Fun Things To Do in Wilmington, NC and Surrounding Area This Summer
Summer has began and there are a plenty of things to do for everyone in Wilmington, NC and nearby places. Never leave a week empty and make sure this is a 2023 to remember.

July 5
Pleasure Island Pirate Cruise
Venue: Island Cruises, 301 Carl Winner Dr., Carolina Beach, NC
- Family-friendly pirate voyage at 3:00PM until 4:30PM
- Adult Pirate Adventure: $28 | Children age 2-12y.o.: $18 | Infant under 2 are free. (exclusive of fees and taxes)
- Drinks and light snacks are available for purchase onboard.
- Every Wednesday and Saturday until August 30, 2023
- Book your tickets here. For inquiries, you may dial 910-232-3272
Story Time by the Sea
Venue: Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion, 105 Atlantic Ave., Kure Beach, NC
- Sit down for story time, and have fun doing crafts and playing games for both boys and girls.
- Free to Attend at 10:00AM until 11:30AM
- Every Wednesday until August 15, 2023
- Got questions? You may call 910-458-8216
Turtle Talks at Carolina Beach
Venue: Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Rd, Visitor's Center, Carolina Beach, NC
- Learn about sea turtle nesting and ways to protects these magnificent creatures.
- FREE to attend | 7:00PM-8:00PM
- Every Wednesday until August 30, 2023
- Know more about this event here or call 910-458-8206
Poplar Grove Farmers' Market
Venue: Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Highway 17 North, Wilmington, NC 28411
- Free to enter
- Every Wednesday 8:00AM to 1:00PM
- Check latest updates here.
July 6
Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast
Venue: Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Cape Fear Blvd and Carolina Beach Ave North, Carolina Beach, NC
- Enjoy music and fireworks on the beach every Thursday until September 1, 2023
- Free for spectators. | Food and beverages are available for purchase.
- Music 6:30PM | Fireworks 9:00PM | Event ends 9:30PM
- For updates, check the social media page here.
Summer Fireworks Pedal Cruise
Venue: Sea Legs Pedal Pub, 401 Marina St., Carolina Beach, NC
- Sip, pedal and cruise together with your friends and family on the water while gasping at the fireworks display.
- Minimum of five (5) needed or reserve the whole boat.
- $46 per individual | 7:15PM to 9:15PM | Every Thursday until August 31
- Reserve your tickets or the entire boat here.
Wilmington Indoor Night Market
Venue: At the restored Coca Cola Bottleworks Bldg, 921 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
- Free to enter | 4:00PM until 8:00PM
- Merchandise, food, drinks and more available for purchase
- Stay updated with their event's schedule here. Open July 6 and 20, August 3 and 17 this summer
July 7
Wilmington Sharks Baseball
Venue: Legion Sports Complex, 2149 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington, NC 28401
- Bring the whole family to enjoy this season's baseball games.
- General admission $10 | Reserved $12 | Box Seats $13 | Season passes on website
- Most gates open 5:30PM and Game begins 7:00PM
- Get your tickets and view schedules in this website here. Visit their Facebook page for the latest updates.
July 7-9
East Coast "Got-Em-On" King Mackerel Classic
Venue: Canal Drive, Carolina Beach, NC
- Fish your next big catch in this annual fishing tournament.
- Free for spectators. See website here for competition registration details or check their social media here.
- Saturday 2:00PM-5:00PM | Sunday 12:00PM-4:00PM | Sunday Awards no later 6:30PM
July 8
Pier Yoga on the Crystal Pier
Venue: Crystal Pier, 703 S Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, NC
- Open to all ages, abilities, and levels. Classes have a set of sequence.
- Meets in the parking lot of the Oceanic Restaurant before 7:30AM. Certified yoga instructor from Wilmington Yoga Center will collect the fee.
- Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a yoga mat or a beach towel.
- Pre-registered or Adults-Cash Only $18.
