Play Dates

Events and places to visit in Southeastern North Carolina

JUNE

Purvis Chapel Choir Concert

215 Craven Street, Beaufort, N.C.

There will be an evening concert at Purvis Chapel, Beaufort’s Oldest Church, on June 22 at 7 p.m. All proceeds go to Purvis Chapel for the ongoing needs of the church. Tickets are $10.

JUNE

2023 Season of The Lost Colony

Roanoke Island, N.C.

The Lost Colony is performed rain or shine nightly, Monday-Saturday until Aug. 26. The 2023 Season of The Lost Colony offers a refreshed production of Paul Green’s original symphonic drama. Set on the sound front on Roanoke Island, enjoy this 86-year-old musical under the stars. Become immersed in the story of the discovery of a new world with newly enhanced musical and theatrical direction and dynamically stunning choreography. Witness the pageantry of Queen Elizabeth I and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America all while preserving the historical importance of America’s oldest mystery.

Beaufort Old Homes Tour

150 Turner St.

Beaufort, N.C.

Get a peek inside beautiful homes and gardens throughout Beaufort, North Carolina’s third oldest town, during the 62nd annual Old Homes Tour. This event is a great way to spend time with the family when visiting North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. Proceeds from the Old Homes Tour along with other events go toward historic preservation and educational programs of the Beaufort Historical Association. Tickets can be purchased at www.beauforthistoricsite. org, by calling 252-728-5225, or by stopping by the Visitor’s Center.

Community Market days

1501 NC 53

Burgaw, N.C.

The Pender’s Community Market days are the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month. March thru December. The items that will be sold at the market are handmade, homegrown, or homemade items made by local farmers, cra ers and homesteaders.

JUNE 24

IMPORTANT NOTE ON UPCOMING EVENTS:

All of the events listed here were still on schedule as of press time, but it’s best to check with each venue to ensure that the event is still going on as planned.

Juneteenth

Downtown Burgaw, N.C.

Join Juneteenth on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Downtown Burgaw and honor African Americans rich history and culture.

JUNE 27

Topsail Sounds

624 S. Anderson Blvd.

Topsail Beach, N.C.

Join the Topsail Sounds, 2023 Summer Concert Series at the Topsail Beach Town Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and enjoy performances by JT Parrot Head on June 27.

JUNE 30

Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast

Cape Fear Blvd. and Carolina Beach Ave

Carolina Beach, N.C.

Celebrate Independence Day early with a reworks display by the sea. Music starts at the Gazebo Stage at 6:30 p.m., with the reworks by the Sea display at 9 p.m. Weather permitting.

JUNE 30 FRI

Ocean City Jazz Festival

Corner of Carver Street and Island Drive, North Topsail Beach, N.C.

The highly anticipated 13th annual Ocean City Jazz Festival is set for June 30 through July 2 with performances by Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, Julian Vaughn, Jazmine Ghent, Michael Manson, Kim Waters and Grammy-nominated John Brown among others. Enjoy the beautiful sunrises, white sand, ocean breezes and phenomenal music in a historical community. The Ocean City Jazz Festival is North Topsail Beach’s premier cultural event. The two-day Music Fest features local and nationally, recognized musicians. For more information visit http://www.oceancityjazzfest.com

JULY

July 4th Celebration

195 Fairgrounds Dr. Kenansville, N.C.

JULY 03 MON

Western Carteret Fireworks Celebration

130 Gol n Dolphin Dr. Emerald Isle, N.C.

Enjoy the Western Carteret Fireworks Celebration on Monday, July 3, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be food trucks, live entertainment with Spare Change kicking o at 6 p.m., the National Anthem and military y-over will be at 7:30 p.m., and a reworks show at 9 p.m.

JULY 04 TUE

Independence Concert & Fireworks

8335 Ray Ave. Fayetteville, N.C.

Visit Festival Park for the free annual Independence Concert & Fireworks on July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:15 p.m.

JULY 04 TUE

4th at the Fort Fort Bragg Parade Field

Fayetteville, N.C.

JULY 14 SAT

45th Annual Wright Kite Festival

Wright Brothers National Memorial Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

Enjoy a walk on the hallowed grounds where Wilbur and Orville took their historic rst ight in 1903, and view large 30- to 100-foot kites, including a 100-foot octopus, 80-foot panda, a 50-foot sh, and more. The Wright Brothers National Memorial invites you to y your kites, take free stunt and power kite ying lessons, and bring the kiddos to their kite-making station at the 45th Annual Wright Kite Festival on July 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An admission fee to the park is required, but participation in the kite festival is free!

Sheryl Crow will be headlining the 4th at the Fort as the base celebrates the renaming of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty. Come out and kick o the celebrations with Gavin DeGraw, enjoy good food, drinks, parachute free-fall demonstrations, the popular ag ceremony, and a reworks show.

JULY 04 TUE

Independence Day

807 Shepard St.

Morehead City, N.C.

Celebrate Independence Day with The Main Event Band at Jaycee Park in Downtown Morehead City on July 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m.

JULY 06 THU

Emerald Fest

9803 Louise Ave., Emerald Isle, N.C.

Emerald Fest returns for another great series through Aug. 17 at the Western Ocean Regional Access, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. No alcohol is allowed.

JULY 06 THU

Summer Learning Movie Day

119 W. Main St., Mount Olive, N.C.

Summer Learning Movie Day will be at the Steele Memorial Library on July 6 at 1 p.m. Registration required. Contact the Children’s Desk at 919-2998105, ext. 8003 for more information.

