Event Calendar Sept-Oct 2020

Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on what to do this fall season.
Due to Covid-19 some events may be cancelled. Check with event website for updates.

Airlie Gardens Summer Concert Series
Sep 4, 8, & 25

This annual open-lawn early evening casual concert series allows dining and dancing surrounded by Airlie Gardens' majestic beauty. Traditionally held from May- September, this family friendly event usually offers libations, and food and beverage for sale, or permits you to bring your own. So bring your picnic baskets, chairs or blankets, and enjoy an evening outdoors as lively toe-tapping music fills the air. Please visit their website and social media for parking and shuttle service information, excluded items, details on events, and latest updates. 6-8pm, Airlie Gardens, 910-798-7700, airliegardens.org


25th Annual Orange Street Artsfest
Sep 5 – 6

Wilmington's largest downtown arts festival returns with works of more than 80 artists from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Participants will exhibit oil and watercolor paintings, pottery, jewelry, wood, glass, and paper creations. The Orange Street Arts Fest is both relaxing and exhilarating with live entertainment, old-fashioned fair food, and a wine and beer tent. With its laid-back attitude and historic Downtown Wilmington setting, the Orange Street ArtsFest has been described as "A Jewel of a Show" so don't miss out! Please check their website for the most up-to-date information. Sat: 10am-5pm | Sun: 10am-5pm, Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 910-341-7860, wilmingtoncommunityarts.org


Pier-2-Pier Open Water Swim Race
Sep 12

Accept the open water challenge of the Annual Pier-2-Pier Swim Race at beautiful Wrightsville Beach. This annual event entails swimming approximately 1.7 miles between Johnnie Mercers Pier and the Crystal Pier around marker buoys. The starting point for the race will be determined on race day in accordance with the ocean current. Race usually starts at 9am, Johnnie Mercer’s Pier & Crystal Pier, runsignup.com


Boogie in the Park Concert Series
Sep 13 – Oct 4
No Concert Labor Day Weekend (September 6th)

Grab a lawn chair or blanket and your boogie shoes for some free family-friendly entertainment at Kure Beach Ocean Front Park. 1st & 3rd Sundays 5-7pm. 910-458-8216. townofkurebeach.org


Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival
Sep 18 – 19

Celebrate the colorful Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival at Carolina Beach. Either form your own team or join a team on their website to enjoy being afloat the colorful 45 foot long watercraft. The fun for everyone starts Friday evening with a kickoff party featuring a free outdoor concert. Saturday, get ready to race or watch and enjoy the gathering of vendors around starting line at the Carolina Beach Marina with fun, food and drink items for sale, or cheer the boats toward the finish line. Come join the family friendly festivities. Free Fri Concert: 6-9:30pm | Sat Race: 9am | Awards Ceremony Sat: 4pm, Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina, 910-599-2879, carolinabeachdragonboatregatta.com


5th Annual American Craft Walk
Sep 19

Stroll Historic Downtown Wilmington's picturesque streets and view colorful and creative works of art in a variety of mediums at Wilmington's largest outdoor art show and sale. Don’t miss your chance to pick up some of these one-of-a-kind local pieces from over 80 talented artists. Their Information Booth is located at the intersection of Market and Front Streets along with an event map. 10am-5pm, Downtown Wilmington, 732-691-7834, americancraftwalkwilmington.com

YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon
Sep 19

Historically the largest single distance one-day race from northern Virginia to Florida. This is a highly-anticipated USA Triathlon sanctioned event consisting of a 1,350 yard swim, an 11.5 mile bike and a 5k run in Wrightsville Beach making great use of Wrightsville Beach's terrain. Youth distances: Swim: 200meters, Bike: 4 miles and Run: 1.6 miles. Races begin at 7am, Wrightsville Beach Town Hall, 910-251-9622, trisignup.com


