest in the area where pumpkins are actually grown on the farm! Grab a wagon, shears, and hunt for your perfect pumpkin. Pick your pumpkin then stay and make a day of it with Wilmington's…
Tags
Family Foodie Events Gardens/Flowers Halloween
252
Carolina Beach Pier Pumpkin Patch
Carolina Beach
Oct 15th – Oct 31st
Celebrate fall at the seaside Pumpkin Patch offering special Halloween family fun all October long! Pick your pumpkins, take family photos, and enjoy the coastal sights and sounds that you only find at Carolina Beach in this unique beach pumpkin patch. Events will be happening all month long like…
Tags
Family Halloween Holiday Events
179
Blankets, Bonfires & Music: Seaside Pumpkin Patch
Carolina Beach
Thu & Fri
The beachfront pumpkin patch transforms into the perfect family friendly fall hangout with stellar bands, bonfires, s'mores kits, and unmissable fall vibes. Cozy up on the beach patch to enjoy live music under the autumn sky. There will be seasonal bites and s'mores, drinks and pumpkins available…
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Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Halloween Holiday Events
113
Oct 17th
Join the family friendly fun when everybody's favorite Sesame Street Characters like Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and more bring their live show to historic downtown! Bring your kids to come sing, dance, and play alongside all of their favorite Sesame Street friends in this brand-new…
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Arts/Theatre/Dance😂 Comedy Family Music/Concerts
45
Recurring | Riverfront Farmers' Market
Wilmington
Saturdays
The Riverfront Farmers' Market sets up on Dock Street in historic downtown every Saturday, starting April through end of November. This pedestrian market features farmers, producers, bakers, artists and crafters. Items available including fresh fruits and berries, mushrooms, vegetables, plants…
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Expo/Hobbies/Crafts Family Foodie Events Gardens/Flowers
788
Saturdays
Find your fresh food essentials and wants as talented artisans join local farmers and more for your ultimate Farm direct shopping! Choose from a variety of local handmade gifts and treasures as well as items for your meals. Check the Events Schedules for Chef Demos and live music details! Located…
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Family Foodie Events Gardens/Flowers Markets
797
Recurring | Airlie Gardens History Tours
Wilmington
Oct 17th + 4 more
On the first and third Saturday of every month, from 10:00am to 11:30am dive into fascinating history, vibrant horticulture, and more during a leisurely walking tour at Airlie Gardens. Discover how original owners, Pembroke and Sarah Jones, first fashioned Airlie as a private space, as well the…
Tags
Family Gardens/Flowers History/Reenactments Tours/Cruises
510
Annual Backyard BBQ Cookoff
Kure Beach
Oct 17th
Over twenty of the areas best local BBQ smokers will take to their grills, forks in hand, secret recipes folded and stashed in pockets, all for the glory of the first-place trophy and ultimate bragging rights. Come hungry and ready to try incredible barbecue while you listen to live bands, shop…
Tags
Family Foodie Events Markets Music/Concerts
25
Third Saturdays
Join the knowledgeable guides from Cape Fear Bird Observatory and their partners for a family friendly fun nature walk! Meeting at the Greenfield Lake boathouse (near the tennis courts) for an informational session usually beginning at 9:00 AM followed by a narrated 60 minute stroll around the…
Tags
Family Gardens/Flowers Literary/Lectures Tours/Cruises
334
Tour de Island Bike Ride
Kure Beach
Oct 17th
Experience and explore the wonders of Pleasure Island (comprised of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach) on a ten mile bicycle adventure. Welcoming bicycles of all types with helmets required, this leisurely (5-10 miles per hour) ride offers a chance to see all the island offers. Don't have a bike? Rent…
Tags
Family Sports Tours/Cruises Wildlife/Nature
16
Zombie Run 5K and Monster Mile
Wilmington
Oct 18th
Start your spooky Halloween season by running for your life in hilarious Zombie Run! Doomed participants navigate a non-timed 5K course with a flag belt while groups of costumed zombies stationed and hidden throughout the course try to pull flags from the runners' belts. Participants who complete…
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Family Fitness/Marathons Halloween Holiday Events
28
Oct 18th
Swing along to your favorite tunes outside, every first and third Sunday from May until October, excluding 4th of July and Labor Day Weekends. Enjoy everything from funk and rock to pop and soul with live music at the Boogie in the Park Outdoor Summer Concerts. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and…
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Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Music/Concerts
416
Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market
Wrightsville Beach
Mondays
Come browse through this unique Farmers' Market, the only one on the island, that provides an opportunity to purchase fresh, locally grown produce. In addition to produce vendors and various other consumable vendors, the market includes a variety of unique craft vendors, fresh cut flowers, plants…
