Week of March 25, 2024 - March 31, 2024

  • Saturday, March 30th 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Beaufort

Head to the heart of downtown Beaufort for an annual East Egg Hunt that combines a little history and a ton of local charm. The BHA Annual Easter Egg Hunt has become a beloved event for locals and visitors alike, and features an extensive hunt in one of the prettiest spots along the Crystal Coast – the downtown Beaufort Historic Site.

Week of April 1, 2024 - April 7, 2024

  • Friday, April 5th - Saturday, April 6th
Newport

Initially started more than 45 years ago as a fundraiser for the Newport development center, the annual Newport Pig Cooking Contest has grown into one of the largest whole hog BBQ contests in the country, with plenty of ways for barbecue pros and everyday visitors alike to join in the fun. Held in the heart of Newport, and attracting visitors from all over the state and beyond year after year, this event is a great opportunity for BBQ fans of all ages to appease an appetite with plenty of great food and fun to go around.

  • Saturday, April 6th
Harkers Island

Embark on an active exploration of Harkers Island while taking in miles of views along the way at the annual Core Sound Run in the Down East region of the Crystal Coast. With options to tackle a 10K, 5K, or a one mile fun run, this event can cater to visitors of all ages and abilities, and is a fun and engaging opportunity to see how charming this corner of the Crystal Coast can be.

Week of April 15, 2024 - April 21, 2024

  • Monday, April 15th 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

The small town of Beaufort is well known for its collection of unique boutiques, gift shops, and other stores that can’t be found anywhere else, and visitors can take an area-wide shopping excursion to the next level by attending the annual Publick Day at the Beaufort Historic Site. During this special day-long event, the Beaufort Historic Site will be crowded with vendors of all varieties, selling unique goodies that can range from homemade jewelry to locally crafted artworks, and patrons are free to attend, explore, and discover new treasures to take home as a truly unique souvenir.

  • Saturday, April 20th 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Morehead City

Take advantage of the beautiful springtime weather, as well as an opportunity to explore the Crystal Coast in depth, with this annual race that is celebrating its 34th year in 2024. The Annual Lookout Rotary Road Race is a fun event that is accessible for attendees of all ages and skill levels, and which offers a wide range of courses – from a Fitness Walk to a Half Marathon – to encourage everyone to get out, get active, and join in the fun.

Week of April 22, 2024 - April 28, 2024

  • Thursday, April 25th - Sunday, April 28th
Beaufort

Treat your taste buds and your senses to a delightfully inviting and engaging experience by attending the Beaufort Wine & Food Festival. This multiple day festival shines a spotlight on the cuisine scene of the Crystal Coast, and offers a wealth of ways for chefs and food fans alike to dive in and satisfy an appetite for delicious coastal flavors and fare.

Week of April 29, 2024 - May 5, 2024

  • Friday, May 3rd - Saturday, May 4th
Harkers Island

For the third year, Cape Lookout National Seashore, Crystal Coast Stargazers, and Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center will be hosting a Star Party on beautiful Harkers Island, NC. Cape Lookout National Seashore is an International Dark Sky Park offering excellent stargazing! The two-day event will offer starlight cruises to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, public stargazing on the mainland, technical and informative presentations, NC SciFest activities for kids and plenty of room to set up telescopes.

  • Saturday, May 4th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

The annual Wooden Boat Show is a tradition in the town of Beaufort, and its 48th celebration in 2024 promises to be bigger and more engaging than ever before. With a long roster of activities that are slated for the weekend-long event, visitors will be treated to a wealth of activities, displays, exhibits, and interactive ways to join in the fun.

  • Saturday, May 4th 10:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

The Annual Wooden Boat Show isn’t just for master craftsmen and adults, as kids will find a wealth of activities designed with them in mind at the corresponding Wooden Boat Kids event. Held throughout the two-day festival at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, this event allows kids to join in the fun through an array of hands-on activities, demonstrations, arts and crafts, competitions, and more.

Week of May 6, 2024 - May 12, 2024

  • Saturday, May 11th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

Come and marvel as a fleet of wooden boats are constructed from start to finish before your eyes at this competition that pits boat-builders against each other in one of the most anticipated events of the Annual Wooden Boat Show. The BoatBuilding Challenge is an event that's been going strong for more than 15 years as of 2024, and the competition features 18 teams who will battle it out to craft the best wooden boat in just four hours’ time.

Week of May 13, 2024 - May 19, 2024

  • Friday, May 17th - Saturday, May 18th
Beaufort

The Beaufort Music Festival has become a beloved event for music lovers everywhere, thanks to its amazing line-up of talented artists, and its home base in the charming coastal town of Beaufort. Featuring two full days of music that are stocked with local, regional, and even nationally recognized artists and performers, the Beaufort Music Festival is an enchanting way for newcomers to discover a range of new sounds and talents without ever leaving the heart of the Crystal Coast.