- 7:30AM-8:30AM | Check more details here or call 910-350-0234
Tri-Span 5K & 10K
Venue: Riverfront Park, 10-B Cowan Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
- Join in the 40th Anniversary and run the oldest 3-bridge 5K or 10K run or run/walk.
- Free for spectators | For more info and to register (with a fee), go to this website here.
- Races begin 7:00AM
Carolina Beach Farmers' Market
Venue: Carolina Beach Lake Park, Atlanta Ave, and Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach, NC
- Free for spectators | Food, beverages and other local products are available for purchase
- Parking is located by the lake and on Lake Park Blvd
- 8:00AM-1:00PM | Every Saturday until September 30, 2023
- See latest updates here.
Riverfront Farmers' Market
Venue: Dock Street and S Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
- Free to enter. | 8:00AM to 1:00PM | Weekly on Saturday
- Visit their Facebook page here for latest updates and weather related info.
The Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek
Venue: Tidal Creek Co-op Café, 5329 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403
- Free to enter. | 8:00AM until 1:00PM | Weekly on Saturday
- Stay updated by checking their Facebook page here.
July 9
HDWM Artisan Market
Venue: South Front Street and Dock Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
Oyster Farm Tour & Tasting
Venue: Epic Excursions, 206 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC
- Enjoy a guided boat ride to the Middle Sound Mariculture Farm and cruise over Masonboro Island.
- Tour includes sampling of raw and steamed oysters with complimentary wine selection
- $150 per person | reservation recommended
- Time varies by tide and weather. For more details, click here or call (910) 239-9248
Vivo Movies at the Lake
Venue: Carolina Beach Lake Park, Atlantic Ave. and S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
- Bring your kids, blankets, beach chairs and head to Carolina Beach Lake Park.
- FREE outdoor animated movie. Food, beverages and more are available for purchase.
- Movies start 8:45PM. | Stay updated by visiting this social media page.
July 10
Turtle Talks at Kure Beach
Venue: Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion, 105 Atlantic Avenue, Kure Beach, NC
- Learn from the experts from the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project.
- Free to attend. Weekly on Monday until August 28, 2023. Space is limited on a first come basis.
- 7:00PM-8:00PM | For any inquiries, you may call 910-458-8216
Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market
Venue: Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation, Seawater Lane, Wrightsville Beach, NC
- Free to enter. | 8:00AM to 1:00PM | Weekly on Monday until December 4, 2023
- Check their social media for latest updates.
July 11
Historic Boardwalk Tours
Venue: Carolina Beach Boardwalk by the Hampton Inn, 1 Harper Avenue, Carolina Beach, NC
- Together with a member of the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society, stroll along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and discover interesting revelations from the past.
- $10 per person | Cash only | Phone reservations are suggested but not required
- 10:00AM to 11:00AM | Weekly on Tuesday until August 29, 2023 | To inquire, call 910-458-0502
Kure Beach Market
Venue: Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion, 105 Atlantic Ave., Kure Beach, NC
- Free entry. | Weekly on Tuesday until August 29, 2023
- 8:00AM-1:00PM | Check latest updates here.
Turtle Talks at Wrightsville Beach
Venue: Fred & Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center, 309 W Salisbury St., Wrightsville Beach, NC
- Enjoy learning about sea turtle nesting from the Wrightsville Beach Turtle Project.
- Free to attend. Weekly on Tuesday until August 29, 2023. | 7:00PM-8:00PM
July 12
Poplar Grove Farmers' Market
Venue: Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Highway 17 North, Wilmington, NC 28411
- Free for spectators. | Weekly on Wednesday until September 27, 2023
- 8:00AM-1:00PM | For more updates, visit their Facebook page here.
Story Time by the Sea
Venue: Kure Beach Ocean Front Park & Pavilion, 105 Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach, NC
- Have fun listening stories, doing crafts and playing games for both boys and girls.
- Free to attend. | 10:00AM-11:30AM | Every Wednesday until August 16, 2023
- For inquiries, call 910-458-8216
Turtle Talks at Carolina Beach
Venue: Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Rd, Visitor's Center, Carolina Beach, NC
- Learn about the sea turtles and how to protect them.
- Free to attend. | 7:00PM-8:00PM | Every Wednesday until August 30, 2023
- To inquire, call 910-458-8206
July 15-16
Summertime Market at the BAC
Venue: Brooklyn Arts Center + The Annex, 516 N Fourth St., Wilmington, NC 28401
- Features over 50 of the region's finest craftsmen, artisans and vendors.
- Adults: $10 | Children under 12 are free. | Ticket is good for both days.
- Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM | Sunday 12:00PM-5:00PM
- For any inquiries, dial 910-538-2939
July 16
Jungle Cruise: Movies at the Lake
Venue: Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation, Atlantic Ave and S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
- Enjoy weekend movies with the whole family. Movie selection may be subject to change.
- FREE. Food, beverages and more are available for purchase.
- Movies start 8:45PM. | Stay updated by visiting this social media page.
July 17
Poplar Grove's Full & New Moon Ghost Tours
Venue: Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Highway 17 North, Wilmington, NC
- Join a guided tour inside the Manor House with possible paranormal encounters on an evening of full moon or new moon. A scroll of the dead will be given which includes names of those who have passed on in the manor.
- Tickets: $25 | Full and New Moon Tours : 7:00PM
- For other schedules and to book your tickets here.
July 19
Monthly Bird Walk
Venue: Carolina Beach State Park Marina at Snows Cut Trail
- Free to attend. Bring your own binoculars, drinking water, and insect repellent.
- 8:00AM to 10:00AM
- For inquires, call 910-458-8206
July 22
Astronomy Program
Venue: Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Rd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
- FREE. | Begins at sunset and ends 15 minutes before the park closes
- View the night sky, planets, starts and a lot more with the telescopes that the Cape Fear Astronomy Society will set up
- For more details, call 910-458-8206
July 23
Turning Red: Movies at the Lake
Carolina Beach Lake Park, Atlantic Ave. and S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
- Bring your kids, blankets, beach chairs and head to Carolina Beach Lake Park.
- FREE outdoor animated movie. Food, beverages and more are available for purchase.
- Movies start 8:45PM. | Stay updated by visiting this social media page.
July 29
Jamie's Port City Outlander Adventure
Venue: Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, 224 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401
- Travel through time and enjoy a carefully, specifically designed adventure.
- All inclusive one-day tour: $379 per person. Age 13+
- Event time varies. Check details in their website here.
August 1
Butterfly Releases at Airlie Gardens
Venue: Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, NC 28403
- Come and see the different types of butterflies in our very own Airlie Garden
- Book your ticket in advance before it sells out. Purchase here.
- Adult $9 | Children (4 to 12 years old) $3 | Military & NHC Resident $5 (ID required at check-in)
- Other dates August 8, 13, 22, 29 and September 12, 2023. Visit their website for updates.
August 6
Puss in Boots the Last Wish: Movies at the Lake
Carolina Beach Lake Park, Atlantic Ave. and S Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC
- Bring your kids, blankets, beach chairs and head to Carolina Beach Lake Park.
- FREE outdoor animated movie. Food, beverages and more are available for purchase.
- Movies start 8:45PM. | Stay updated by visiting this social media page.
August 12
Whomparama: Body Surfing Extravaganza
Venue: Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Carolina Beach Avenue S & Harper Ave., Carolina Beach, NC
- Free for spectators. For registration, stay updated by clicking here.
- Body surfing usually begins at 9:00AM. Awarding at 6:00PM
August 12-13
Wahine Classic Surfing Competition
Venue: Crystal Pier, 703 S Lumina Ave., Beach Access 38-40, Wrightsville Beach, NC
Enjoy your summer vacation and the beaches we have here in Southeast North Carolina!

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