SCHEDULE OF AREA EVENTS
No matter what season you visit, there is something happening year round. You may want to plan your trip around one of Holden Beach's annual festivals - A Day at the Docks is held in April and Festival by the Sea at the end of October. These family celebrations highlight the island town's rich history in boat building and fishing.
Dates and locations are subject to change. Please check with local community offices or websites to confirm and for details. Please visit ncbrunswick.com/events for Brunswick County's complete calendar of area events.
MAY - AUGUST
Holden Beach Summer Concert Series - Holden Beach Pavilion on Sunday evenings from 6:30pm - 8:30pm
JANUARY
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Commemoration - Historic Downtown Wilmington, NC
East Coastal Shag Dance Classic with Several Live Beach Music Bands- Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront, Carolina Beach, NC
FEBRUARY
Mardi Gras by the Sea Flip Flop Parade & Festival - Oak Island, NC
NC Jazz Festival, the largest traditional jazz festival in the Southeast - Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Wilmington, NC
MARCH
Run Oak Island 1 Mile, 5k, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon - Oak Island, NC
Wine, Women, & Chocolate - Silver Coast Winery, Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Can-Am Days - Myrtle Beach, SC
Run to the Sun Car Show - Myrtle Beach, SC
APRIL
Day at the Docks - Holden Beach, NC
Family Day at the Museum of Coastal Carolina - Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Holden Beach Easter Egg Hunt - Holden Beach, NC
Annual Horry County Fair - Myrtle Beach Speedway, SC
Wine Fest Fundraiser - Museum of Coastal Carolina, Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Southport Spring Festival with Musical Entertainment, Arts & Crafts, Good Vendors, etc. - Franklin Square Park, Southport, NC
Oak Island Lighthouse Run & Walk, a 10K Run/Walk - Oak Island, NC
Spring Fling with Movies in the Park, Market, & Music - Middleton Park, Oak Island, NC
North Carolina Azalea Festival with Arts & Crafts, Food Vendors, Concerts, Parade, Shag Contest, Boxing Tournament, Coin Show, etc. - Wilmington, NC
MAY
World Famous Blue Crab Festival with Fresh Local Seafood, Live Beach Music, Arts & Crafts Show, 5K Run, and more - Little River, SC
Southport Plein Air Festival with Live Painting, Walking Tours of Southport, Live Music, Food Trucks, & Wet Paint Sale - Keziah Park, Southport, NC
Myrtle Beach Bike Week - Myrtle Beach, SC
JUNE
North Carolina Blueberry Festival with Bake Sales, Food, Craft Beer, & Wine Vendors, Whole Hog BBQ Cook-off, 5k & 1 Mile Walk, Car & Truck Show, Blueberry Recipe Contest, BMX Stunt Shows, and Musical Entertainment - Burgaw, NC
Carolina Country Music Festival, the East Coast's largest outdoor country music festival featuring the industry's biggest stars - Myrtle Beach, SC
Flag Day at Battleship NC - Wilmington, NC
JULY
Fourth of July Festival including Oak Island’s Beach Day, Kid Events, Food Vendors, Live Music, & Fireworks – Middleton Park, Oak Island, NC
North Carolina’s 4th of July Festival. Annual events include Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Military Band Concert, Naturalization Ceremony, Flag Raising Ceremony, Flag Retirement Ceremony, Veteran’s Recognition Ceremony, Fire Fighter’s Freedom Competition, over 100 arts & craft booths, food vendors, parade, children’s games and entertainment, live stage entertainment, and fireworks. Visit Franklin Square Art Gallery’s National Art Show, Shine & Show’s Classic Car Show, voter registration, Old Jail tours, Lions Club Boat raffle drawing, Cape Fear Yacht Club’s Commodore Regatta, St. Philip Church’s self-guided tours, Old Smithville Cemetery tours, a pancake breakfast, and more. – Southport, NC
AUGUST
National Lighthouse Weekend, Pay tribute to Old Baldy’s 200-plus Years of Maritime History featuring a Rubber Duck Race, nighttime “Run for the Light” 5k/10k – Bald Head Island, NC
SEPTEMBER
Oak Island Labor Day Surf Off, a surfing, body board, and SUP competition for all ages – Ocean Crest Pier, Oak Island, NC
Oak Island Art Guild, Annual Arts & Crafts Festival held Labor Day Weekend – Middleton Park, Oak Island, NC
OCTOBER
U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament - Dutchman Creek Park, Oak Island, NC
North Carolina Oyster Festival featuring Live Bands, Oyster Eating & Shucking Contest, Oyster Stew Cook-off, and Food & Shopping Vendors – Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Festival by the Sea, an annual arts & crafts festival – Holden Beach, NC
NOVEMBER
Annual Southport Wooden Boat Show – Old Southport Yacht Basin, Southport, NC
DECEMBER
Shallotte Christmas Parade – Shallotte, NC
WinterFest with Santa’s Workshop, Cookie Contest, Night Parade, Flotilla, Home Tours, and Performing Arts – Southport, NC