16 Things to Do in Wilmington NC This Week · October 8–11, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

Fire in the Pines Festival

A full day of crafts, games, and activities for kids that explores Wilmington's wild side while teaching fire safety.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM · Wilmington

Arts & Culture

Art in the Arboretum

A weekend art festival in the New Hanover County Arboretum's gardens where visitors meet local and regional artists, watch demonstrations, and buy handcrafted work in painting, ceramics, jewelry, glass, and more.

Saturday, October 10 - Sunday, October 11, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM · New Hanover County Arboretum, Wilmington

Making a CNC Machine

A hands-on Cape Fear Makers Guild workshop on building a CNC machine.

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 7:00 PM EDT

The Book of Mormon

The Tony-winning musical, which won 9 Tony Awards, comes to the Wilson Center.

October 19-20, 2026 · Cape Fear Community College's Wilson Center

Outdoors & Active

Flight Club

A 3-part Yoga Salt series exploring arm balances and inversions through drills, movement, and play.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 1-2:30PM · Yoga Salt Wilmington

BHI Surf Fishing Tournament

An annual surf fishing competition on Bald Head Island's oceanfront beaches with adult and youth divisions and cash prizes across several species.

Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2026 · Bald Head Island, Southport

Landfill Tree Maintenance and Planting Event

A volunteer tree maintenance and planting event hosted by Plastic Ocean Project Volunteers.

Saturday, October 17, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

Zombie Run 5K and Monster Mile

A Halloween-season 5K run and Monster Mile at Long Leaf Park.

Sunday, October 18, 2026 5:00 PM · Long Leaf Park, Wilmington

Music & Nightlife

SOE Soirée

Four hours of local house music with sets from Curtiss, Light Blue Lights, and Matt Lloyd (21+).

Friday, October 9, 2026 10PM-2AM · S.O.E.

Ty Myers: The Legal Tour 2026

Country artist Ty Myers brings The Legal Tour 2026 to Wilmington's Live Oak Bank Pavilion.

Friday, October 16, 2026 · Live Oak Bank Pavilion

Rodrigo y Gabriela - OurHome Tour

The acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela performs on their OurHome Tour at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater.

Friday, October 16, 2026 · Greenfield Lake Amphitheater

Food & Drink

Dinner at Blue Willow

A ticketed dinner event at Blue Willow Cafe listed on Eventbrite.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 6:00 PM · Blue Willow Cafe

Oyster Roast

An oyster roast at Ponysaurus Brewing Co. in downtown Wilmington.

Friday, October 16, 2026 · Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Dip into History: Fondue Fundraiser Night at Little Dipper

A fondue fundraiser dinner at Little Dipper in downtown Wilmington.

Monday, October 19, 2026 5:00 PM · Little Dipper, Downtown Wilmington

Family-Friendly

Pumpkin & Purrs

A family-friendly fall event in the South Front District.

Sunday, October 11, 2026 12:00 PM · South Front District, Downtown Wilmington

Date Night

Murder at the Speakeasy

A murder mystery night set in a speakeasy-themed evening hosted by Shivers.

Friday, October 16, 2026 6:00 PM EDT · Wilmington