Fall Things to Do in Wilmington, NC

Seasonal Events

With waterfront concerts, spine-tingling ghost tours, action-packed sports competitions and more, Wilmington and island beaches deliver on fall fun. Catch live music from Maggie Rogers Sept. 26 and Jelly Roll Oct. 5 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park. Shop for one-of-a-kind finds from local artists during the Historic Downtown Wilmington Artisan Market every Sunday through Oct. 29. Visit Oct. 7-8 for downtown Wilmington’s two-day Riverfest event to enjoy artisans, live music, fireworks and more. In nearby Carolina Beach, cheer on participants during the Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival Sept. 22-23. Watch as athletes from all over the world compete in the IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina Triathlon Oct. 21 in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington. Catch high-flying fun including spectacular kite displays, family-friendly activities and more during Kure Beach’s Cape Fear Kite Festival Nov. 3-5.

ALL HALLOW'S EVE HAUNTS

As one of the most actively haunted cities in the South, Wilmington is the perfect destination for a hallo-scream getaway. There is plenty of spine-chilling fun for everyone to enjoy from a family-friendly Halloween Ghost Carriage Ride to a self-guided tour of filming locations for horror classics like "The Conjuring" and "Halloween Kills." Embark on a Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington or Haunted Pub Crawl. Tour renowned haunted attractions such as Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, named one of the Top 25 Halloween Picks by SyFy Networks "Ghost Hunters," and Poplar Grove Plantation where it's rumored spirits of deceased family members still linger in the Manor House.

Parks, Gardens & Trails

Discover seasonal blooms at the New Hanover County Arboretum, where you’ll find seven acres of scenic greenery including a koi fish water garden and a Japanese tranquility garden. Those who enjoy art will want to attend Art in the Arboretum featuring more than 70 local artist vendors displaying their creations Oct. 13-15. Or, stroll through the 67 acres of Airlie Gardens, one of the South’s premier gardens. Find nine sites along the NC Birding Trail in Wilmington, including Greenfield Park, where cypress trees, shrubs and magnolias offer a habitat for a variety of birds. Set sail for an uninhabited island on an eco-adventure or hop on a scenic sunset cruise with Cape Fear River Boats or Wilmington Water Tours to take in natural sights from the Cape Fear River.

Find natural beauty in our island beaches from a state park to protected shorelines. Explore nearly nine miles of trails strolling or hiking along the water and through long-leaf pines at nearby Carolina Beach State Park. Take a nature walk along Fort Fisher State Recreation Area’s Basin Trail in Kure Beach, or walk or jog along the popular Wrightsville Beach Loop to take in scenic sound, channel and town sites.

Historic & Island Tours

Wilmington's historic homes take you on a journey through the city's storied past via interactive exhibits or guided tours at Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, the Latimer House Museum or Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design. Find more than 35 historically significant spots on a self-guided tour of Wilmington’s African-American heritage. Discover World War II history and explore the country's first “American World War II Heritage City” by touring Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, moored across the river from downtown’s Riverwalk. Celebrate the arts at Cameron Art Museum visiting the rotating indoor exhibits and outdoor art park. Be sure to visit the museum’s United States Colored Troops (USCT) Park, the nation's first dedicated park honoring the USCT soldiers who once fought on museum grounds during the Civil War Battle of Forks Road.

Cruise along the waterways of Carolina Beach on an island-style floating Tiki Boat or sip and pedal while taking in the sunset views with Sea Legs Pedal Pub. Set out on a private charter to an uninhabited island to experience a catered seafood boil with Epic Excursions in Wrightsville Beach. Sail the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway with Wrightsville Performance Sailing or Blockade Runner Sailing Center. Join Kayak Carolina in Kure Beach for a guided sunrise paddle tour or rent kayaks and embark on your own adventure to Zeke’s Island, a National Estuarine Research Reserve home to a variety of waterbird nesting areas, local wildlife and salt marshes.

Foodie Events & Tours

Foodie fans will want to check out Wilmington and Island Beaches’ unique food tours and local tasting events. Feast on authentic German food and special craft brews during Waterman's Brewing Company's Oktoberfest Sept. 23. Sample specialty craft concoctions made from local libations at participating restaurants during the Port City Taste Craft Cocktail Week Sept. 29 - Oct. 8. Pair your brews with food and live entertainment at the Voracious Rare Beer Festival Oct. 27 and the Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival Oct. 28. Taco lovers will want to check out Port City Taste Taco Week featuring a special taco menu created by local chefs at participating restaurants Oct. 27 - Nov. 5. Join Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours for their Downtown Wilmington Tasting Tour, featuring stops at some of downtown’s top restaurants to enjoy tastings of signature entrees, drinks and more. Or, check out the annual Taste of Wrightsville Beach to sip and savor more than 35 food, wine and beer offerings Nov. 4 at Wrightsville Beach’s Bluewater Waterfront Grill.