This Week

  • Sunday, March 24th - Tuesday, April 2nd
Wilmington

Beer lovers can enjoy a full week of sampling brews, food, live music and more when they pop into an event or two that corresponds with the Cape Fear Beer Week. Held annually in the spring, this week-long event takes place at venues, breweries and restaurants all across the Wilmington area and beyond, and is a fine opportunity for beer lovers to explore all the tempting flavors of the Cape Fear region.

  • Friday, March 29th - Saturday, March 30th 10:00 AM
Southport

Celebrate the arrival of warm weather and sunny days along the waterfront with a stop at the always engaging Southport Spring Festival. This two-day festival that takes place in late March features a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages, and is sure to be a highlight of any getaway to the coastal Cape Fear region.

Week of April 1, 2024 - April 7, 2024

  • Sunday, March 24th - Tuesday, April 2nd
Wilmington

Beer lovers can enjoy a full week of sampling brews, food, live music and more when they pop into an event or two that corresponds with the Cape Fear Beer Week. Held annually in the spring, this week-long event takes place at venues, breweries and restaurants all across the Wilmington area and beyond, and is a fine opportunity for beer lovers to explore all the tempting flavors of the Cape Fear region.

  • Wednesday, April 3rd - Sunday, April 7th
Wilmington

For more than 75 years, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has reigned supreme as one of the biggest and best festivals along the southeast coastline, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun to experience full days of vendors, live music, parades, and other events that shine a spotlight on the lively city of Wilmington. Founded in 1948, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has emerged as one of the most anticipated events in the state, and the celebration attracts visitors from all over the world who want to discover how enchanting the Cape Fear region can be.

  • Saturday, April 6th - Sunday, April 7th
Wilmington

For more than 30 years, Poplar Grove Plantation has been the site of one of the most anticipated events for gardeners in the spring season – the Annual Herb and Garden Fair. This yearly event features a wealth of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and green goodies of all varieties, and is a great first stop for local and visiting gardeners alike who are eager to ring in the spring season.

Week of April 15, 2024 - April 21, 2024

  • Saturday, April 20th
Wilmington

Kids of all ages will have a ball while learning a little bit more about our precious planet at the annual Earth Day Celebration which is held in the heart of Wilmington. During this special afternoon event, the Hugh MacRae Park in the central region of the Port City will be transformed into a fun, festival atmosphere complete with exhibits, drinks, food, and live music, which all combine to provide an educational yet entertaining day that kids and adults alike will adore.

  • Saturday, April 20th
Wilmington

Get active while enjoying the start of the beautiful spring and summer weather that the Port City is known for by attending the always fun and highly energized Healthy Kids Day. Celebrating its 13th year in 2024, this annual event has a focus on getting outside, getting active, and having a ball that will resonate with kids of all ages, and which will show just how much fun exploring Wilmington can be.

  • Sunday, April 21st 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wilmington

Foodies and all visitors with exceptional taste will have a ball at the Wilmington VegFest, which is a celebration of all things fresh and delicious that correspond with the vegan lifestyle. Featuring cooking demonstrations, guest speakers, dozens of vendors, and plenty of food trucks, this event is brimming with flavorful ways to eat well, and eat wonderfully.

Week of April 22, 2024 - April 28, 2024

  • Saturday, April 27th - Sunday, April 28th
Holden Beach

Jump start your Holden Beach spring and summer vacation with this annual festival that provides plenty of good times along the shoreline. The Days at the Dock Festival is an unofficial kick-off to the prime visitor season, and features a wealth of arts and crafts, live music and entertainment, and fun and games for all ages that will make everyone in the family fall in love with the lively and engaging atmosphere of Holden Beach.

  • Sunday, April 28th
Sunset Beach

A world of great taste is waiting at the Strawberry & Wine Fest – an annual event that is held in the town of Sunset Beach, and which is quickly becoming known as a dream for food lovers everywhere. With a focus on fresh strawberries in all forms – from chocolate covered, to a star ingredient in shortcake – this event is a great way to explore the flavors of coastal North Carolina while indulging in a tempting array of local fare.

Week of May 13, 2024 - May 19, 2024

  • Thursday, May 16th - Sunday, May 19th
Wilmington

Wilmington is well-known for both its diverse cultural scene as well as its status as one of the biggest filming destinations west of Hollywood, and these two attributes are beautifully combined at the annual North Carolina Black Film Festival. This annual and invitational festival features a wealth of talented African American filmmakers of all genres who will share their works to the delight of audiences and movie buffs everywhere.

  • Thursday, May 16th - Friday, May 17th
Kure Beach

Head to the heart of Kure Beach with your favorite 4WD vehicle for this celebration that is designed with Jeep lovers in mind. The Pleasure Island Jeep Jam is a multiple-day festival for Jeep lovers of all varieties and ages, with an assortment of activities and exhibits, music, and food to keep the jam going all weekend long.

