Summer Things To Do in Wilmington, NC

Cool Trip Ideas for Hot Summer Fun

Find endless ways to escape the heat in Wilmington & Island Beaches. Get out on the water with active adventures or cruise your way to river and sea breezes. Catch a concert at one of the area’s many outdoor waterfront venues. Whether you’re looking to enjoy tours, state parks or watersports, cool off indoors at museums or just relax oceanfront, make the most of your coastal vacation with an abundance of all-ages activities and things to do this summer.

Explore Summer Things to Do

Family on Boardwalk

ISLANDS IN THE SUN

Make your way to one of Wilmington’s three island beaches for double the summer fun.

For classic seaside family fun, head to Carolina Beach to explore the Boardwalk (make sure to visit the famous Britt's Donuts!) and then discover the native Venus Flytrap at Carolina Beach State Park.
Find a serene retreat reminiscent of your favorite childhood beach vacations in Kure Beach. Cast a line from the century-old Kure Beach Fishing Pier, then step back in time at Fort Fisher State Historic Site.
Get active and embrace Wrightsville Beach's island lifestyle with world-class watersports on their crystal blue waters from ASA-certified sailing lessons and outrigger tours to surfing and SUP adventures.

Concerts at the Coast

Enjoy live music from historic downtown to scenic island beaches all summer long! From local concert series to national acts headed to waterfront venues, discover the upcoming lineup.

Lord Huron | Concert

Experience Lord Huron on their nationwide Cosmic Selector tour at the outdoor...

Darius Rucker in Concert

Spend a fun evening riverside with the unmistakable vocal stylings of Darius...

Sunset Live Music Series

Join the free fun of the exciting riverfront Sunset Concert Series at Port City...

Recurring | Boogie in the Park Concert Series

Swing along to your favorite tunes outside, every first and third Sunday from...

Ella Langley: The Dandelion Tour

Country music star, Ella Langley, will be debuting her new album, Dandelion , at...

A250th: Fourth of July - Symphony Pops

Celebrate the fourth of July with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra on the...

Blackberry Smoke in Concert

Get ready to Rattle, Ramble, and Roll under the stars when modern country roots...

Matt Maeson in Concert

Spend an evening lakeside with Matt Maeson, on his worldwide Watch My Step tour,...

Wilco in Concert

Spend an exciting evening under the stars riverside when Wilco takes the stage....

Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band

For over five decades, Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band created the...

Umphrey’s McGee in Concert

Enjoy an unforgettable summer evening under the stars with a band that has been...

Band of Horses & Dinosaur Jr. in Concert

Enjoy an upbeat evening under the stars with alt-rock group Band of Horses that...

Dierks Bentley: Off the Map Tour 2026

Spend an evening riverside with award winning singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley,...

Rhiannon Giddens in Concert

Spend an unforgettable evening with GRAMMY and PULITZER prize winning Rhiannon...

Jesse Welles in Concert

Spend an evening lakeside with Jesse Welles, on his nationwide Red Tour, at the...

Bob Dylan in Concert

Experience the one and only Bob Dylan LIVE in concert on July 29 in the...

O.A.R. Three Decades Tour

Get ready for an unforgettable riverside night as O.A.R. brings their Three...

The Wallflowers in Concert

Spend a surreal evening lakeside under the stars with mesmerizing lead singer...

Robert Earl Keen in Concert

Spend an evening lakeside with Robert Earl Keen (REK), on his nationwide Then...

Slightly Stoopid in Concert

Spend the night riverside under the stars soaking in the seamless harmonies of...

Jordan Davis in Concert

Enjoy a spectacular summer evening with country pop singer-songwriter, Jordan...

Tell Me Lies - The Fleetwood Mac Experience

Spend an evening lakeside under the stars with Tell Me Lies , the ultimate...

Locate Your Favorite Film Locations

From The Summer I Turned Pretty, to Dawson's Creek, to One Tree Hill, there are plenty of film locations to recreate your favorite scenes. Or, take a tour to learn about the many other productions filmed here in "Hollywood East".