Celebrate Wilmington’s vibrant culinary scene while soaking up coastal charm at Feast Wilmington, an event that brings together the area's best food, drinks and live entertainment. Whether you're a dedicated foodie or just looking for a weekend of great eats and entertainment, follow this guide to help navigate the festival, from must-attend events and experiences to the best places to stay nearby and more.
Main Events
During the last weekend of March, Feast Wilmington takes over Downtown Wilmington with three, riverside culinary events at Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park. Craft & Cuisine (Saturday, March 29) features 20 Wilmington chefs and 20 local breweries who collaborate to create expertly paired dishes and drinks, offering bold flavors and creative combinations for an unforgettable tasting experience. Menu highlights include Crab Rangoon Grilled Cheese from CheeseSmith and Mango Char Siu Bao Buns from Bahn Sai paired with local brews to curate bold flavors for an unforgettable tasting experience. This year, Craft & Cuisine will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature live music by The Blue Footed Boobies.
Second on the culinary lineup: Pier Party! From 6-9 p.m., eventgoers can enjoy the area's finest coastal cuisine, a delightful array of libations and live music from The Hatch Brothers. The evening menu this year includes Grilled Steak Pinchos from Circa 1922, Smoked Chicken Thigh Sliders from PinPoint Restaurant and more delicious bites.
The festival celebrations wrap up with Brunch Elevated, this year on Sunday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This ultimate brunch experience features top chefs and mixologists putting their creative spin on classic morning favorites. Guests can indulge in next-level brunch bites like Cherry Pepper Bombs from Castle Street Kitchen and Blood Mary Oyster Shooters from Elijah's Oyster and Fish Camp paired with refreshing mimosas, mocktails and gourmet coffee. With a performance by Tracy Shedd, Brunch Elevated is the perfect, relaxing way to close out the Feast Wilmington weekend.
More Experiences
Leading up to the festival's main events, Feast Wilmington and several local restaurants are joining forces for several curated, immersive experiences. Tickets for these elevated experiences go quickly, so be sure to plan ahead! The Muses Garden event at Kipos Hellenic Cuisine (March 24) takes guests on a Mediterranean culinary journey, beginning with handcrafted cocktails and lively belly dancing in the garden before transitioning into a traditional Greek mezze feast.
Experience a six-course dining event highlighting Eastern North Carolina's best local harvest with globally inspired flavors during Home Grown at End of Days Distillery March 25. Local ingredients, deep-rooted traditions and handcrafted cocktails come together to make this Feast experience truly exceptional.
On March 26, Benny's Big Time Pizzeria will host a unique omakase-style culinary tour of wood-fired pizza, exploring iconic styles from New York to Detroit to Chicago during the Pies and Pints event.
Step into a world of glamour and stardom at G Prime Steak & Cellar for the Hollywood East event March 27. Guests will be transported back in time to old Hollywood with a four-course meal and Prohibition-era cocktails while listening to the rhythms of jazz music, all in classic black-and-white attire.
The Starling A Whiskey & Wine Bar in the Cargo District is hosting a Tailgate Party the night before main events start March 28. Pitmasters will be serving up mouthwatering smoked barbecue paired with cold beer and handcrafted cocktails.
Home Base
Discover an array of waterfront accommodations within walking distance of the foodie festivities, including Hotel Ballast, Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront Hotel and Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center. For a stay unlike any other, The Cove Riverwalk Villas offers luxury houseboat rentals just steps from Live Oak Bank Pavillion and Riverfront Park on the northern end of the Riverwalk.
Logistics and Parking
Tickets to the main events can be purchased separately or bundled with the Weekend Pass. Special experience tickets are sold individually. Follow this link to purchase tickets.
Parking is available at the Skyline Center parking deck (155 Brunswick St.), a pre-pay deck with Text2Park and pay stations. Additional parking is available in all downtown public parking decks. View this interactive map for more details on parking locations.
Feast Wilmington is a rain-or-shine event. To provide shade or keep eventgoers dry in the event of rain, there will be several large tents at Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Riverfront Park.
Celebrate Wilmington’s dynamic culinary scene at Feast Wilmington, where local flavors, craft beverages and immersive dining events come together for memorable experiences.
