Southport Events - 2023 Schedule

For more than 25 years, Poplar Grove Plantation has been the site of one of the most anticipated events for gardeners in the spring season – the Annual Herb and Garden Fair. This yearly event features a wealth of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and green goodies of all varieties, and is a great first stop for local and visiting gardeners alike who are eager to ring in the spring season.

Great tastes and one of the Cape Fear region’s premier attractions combine at this event that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with foodies and brewing fans of all tastes. The Cape Fear Craft & Cuisine event provides a selection of fine food, beers, and plenty of local flavors, thanks to an exquisite menu and accompanying tasting, as well as a beautiful setting at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Celebrate the arrival of warm weather and sunny days along the waterfront with a stop at the always engaging Southport Spring Festival. This two-day festival that takes place in late March features a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages, and is sure to be a highlight of any getaway to the coastal Cape Fear region.

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.

When the weather starts to heat up in the Cape Fear region, so does the fishing, and this annual fishing tournament is the perfect venue for newcomers and experienced anglers alike to join in the fun. With miles of shoreline to go around, and some big cash prizes on the line for lucky anglers, the Pleasure Island Spring Surf Fishing Challenge is a great way to experience the exceptional spring fishing scene of coastal North Carolina.

Think of your Azalea Festival Home Tour ticket as a key, unlocking and welcoming you inside homes you’ve long admired, as well as some stunning hidden gems! From the quaint to the grand, step inside bungalows, Queen Anne homes, and more—and in doing so, enter and explore our community’s past.

Foodies and all visitors with exceptional taste will have a ball at the Wilmington VegFest, which is a celebration of all things fresh and delicious that correspond with the vegan lifestyle. Featuring cooking demonstrations, guest speakers, dozens of vendors, and plenty of food trucks, this event is brimming with flavorful ways to eat well, and eat wonderfully.

Discover a beautiful little corner of the globe while celebrating Earth Day by participating in this engaging run, jog or walk that explores one of the prettiest sections of Kure Beach. The 5K Race for the Planet begins and ends at the Fort Fisher Aquarium, and the no-pressure race is a fun way to uncover all the beauty of this southernmost strip of coastline in the Cape Fear region.

Discover some of the prettiest terrain that Sunset Beach has to offer with more than 600 runners from all across the region and the country with this annual running event that puts the small town of Sunset Beach on the map. The Run Sunset Beach event features a variety of races that range from a mile-long Fun Run to a half marathon, and which boasts some of the most scenic courses that coastal North Carolina has to offer.

Explore the beauty of riverfront Wilmington and literally miles beyond by participating in the annual WILMA Dash & Health Fest. This fun event that combines an all-female 5K run and walk with a health and fitness-oriented after party is a great way to ring in the summer season with a focus on friends, fitness, and overall health for visitors and locals alike.

Wilmington is well-known for both its diverse cultural scene as well as its status as one of the biggest filming destinations west of Hollywood, and these two attributes are beautifully combined at the annual North Carolina Black Film Festival. This annual and invitational festival features a wealth of talented African American filmmakers of all genres who will share their works to the delight of audiences and movie buffs everywhere.

Head to the heart of Kure Beach with your favorite 4WD vehicle for this celebration that is designed with Jeep lovers in mind. The Pleasure Island Jeep Jam is a multiple-day festival for Jeep lovers of all varieties and ages, with an assortment of activities and exhibits, music, and food to keep the jam going all weekend long.

A world of flavor and fun is waiting at the Wilmington Greek Festival, which is one of the most unique and anticipated global events of the year in the Cape Fear region. Featuring an abundance of authentic food, music, dancing and more, this weekend-long festival is a fun way to discover the Greek culture while enjoying an engaging time that will delight family members of all ages.

Renowned as the first “Formula 1” or super-sprint style of triathlons in the nation, the Carolina Beach Double Sprint Triathlon is a USAT sanctioned event that will thrill participants and spectators alike. Featuring an ocean swim, bike ride, and a 1.5 mile run, this annual competition tests limits across the board, while allowing participants to discover the best of Carolina Beach and miles beyond.

Celebrating its 27th year in 2023, the Annual Orange Street ArtsFest is a great way for newcomers to discover the myriad of talented artists who live, work and thrive in the coastal Cape Fear region. Featuring dozens of artists, live entertainment, food, and many more enticements, this annual festival is a must for art lovers everywhere.

Going strong for more than 30 years, the Carolina Beach Music Festival ushers in the summer season with a full day and night of great music that is just steps away from the sand. Billed as the "the biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the North Carolina coast" by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, this annual festival is a great way to experience the sights, sounds, and all-around fun of this popular beach town while enjoying some great music along the way.

The Cape Fear Blues Festival is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated music festivals of the summer season in North Carolina, and newcomers will find plenty of reasons to celebrate at this multiple-day event that has plenty of soul. Featuring local musicians as well as national headliners, the annual Cape Fear Blues Festival lights up the town with plenty of great music at multiple venues, and ample fun to go around for music fans everywhere.

Revered as one of the oldest Independence Day celebrations in the state, the North Carolina 4th of July Festival is a big event that attracts visitors from all along the coastline and miles beyond to the charming town of Southport. Boasting a parade, a fair-style collection of vendors, a myriad of shows and activities, and a stunning display of fireworks over the water, this annual event lives up to its reputation as one of the most beloved 4^th of July celebrations on the coast.

Revered as one of the oldest Independence Day celebrations in the state, the North Carolina 4th of July Festival is a big event that attracts visitors from all along the coastline and miles beyond to the charming town of Southport. Boasting a parade, a fair-style collection of vendors, a myriad of shows and activities, and a stunning display of fireworks over the water, this annual event lives up to its reputation as one of the most beloved 4^th of July celebrations on the coast.

The Fourth of July is easily one of the most festive days on Bald Head Island, and visitors can join in the fun with a wide array of activities that are found around town. The annual Bald Head Island Fourth of July Celebration is packed with tours, games, food, and fun – as well as a famed annual parade – and is a great way to truly enjoy everything this island community has to offer.

Anglers can explore the exceptional fishing of the Carolina Beach inshore waters while hopefully cashing in on some attractive prizes at this annual tournament that reels in local and visiting anglers alike. The Carolina Beach Inshore Challenge is a fun and full-day fishing tournament that targets the waters of Carolina Beach Inlet and beyond to reel in some big rewards.