60 upcoming events near Wilmington — concerts, theater, markets, library programs and more. Free to browse; each links to the source.
Community & civic
June 6 to 7, 2026
Across the weekend
Battleship North Carolina · Wilmington, NC
Battleship North Carolina
You can take part in amateur-radio and ship programming during Museum Ships Weekend aboard the Battleship.
Classes & arts
June 19 to September 27, 2026
Museum hours
Cameron Art Museum · Wilmington, NC
Cameron Art Museum
You can walk through Andy Warhol's floating Silver Clouds installation during the museum's summer exhibition.
Music & concerts
June 19 to 21, 2026
Multiple sets across venues
Multiple downtown Wilmington venues · Wilmington, NC
Multiple downtown Wilmington venues
You can hear local and national blues acts across several Wilmington venues during this three-day summer festival.
Lifelong learning
Recurring (May to June 2026)
Daytime
Cameron Art Museum, PNC USCT Park · Wilmington, NC
Cameron Art Museum, PNC USCT Park
You can take a guided tour of the Boundless sculpture and the United States Colored Troops park on the museum grounds.
Theater & film
September 26 and 27, 2026
7:30 p.m. Fri, 2 p.m. Sat
Wilson Center at CFCC · Wilmington, NC
Wilson Center at CFCC
You can enjoy this one-man tribute to Mark Twain on the Wilson Center stage.
Community & civic
October 3 to 4, 2026
Wilmington, NC
An annual October celebration along the riverfront, named one of North Carolina's top festivals. Two days of music, vendors, and waterfront activity downtown.
Food festivals
October 3 to 4, 2026
Across the weekend
Downtown Wilmington riverfront · Wilmington, NC
Downtown Wilmington riverfront
You can enjoy exhibits, vendors, fireworks, and waterfront fun at one of Wilmington's largest downtown festivals.
Theater & film
November 18 to 22, 2026
Across the festival
Downtown Wilmington venues · Wilmington, NC
Downtown Wilmington venues
You can attend one of the South's largest film festivals, with films, shorts, and live entertainment across downtown.
Senior programs
2025-2026 season (ongoing)
Varies
Wilmington Community Arts Center · Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Community Arts Center
You can join a performing arts series built specifically for the 55-and-older crowd at the community arts center.
Classes & arts
Friday, June 19, 2026
Evening
Cameron Art Museum · Wilmington, NC
Cameron Art Museum
You can be among the first to see the new summer shows, including the Warhol installation, at opening night.
Theater & film
Friday, November 14, 2026
7 p.m. and matinee
Wilson Center at CFCC · Wilmington, NC
Wilson Center at CFCC
You can catch the touring Broadway production of Mrs. Doubtfire as part of the Wilson Center series.
Classes & arts
Fourth Friday monthly (May 22, June 26, 2026)
6 p.m. onward
Downtown Wilmington galleries · Wilmington, NC
Downtown Wilmington galleries
You can wander 15-plus downtown galleries and studios for a free after-hours celebration of art on the fourth Friday of each month.
Classes & arts
Year-round (Winter/Spring 2026 catalog)
Varies
Cameron Art Museum · Wilmington, NC
Cameron Art Museum
You can take year-round art classes for adults from the museum's seasonal course catalog.
Classes & arts
Ongoing 2025-2026 season
Varies
Wilmington Community Arts Center · Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Community Arts Center
You can take pottery classes at the community arts center, which also runs an Orange Street Pottery program.
Music & concerts
Recurring weekly
6:30 p.m.
Boteco VIP, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Boteco VIP, Wilmington
You can drop in on a free live jazz jam in the evening at Boteco VIP.
Pickleball & rec
Daily, walk-up basis
Daylight hours
Empie Park, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Empie Park, Wilmington
You can play on the public courts at Empie Park for free on a walk-up basis, or reserve a court for a fee.
Outdoors & nature
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Morning
Airlie Gardens · Wilmington, NC
Airlie Gardens
You can join an educator-led birding tour for all experience levels at Airlie Gardens, with advance registration.
Outdoors & nature
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Daytime
Harbor Way Gardens, Wrightsville Beach · Wilmington, NC
Harbor Way Gardens, Wrightsville Beach
You can stroll blooming gardens with plein air paintings and sculptures while artists sell their work and a beekeeper talks pollinators.
Pickleball & rec
Ongoing weekly
Varies
Wilmington Parks & Recreation · Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Parks & Recreation
If you are 55 or older you can use open-gym time for walking, sports, and casual recreation through city parks.
Markets
Saturdays, May 23 to October 3, 2026
Saturday mornings
Carolina Beach Lake Park · Wilmington, NC
Carolina Beach Lake Park
You can spend Saturday mornings browsing local produce, handmade goods, and crafts by the lake with live music and food vendors.