Tags
Family Foodie Events Gardens/Flowers Markets
628
Oct 22nd
Join Cameron Art Museum for Mary's Art Explorers as they read The Not So Scary Scarecrow by Mamie Tauk. After story time, young artists will create their own scarecrow puppets using paper bags. Mary's Art Explorers is designed for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, but big brothers and sisters…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Halloween Holiday Events
8
Mística - Ballet Nepantla
Wilmington
Oct 22nd
Celebrate the Día De Muertos tradition with a night at Thalian Hall as you watch Mística - Ballet Nepantla. "Mística" honors our ancestors by celebrating the creative and spiritual energies of our indigenous, Afro, and Hispanic roots. It commemorates traditions of Día De Muertos and will transport…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Culture Family
29
Oct 23rd
Experience the breathtaking spectacle of Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular, a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture featuring the electrifying sounds of live mariachi and the sweeping movement of traditional Ballet Folklórico. With Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Culture Family Halloween
7
Water Street Evening Market
Wilmington
Oct 23rd
Come explore Water Street Market on select Friday evenings along the Riverwalk between Market and Princess Streets in historic downtown. Stroll through an eclectic variety of vendors and food trucks in this charming riverside destination for unique shopping, dining, and entertainment! From locally…
Tags
Expo/Hobbies/Crafts Family Markets
126
Movies on the Fantail
Wilmington
Oct 23rd
Experience the rare opportunity to watch fan favorite movies such as, "Mary Poppins," "They Were Expendable," and "Wall-E" on the fantail of the iconic Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. This is a great family friendly event if you are looking to have a relaxed night after exploring the historic…
Tags
Family Movies/Film/Screenings
122
Halloween Story Time by the Sea
Kure Beach
Oct 24th
Join this magical morning for an annual Halloween Story Time by the Sea. Several of your favorite characters will be hosting storytelling and fun for boys and girls at the Kure Beach Ocean Front Park. This is a free event that requires no RSVP, however they ask that larger groups notify Kure Beach…
Tags
Family Halloween Holiday Events
36
Oct 24th
Join Cameron Art Museum in the Public Exhibition Opening of Echoes of Us: North Carolina Storykeepers. Spend the day discovering their newest exhibition on Community Day, Echoes of Us, and the story keepers uplifting the voices of communities across North Carolina. Enjoy a full day of free…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Culture Family Museum Exhbit/Prog
4
Ghostbusters in Concert
Wilmington
Oct 24th
Get into the ultimate Halloween spirit and prepare to bust some ghosts as you watch the beloved 1984 classic film, Ghostbusters, like never before. The soundtrack comes to life, much like casper, and is performed on stage by a full orchestra in front of a large HD cinema screen. The Academy…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Halloween Holiday Events
36
Battleship 101
Wilmington
Oct 24th
Join the fun when special volunteers are stationed throughout the top levels of the ship to help history come to life sharing their expertise about specific battleship subjects during Battleship 101. Some of the areas they are knowledgeable about are the gunnery, radar, sickbay, galley…
Tags
Family History/Reenactments Literary/Lectures Museum Exhbit/Prog
72
Military Through the Ages
Surrounding Areas
Oct 24th
Explore the grounds of Moores Creek National Battlefield as it is filled with living historians portraying soldiers from wars across the ages including the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War and both World Wars. Combined with the historic ambience of colonial music demonstrations and…
Tags
A250th Arts/Theatre/Dance Family History/Reenactments
4
Fall Festival: Cargo District
Wilmington
Oct 25th
Enjoy festive family-friendly activities in this container filled enclave boasting delicious refreshments from their food court and fall goodies from local boutiques, all a short drive from historic downtown. At the Cargo District's Fall Festival get ready for a fun filled day of carnival games…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Festivals Halloween
Celebrate Downtown Wilmington
Wilmington
Oct 30th
Celebrate the Halloween season and downtown Wilmington on this special night the day before Halloween. Enjoy food trucks, Halloween treats, lawn games, music, tree giveaways, police and fire vehicles on display, and activities for all ages along the way. At 6:45 PM enjoy a special viewing of Hocus…
Tags
Family Halloween Movies/Film/Screenings
2
Movies in the Park: Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Wrightsville Beach
Oct 30th
Share outdoor family fun just in time for the creepy Halloween Season with a ghostly Movie in the Park! Enjoy a showing of the third movie in the Ghostbusters Trilogy that reunites most of the original fan favorite cast. Watch the tale of a single mother and her two children moving to an Oklahoma…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance😂 Comedy Family Halloween
