From fall festivals, oysters, beer, and some amazing kite flying, here are some fall family events you can put on your calendar.
In October, what Wilmington lacks in apple cider festivals and corn mazes, we make up for in oyster roasts and family fun days spent by the water. For locals October is easily the most savory month of the year as the heat breaks off and parking spaces at the beach suddenly reappear.
Here are some of our favorite events happening right now around the community.
NC Oyster Festival | Ocean Isle, NC
October 21
Watch Oak Island’s Town Center Park transform into a walking district for the 42nd annual NC Oyster Festival. Expect oysters, foods, crafts, contests and musical performances.
Join in an oyster shucking contest, an oyster eating contest and if you aren’t competing in the oyster stew-off, be sure to vote for your favorite.
Autumn Fest | Burgaw, NC
October 21
Celebrate Autumn in Burgaw with a 5k, kid’s fun run, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, a magic show, pumpkin decorating, kid’s costume contest and more!
Dont miss the Blueberry Knot Eating Contest in this town home to the annual Blueberry Festival in June. Children are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costume and trick-or-treat with the vendors around the festival.
Additional information including an event schedule is available at burgawnc.gov/autumnfest
Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival | Wilmington
October 27
This event may be geared more toward the adults in the family, but the Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival is one of the biggest festivals of the year. Peruse through brewery tents with more beer than you can sample, live music, delicious food, all in one venue. Admission includes a souvenir sampling glass. For real beer afficionados, The Voracious Rare Beer Festival is a must-go event on Friday evening.
Goosebumps in the Grove | Scott’s Hill, NC
October 28-29
Dont miss this daytime Halloween gift show and carnival for the whole family at Poplar Grove. View the haunted manor house, shop through 75 artisan vendors, food trucks, kids can go trick-or-treating and play carnival games. All those 10 and under shouldn’t forget their costume for trick-or-treating! Book online now.
Cape Fear Kite Festival | Kure Beach, NC
Nov. 3-5
Watch serious kite flyers (some known around the world) at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. See all shapes, sizes and styles of kites soar through the air at once. Festivities start with a “Night with Kites” event and then continue Saturday and Sunday on the beach. Expect live bands, food trucks and other vendors at the fall family event. We recommend making a parking and transportation plan far in advance as parking is limited. Check out more here.
Taste of Wrightsville Beach | Wrightsville Beach, NC
November 4
If you want to explore all the cuisine Wrightsville Beach has to offer in one night, Taste of Wrightsville Beach is a sampler’s haven. The 10th annual festival on the waterfront will host more than 35 food, wine and beer tasting booths under a huge tent with heaters. Celebrity judges will rate the dishes with a “Best in Show” while the public select “People’s Choice” awards. Tickets start at $100 for adults; $25 for ages 5-21; and children under 5 are free.
Polish Festival | Castle Hayne, NC
November 4
We looove the Polish Festival. The fact that for years St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and the Front Street Brewery have partnered to create a limited-edition baltic porter — well, its just one of those Wilmington traditions we relish in. Come for the pierogis and kielbasa and stay for the polka dancing, Polish cookies, crafts and more. Your whole family will have fun trying the foods and beers at this fall family event which goes from 9 to 5 p.m.
Want to learn more about the Wilmington community? I put together guides for some of my favorite neighborhoods. I specialize in relocating families to Wilmington — it is the best transition you will ever go through!
