18 of the best events and festivals around Wilmington this October

October is packed with events around Wilmington, with something happening nearly every weekend of the month.

This year’s lineup includes fall festivals, live music, art, barbecue and oysters, outdoor competitions, pet-friendly events and plenty of Halloween fun as the month comes to a close.

Whether you want to spend the day at the beach, explore a local festival or add a few seasonal events to your calendar, here are 18 events and festivals happening around Wilmington this October.

Key takeaways

• The bigger picture: October brings a full calendar of festivals, outdoor activities, food and drink events and seasonal celebrations around Wilmington.
• The details: Events stretch from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and nearby Ocean Isle Beach.
• Why it matters: With events spread throughout the month, there are options for families, couples, pet owners, foodies, music fans and more.
• The more you know: Some events require tickets or advance registration, while several others are free to attend. Check with organizers for the latest details before heading out.

Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral at Kure Beach

Say goodbye to summer New Orleans-style during Kure Beach’s Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral. The Port City Players will lead a musical procession beginning at 7 p.m., followed by more music at Ocean Front Park, with New Orleans-inspired food available from the T’Geaux Boys food truck.

• Location: Ocean Front Park, Kure Beach
• Date: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 2
• Good to know: The procession begins promptly at 7 p.m.

31st Annual Bark in the Park at Wrightsville Beach

Watch talented dogs take to the air during the 31st Annual Bark in the Park Skyhoundz Hyperflite Canine Disc Championships. Spectators can cheer on the canine competitors and vote for favorites including Best Dressed Dog, Best Dressed Team and Dog Displaying the Most Personality.

• Location: Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation, 321 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach
• Date: 11 a.m. Oct. 3
• Good to know: The event is free for spectators, with registration available online for participants.

Carolina Beach MusicFest: Fall Reggae at Carolina Beach Boardwalk

Spend the day by the ocean with live reggae music during Carolina Beach MusicFest: Fall Reggae. Ballyhoo!!, Signal Fire and special guest Cape Fear Rising will perform at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, where guests can bring coolers, beach chairs and towels and enjoy the show from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

• Location: Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Cape Fear Boulevard and Carolina Beach Avenue South, Carolina Beach
• Date: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 3; gates open at 10 a.m.
• Good to know: Advance tickets are $37.25 or $40 at the door, and children 10 and younger get in free

Oktoberfest Under the Bridge at Waterline Brewing Co.

Oktoberfest Under the Bridge brings Bavarian-inspired festivities to Waterline Brewing Co. with traditional-style live music, German food, lawn games and a best-dressed lederhosen competition. Admission is free, with food and drinks available for purchase.

• Location: 721 Surry St., Wilmington
• Date: 1-8 p.m. Oct. 3
• Good to know: Admission is free

Wrightsville Beach Outrigger East Coast Championship

Head to Wrightsville Beach to watch paddlers compete in the annual Outrigger East Coast Championship. The main competition features a nearly 14-mile course that takes paddlers through Banks Channel and into the ocean, making it an easy spectator event for anyone who wants to spend a fall weekend near the water.

• Location: 275 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach
• Date: 8 a.m. Oct. 3-4
• Good to know: The weekend includes races, workshops and other activities

Annual Pets in the Park at Carolina Beach Lake Park

Bring your four-legged friends along for the annual Pets in the Park, a family-friendly celebration of pets, their owners and local pet-friendly businesses. The lakeside event typically includes a pet parade, costume contest, pet blessings, portraits, local vendors, face painting, food trucks and more.

• Location: Carolina Beach Lake Park, Atlantic Ave. and S. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach
• Date: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 10
• Good to know: Admission is $5 at the door, children younger than 10 get in free and well-behaved pets are welcome

Art in the Arboretum

The New Hanover County Arboretum turns into an outdoor gallery for the 30th Annual Art in the Arboretum. North Carolina artists and artisans will display painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, sculpture, textiles and more throughout the seven-acre gardens.

• Location: 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
• Date: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 10-11
• Good to know: Visitors can browse and purchase work from participating artists

Fire in the Pines Festival at Halyburton Park

Learn more about Wilmington’s natural environment during the free Fire in the Pines Festival. The day includes hayrides, live music, food trucks, crafts and games, conservation exhibits, fire equipment and a live fire demonstration while highlighting controlled burns, longleaf pines, carnivorous plants and local wildlife.

• Location: 4099 S. 17th St., Wilmington
• Date: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 10
• Good to know: There is no event parking at Halyburton Park; free trolley service will run from Lifepoint Church

Zoomies 1-Mile Walk & 5K at Long Leaf Park

Get moving with your four-legged friend during the dog-friendly Zoomies 1-Mile Walk & 5K at Long Leaf Park. Held in recognition of World Mental Health Day, the event brings together runners, walkers, families and leashed dogs for an afternoon focused on community, wellness and a good cause.

• Location: Long Leaf Park, 314 Pine Grove Drive, Shelter No. 4, Wilmington
• Date: Oct. 11; check-in begins at noon, 1-mile walk at 12:30 p.m. and 5K at 1 p.m.
• Good to know: Spectators can attend for free, with registration available online for participants

Sing Along Broadway at The Wilson Center

Broadway fans can sing along to some of musical theater’s biggest hits during this interactive night at The Wilson Center. The show features favorites including “Defying Gravity,” “Seasons of Love,” “One Day More” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” with guests encouraged to dress as their favorite Broadway characters and join in the fun.

