March-April 2021 Events

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

Steve Haydu St. Patrick’s Lo Tide Run 5K Walk/Run & 10K
Mar 13

This flat course (USATF Certification) run is a St. Patrick's Day Celebration and tribute to two truly amazing men whose paths crossed in Carolina Beach. Costume clad in Irish attire (or not) Participants can choose either the 10k Run or the 5k Run/Walk followed by an awards ceremony and after party. Carolina Beach Boardwalk, 7am-12pm, 910-547-3820, thestevehaydulotide.itsyourrace.com


10th Annual East Coast Shag Classic
Mar 18 – 21 (This is a rescheduled date)

10th Annual beach music weekend event is a chance to enjoy shagging to several live bands at Wrightsville Beach. Enjoy Thursday's Purple and Fabulous with the Band of Oz, Friday's Shagging Masquerade with Steve Owens and the Summertime Band. Enjoy Saturday night's Viva Las Vegas with The Catalinas Band.  Sunday enjoy a continental breakfast. Along with these great concerts, there are lots of events, social hour mixers, and complimentary shag and line dance lessons and more. All events are held at the Holiday Inn Resort with one, two and three night lodging packages available. This will be a fun-filled weekend! Holiday Inn Resort, various times, please see website for details, 910-297-7688, hopeabounds.org/east-coast-shag-classic

Made in NC 2021
Mar 20 – 21 (This is a rescheduled date)

Celebrate Wilmington's community of originalcraftsmen and artisansat this modern handmade marketplace! Made in NC features over 50 of the region's finest artists as they present their work in the historical Brooklyn Arts Center. Explore handmade creations of all kinds: art, clothing and accessories, household and garden items, and more. Food trucks will provide offerings both days while the BAC cash bar will serve liquid refreshments. Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews, Sat: 10am-5pm | Sun: 12pm-5pm,
910-538-2939, brooklynartsnc.com


Fourth Friday Gallery Nights
Mar 26 – Dec 24
(reoccurring monthly on the 4th Friday)

Enjoy a Fourth Friday evening in 2021 that select galleries and studios open their doors for an after-hours celebration of art and culture. On the Fourth Friday of each month, take a self-guided tour to view exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, metals, ceramics, music, mixed media and more. Many galleries have the featured artist available for discussion of their craft. Maps are available at all participating locations including the Arts Council of Wilmington or by visiting their website. 6-9pm,
910-343-8997, artscouncilofwilmington.org

Poplar Grove Herb & Garden Fair
Mar 27 – 28

Enjoy the area's largest and longest running garden event featuring classes, activities and exhibits on gardening, nature and related topics. The grounds of Poplar Grove will be filled with a wonderful selection of locally grown plants of all types – herbs, perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, shrubs, native plants, vegetable starts and houseplants, plus garden art and accessories, herbal and all-natural products, artisan crafts and local foods – including several Food Trucks. Poplar Grove Plantation, Sat: 9am-5pm | Sun: 10am-4pm,
910-686-9518, poplargrove.org

20th Annual CFCC Riverfront Boat Show
Mar 27

Held on the banks of the Cape Fear River, the CFCC Riverfront Boat Show attracts thousands of visitors every year. This event features a wide variety of wooden boats, including kayaks and skiffs, fiberglass boats from professional boat dealers as well as boat building material suppliers from around the region. Spectators can enjoy boat building demonstrations, try their hand at a Knot-tying Challenge, and be able speak with the Boat Builders about their creations. Historic Downtown Wilmington, 9:30am-4pm,
910-362-7151, cfcc.edu

Easter Bunny Drawn Carriage Tours
Apr 2 – 4

Experience the elegant spring beauty in historic downtown Wilmington with a "Bunny" horse-drawn carriage or trolley. This experience will be complete with a "surprise" for the kids, so make sure to bring the whole family for this unique Easter ride. Historic Downtown Wilmington, 10am-10pm,
910-251-8889, horsedrawntours.com