Music & concerts
Saturday, July 18, 2026
2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Wilson Center at CFCC · Wilmington, NC
Wilson Center at CFCC
You can watch Jurassic Park in HD while the live orchestra plays the score under Pops conductor Dominic Talanca.
Music & concerts
Thursdays, June 11 to July 30, 2026
Thursday evening
Wrightsville Beach Park · Wilmington, NC
Wrightsville Beach Park
You can pack a picnic and enjoy free weekly summer concerts on the lawn with open-air dancing at Wrightsville Beach Park.
Music & concerts
Dates vary, check the calendar
Wilmington, NC
An outdoor amphitheater at Riverfront Park downtown that books national acts through the warmer months. The 2026 lineup already includes names like Jelly Roll, Lauren Daigle, and Lord Huron.
Music & concerts
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
6 p.m.
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater · Wilmington, NC
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
You can catch the rising Appalachian country band 49 Winchester at the open-air Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.
Music & concerts
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
6 p.m.
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater · Wilmington, NC
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
You can see indie rock mainstays Modest Mouse perform outdoors at the lakeside amphitheater.
Music & concerts
Monday, June 1, 2026
6 p.m.
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater · Wilmington, NC
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
You can see the post-punk legends Echo & The Bunnymen perform under the oaks at the lakeside amphitheater.
Music & concerts
Wednesdays, June 24 to July 29, 2026
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Downtown Wilmington riverfront · Wilmington, NC
Downtown Wilmington riverfront
You can catch free live music downtown on Wednesday evenings through this summer concert series.
Music & concerts
First and third Sundays through October 2026
Sunday
Kure Beach Ocean Front Park · Wilmington, NC
Kure Beach Ocean Front Park
You can grab a lawn chair for this free outdoor concert series with live music and dancing by the shore.
Markets
Saturdays, April 18 to November 21, 2026
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dock Street and S. Front Street, downtown Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Dock Street and S. Front Street, downtown Wilmington
You can shop local produce, crafts, and food downtown on Dock Street every Saturday morning, rain or shine.
Markets
Wednesdays, May 20 to September 30, 2026
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy 17 N · Wilmington, NC
Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Hwy 17 N
You can browse the open-air farmers market on the grounds of the historic Poplar Grove manor every Wednesday morning.
Food festivals
Friday, October 23, 2026
Afternoon/evening
Downtown Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Downtown Wilmington
You can discover rare brews from dozens of breweries and eateries in the heart of downtown.
Community & civic
Saturdays, April to late November
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wilmington, NC
A free market on Dock Street downtown, every Saturday from 8am to 1pm, rain or shine, running into late November. Local produce, baked goods, and makers.
Tastings
Saturday, June 6, 2026
6 p.m.
Maven Monroe event venue, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Maven Monroe event venue, Wilmington
You can sip your way through a guided Italian wine tasting at a Wilmington event venue.
Lifelong learning
Daily at 9 and 10/11 a.m.
60-minute tour
Battleship North Carolina · Wilmington, NC
Battleship North Carolina
You can take a 60-minute guided main-deck tour of the Battleship for $6 on top of regular admission.
Lifelong learning
Friday, May 15, 2026
Full day
Airlie Gardens area · Wilmington, NC
Airlie Gardens area
You can hear 17 speakers across many fields at this full day of TED-style talks themed around community.
Lifelong learning
Ongoing weekly
Varies
NHC Public Library branches · Wilmington, NC
NHC Public Library branches
You can attend free library programs like book clubs, history and genealogy talks, Carpool Cinema, and health classes.
Lifelong learning
Ongoing, Spring 2026 term
Varies by course
UNCW campus and online · Wilmington, NC
UNCW campus and online
If you are 50 or older you can take non-credit enrichment courses, tours, and activities through Osher Lifelong Learning at UNCW after buying a membership.
Lifelong learning
Friday, May 8, 2026
90-minute tour
Burgwin-Wright House, downtown Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Burgwin-Wright House, downtown Wilmington
You can take a historian-led downtown walking tour of Wilmington sites tied to the Outlander series.
Outdoors & nature
Ongoing 2026 calendar
Varies
New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr · Wilmington, NC
New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Dr
You can attend horticulture and gardening programs at the county arboretum's living-classroom gardens.
Community & civic
Saturday, August 22, 2026
6 to 9 p.m.
Cape Fear Museum, downtown Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Cape Fear Museum, downtown Wilmington
You can celebrate the museum's grand opening at an evening soiree of food and discovery downtown.
