Events & Festivals

Wilmington is a year-round destination for celebration in southeastern North Carolina, offering a kaleidoscope of community events and festivals. Since 1948, the iconic Azalea Festival has captivated Wilmington locals and visitors alike. Occurring every spring, this festival is the largest of its kind in the state, with an estimated 300,000 attendees annually. Riverfest, running through Historic Downtown Wilmington during the first weekend of October, also draws in tens of thousands of people annually for its craft vendors, concessions booths, live performances and fireworks. With the city’s mild winters, locals are able to take in the sparkling lights and festive sounds of the holiday season at Enchanted Airlie or the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach.

Wilmington pulsates with creativity through its vibrant art, film and live music scene. The Orange Street ArtsFest beckons art enthusiasts with its showcase of over 90 local artists displaying their diverse talents. Experience an exhilarating fusion of creativity and inspiration at the Lumina Festival of the Arts, an engaging presentation of opera, theatre, dance, film, music, visual art and performance poetry. And, if you’re looking for free events on the weekend, the city has you covered with Sounds of Summer at Wrightsville Beach Park or Friday Night Live at The Pier at Port City Marina. Film buffs can also become immersed in the world of independent cinema at well-known festivals like Cucalorus, the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival and the NC Black Film Festival.

Steeped in rich historical and cultural experiences, Wilmington, NC is a hub captivating festival attendees with multicultural celebrations. Festival Latino, a cherished family-friendly event, showcases the vibrancy of Latin American food and dance, providing a colorful and immersive experience. Immerse yourself in an exhilarating cultural celebration as we commemorate Juneteenth, featuring live music, inspiring speakers, vibrant cultural performances and a multitude of empowering experiences to honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. And from Civil War reenactments at Fort Fisher to daily events on the WWII Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, North Carolina’s port city is also a premier destination to learn about historical traditions and events.