Please join us for the 2025 Back Door Kitchen Tour on Saturday, October 11th, from 10 am to 4 pm, rain or shine! Presented by Residents of Old Wilmington, this annual tour raises money that ROW uses to fund grants for local nonprofit organizations doing much-needed work to improve the quality of life in Wilmington. Our 2025 recipients, granted money raised from the 2024 Back Door Kitchen Tour, include Carousel Center, DREAMS Center for Arts Education, Castle Street Collective, Williston Middle School, Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Sister Isaac Center, and Brooklyn Arts Music Academy.
Join the Ocracoke Preservation Society in celebrating Ocracoke heritage with its rich history and continuing tradition of working on the water with this unique festival that made its grand debut in 2023. Held on the grounds of the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum, this festival will celebrate these traditions with booths and exhibits with the watermen themselves, as well as plenty of food and fun to go around.
There’s a lot to enjoy at the annual Classic Cars n’ Rock n’ Roll Cruise-In – a cool car show that’s held in the heart of Downtown Southport, and which features much more than the array of gorgeous and vintage automobiles. Featuring activities and attractions for visitors of all ages, this annual event that is brimming with live music, contests, and other activities is sure to be a crowd pleaser for the car lovers in your crew, and anyone who wants to dive into the community spirit of this coastal town.
Come to Ocracoke Island for a Pirate Halloween! The Ocracoke Pirate Jamboree is an annual and multiple-day event that is highlighted by a family-friendly Pirate Encampment by Blackbeard's Pirate Crew on Ocracoke Island, and an ensuing world of fun on the southern Outer Banks.
Take a break from the beach and head over to this unique event that is held just a few steps off the sand, but which features a lively and unique atmosphere that car lovers everywhere will adore. The Emerald Isle Car Show is a fun and family-friendly opportunity for Crystal Coast visitors to see decades of unique automobiles, and for car fans to show off their most amazing and favorite rides.
Go behind the scenes of one of the most famous attractions along the Cape Fear River with this in-depth tour of Wilmington’s most treasured landmark, the USS Battleship North Carolina. This special one-afternoon-only tour takes participants deep into the depths of the ship, and is an illuminating look into one of the most famous battleships of the World War II era.
Join in the fun of the season and enjoy a days-long festival that highlights the community spirit of Southport by attending the highly anticipated WinterFest festival. This annual celebration features a wealth of activities at landmarks and popular spots throughout the coastal town, and is a great way to enjoy the spirit of the holidays while taking in everything this popular vacation destination has to offer.
The small community of Harkers Island comes to life at this annual event that puts this community’s rich heritage and history in the spotlight. The annual Core Sound Decoy Festival, which is held the first full weekend in December, is a unique celebration that combines exhibits, demonstrations, vendors, food, and much more, to the delight of local visitors and residents alike.
Join in the fun of the season and enjoy a days-long festival that highlights the community spirit of Southport by attending the highly anticipated WinterFest festival. This annual celebration features a wealth of activities at landmarks and popular spots throughout the coastal town, and is a great way to enjoy the spirit of the holidays while taking in everything this popular vacation destination has to offer.
Celebrating its 18th year in 2025, the Christmas Candlelight Tour is a celebration of Beaufort’s centuries of history and community spirit, and will be a festive event for locals and visitors alike. Hosted by the Beaufort Historical Association, the Christmas Candlelight Tour provides a rare look into some of Beaufort’s most prestigious and history-rich homes, businesses, and landmarks, and is a fun way to discover more about this popular vacation destination while enjoying the spirit of the season.
Enjoy an uplifting experience at the exact location where aviation was born at the annual Celebration of the Wright Brothers First Flight at the impossible-to-miss Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. This day-long celebration honors the birthplace of flight, with a commemoration that coincides with the precise time that the first successful launch took place, and a wealth of activities throughout the day that will delight aviation fans of all ages.
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.