Music & concerts
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Daytime
Poplar Grove Plantation · Wilmington, NC
Poplar Grove Plantation
You can spend the day on the lawn at Poplar Grove enjoying bluegrass, folk, and traditional dance tunes.
Music & concerts
Saturday, November 14, 2026
12 p.m.
Brooklyn Arts District, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Brooklyn Arts District, Wilmington
You can see Grace Potter and The Revivalists headline this outdoor music and arts festival in the Brooklyn Arts District.
Community & civic
One long weekend monthly (e.g. June 11 to 14, 2026)
Weekend
Soda Pop District, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Soda Pop District, Wilmington
You can unwind one weekend a month at this gathering space pairing native plants with wine, beer, food trucks, and live music.
Dance & fitness
Ongoing weekly
Varies
NHC Senior Resource Center fitness studio · Wilmington, NC
NHC Senior Resource Center fitness studio
You can use the renovated fitness studio and join drop-in group fitness classes geared to older adults.
Music & concerts
Select Fridays, June 5 to September 4, 2026
6 to 8 p.m.
Airlie Gardens Oak Lawn · Wilmington, NC
Airlie Gardens Oak Lawn
You can dine and dance on the Oak Lawn to bands like reSoul (June 5) and Jack Jack 180 (June 19) surrounded by the gardens.
Dance & fitness
Select Saturdays in 2026
7 to 10 p.m. (beginner lesson 7 p.m.)
Grace United Methodist Church, downtown Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Grace United Methodist Church, downtown Wilmington
You can learn and dance contra to live music on select Saturdays, with a beginner lesson and just $1 for students.
Food festivals
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Evening
Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Wilmington
You can celebrate 20 years of the local-food nonprofit Feast Down East at this anniversary dinner.
Music & concerts
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Evening
Cameron Art Museum · Wilmington, NC
Cameron Art Museum
You can take in the long-running Port City Music Festival on the grounds of the Cameron Art Museum.
Music & concerts
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Orchestra 7:30 p.m., fireworks 9 p.m.
Riverfront Park & Live Oak Bank Pavilion · Wilmington, NC
Riverfront Park & Live Oak Bank Pavilion
You can hear a free family-friendly Fourth of July pops concert with the symphony followed by fireworks over the river.
Senior programs
Ongoing (Maides Park program)
Varies
Maides Park, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Maides Park, Wilmington
You can play bingo and craft with other active adults at the Maides Park senior program.
Tastings
Thursday, June 18, 2026
6 p.m.
The Eagle's Dare / Love Grove, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
The Eagle's Dare / Love Grove, Wilmington
You can make herb-infused fresh pasta in a hands-on evening workshop with wine.
Senior programs
Fridays (ongoing)
Friday
Wilmington Parks & Recreation · Wilmington, NC
Wilmington Parks & Recreation
You can gather with other older adults each Friday for a guest speaker and a welcoming space to connect and learn.
Music & concerts
Saturday, June 6, 2026
All day
Carolina Beach · Wilmington, NC
Carolina Beach
You can dance barefoot in the sand to beach music favorites like The Tams and Band of Oz at this all-day shore festival.
Outdoors & nature
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
8 to 9:30 a.m.
Cape Fear Museum grounds · Wilmington, NC
Cape Fear Museum grounds
You can join an early-morning guided bird walk through the museum's park grounds.
Music & concerts
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Evening
Wilson Center at CFCC · Wilmington, NC
Wilson Center at CFCC
You can celebrate 250 years of American history through music and dance in this family-friendly Wilson Center showcase.
Food festivals
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Afternoon
North Waterfront Park, Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
North Waterfront Park, Wilmington
You can taste from more than 100 craft breweries and wineries at this afternoon festival on the riverfront.
Outdoors & nature
Fourth Friday each month
6 to 9 p.m.
Wilmington, NC
A free, self-guided walk through more than 20 downtown galleries and creative spaces on the fourth Friday of the month, from 6 to 9pm. Run by the Arts Council of Wilmington.
Music & concerts
Fridays and Saturdays, April to October 2026
Music starts 6 p.m.
Port City Marina, Marina District · Wilmington, NC
Port City Marina, Marina District
You can enjoy free riverfront live music every Friday and Saturday evening along the Riverwalk at the marina.
Markets
Sundays through October 25, 2026
Sunday daytime
Historic Downtown Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
Historic Downtown Wilmington
You can browse handmade art and jewelry from more than 30 rotating vendors with live music on Sunday afternoons downtown.
Music & concerts
Thursdays (e.g. June 4, 2026)
Dinner hour
Cameron Art Museum Cafe · Wilmington, NC
Cameron Art Museum Cafe
You can enjoy live acoustic music with dinner and a cocktail at the museum cafe, with free gallery admission included.
