The Reveal: September  –  October

Our five highlights from this season’s calendar of events

American Craft Walk
Sept 12
Stroll historic downtown Wilmington during the city’s largest annual outdoor art show and sale. More than 100 artists fill the streets with one-of-a-kind works in a variety of mediums, giving visitors a chance to meet local makers and take home an original piece. Admission is free.

Bourbon, Bluegrass & Brews Festival
Sept 12
Head under the bridge at Waterline Brewing Co. for an afternoon of bluegrass, bourbon, barbecue and craft beer. The family-friendly fall festival pairs live music with bourbon tastings, cocktails and local barbecue, all just a short walk from downtown Wilmington. Admission is free; food and drinks are available for purchase.

11th Annual ARTfall
Sept 18-26
Discover work by established and emerging artists from across the Lower Cape Fear region during this juried exhibition and sale at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center. The show features two- and three-dimensional works in a variety of mediums, with an artists reception Sept. 17.

Wilmington Coffee Fest
Sept 18–19
Celebrate Wilmington’s coffee scene at Azalea Station in the Cargo District. Friday brings a free Latte Art Throwdown, while Saturday’s ticketed festival features tastings from local roasters, shops, makers and bakers, along with demonstrations, seminars, food trucks and live music.

Warbirds History Restored Tour
Sept 24–27
Two World War II-era aircraft, B-29 DOC and P-51 Gunfighter, land at Wilmington International Airport for four days of public tours and flight experiences. Aviation and history fans can explore the aircraft up close, tour the cockpits and, with advance tickets, take to the skies aboard these rare flying warbirds.

Events

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

MUSIC + SHOWS

The Wilson Center at CFCC
wilsoncentertickets.com

Cameron Arts Museum (CAM)
cameronartmuseum.org

Thalian Hall
thalianhall.org

UNCW Kenan Auditorium
uncw.edu

EVENTS

Jazz at the Mansion
Through Sept 9, second Wednesdays
Relax on the grounds of the Bellamy Mansion for live jazz beneath the evening sky. Bring blankets or chairs and enjoy snacks and drinks while listening to a rotating lineup of performers.

Oceanic Summer Music Series
Through Sept 27, Thursdays and Sundays
Enjoy live music over the ocean on Crystal Pier at Oceanic Restaurant, with Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon performances throughout the late-summer season.

Carolina Beach Market
Through Oct 3, Saturdays
Browse local produce, handmade goods and artisan crafts while listening to live music at Carolina Beach Lake Park. Food and drinks are also available from on-site vendors.

HDWM Artisan Market
Through Oct 25, Sundays
Browse handcrafted art, jewelry and locally made goods from more than 30 rotating artisans at the Historic Downtown Wilmington Artisan Market, with live music each week.

Fourth Friday Gallery Nights
Fourth Fridays
Explore Wilmington’s arts scene during a self-guided evening gallery walk featuring special exhibitions, artist conversations and refreshments at participating galleries and studios.

Enchanting Secret Wine Garden
Sept 10–13; Oct 8–11
Spend a long weekend at Perennial Harbor’s native plant garden in the Soda Pop District, with beer and wine, food trucks, live music and plant- and flower-focused workshops.

Blakeslee Concert Series
Sept 11 and 25
Bring blankets, chairs or a picnic for free sunset concerts at the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area. Food trucks are available, and pets are not permitted.

LEGO Fan Expo — Brick Convention
Sept 12–13
See massive LEGO models, meet professional builders and create with thousands of bricks during the Brick Convention’s first Wilmington appearance at the Wilmington Convention Center.

Painted Bunting Public Banding Demo
Sept 12
Watch members of the Cape Fear Bird Observatory conduct a public bird-banding demonstration at Carolina Beach State Park. The free event offers a rare look at field research, though wild painted buntings are never guaranteed to appear.

Poplar Grove Plantation Ghost Hunt
Sept 12
Explore Poplar Grove after dark during an overnight ghost hunt featuring guided history, paranormal investigation equipment and time for solo exploration of the Manor House, Tenant House, graveyard and grounds. Ages 16+ with restrictions.

Hey 23: A Call Back to Tree Hill
Sept 18–20
Celebrate 23 years of One Tree Hill with a Wilmington reunion featuring a pep rally, basketball game reunion, cast photo and autograph opportunities, and an official after-party. Additional guests and details will be announced closer to the event.

Pier-2-Pier Open Water Swim Race
Sept 19
Swimmers tackle approximately 1.7 miles between Johnnie Mercers Pier and Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach. The race-day starting point is determined by ocean currents.

Beach 5K & One Mile Fun Run/Walk
Sept 20
Welcome fall with a timed 5K or family-friendly one-mile run and walk, both starting and finishing on the sand at Johnnie Mercers Pier.

Fall Corn Mazes: Trask Family Farms
Sept 20–Nov 1
Navigate more than four miles of trails across children’s, intermediate and advanced corn mazes. The farm also offers pumpkins, flowers, homemade ice cream and, typically on weekends, hayrides.

Movies on the Fantail
Sept 26; Oct 23
Watch classic and family-friendly movies aboard the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. September features They Were Expendable, followed by Mary Poppins in October. Lawn chairs, food and beverages are welcome on the fantail.

YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon
Sept 26
Cheer on athletes in this long-running USA Triathlon-sanctioned race featuring a 1,200-meter swim, 11-mile bike ride and 5K run. Youth distances are also offered.

Oktoberfest on the Beach
Sept 27
Celebrate fall at Carolina Beach Pier with beer, polka, an oompah band, a seaside pumpkin patch, stein-holding contest and German-inspired food and drinks. Family- and dog-friendly.

Jazz at CAM Concert Series
Sept 3
Hear a mix of new and familiar musicians during Cameron Art Museum’s annual jazz series. Performers span a range of jazz styles, and concerts frequently sell out.

NC Oyster Month: NC Oyster Trail
Oct 1–31
Taste your way along the NC Oyster Trail during Oyster Month. Visit participating markets and restaurants, sample farmed and wild oysters, and learn more about North Carolina’s
shellfish industry.

Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral
Oct 2
Send summer off New Orleans-style in Kure Beach with a jazz funeral procession led by the Port City Players, followed by a concert at the Ocean Front Park pavilion. Guests are encouraged to dress for the parade.

31st Annual Bark in the Park
Oct 3
Watch canine athletes compete in the Skyhoundz Hyperflite Disc Championships at Wrightsville Beach Park. Spectators can also vote for best-dressed dogs, teams and the pup with the most personality.

Oktoberfest Under the Bridge
Oct 3
Raise a stein at Waterline Brewing Co. with Bavarian-style oompah music, German food trucks, lawn games and a best-dressed competition. Admission is free.

Outrigger East Coast Championship
Oct 3–4
Watch paddlers race a nearly 14-mile course through Banks Channel and the ocean at Wrightsville Beach. Weekend competition also includes Friday workshops and a nearby after-party.

Wilmington Riverfest
Oct 3–4
Celebrate downtown Wilmington with a traditional street fair featuring art, handmade crafts, food vendors, a car show and appearances by the Riverfest Queen and Teen.

30th Annual Art in the Arboretum
Oct 10–11
Explore art among the seven-acre gardens of the New Hanover County Arboretum, where North Carolina artists and artisans display sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography and more. A special Sip, Savor and Shop event is planned for Friday evening.

Annual Pets in the Park
Oct 10
Celebrate pets and pet-friendly businesses at Carolina Beach Lake Park with vendors, pet portraits, blessings, a parade, costume contest, food trucks and other family activities. Well-behaved pets are welcome.

October Paranormal Ghost Tours
Select October dates
Tour Poplar Grove after dark along a lighted pathway and hear stories tied to the Manor House, Tenant House, graveyard and grounds. Cameras and paranormal investigation equipment are welcome; reservations are recommended.

Zoomies 1-Mile Walk & 5K
Oct 11
Mark World Mental Health Day with a dog-friendly one-mile walk and 5K at Long Leaf Park. Families, runners, walkers and leashed dogs are welcome for an afternoon focused on community and wellness.

Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge
Oct 16–18
Fish the shores of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher for a chance at more than $30,000 in cash and prizes during this land-based surf fishing tournament.

IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina
Oct 17
From beach to battleship, IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina features a 1.2-mile swim at Wrightsville Beach, a 56-mile bike ride through the coastal countryside and a 13.1-mile run looping around Greenfield Park. Athletes finish in historic downtown Wilmington across from the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. The popular race sells out quickly.

Monster Dash 5K
Oct 17
Run a rolling, pine-lined 5K trail through Carolina Beach State Park with scenic water views. The Halloween-themed race is open to participants of all ages and ability levels.

Zombie Run 5K and Monster Mile
Oct 18
Dodge costumed zombies during a 5K flag-belt run, or bring the family for the Monster Mile with trick-or-treating and photo opportunities. The 5K is open to ages 12 and older.

Voracious: Cellar, Sea & Shore Festival
Oct 23
Sample rare beer, wine and champagne alongside oysters and other bites at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. The Friday evening event offers a smaller tasting experience with live music ahead of Saturday’s larger festival. Ages 21+.

Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival
Oct 24
Taste selections from breweries and wineries at Live Oak Bank Pavilion while enjoying live music along the riverfront. Admission includes festival entry, unlimited samples and a tasting glass.

Seaside Shuffle 5K
Oct 24
Run or walk a fast, flat 5K course starting and finishing at Wrightsville Beach Park. The long-running Wilmington Road Runners event welcomes both competitive runners and casual participants.