Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on what to do this fall season.

September: Shopping Month at Blue Moon Gift Shops 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and Blue Moon Gift Shops wants to join the fight against veteran suicide. A portion of sales during the month benefit local nonprofit Save A Vet Now! A fundraiser finale will take place on September 28th and include live music and yellow ribbon specials to support this nonprofit. 

MUSIC + SHOWS

Cameron Arts Museum (CAM)

cameronartmuseum.org

Jazz @ CAM: Lydia Salette Dudley & Jazz Xpressions, Sept 5

Tift Merrit and Thomas Sayre, Sept 12

Jazz @ CAM: Jay Killman & The Constellations Quartet, Oct 3

Live Oak Pavilion 

liveoakbankpav.com

Band of Horses & City and Colour, Sept 2

Jon Pardi, Sept 6

Eye to Eye Tour, Sept 10

Dierks Bentley, Sept 12

Turnpike Troubadours, Sept 13

The Marley Brothers, Oct 2

Vampire Weekend, Oct 8

The Black Crowes, Oct 9

Laney Wilson, Oct 20

Whiskey Myers w/JJ Grey & MOFRO, Oct 22

Thalian Hall

thalianhall.org

The 39 Steps, Aug 29-Sept 8

Touch, Sept 9-11

T.S. Monk, Sept 14

Cape Fear Arts in Motion 2024, Sept 19-20

Shakers Revised, Sept 20-29

Bootlegger’s Ball, Sept 21

Young Frankenstein, Sept 27-Oct 6

Sing Sing, Sept 30-Oct 2

The Capitol Fools, Oct 10

The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, Oct 12

Night of the Living Dead, Oct 17-27

Night of the Living Dead (1968), Oct 28-30

The Wilson Center at CFCC

wilsoncentertickets.com

JB Smoove, Sept 13

Melissa Etheridge, Sept 15

Spider-Man, Sept 18

Check Leavell, Sept 20

Herbie Hancock, Sept 21

Cirque Kalabante, Sept 26

Lyle Lovett, Oct 1

Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Oct 3

Mozart + Beethoven, Oct 5

The Tina Turner Musical, Oct 8-9

Encanto, Oct 18

The Phantom of the Opera, Oct 20

Omnium Circus, Oct 25

Kathleen Madigan, Oct 26

Events

Sundays through Oct 27: HDWM Artisan Market 
Stroll through the Historic Downtown Wilmington Artisan Market featuring hand-crafted creations by local artisans. The market offers an ever-changing collection of art, jewelry, and handmade items along with musical entertainment.

Sep 2, 17:  Poplar Grove's Paranormal Tours 
Join an evening guided tour through the Manor House on the full or new moon, seeking possible paranormal activities. Learn about deceased family members through a Scroll of the Dead. Cameras and paranormal equipment are welcome.

Sep 6, Oct 11, and 12: Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Ghost Hunt & Tour 
Investigate paranormal activities on the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA with access to haunted areas, paranormal equipment, and a psychic medium. Includes daytime tour tickets and VIP access.

Sep 12, Oct 10: Summer Jazz Series at the Mansion 
Enjoy live jazz on the second Thursday of every month at Bellamy Mansion. Bring your family, relax on blankets or chairs, and enjoy your favorite snacks while listening to smooth tunes.

Sep 13: Broadway’s Next Hit Musical presents “The Phony Awards” 
Enjoy an improvised awards show with music, comedy, and laughs at Kenan Auditorium. Watch master improvisers turn audience suggestions into a full-blown musical.

Oct 19: The Second City presents She the People 
Join the women of The Second City at Kenan Auditorium for a sketch show that roasts the patriarchy. This comedic performance is filled with sketches and songs reclaiming comedy for everyone.

Sep 6-7: Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge 
Participate in the premiere inshore tournament at Inlet Watch Marina. The event includes registration on Friday and fishing on Saturday, followed by an awards party.

Sep 14: Wilmington Coffee Fest
Celebrate all things coffee with Wilmington’s finest purveyors at Azalea Station in the Cargo District. Enjoy coffee tastings, demonstrations, food trucks, and music.

Sep 20-22: 21 Years of One Tree Hill
Join the 21st-anniversary celebration of One Tree Hill in Wilmington. Events include a Friday Pep Rally, a State Championship Basketball Game Reunion, and opportunities to get cast photographs and autographs.

Sep 20-21: Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival 
Enjoy the Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival at Carolina Beach with a Friday kickoff party and Saturday races. Participate as a team or single rower and enjoy food and drink from vendors.