Week of May 20, 2024 - May 26, 2024

  • Saturday, May 25th - Sunday, May 26th
Wilmington

Celebrating its 27th year in 2023, 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.

Week of May 27, 2024 - June 2, 2024

  • Friday, May 31st - Sunday, June 2nd
Carolina Beach

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.

  • Sunday, June 2nd - Sunday, June 9th
Wilmington

Expand your musical horizons by attending this festival which brings classical music to the forefront of the Wilmington music scene. The Port City Music Festival is a celebration of classical concerts, which are available throughout the days-long event, and which are hosted at varying venues and spots throughout the Port City area and beyond.

Week of June 3, 2024 - June 9, 2024

  • Sunday, June 2nd - Sunday, June 9th
Wilmington

Expand your musical horizons by attending this festival which brings classical music to the forefront of the Wilmington music scene. The Port City Music Festival is a celebration of classical concerts, which are available throughout the days-long event, and which are hosted at varying venues and spots throughout the Port City area and beyond.

Week of July 1, 2024 - July 7, 2024

  • Thursday, July 4th
Southport

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 4th of July celebrations on the coast.

  • Thursday, July 4th
Bald Head Island

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.

Week of September 9, 2024 - September 15, 2024

  • Saturday, September 14th
Wilmington

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.

Week of September 30, 2024 - October 6, 2024

  • Saturday, October 5th - Sunday, October 6th
Wilmington

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.

  • Saturday, October 5th 1:24 PM
Sunset Beach

There are a lot of surprises, activities, and hours of fun waiting at Sunset at Sunset – a unique fall festival that takes place in the heart of Sunset Beach. Featuring a wealth of vendors, kids’ games and activities, and fantastic music and food all day long, this festival shines a spotlight on how much fun the small town of Sunset Beach can be during the beautifully relaxed fall season.

Week of October 14, 2024 - October 20, 2024

  • Saturday, October 19th - Sunday, October 20th
Ocean Isle Beach

Hungry visitors will want to bring along a big appetite for the North Carolina Oyster Festival, which is a popular annual event that offers a whole lot more than the staple shellfish. Featuring everything from BBQ and pizza, to music, arts, and crafts, this extensive festival has plenty of ways to delight attendees of all tastes, and of all ages.

Week of October 21, 2024 - October 27, 2024

  • Friday, October 25th
Wilmington

Calling all brew fans – the Voracious Rare Beer Festival is the prime opportunity to discover a world of new flavors without ever leaving the heart of downtown Wilmington. Appropriately held in the month of October, this annual festival features plenty of great tastes to go around, with dozens of participating breweries and eateries, and ample reasons to raise a pint and toast the town.

  • Saturday, October 26th
Wilmington

The world of hops, grapes and grains is at your fingertips at the annual Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival – a fun event that features plenty of delectable tastes from the Cape Fear area and miles beyond. Held at the North Waterfront Park in the heart of Wilmington, this full afternoon-long festival features more than 100 craft breweries and wineries to discover, making it one of the most anticipated events for wine and beer lovers throughout the North Carolina coastline.

Week of October 28, 2024 - November 3, 2024

  • Friday, November 1st - Sunday, November 3rd
Kure Beach

With fall winds at their peak, the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to be awed by a colorful display of kites of all varieties. Held at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area on the Cape Fear coastline, this impressive event is always a crowd pleaser, with an unforgettable overhead show that will make everyone look to the skies.

  • Saturday, November 2nd
Southport

Water lovers of all ages and all varieties will have a ball exploring the fun and educational Southport Wooden Boat Show. Held in the peak of fall, this annual celebration brings together talented boat makers and mariners to showcase a stunning display of wooden boats, while providing a little history on Southport’s maritime heritage and life on the water.

Week of November 18, 2024 - November 24, 2024

  • Wednesday, November 20th - Sunday, November 24th
Wilmington

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.

  • Sunday, November 24th 7:00 PM
Carolina Beach

Once the Thanksgiving feasting and festivities are complete, head over to the heart of Carolina Beach for this annual tradition that signifies the beginning of the holiday season for Pleasure Island residents and visitors alike. The Island of Lights: Lighting at the Lake celebration lives up to its name as the official light-up ceremony that starts a long season of celebration in Carolina Beach and miles beyond.

Week of November 25, 2024 - December 1, 2024

  • Saturday, November 30th
Wrightsville Beach

Get a jumpstart to your holiday celebrations with this annual event that is always a crowd pleaser for visitors and local Cape Fear residents like, The NC Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach is an enchanting evening that combines holiday celebrations with the allure of the coastline, courtesy of a festive boat parade, fireworks, and so much more.

Week of December 9, 2024 - December 15, 2024

  • Friday, December 13th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Kure Beach

Your heart will grow three sizes this year, just like the Grinch himself, at this event that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with young and old grinches alike. The Kure Beach Holiday Whoobie Whatty is a kid-friendly and family-friendly event that features plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit, from arts and crafts, to cookie decorating, to a viewing of the famous movie that bears this green Christmas icon’s name!

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni