Best Things to Do in Wilmington NC This Week · April 23–26, 2026

Free Events

Fourth Fridays Downtown Gallery Walk

Over 20 downtown galleries open their doors from 6–9 PM for a free self-guided art tour featuring rotating exhibitions, live artists, and diverse media.

Friday, April 24, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Downtown Wilmington (multiple galleries)

Social District Saturday – Brooklyn Arts District

Every Saturday in the Brooklyn Arts District, 20+ local businesses open for sipping, shopping, dining, live music, and pop-up entertainment.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Brooklyn Arts District, Wilmington

Run Con Sazón at Long Leaf Park

Wilmington's beloved community run group heads back to Long Leaf Park every Wednesday at 6:30 PM, welcoming beginners, walkers, and casual runners.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 6:30 PM · Long Leaf Park, Wilmington

Wilmington Run Club – Friday Beach Run

Join Wilmington Run Club every Friday at 6:30 AM for a sunrise run at Wrightsville Beach with road and beach route options, plus great coffee and community.

Friday, May 1, 2026 6:30 AM · Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Arts & Culture

Speak Ya Peace NC: Pause for Poetry

An evening of spoken word poetry at The Fuzzy Needle Books and Records, celebrating local literary voices for a $10 entry.

Friday, April 24, 2026 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · The Fuzzy Needle Books and Records, Wilmington

Family-Friendly

Wings Over Carolina Beach Airshow

A free, family-friendly airshow above the Carolina Beach Boardwalk featuring high-energy aerial maneuvers, jet displays, and an oceanfront backdrop.

Friday, April 24, 2026 · Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Carolina Beach

Hairspray

The high-energy musical Hairspray comes to the Carolina Civic Center & Historic Theater with tickets ranging from $15–$30.

Friday, April 24, 2026 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM · Carolina Civic Center & Historic Theater, Wilmington

Bellamy Mansion Family Fun Day

A free community event at Bellamy Mansion Museum with pony rides, petting zoo, arts & crafts, live music, storytelling, and games for all ages.

Sunday, April 26, 2026 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Bellamy Mansion Museum, Wilmington

Music & Nightlife

Country Night at Waterline Brewing Co.

Live country music from Nate Van Winkle and The Cape Fear Riders, themed cocktails, craft beers, and food from Glizzies On The Go—boots and denim encouraged.

Friday, April 24, 2026 · Waterline Brewing Company, Wilmington

Swing Dance Social with The Indigo Sea Jazz Band

A swing dance social featuring live music from The Indigo Sea Jazz Band downtown.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 6:30 PM · Downtown Wilmington

Willie Nelson & Family

Country legend Willie Nelson brings his family band to Live Oak Bank Pavilion for a must-see outdoor concert.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 · Live Oak Bank Pavilion, Wilmington

Ani DiFranco w/ Special Guest Valerie June

Folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco takes the stage at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater with special guest Valerie June for an intimate outdoor show.

Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Wilmington

Date Night

Jesse Stockton Live at Cloud 9

Catch rooftop views and sip cocktails while Jesse Stockton performs live at Cloud 9.

Friday, April 24, 2026 · Cloud 9, Wilmington

Sunday Funday Sip & Craft: Candle-Making Workshop at By the Beach Brewing

Make your own candle while sipping craft beers at By the Beach Brewing in this creative, social workshop experience.

Sunday, April 26, 2026 2:00 PM · By The Beach Brewing, Wilmington

Full Flower Moon Yin & Sound Bath at Wrightsville Beach

A 75-minute yin yoga and sound bath experience on the beach as the Full Flower Moon rises over the ocean, hosted by Be Unlimited Yoga.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Outdoors & Active

Pier Yoga Summer 2026 Opening Day

Be Unlimited Yoga kicks off its first day of continuous Summer 2026 pier yoga, offering daily classes at Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach all season long.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Crystal Pier, Wrightsville Beach

Studio Pilates Riverfront Grand Opening

Studio Pilates Riverfront opens its doors at Pier 33 downtown, offering 45-minute reformer Pilates workouts with free parking for the first two hours.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 · 933 Nutt St (Pier 33 Building), Wilmington

Free Pop-Up Camp at Wrightsville Beach

A free pop-up outdoor camp experience at public beach access in Wrightsville Beach, open to all ages.

Sunday, April 26, 2026 10:00 AM · Public Beach Access 29, Wrightsville Beach

Loop Walk at Wrightsville Beach Park

Women's Social Club Wilmington hosts a community loop walk at Wrightsville Beach Park—open to all, come solo or bring a friend.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 · Wrightsville Beach Park, Wrightsville Beach

Festivals & Special Events

Kure Community Fest

A free community festival at Ocean Front Park with live music, a comedy magic show, costumed characters, food trucks, and free parking all day at town-owned spaces.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Ocean Front Park, Kure Beach

Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser Night Out

A ticketed fundraiser evening for the Boys & Girls Club featuring a live band, open bar, light appetizers, and raffle drawings—$75 per ticket.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM · Wilmington

May Pop-Up Market at Shuckin' Shack – Leland

A pop-up artisan market at Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar in Leland featuring local vendors alongside food and drinks.

Friday, May 1, 2026 4:00 PM · Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar, Leland, NC

Food & Drink

Downtown Market at Waterline Brewing Co.

Browse handmade gifts, jewelry, candles, and sweets from local makers while sipping craft beer at this Mother's Day-themed market under the bridge.

Sunday, April 26, 2026 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Waterline Brewing Co., Wilmington

Gluten-Free Fettuccine Pasta Workshop

Learn to make gluten-free fettuccine pasta from scratch at Freya's Haus in this hands-on cooking workshop.

Monday, April 27, 2026 6:00 PM · Freya's Haus, Wilmington

WSC Wilmington Book Club – The Measure

Women's Social Club Wilmington hosts its book club at Wine Knot Sky Bar to discuss The Measure by Nikki Erlick over drinks.

Wednesday, May 7, 2026 · Wine Knot Sky Bar, Wilmington

Sports

MWA 2026 Extreme Tour @ Cody's South

Pro wrestling action comes to Cody's South as the MWA Extreme Tour rolls into Wilmington for a high-energy live event.

Friday, May 1, 2026 8:00 PM · Cody's South, Wilmington