Calendar of Events – 2023
Winter
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Spring
Southport Spring Festival
April 7th & 8th
Southport
Welcome Spring Easter weekend in style at the Southport Spring Festival, a tradition for more than 25 years. This festival features a wide variety of activities.
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N.C. Azalea Festival
April 12th thru 16th
Wilmington
Wilmington has been celebrating Spring Southern Style since 1948. There’s something for everyone among their community’s rich array of artwork, gardens, history, and culture. This festival and is considered one of the top events in the Southeast.
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Strawberry & Wine Fest
April 23rd
Sunset Beach
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The eighth annual Strawberry and Wine Festival, hosted by the Old Bridge Preservation Society. There will be wines available from Silver Coast Winery with strawberries as the main fare of the day. It’s a day of wine, food, entertainment, and craft vendors.
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Days at the Docks Festival
April 29th & 30th
Holden Beach
The annual festival occurs in April or May and is sponsored by the Greater Holden Beach Merchants Association. It’s the Holden Beach way to kick-off the Spring and start the vacation season. In addition to the food and arts & crafts, enjoy live music & entertainment, a horseshoe tournament and the world famous “Bopple Race”. Lots of activities for the entire family!
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Blue Crab Festival
May 20th & 21st
Little River SC
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Little River has been celebrating the World Famous Blue Crab Festival since 1981. It is held on the waterfront in Little River and is one of the largest festivals in the Southeast. The purpose of this festival is one that supports and showcases the fabulous atmosphere of the local communities.
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Summer
Riverfest Celebration
June 24th
Conway SC
Held along the Waccamaw River in downtown Conway the festival celebrates Independence Day with music and events for the entire family.
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N.C. 4th of July Festival
July 4th
Southport
The patriotic spirit of America is alive and well in the City of Southport. For over 200 years this small maritime community has celebrated our nation’s independence in a big way. Incorporated as the N.C. 4th of July Festival in 1972 the festival committee strives to keep the focus of the festival on honoring our nation’s birthday with a little fun thrown in.
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Battleship Blast 4th of July Celebration
July 4th
Wilmington
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Annual 4th of July Celebration at Riverfront Park in downtown Wilmington. Featured entertainment will perform from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, followed by fireworks at 9:05 PM launched from a barge in the Cape Fear River adjacent to the USS North Carolina Battleship. The only place you need to be this holiday is downtown Wilmington for the best view of fireworks.
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Fall
U.S. Open King Mackerel Fishing Tournament
October 5th thru October 7th
Southport
The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament has taken place since 1979 and is held annually the first week in October. The U.S. Open is one of the largest king mackerel tournaments on the East Coast and part of the SKA (Southern Kingfish Association) Tournament Trail. The tournament now attracts almost 400 boats annually.
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Riverfest
October 6th thru 8th
Wilmington
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Wilmington’s Riverfest is celebrated in October since 1979 and runs from the foot of Market Street to Cape Fear Community College over a half mile of free family entertainment.
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Sunset at Sunset
October 7th
Sunset Beach
Held the first Saturday in October each year, Sunset at Sunset is the Town of Sunset Beach’s Community Block Party. The 15th annual autumn event is scheduled to happen again this year, in front of Ingram Planetarium on Sunset Boulevard in Sunset Beach.
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Run Holden Beach
October 7th
Holden Beach
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Run Holden Beach is part of the BAM! Race Series that started in 2014. The series includes four (4) events that have runs on Holden Beach, Oak Island, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach.
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N.C. Oyster Festival
October 21st & 22nd
Shallotte
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The annual North Carolina Oyster Festival has taken place since 1978. Come celebrate everything Oyster with a variety of foods, crafts, contests, children’s activities, and musical performances at Mulberry Park in Shallotte. Signature Festival events include the Oyster Shucking Contest, Oyster Eating Contest, and Oyster Stew Cook-off.
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N.C. Festival by the Sea
October 28th & 29th
Holden Beach
Hosted by the Holden Beach Merchants Association this two day festival occurs on the last full weekend in October. This two day event is kicked off with a parade down the Holden Beach causeway. There is a fishing tournament, horseshoe tournament, and a sandcastle building contest. Vendors provide food, arts and crafts, amusement rides and other activities. There is live musical entertainment both days at the Holden Beach’s Pavilion.
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Discover a wide range of things to do in the Brunswick Islands for an experience that goes beyond the beach.
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