Cape Fear area Events - 2025 Schedule

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Explore the beauty of riverfront Wilmington and literally miles beyond by participating in the annual WILMA Dash & Health Fest. This fun event that combines an all-female 5K run and walk with a health and fitness-oriented after party is a great way to ring in the summer season with a focus on friends, fitness, and overall health for visitors and locals alike.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Everyone should experience the joy of surf fishing, and at the Cape Fear Disabled Fishing Tournament, anglers of all varieties can enjoy a full day of fishing and fun at one of the most scenic spots in Kure beach. Held annually in the late spring, when the local fishing season really heats up, this fishing tournament is unique in that it provides a special opportunity for folks with disabilities to see what the Cape Fear fishing scene is all about.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Celebrating its 29th year in 2025, the Annual Orange Street ArtsFest is a great way for newcomers to discover the myriad of talented artists who live, work and thrive in the coastal Cape Fear region. Featuring dozens of artists, live entertainment, food, and many more enticements, this annual festival is a must for art lovers everywhere.

Head to the deck of one of the most famous landmarks in coastal North Carolina for a Memorial Day observance ceremony that won’t soon be forgotten. The Battleship North Carolina Memorial Day observance is an annual event that pays tributes to the men and women who bravely served our country, and which features a patriotic service on board one of the most impressive American battleships to sail the seas.

Head to the heart of Wrightsville Beach for this popular fishing tournament that will thrill participants and spectators alike. The annual Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament features multiple days of exceptional fishing, as well as an opportunity for visitors to learn about the conservation, protection, and preservation of valuable marine resources.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Going strong for more than 30 years, the Carolina Beach Music Festival ushers in the summer season with a full day and night of great music that is just steps away from the sand. Billed as the "the biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the North Carolina coast" by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, this annual festival is a great way to experience the sights, sounds, and all-around fun of this popular beach town while enjoying some great music along the way.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Revered as one of the oldest Independence Day celebrations in the state, the North Carolina 4th of July Festival is a big event that attracts visitors from all along the coastline and miles beyond to the charming town of Southport. Boasting a parade, a fair-style collection of vendors, a myriad of shows and activities, and a stunning display of fireworks over the water, this annual event lives up to its reputation as one of the most beloved 4^th of July celebrations on the coast.

The Fourth of July is easily one of the most festive days on Bald Head Island, and visitors can join in the fun with a wide array of activities that are found around town. The annual Bald Head Island Fourth of July Celebration is packed with tours, games, food, and fun – as well as a famed annual parade – and is a great way to truly enjoy everything this island community has to offer.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Summer is a fine time to drop a line in Carolina Beach, and during this annual fishing tournament, visiting anglers can discover just how much fun the local fishing scene can be while having a chance at landing some incredible prizes. The Coast Got-Em-On King Mackerel Classic is held over the course of a July weekend, and it features plenty of activities, comradery, and of course, plenty of exceptional fishing along the Cape Fear coastline.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

The Bald Head Island or “Old Baldy” Lighthouse is distinguished along the Carolina coastline as one of the oldest lighthouses still standing in the country, and visitors can learn all about this history while having a ball at the annual National Lighthouse Day Weekend. Generally held in early August, this weekend-long event features an array of corresponding activities and attractions that shine a light on this special local landmark, and which provide hours of fun and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Anglers can explore the exceptional fishing of the Carolina Beach inshore waters while hopefully cashing in on some attractive prizes at this annual tournament that reels in local and visiting anglers alike. The Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge is a fun and full-day fishing tournament that targets the waters of Carolina Beach Inlet and beyond to reel in some big rewards.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Shoppers and sightseers can discover a world of goodies while taking in some of the most enticing scenery that Wilmington has to offer with a stop at the annual American Craft Walk. Held in the fall, this popular event features a wealth of local and regional artisans and craftsmen who are selling their wares in the heart of the downtown area.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Both spectators and mariners will have a ball at this colorful celebration that celebrates life on the water in Carolina Beach. The Dragon Boat Regatta & Festival is a fun-filled weekened event that includes plenty of food and entertainment, and a competitive but family-friendly race in the cool waters of the Cape Fear region.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Second only to the springtime Azalea Festival in terms of size, activities and attendance, the annual Riverfest is an all-encompassing festival that celebrates life by the water. Featuring a lineup of events that include exhibits, vendors, competitions, kid activities, fireworks, and so much more, this family-friendly event ignites the Wilmington downtown area with miles of fun to go around.

Celebrating its 31st year in 2025, the annual Bark in the Park is a playful competition that pits high flying canines of all varieties in a number of competitions that will delight participants and their human spectators alike. Featuring a number of activities, and absolutely free to the public, Bark in the Park is a great outing for family members of all varieties, and especially the furry ones who love to make new friends and show off their stuff at one of the coolest parks in Wrightsville Beach.

Rain or shine, visitors can uncover a wealth of local growers, artisans, and craftsmen at this weekly summertime market that highlights the best that Sunset Beach has to offer. Held every Thursday in the warm weather months, the Market in the Park is brimming with local goodies, and is a must-stop destination for shoppers of all tastes.

Wilmington is known as the “Port City” for a reason, and lifelong local mariners and visitors alike can celebrate this heritage with a stop at the Wilmington Boat Show. Featuring multiple events throughout town over the course of several days, this sprawling event features plenty of ways to discover the past, present, and future of Wilmington’s life along the water.

October is prime fishing time on the coastline of North Carolina, and visitors can join in the fun and enjoy a little competition with big potential prizes at the annual Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge. Known as one of the best land-based surf fishing tournaments on the beach, this annual competition is a great way to enjoy the fantastic fall fishing while potentially scoring thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.

Known as one of the most-watched and most intense competitions in the Cape Fear area and miles beyond, the Ironman 70.3 North Carolina puts athletes of all ages to the test with an incredible course that requires endurance and massive feasts of strength. Featuring a swim, bike ride, and run, this "point-to-point-to-point-to-point" event will wow spectators from all across the Cape Fear region with its incredible course, and incredible athletes who participate.

Ties up your laces and get ready for one of the biggest running and fitness events that the Cape Fear area has to offer! The annual Battleship Half Marathon, 10K and 5K is a popular running event that attracts active visitors from all across the county and beyond, and which provides a perfect opportunity to explore the local landscape of the southern N.C. coastline while enjoying a little competitive fun.

The Cucalorus Film Festival has been going strong for 30 years, and this annual film festival is well known as one of the biggest and best of its kind in the Cape Fear region and well beyond. Renowned as one of the largest film festivals in the southern United States, this multiple day event features a wealth of films, shorts, live entertainment, music, and many more ways to celebrate Wilmington’s reputation as the Hollywood of the East Coast.