27
Birding Cruise on the Cape Fear
Wilmington
Oct 30th
Sit back and embrace the wondrous scenery of the Cape Fear waterways as you embark on this special adventure with Jill Peleuses of Wild Bird & Garden. Feel like a true explorer and bring your cameras and binoculars along and let the three bird experts on board help you identify different species…
Tags
Family Tours/Cruises Wildlife/Nature
5
Alley-Ween
Carolina Beach
Oct 31st
Experience Halloween in the Alley aka Alley-Ween hosted by the Dive Restaurant and Bar in Carolina Beach. This block party is a two-for-one with a family portion during the day from 4-7pm with vendors, mini golf, game booths and more. After 7pm the party turns into an adults only party where you…
Tags
Family Festivals Halloween Holiday Events
11
PokeKon Festival
Wilmington
Oct 31st
Get ready for the exciting Wilmington PokeKon Fest, a celebration of all things Pokemon with games, cosplay, and more in historic downtown. Join in on a day filled with Pokemon battles, trading, fan meet and greets, and more! Participate in tournaments, maybe even catch a rare Pokemon or two, and…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Expo/Hobbies/Crafts Family Festivals
7
30th Annual Art in the Arboretum
Wilmington
Oct 31st – Nov 1st
Join fellow art and nature lovers as North Carolina artists and artisans show their two and three dimensional creations throughout the splendor of the seven acre gardens, including sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, photographs, and more. There will also be over 80 booths providing a wide variety of…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Expo/Hobbies/Crafts Family Festivals
62
Eek! Week Festival
Wilmington
Oct 31st
Kick off your family friendly fall Halloween fun for the little ones at the Eek! Week Festival! Get ready for a morning tailored for the tiny ones filled with ooey-gooey and kooky hands on holiday fun. Wear your favorite costumes October 31st for a morning of treats, crafts, experiments and…
Tags
Family Halloween Holiday Events
18
Cape Fear Kite Festival
Kure Beach
Nov 6th – Nov 8th
Join the fun as serious kite flyers create sky art at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area for the Cape Fear Kite Festival, presented in partnership with the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. This is the final kite event of the professional kite flying season with much more than average kites…
Tags
Expo/Hobbies/Crafts Family Festivals
33
Veterans Parade & Celebration
Wilmington
Nov 7th
Honoring all who served, Wilmington's Annual Southeast North Carolina Veteran's Parade is one of the finest! View exciting marching bands, military units, pipe and drump corps, and groups from across Southeastern NC. The celebration kicks off in front of Thalian Hall on Third Street with live…
Tags
Family Holiday Events Parades
14
Annual Polish Festival
Surrounding Areas
Nov 7th
Enjoy a fun filled afternoon featuring authentic Polish food a few minutes drive from historic downtown, filled with fun kids activities and entertainment including a full size authentic Blaskapelle band, a craft sale, raffles and more. You are invited to try delicious Polish Foods: Kielbasa…
Tags
Culture Family Festivals Foodie Events
13
American Ballet Theatre Studio
Wilmington
Nov 12th
Experience a night with the American Ballet Theatre Studio, one of the world's largest ballet companies, at Thalian Hall on November 12. Watch in awe as they dance elegantly across the stage in beautiful costumed attire. This is an exciting performance of the highest quality that you won't want to…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Family
16
Nov 14th
Explore a vibrant all day celebration during the BAD (Brooklyn Arts District) Music & Arts Festival. Listen to tunes from an even bigger sound stage than last year featuring bluegrass, funk, reggae, and more with headliners The Revivavalists and Grace Potter with support from other hot bands like…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Expo/Hobbies/Crafts Family Festivals
22
International Festival
Wilmington
Nov 14th – Nov 15th
Come enjoy the vibrant multi-cultural weekend celebration when the International Festival (previously known as Festival Latino) returns, filled with even more family fun, music and terrific food for the 26th Anniversary. The Kids Fiesta Area will keep the young entertained for hours with carnival…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Festivals Foodie Events
17
African American Experience Tour
Wilmington
Nov 18th & Nov 25th
Explore the cultural impact of African Americans on select days throughout the year at Thalian Hall for a special African American Experience Tour. Showcasing how African American historical experiences are integral in Thalian Hall's history, this fascinating tour gives context to historical…
Tags
African American Arts/Theatre/Dance Culture Family
375
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Wilmington
Nov 20th
Experience the Holiday spirit of the season as magic comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller, America's favorite Christmas tradition since its 1974 debut. GRAMMY winner Chip Davis has created a show featuring a blend of beloved Christmas music along with dazzling multimedia…
Tags
Arts/Theatre/Dance Family Holiday Events Holidays On Water
5