5K and 1-Mile Run for the Planet
Sep 20

The 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run Race for the Planet welcomes racers of all skill levels beginning and ending at the Aquarium. Serious runners take advantage of the flat course for a fast pace. The fun, no-pressure atmosphere makes it a great choice for families and walkers. The flat, mostly asphalt course runs through scenic Fort Fisher with amazing views of the ocean, maritime forest and the historic Fort Fisher Civil War site. New in 2020: 1-Mile Fun Run for kiddos of all ages! Free NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher Race Day Admission with race bib. Check in: 7-7:45am | Race: 8am, NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 910-772-0500, ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher


Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral
Oct 2

In October of each year, the Town of Kure Beach hosts a jazz funeral procession to wish summer a fond farewell until next year. A Jazz Band leads the procession of mourners to the pavilion. The band then performs jazz favorites to celebrate summer. All are invited to participate in a New Orleans style jazz funeral procession starting at 7pm. Don't forget your funeral finery, masks and beads. Even if you do, the Town has some available for a nominal fee. Time: 6-9pm | Jazz Band Procession: 7pm, Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion, 910-458-8216, townofkurebeach.org


Bark in the Park
Oct 3

Mighty mutts and playful purebreds will leap to the sky to catch flying discs at the Bark in the Park Skyhoundz Hyperflite Canine Disc Championships. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this free, unique event and applaud the talented canine athletes. Spectators can vote for the Best Dressed Dog, Best Dressed Team, and Dog Displaying the Most Personality. Rain date is traditionally held next day- first Sunday in October. 11am, Wrightsville Beach Park, 910-256-7925, townofwrightsvillebeach.com


Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe & Dumpstaphunk
Oct 3

Spend an evening under the stars with Karl Denson, founding member of the seminal funk band The Greyboy Allstars, sideman of Lenny Kravitz, and part of The Rolling Stones touring band.  Karl brings his own band-- Karl Denson's Tiny Universe (KDTU), often regarded as one of the best live bands to Wilmington. KDTU will be showcasing material from their long-awaited studio album, as well as previously acclaimed recordings like 'New Ammo' and 'The Bridge.' Doors Open: 6pm | Show Starts: 7pm, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 910-343-3614, greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com


WBLA Longboard Pro-Am
Oct 3

Get ready to watch one of the most exciting surfing competitions-- WBLA Longboard Pro-Am.  Contestants will compete in the Longboard Classic Pro-Am heats, semi-finals and finals with an amazing $2,000 pro-purse prize. There are also fun divisions such as twin fin or retro, first timers for those of you who have never surfed in a contest and noseriding (advanced surfing from the front of the board-- hanging ten). 7:30am-4pm, Surfing usually begins 8am, Wrightsville Beach: South End near Oceanic, esa-snc.com


Riverfest
Oct 3 – 4  

Celebrate Riverfest featuring a street fair with special exhibits, a Kid's Play Zone in addition to vendors selling art and jewelry, handmade crafts, fireworks, over 30 food vendors and more. The BMX riders will return with their bikes and more surprises than ever. See Miss Riverfest crowned as the festival’s ambassador and enjoy the traditional Saturday Night Fireworks. Vendors Sat: 10am-6pm (some open later) Fireworks: 8pm with Live Music: 12-10:30pm | Sun: 10:30am-5pm, Downtown Wilmington, 512-920-3378, wilmingtonriverfest.com


Wilmington Greek Festival  
Oct 9 – 11

The Greek community shares its culture, faith and heritage during this three day festival that includes authentic Greek food, cooking demonstrations, music, dancing, and a market place that also offers Greek wine and beer. Held at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, the festival also has a food pick-up drive-through. Please check the event website and social media for a full schedule of events including Church tours, Greek Music and Dancing, Cooking Demonstrations and the latest updates. Friday & Saturday: 11am-10pm | Sunday: 11am-6pm, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 910-392-4444, stnicholaswilmington.org


Wilmington Boat Show
Oct 9 – 11

Celebrate the annual Wilmington Boat Show at North Carolina’s most accessible coastal destination. Located alongside the Cape Fear River, this destination show is the largest of its kind between Annapolis, MD and Tampa, FL. Come see and experience the latest and greatest in watersports, including boating, sailing, fishing and children's activities. The Boat Show includes areas inside the Convention Center, Battleship NORTH CAROLINA and the Port City Marina Area with fishing clinics, live music, food trucks and the Carolina Dock Dogs competition at Battleship Park. Fri: 12-6pm | Sat: 10am-6pm | Sun: 10am-5pm, Carolina Convention Center, Port City Marina, Battleship NC Park, 864-250-9713, wilmingtonboatshow.com


Dark Star Orchestra
Oct 10 – 11

Celebrating over 21 years and 2600 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead concert experience. Performing music based on historical set lists from the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of touring, as well as their own sets of Dead songs, they offer a continually evolving experience that both honors the band and their followers as well as introduces a new generation to this iconic sound. Sit under the stars, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater and be surrounded by the music. You can even pack a picnic and come early to enjoy tailgating with your friends, or a private picnic in the surrounding park. Shows: 6pm | Doors Open: 5pm, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 910-343-3614, greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com


Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge
Oct 16 – 18

Pleasure Island, made up of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher, provides the perfect coastline for surf fishing, and is home to the area's premiere land-based surf fishing tournament. Everyone is welcome to come and join this weekend of fishing for a chance to win over $20,000 in cash and prizes.  Fri Registration: 2-11pm | Fish Time Start: Fri Midnight–Ends: Sun at noon | Awards Dinner: Sun 12-2pm | Awards: 2pm, 224 Canal Drive, Municipal Docks, 910-452-6378, fishermanspost.com


NC Azalea Festival Concert with the Avett Brothers
Oct 17  

The North Carolina Azalea Festival is proud to bring back multiple GRAMMY® nominated North Carolina natives The Avett Brothers, to the Main Stage on Saturday, October 17th. The Avett Brothers, from Concord, NC, include brothers Scott and Seth Avett joined by Bob Crawford and Joe Kwon and other touring band musicians. Their special genre-blending sound combines bluegrass, country, punk, pop melodies, with folk, rock and roll, honky tonk, and ragtime to produce an incredible evening under the stars. Opening for The Avett Brothers is Chatham County Line, 7-10pm, Azalea Festival Main Stage at Cape Fear Community College,
910-794-4650, ncazaleafestival.org

Rumours – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Oct 17

Enjoy the stunning grandeur of Thalian Hall while experiencing the live blended harmonies and inspired instrumentation of Rumours - A Fleetwood Mac Tribute band. This high-energy, visually engaging stage show has taken great care to recreate the iconic band Fleetwood Mac’s concert experience. Come spend an evening listening to some of your favorite songs performed by a band that has been thrilling audiences around the world. 7:30pm, Thalian Hall, 910-632-2285, thalianhall.org


Voracious Beer Festival
Oct 23

If you're constantly searching for the latest and greatest beer, this event was made for you. Take advantage of the opportunity to try the private reserves of 50 of your favorite breweries featuring unique limited release beers you've never had (and some you've never heard of) aboard the deck of the historic Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, complete with light appetizers, live music and brewers on hand to answer all of your questions. Come see why this has been called the ultimate beer geek experience. 21+. 6-9pm, Battleship NC, 910-256-8622, lighthousebeerandwine.com


Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival
Oct 24

Explore the world of hops, grapes and grain at the Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival featuring over 300+ beers and 100+ wines. Admission includes entrance to either the Mid-day Session 1 or the Afternoon Session 2 of the Lighthouse Beer Festival grounds and a sampling glass. Don't miss this fun-filled festival of beverages, live music, food vendors, and more. Session 1: 11:30am-3:30pm | Session 2: 5-9pm, Marina Grill,
910-256-8622, lighthousebeerandwine.com


Batty Battleship’s Halloween Bash
Oct 27

Batty Battleship, brother Buggy and their friends return to the Battleship for a spooktacular time. Bring your little ghouls and goblins for trick-or-treating, games and fun for kids of all ages. Batty Battleship is perfect for the little ones and families! We’ll have face painting, a bounce house and more. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. Bring your camera! 5:30-8:30pm, Battleship NC, 910-399-9100, battleshipnc.com