Memorial Day Weekend in Wilmington and Island Beaches

Wilmington Events

• Enjoy live music waterside at Friday Night Live! on the Pier at Port City Marina May 24 or Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater May 26. 
• Add an artistic twist to your vacation with Orange Street ArtsFest May 25-26 in historic downtown. Explore works ranging from pottery, jewelry and glass from more than 90 artists or grab a beverage from the wine and beer tent and nosh on old-fashioned fair food.
• Board Battleship NORTH CAROLINA for the 60th Annual Memorial Day Observance May 27.

Island Happenings

• Enjoy a spectacular firework displays and family-friendly fun at Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast May 24 at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Then, savor good tunes and great food with live music at SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach May 25.
• Pack a blanket and head to Carolina Beach Lake Park to watch “Wish” during Free Summer Movies at the Lake May 26.

Attractions, Tours & Cruises

• Explore aquatic wonders and marine life habitats at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
• Let the kids learn and use their imagination with hands-on exhibits at Children's Museum of Wilmington or Wilmington Railroad Museum.
• Join Cape Fear River Boats for a sightseeing cruise aboard the Henrietta and sit back and relax on the lower-level covered deck. 
• Play laser tag, enjoy the waterpark or get competitive at the arcade at Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. 
• Adults will enjoy touring historic home museums or shopping local artisans at Fourth Friday Gallery Night May 24.

Discover Military History

Honor the men and women who died in service with a visit to one of the many historic sites in Wilmington and our island beaches. Tour the celebrated WWII Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, explore the site of the Civil War's largest amphibious battle at Fort Fisher State Historic Site and step onto the nearby Moores Creek National Battlefield to learn more about the area's role in the Revolutionary War. Then, visit Cameron Art Museum's United States Colored Troops Park to see their life-sized outdoor sculpture, Boundless, which commemorates the USCT who fought on the museum's grounds during the Battle of Forks Road in the Civil War.

Al fresco meals with a view abound in our coastal destination, and these are just a sampling. Sip on fanciful cocktails at Sauce’d or take in spectacular sunsets while enjoying sharable appetizers at Elijah’s Oyster & Fish Camp. Enjoy seasonal flavors and fresh seafood with sweeping ocean views on the topside patio at Hurricane Alley's in Carolina Beach or pair putt putt action with craft cocktails at the new Putter Pub. Dig into po'boys, fresh fish tacos, fried seafood platters on the dog-friendly patio at Riverview Restaurant in Kure Beach. Watch boats navigate the Intracoastal Waterway while you dine outdoors at Bridge Tender or Fish House Grill in Wrightsville Beach. Staying in a vacation rental? Bring the feast to you with steamer pots from Cape Fear Boil Company or Topsail Steamer.

Whether you're looking for a luxury vacation rental fit for the whole family, a seaside resort with full-service amenities, an oceanfront inn with picture-perfect views of the water or a historic bed and breakfast in the heart of downtown, you'll find the perfect place for your getaway this Memorial Day Weekend. Area accommodations are in high demand, particularly on holiday weekends, so book now for the best selection.