  • Saturday, May 18th 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Atlantic Beach

Kick off the flip flops and get ready to dance the day and night away at this annual festival that entices everyone to have some fun in the sand. The Atlantic Beach Music Festival is a community-wide celebration that takes place just steps away from the oceanfront, and which always features a talented line-up of local, regional, and even national musicians that pay a visit to the sunny Crystal Coast shoreline.

Week of June 3, 2024 - June 9, 2024

  • Saturday, June 8th 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Swansboro

There’s a host of reasons to explore a creative side, as well as the picturesque Swansboro waterfront, at the Swansboro Arts by the Sea Festival. This unique and day-long festival has a wealth of activities, entertainment and enticements for everyone in the family, and with plenty of food, crafts, children’s activities, shopping opportunities and more, the festival is sure to be a highlight of any Crystal Coast vacation.

  • Sunday, June 9th - Sunday, June 16th
Morehead City

Known as one of the biggest and best fishing tournaments along the Eastern Seaboard, the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is a Crystal Coast-wide celebration that extends from the open and offshore Atlantic waters to the local docks of the Beaufort, Morehead City, and the Atlantic Beach waterfront.

Week of June 10, 2024 - June 16, 2024

  • Sunday, June 9th - Sunday, June 16th
Morehead City

Known as one of the biggest and best fishing tournaments along the Eastern Seaboard, the annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is a Crystal Coast-wide celebration that extends from the open and offshore Atlantic waters to the local docks of the Beaufort, Morehead City, and the Atlantic Beach waterfront.

  • Saturday, June 15th 7:00 PM
Beaufort

Head to one of Beaufort’s favorite local landmarks for one of the most festive and anticipated parties of the year. The Beaufort Historic Association's Summer Party is an annual celebration that features an enchanting atmosphere complete with delicious food, an open bar, ample live music and dancing, auctions, and a host of ways to toast the summer while supporting a beloved local cause.

Week of June 24, 2024 - June 30, 2024

  • Friday, June 28th - Saturday, June 29th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

Visitors can explore the best aspects of downtown Beaufort inside and out with the annual Beaufort Old Homes and Gardens Tour. Held throughout this coastal community, and featuring a number of popular sites including the buildings within the Beaufort Historic Site, area gardens, local churches, the Old Burying Ground and much more, this event provides an in-depth look into what makes Beaufort both historic and continually charming.

Week of July 1, 2024 - July 7, 2024

  • Thursday, July 4th
Emerald Isle

Grab a beach chair, towel, or blanket, and head to the sand to catch one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year along the Crystal Coast. The Emerald Isle 4th of July Fireworks Show is one of the most popular events annually, and visitors throughout the town will be treated to an incredible display over the ocean waters as the Town of Emerald Isle rings in the holiday with a little coastal style and flair.

Week of July 15, 2024 - July 21, 2024

  • Friday, July 19th
Beaufort

Dive into an Outer Banks staple that has been making appearances on local menus and dinner tables for generations with this annual event that is celebrating its 18th year in 2024. The Annual Crab Cake Cook-off is a competition of acclaimed and volunteer local chefs, who serve their best crab cakes to the delight of the hungry crowd. With lots of fresh fare to go around, this fundraiser is a delicious way to sample the heart of the Beaufort cuisine scene.

  • Friday, July 19th - Saturday, July 27th
Morehead City

Celebrating its 17th year in 2024, the Carteret Community College Spanish Mackerel & Dolphin Fishing Tournament is a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to test their skills in the plentiful waters of the Crystal Coast. Launching from the heart of Morehead City, this fun fishing tournament features a world of prizes for kids and adults, and is a great way to celebrate the summer fishing season along the North Carolina coastline.

Week of July 22, 2024 - July 28, 2024

  • Friday, July 19th - Saturday, July 27th
Morehead City

Celebrating its 17th year in 2024, the Carteret Community College Spanish Mackerel & Dolphin Fishing Tournament is a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to test their skills in the plentiful waters of the Crystal Coast. Launching from the heart of Morehead City, this fun fishing tournament features a world of prizes for kids and adults, and is a great way to celebrate the summer fishing season along the North Carolina coastline.

Week of September 2, 2024 - September 8, 2024

  • Saturday, September 7th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Emerald Isle

The youngest members of your vacationing party will have a ball at this special event that’s designed just for them, and which features a wealth of free activities that everyone in the family can enjoy. Emerald Isle Day4Kids is a special celebration that features plenty of fair-style games, food, and other activities that showcase how fun Emerald Isle can be.

Week of October 7, 2024 - October 13, 2024

  • Saturday, October 12th - Sunday, October 13th
Swansboro

If you’re a southern seafood fan, then you’re going to love the annual Mullet Festival of Swansboro. This two-day affair features a wealth of ways to enjoy this local crystal coast staple, as well as plenty of games and activities that celebrate the food, flavor, and all around fun of the heart of Swansboro and the North Carolina coastline.

