Welcome to the 33nd Annual Parade of Homes. On behalf of the Outer Banks Homes Builders Association (OBHBA), we are thrilled to invite you to our much anticipated 33rd Annual Parade of Homes! Get ready to begin a journey of inspiration and innovation as we showcase some of the finest homes in our community. We will be opening the doors to exceptional craftsmanship, cutting-edge design, and the latest trends in home construction.
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.
The Outer Banks, and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in particular, is known as one of the best bird watching destinations in the world, and the annual Wings Over Water celebrates this distinction like no other local festival. The weeklong event, which is held each October, features a wide range of educational programs, lectures, and opportunities to meet and greet with fellow birders. During this year's festival, attendees will also have the opportunity to go on guided birding trips, attend art and photography workshops, take a tram or kayak tour of National Wildlife Refuge, visit an ancient maritime forest, and much, much more. A complete schedule can be found online at the organization's website, and attendees should note that some programs do cost a small fee to participate.
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.
Visitors who missed the annual Wings Over Water festival - or who just want a second opportunity to admire the hundreds and thousands of birds that flock to the Outer Banks – won’t want to miss this special weekend where these feathered visitors are once again in the spotlight. The Wings Over Water Encore event is a weekend-long celebration of the many wintering waterfowl that are found at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and beyond, and is a great way for birders to discover the off-season beauty of the OBX.
Head to one of the Cape Fear region’s most charming and historic destinations just north of the Wilmington city limits for this annual event that adds a little extra sparkle and fun to the holiday season. A Merry Little Christmas Festival is held at the Poplar Grove Plantation, and is a fun-filled celebration that will delight visitors of all ages with a host of holiday activities and events.
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.
Pleasure Island is inherently known for celebrating life on the water, and at this holiday event, spectators and participants alike will enjoy a glowing show in one of the prettiest corners of the waterfront Cape Fear region. The Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla is an annual tradition that rings in the holidays with plenty of dazzling style, and which is sure to charm and delight anyone with a front-row seat along the Intracoastal Waterway.
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.
Head to one of the Cape Fear region’s most charming and historic destinations just north of the Wilmington city limits for this annual event that adds a little extra sparkle and fun to the holiday season. A Merry Little Christmas Festival is held at the Poplar Grove Plantation, and is a fun-filled celebration that will delight visitors of all ages with a host of holiday activities and events.
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.
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.