The North Carolina Azalea Festival
Apr 7 – 11

The North Carolina Azalea Festival is a celebration of Wilmington's exceptional artwork, gardens, rich history and culture during its five days of pageantry. Celebrate Spring Southern-style with Colorful Parades, bustling Street Fairs, charming Home Tours, Art Shows, Spectacular Fireworks, nationally-known entertainment performing concerts, as well as the majestic coronation of a Festival Queen and Princess. For community pride and springtime pageantry, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has no equal! See website for more event information. 910-794-4650, ncazaleafestival.org


Fins Across the Border
Apr 10 – 11

See some surfing excitement at Carolina Beach Fishing Pier as the best Eastern Surfing Association surfers from North Carolina compete against South Carolina in the first ever Fins Across the Border Competition.  Just in time to kick off the spring surfing season, this competition includes both short and long boards, junior's, men's, women's, master's and legend's as well as a menehune and push and go section for the littlest groms. This is a great chance to see some spectacular surfing- may the best District win! Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, 8am, snc.surfsignup.com


Cirque Éloize Hotel
Apr 15 (This is a rescheduled date)

A musical acrobatic show by the Montreal-based Cirque Éloize has an unusual grandiose Hotel coming alive with interesting characters and astounding acrobatics with fun for the entire family. Theatre and circus collide with non-stop live folk music combined with acrobatics, strength, agility and original choreography. Cirque Éloize has been creating award-winning entertainment content for over 25 years and ranks among the world’s leading contemporary circuses. Cirque Éloize has taken part in numerous prestigious international festivals and has performed on both New York’s Broadway and London’s West End. The Wilson Center, 7:30pm,
910-362-7999, wilsoncentertickets.com


Stephen Marley
Apr 17 (This is a rescheduled date)

Enjoy your evening lakeside under the stars with the eight-time GRAMMY® winning musician and producer who is also the second son of Bob Marley. Stephen's talent for navigating between genres by effortlessly blending reggae with soul, hip-hop and electronic dancehall beats makes his musical appeal universal and timeless.  One of the third generations of Marley's, DJ Shacia Payne & Constance Bubble will also be spinning tunes sure to get you moving. Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 7pm,
910-343-3614, greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com


Wilmington, NC Marathon Madness
Apr 17 (This is a rescheduled date)

Experience marathon madness from Pier to Port. Drawing a variety of runners from all over the country, this exciting event has the added bonus of being a Boston Marathon qualifier and an USATF certified qualifier.  The new course for the full marathon starts Saturday morning at Johnnie Mercers Pier in Wrightsville Beach, and runs through Wilmington ending in Historic Downtown Wilmington by the river in front of the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse. Make plans now to participate in or watch the "madness". They even have great spectator locations on a map on their website. Wrightsville Beach, Historic Downtown Wilmington, Friday is Packet Pickup | Race Day Sat: Race Times Vary, please see website, 910-297-4973, wilmingtonncmarathon.com


5K, 10K and Half Marathon Fun Run: Race for the Planet
Apr 18

The 5K, 10K and Half Marathon 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. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, see website for time information,
910-772-0500, ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher


NC Science Festival: Future of Our Planet
Apr 24

Join the Children's Museum's celebration of the NC Science Festival with activities based on technologies that are important to the future, (water filtration, engineering, micro-mechanics, and anatomy). This educational experience gives children the opportunity to participate in experiences educating them about future technologies, new medical technologies, and environmental engineering. Children will even be able to make a science craft. Children’s Museum of Wilmington, 9:30am-12:30pm or 1:30-4:30pm, 910-254-3534,
playwilmington.org/nc-science-festival


Wilmington’s Jewish Film Festival
Dates vary: Apr 25 – May 5

Enjoy provocative, compelling, heart-warming films by some of the most influential Jewish filmmakers of our time at beautiful Thalian Hall with the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival! Relax with film experts at select screenings and enjoy Sunday screenings followed by catered receptions and weeknight showings followed by dessert and coffee. There is usually a special family-friendly matinee planned for the second Sunday followed by a second film that evening. Check website and social media for additional details and times. Thalian Hall Main Stage, wilmingtonjff.org