  • Saturday, October 12th
Beaufort

Set sail to the small town of Beaufort, NC for this engaging event where mariners can meet and mingle with their water loving colleagues. The Fall In-The-Water Meet is a fun gathering that’s wide open to experienced mariners and newcomers alike, and which features a host of fun activities including free boat rides a pig pickin’, and plenty of opportunities to learn all about life on the water in this small and charming town.

Week of October 14, 2024 - October 20, 2024

  • Friday, October 18th - Saturday, October 19th
Atlantic Beach

Have a lot of stamina and want to explore the coastal North Carolina region in its entirety? Then you’ll want to grab your friends and family and sign up for the massive but all-around fun Tuna Run 200 Relay. This relay race that extends more than 200 miles from start to finish takes participants on a fascinating tour of eastern North Carolina, and eventually lands in the heart of the Crystal Coast in the sunny town of Atlantic Beach.

Week of October 21, 2024 - October 27, 2024

  • Saturday, October 26th 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Emerald Isle

Rapidly becoming a favorite tradition for active Crystal Coast visitors and locals alike, the Emerald Isle Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5K Races are a great opportunity for folks to discover the gorgeous communities and shorelines of Emerald Isle and beyond, while supporting a worthy local cause and enjoying a little competitive spirit in the heart of the Outer Banks.

Week of October 28, 2024 - November 3, 2024

  • Saturday, November 2nd
Beaufort

Take in one of the most scenic new routes of the Crystal Coast with this unique fitness event that is celebrating its fifth year in 2023. The Beaufort Bridge Run 5K & 1+ Mile Dog Strut, with its unique course that includes two new bridges, has become one of the most popular races in the region with visitors from all over eastern North Carolina and the country taking advantage of this fun running event that features unparalleled views.

Week of November 4, 2024 - November 10, 2024

  • Saturday, November 9th
Beaufort

Held just after Halloween, the annual Dirt Nap Fest at Mill Whistle Brewing has become a favorite event for Beaufort locals and visitors alike, thanks to its spooky and surprising atmosphere, wholly unique car show, cool vendors, and plenty of delicious Mill Whistle beer to go around.

  • Saturday, November 9th 9:00 AM
Morehead City

Come and get a big head start on your holiday shopping at this pre-Thanksgiving event that shines a spotlight on the many local vendors, artists, and craftspeople who call the Crystal Coast area home. The Mistletoe Magic Holiday Gift Show is renowned as one of the biggest local shopping events of the year, and it’s a great venue for folks to uncover all the talent and goodies that Eastern North Carolina has to offer.

Week of November 18, 2024 - November 24, 2024

  • Saturday, November 23rd 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

Get a jump start on your holiday shopping while enjoying an inviting and relaxed atmosphere that is miles away from ordinary at the Jumble Sale at the Beaufort Historic Site. This annual sale that takes place around Thanksgiving is the perfect cure to the Black Friday blues, and offers a wealth of locally made, handcrafted, and wholly unique goodies and presents that can’t be found anywhere else, and which will truly add a dose of local flavor to your holiday gift giving.

Week of November 25, 2024 - December 1, 2024

  • Friday, November 29th 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Swansboro

Celebrate the holidays Crystal Coast style with this annual event that entices locals and visitors alike to get into the holiday spirit. The Swansboro Christmas Flotilla is a time-honored tradition that combines Swansboro’s love of life on the water with a truly festive atmosphere, and the event is sure to become an annual celebration that Crystal Coast visitors will want to return to again and again.

Week of December 2, 2024 - December 8, 2024

  • Saturday, December 7th
Beaufort

The historic Beaufort waterfront comes alive during this holiday celebration that combines this community’s love of the water with a literal boatload of holiday lights. The annual Friends of the Maritime Museum Holiday Flotilla is a fun and festive event that will wow spectators throughout the Crystal Coast, and which will put visitors of all ages in a holiday state of mind.

  • Saturday, December 7th
Emerald Isle

Crystal Coast visitors who want to get a jump start on their holiday shopping will adore this event that takes place in one of the region’s favorite beach towns, and which features a world of coastal-themed treasures. The annual Emerald Isle Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair is a great venue for finding gifts and seasonal treasures of all varieties and is a convenient opportunity for shoppers of all ages to explore all the talented artists and craftsmen that call the southern Outer Banks home.

  • Saturday, December 7th - Sunday, December 8th
Harkers Island

The small community of Harkers Island comes to life at this annual event that puts this community’s rich heritage and history in the spotlight. The annual Core Sound Decoy Festival, which is held the first full weekend in December, is a unique celebration that combines exhibits, demonstrations, vendors, food, and much more, to the delight of local visitors and residents alike.

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