• Location: The Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St., Wilmington
• Date: 7 p.m. Oct. 14; doors open at 6 p.m.
• Good to know: Ticket prices have not yet been announced

Annual Backyard BBQ Cookoff in Kure Beach

Come hungry to the Annual Backyard BBQ Cookoff, where more than 20 local barbecue smokers compete for the top prize and bragging rights. Guests can sample barbecue and vote for the People’s Choice Award while enjoying live music, local vendors, children’s activities and waterfront views.

• Location: 118 River Front Road, Kure Beach
• Date: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 17; gates open at 10:30 a.m.
• Good to know: Admission is $15 and includes 10 tasting tickets; children 10 and younger get in free

Watch IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina

You don’t have to compete to experience one of Wilmington’s biggest athletic events of the fall. IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina takes athletes from a 1.2-mile swim at Wrightsville Beach to a 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run before finishing in downtown Wilmington across from the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA.

• Location: Wrightsville Beach to downtown Wilmington
• Date: Oct. 17
• Good to know: Expect activity and potential traffic impacts along the race route throughout the day

North Carolina Oyster Festival at Ocean Isle Beach

Make the drive to Ocean Isle Beach for the 45th Annual North Carolina Oyster Festival. The two-day event celebrates one of the coast’s favorite foods with oysters, arts and crafts, live entertainment and food vendors, along with traditions including oyster-shucking and oyster-eating competitions.

• Location: Town Center Park, Ocean Isle Beach
• Date: Oct. 17-18
• Good to know: Outside food, drinks, coolers and pets are not permitted

Voracious: Cellar, Sea & Shore Festival at Live Oak Bank Pavilion

Spend an evening along the riverfront sampling rare and sought-after beer and wine at the Voracious: Cellar, Sea & Shore Festival. The event features craft beer, wine and champagne, oyster stations and live music in a smaller setting designed to give guests a chance to meet and talk with beer and wine representatives.

• Location: 10-A Cowan St., Wilmington
• Date: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 23
• Good to know: Tickets begin at $106, designated driver tickets are $54 and the event is for ages 21 and older

Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival

Spend a fall afternoon sampling beer, wine and more at the Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival. The annual event features breweries and wineries, live music and food, with guests receiving a tasting cup for unlimited responsible samples. Proceeds benefit the Carousel Child Advocacy Center.

• Location: 10 Cowan St., Wilmington
• Date: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 24
• Good to know: This event is for ages 21 and older

Movies in the Park: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” at Wrightsville Beach

Get into the Halloween spirit with an outdoor showing of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” at Wrightsville Beach. Bring chairs, blankets and a picnic to settle in on the lawn for the PG-13 movie, with concessions also available for purchase.

• Location: Wrightsville Beach Parks & Recreation, 321 Causeway Drive, Wrightsville Beach
• Date: Oct. 30; movie time to be announced
• Good to know: Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating

Alley-Ween at The Dive

Celebrate Halloween in Carolina Beach during Alley-Ween, a block party that starts with family-friendly fun before turning into an adults-only celebration. From 4-7 p.m., visitors can enjoy vendors, mini golf and game booths before live music and drinks take over after 7 p.m., followed by a DJ inside The Dive until 2 a.m.

• Location: The Dive Food & Spirits, 6 N. Lake Park Blvd., Carolina Beach
• Date: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Oct. 31
• Good to know: Admission is free; the event is family-friendly from 4-7 p.m. and adults only after 7 p.m.

PokeKon Festival at Hotel Ballast

Pokémon fans can spend Halloween celebrating their favorite characters during Wilmington’s PokeKon Festival. The day includes Pokémon battles, trading, tournaments, themed vendors, cosplay and fan meet-and-greets, including an appearance by voice actor Mike Pollock.

• Location: Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water St., Wilmington
• Date: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 31
• Good to know: Tickets are $20, with free admission for children younger than 11 and $10 for each additional child

FAQs

What events are happening in Wilmington on Oct. 3?

Oct. 3 is one of the busiest days of the month. Bark in the Park takes place in Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach MusicFest: Fall Reggae hits the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and Oktoberfest Under the Bridge takes place at Waterline Brewing Co. The Wrightsville Beach Outrigger East Coast Championship also begins Oct. 3 and continues Oct. 4.

Are there any free events around Wilmington in October?

Yes. Bark in the Park is free for spectators, Fire in the Pines Festival is free to attend and Oktoberfest Under the Bridge offers free admission. Movies in the Park: Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Alley-Ween are also free to attend, although food, drinks or other items may be available for purchase.

What Halloween events are happening around Wilmington?

Several events lead into Halloween at the end of the month. Wrightsville Beach hosts an outdoor showing of Ghostbusters: Afterlife on Oct. 30, while Halloween day brings Alley-Ween in Carolina Beach and the PokeKon Festival in downtown Wilmington.

What food and drink festivals are happening around Wilmington in October?

October includes several options for food and drink lovers. The Annual Backyard BBQ Cookoff takes place Oct. 17, followed by the North Carolina Oyster Festival Oct. 17-18. Voracious: Cellar, Sea & Shore is Oct. 23, and the Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival follows Oct. 24.