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