24 Things to Do in Wilmington NC This Week · May 21–24, 2026

Music & Nightlife

Punch Brothers at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

Acclaimed progressive bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers brings their intricate sound to Wilmington's beloved outdoor amphitheater for one night.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Wilmington

Iration: Where It All Began Tour

Hawaiian reggae-rock favorites Iration bring their summer tour to Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park for a Memorial Day weekend show.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Live Oak Bank Pavilion, Wilmington

Red Dogs Soirée – Soundwavves House Music Event

Soundwavves hosts an intimate Memorial Day Sunday house music event at Wrightsville Beach featuring Charlotte-based AUSTAL, Raleigh's Leeumj, and local legend Lloyd Banx on the decks — 21+.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 6:00 PM · Wrightsville Beach

Initialize Duo at Live at Ted's

Catch the Initialize Duo performing live at Ted's, one of downtown Wilmington's intimate neighborhood music spots.

Thursday, May 29, 2026 · Live at Ted's, Wilmington

Festivals & Special Events

30th Annual Orange Street ArtsFest

The milestone 30th edition of this beloved community arts festival takes over the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center with free admission for spectators.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, Wilmington

Memorial Day Weekend Celebration – Bald Head Island

Bald Head Island's annual unofficial kick-off to summer features hikes, watersports, art events, and good food across the island community.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Bald Head Island

The Wilmington AI Roundtable

Entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts gather for the Wilmington AI Roundtable, hosted by the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington NC.

Thursday, May 28, 2026 5:30 PM · Wilmington

Booked & Busy Night Market

The Wilmington Girls Club teams up with local bookshop Bad Bs Books for an evening market featuring local authors, makers, and female business owners at Old Wilmington City Market.

Thursday, June 4, 2026 5:00 PM · Old Wilmington City Market, Wilmington

Free Events

Free Concert Friday: Emo Nite at The Eagle's Dare

The Eagle's Dare hosts a free outdoor Emo Nite tribute concert as part of their popular weekly Free Concert Friday series.

Friday, May 22, 2026 · The Eagle's Dare, Wilmington

Boardwalk Blast Kickoff & Fireworks by the Sea

Carolina Beach kicks off its beloved summer season with live music at 6 PM and fireworks at 9 PM along the iconic boardwalk — free for spectators.

Friday, May 22, 2026 6:00 PM · Carolina Beach Boardwalk, Carolina Beach

Fourth Friday Gallery Night

More than 20 downtown galleries open their doors from 6–9 PM for this free self-guided art tour, with many artists on-site to discuss their work.

Friday, May 22, 2026 6:00 PM · Downtown Wilmington (multiple galleries)

Arts & Culture

Cinematique Presents: Do The Right Thing at Jengo's Playhouse

Spike Lee's landmark 1989 film screens at Jengo's Playhouse as part of the Cinematique of Wilmington film series.

Friday, May 22, 2026 4:00 PM · Jengo's Playhouse, Wilmington

Hello, Dolly! – Thalian Association Community Theatre

Thalian Association Community Theatre's production of the classic Broadway musical Hello, Dolly! continues its limited run through May 24 at Thalian Hall.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 7:30 PM · Thalian Hall, Wilmington

Outdoors & Active

Wrightsville Beach Pier Yoga

Start your weekend mornings with yoga on the Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach — every Saturday and Sunday, all season long.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 7:30 AM · Crystal Pier, Wrightsville Beach

Masonboro Island Yoga with Boat Cruise

Escape to pristine Masonboro Island for a scenic boat cruise and 30-minute gentle yoga session led by terra sol sanctuary staff — $65, pickup at the Wildlife Ramp.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 10:15 AM · Masonboro Island (pickup at Wildlife Ramp, Wrightsville Beach)

Run Con Sazón Summer Kickoff

A community 2-mile run through the Cargo District followed by wellness vendors, food, and a social — hosted in collaboration with Leaf & Press.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 6:00 PM · The Cargo District, Wilmington

Food & Drink

Circle Pit BBQ Pop-Up

Beloved local pop-up Circle Pit BBQ is at the window at Out of The Weeds Commissary Kitchen this Thursday and Friday evening, including the Pork Belly Banh Mi.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 6:00 PM · Out of The Weeds Commissary Kitchen, Wilmington

Ponytails and Pints

A casual social event combining community and craft beer at Savard Beer & Board.

Friday, May 22, 2026 5:30 PM · Savard Beer & Board, Wilmington

Fish Fry in the Garden at Ponysaurus Brewing

Ponysaurus Brewing hosts a community fish fry in their garden space — a laid-back, local-favorites kind of evening.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 · Ponysaurus Brewing, Wilmington

Family-Friendly

Riverfront Farmers Market

Every Saturday on Dock Street in downtown Wilmington, the Riverfront Farmers Market brings together local growers, makers, and community.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 · Dock Street, Downtown Wilmington

Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market

Wrightsville Beach's beloved weekly farmers' market runs every Monday morning with fresh produce, local vendors, and even carnivorous plants from Venus Flytraps Jones.

Monday, May 25, 2026 8:00 AM · Wrightsville Beach

Date Night

Sip & Paint Karaoke Tote Bag Edition

Paint, sip, and sing your heart out at this interactive tote bag painting and karaoke social night.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 7:00 PM · 2390 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington

Moms Night Out at The Little Dipper Fondue

WilmingtonMom hosts a special Moms Night Out at The Little Dipper Fondue — RSVP required at WilmingtonMom.com/WMevents.

Thursday, May 28, 2026 · The Little Dipper Fondue, Wilmington

Sports

Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament

One of the region's premier offshore fishing tournaments returns to Wrightsville Beach with multi-day competition and a spotlight on marine conservation.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 · Wrightsville Beach