Summer Latin Fiesta

100 Recreation Ln. Jacksonville, N.C.

The Onslow Hispanic Latino Association is hosting a Summer Latin Fiesta at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center on Saturday, July 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is a celebration of the Latin/Hispanic culture. Get ready for a day lled with fun games, food trucks, music, and dancing.

July 09 Sun

Pegasus Plus

Olde Towne Square

Swansboro, N.C.

Enjoy SwanFest Concert Series at The Pugliese Pavilion in Olde Towne Square in Swansboro at 5 p.m. with performances by Pegasus Plus on July 9.

July 11 Tue

Growing with Friends

119 W. Main St., Mount Olive, N.C.

Join Growing with Friends at the Steele Memorial Library garden at the corner of Southerland and Pollock in Mount Olive, on July 11 at 9 a.m., for some gardening, games, and stories! We will meet at the library if it rains. Registration required. Contact the Children’s Desk at 919-2998105, ext. 8003 for more information.

The Butter y House

300 Airlie Road, Wilmington, N.C.

Surround yourself in serenity by visiting Airlie’s Butterfly House. The flittering butterflies, all native to North Carolina, are inside this open-air structure. Find species like Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Common Buckeye, Black Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail and many more. Daily through Oct. 1.

JULY

NC Blackberry Festival

8801 West Ave. Lenoir, N.C.

The North Carolina Blackberry Festival is celebrating its twentieth year on July 14-15. The two-day event its one of the states premiere streets festivals bringing in more than 25,000 people from all over the state.

Watermelon Festival

3933 S. Croatan Highway

Nags Head, N.C.

The 16th Annual OBX Watermelon Festival will be on Aug 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a t-shirt tie dye station, watermelon-themed competitions, arts and cra s, tiki toss, drum and ukulele lessons, and more.

Fig Festival

49 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke, N.C.

Peach Fest

522 W Willis Landing Rd. Hubert, N.C.

The 3rd annual Peach Fest at the Farm will be on Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. Peach goodness galore with fresh peaches sold by the pound and by the case. Enjoy live music, peach themed menus, beer tasting, area vendors, hay rides, farm animals, in atables, a peach eating contest and a “Fuzzy Peach” Hairy Chest Contest for cash prizes and more!

Each August, Ocracoke’s Fig Festival celebrates the island’s sweetest traditions. This year’s special guest will be the renowned southern chef and author Bill Smith. The festival is on Aug. 4-5, with a private Higo Latino dinner on Aug. 2. Tickets for the dinner go on sale July 1.

Webb & Co

Harry C. Pugliese Jr. Pavillion at Olde Towne Square Swansboro, N.C.

Pirate Festival

3933 S. Croatan Hwy. Nags Head, N.C..

Ahoy Mateys! Get ready for a swashbucklin’ good time at the Outer Banks Pirate Festival on Aug. 9-10. Come learn the vast history of pirates on the OBX, take pictures with a Mermaid from noon to 2 p.m. The little ones can participate in Scallywag School to see if they have what it takes to be a pirate. Registration is $10 and is strongly recommended. Time slots usually ll up prior to the day of the event.

Join the SwanFest Concert Series at The Pugliese Pavilion in Olde Towne Square in Swansboro at 6:30 p.m. with performances by Webb & Co on Aug. 13. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. Local sponsors and many downtown businesses will be open for drinks, snacks, and more!

British Invaders Concert

Olde Towne Square

Swansboro, N.C.

Join British Invaders the SwanFest Concert Series at The Pugliese Pavilion in Olde Towne Square in Swansboro on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Dos Eddies Concert

624 S. Anderson Blvd.

Topsail Beach, N.C.

Enjoy performances by Dos Eddies on Aug. 22 at the Topsail Sounds, 2023 Summer Concert Series from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Topsail Beach Town Center.

Day4Kids

203 Leisure Lane

Emerald Isle, N.C.

Mark your calendars for the 16th annual Day4Kids on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Emerald Isle Community Center. This free event runs from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Some of the attractions and activities this year include DJ Mad Fiddler, in atable rides, a temporary tattoo station, Sparky from the EI Fire Department, the Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol’s mascot, art stations, a photo booth, a U.S. Coast Guard boat, and a real live re truck among others. There will be hot dogs, drinks, cotton candy and vendors giving away gi s and information. The rst 100 kids will receive a free tote bag.

Sept 22 Fri

Beaufort Pirate Invasion

172 W Beaufort Rd. Beaufort, N.C.

Calling all buccaneers! Parlay with pirates all weekend long at the annual Beaufort Pirate Invasion on Sept. 22-24. This year’s event will be held at the Gallants Channel Complex. From sword ghting and black powder demos with cannons to axe/knife throwing and living history displays and reenactments, this spirited two-day festival o ers fun and entertainment the whole family will enjoy. Event-goers will be able to watch the second annual Pirate Flotilla from shore in many spots in Beaufort.

SEPT 23

Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival

9803 Louise Ave.

Emerald Isle, N.C.

The Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival will be on Sept. 23 at the Western Ocean Regional Access from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No beer or wine will be sold on site and are prohibited in all areas of the Western Ocean Regional Access, but are permitted on the beach strand. Parking will be permitted along the grassy Highway 58 rightof-way.