Sep 21: Cape Fear Latinos Festival 
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Live Oak Bank Pavilion with entertainment, dancing, music, children’s games, and more. Enjoy food trucks and family-friendly activities.

Sep 21: Waterman's Oktoberfest 
Celebrate Oktoberfest at Waterman’s Brewing Company with authentic German food, special beers, and live music from a traditional Oktoberfest band. Costumes are encouraged.

Sep 21: YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon 
Join the YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon, a USA Triathlon sanctioned event featuring a swim, bike, and run. The event includes youth distances and attracts both participants and spectators.

Sep 28-29: Outrigger East Coast Championship 
Participate in or watch the Outrigger East Coast Championships at Wrightsville Beach. The nearly 14-mile course includes flat water and ocean paddling, with an after-party nearby.

Sep 28: Pier Palooza Concert 
Enjoy riverside music with headliners The Vegabonds, The Blue Footed Boobies, and Machine Gun Band at the Pier Palooza Concert. Food and drink available for purchase.

Sep 28: Pier-2-Pier Open Water Swim Race 
Compete in the Annual Pier-2-Pier Swim Race at Wrightsville Beach, swimming approximately 1.7 miles between Johnnie Mercers Pier and Crystal Pier.

Oct 5: Bark in the Park 
Watch mighty mutts and playful purebreds catch flying discs at the Bark in the Park Skyhoundz Hyperflite Canine Disc Championships. Enjoy free, family-friendly fun with unique dog competitions.

Oct 5: Fire in the Pines Festival 
Celebrate Wilmington’s fire forests at the Fire in the Pines Festival with live animals, fire equipment, kids’ crafts, hayrides, food trucks, and more. An actual controlled burn may occur, weather permitting.

Oct 5: Oktoberfest Under the Bridge 
Enjoy Oktoberfest Under the Bridge at Waterline Brewing Co. with traditional Bavarian music, German food, and fun contests like Stein Holding and Keg Squatting.

Oct 6: Swim the Loop and Mott’s Channel Sprint 
Cheer on swimmers in the Swim The Loop (3.5 miles) and Mott’s Channel Sprint (1.3 miles) at Wrightsville Beach. Both events are part of the annual Carolina Swim Series.

Oct 6: Zombie Run 5K and Monster Mile 
Start your Halloween season with the Zombie Run 5K, where participants navigate a course while avoiding costumed zombies. The family-friendly Monster Mile offers trick-or-treating and photo opportunities with zombies.

Oct 11-13: Wilmington Boat Show 
Explore the latest in watersports at the Wilmington Boat Show, the largest show of its kind between Annapolis, MD, and Tampa, FL. The event features boats, sailing, fishing gear, and more.

Oct 12: King of the Island PRO/AM Tournament 
Join the Pro/Am Disc Golf tournament at Joe Eakes Park and Good Hops' Trinity course. Compete for the title of Royalty of Pleasure Island.

Oct 19: 15th Annual IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina 
Compete in the 15th Annual IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina triathlon, featuring a swim, bike, and run from Wrightsville Beach to historic downtown Wilmington. This event includes qualifying slots for the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

Oct 19: Monster Dash 5K 
Run the Monster Dash 5K trail race in Carolina Beach State Park, celebrating Halloween and Great State Trails Day. Enjoy a scenic, pine-laced course with water views.

Oct 19-20: Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge 
Join the premiere surf fishing tournament on Pleasure Island. Compete for over $30,000 in cash and prizes while fishing along the coastline of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher.

Oct 26-27: GooseBumps in the Grove 
Enjoy a daytime Halloween festival at Poplar Grove with carnival games, trick-or-treating, a Witches Candy Chute, and more. Fun for all ages with family-friendly activities.

Oct 26: Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival 
Explore a world of hops, grapes, and grain at the Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival. Sample a variety of beers and wines, enjoy live music, and delicious food at one amazing venue.

Oct 26: Seaside Shuffle 5K 
Run the Seaside Shuffle 5K at Wrightsville Beach Park. This fast, flat course is perfect for speed runners and fun runners alike. Get your friends together and enjoy this classic race.

Oct 31: NC Combo State Tennis Championships 
Watch top tennis teams compete at the USTA Combo Doubles League NC State Championships. Hosted by the Greater Wilmington Tennis Association, the event is open to qualified teams only. Spectators are welcome, and admission is free,