Week of October 9, 2023 - October 15, 2023

Mullet Festival of Swansboro

  • Saturday, October 14th - Sunday, October 15th
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.

Fall In-The-Water Meet

  • Saturday, October 14th
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 16, 2023 - October 22, 2023

Swansboro Five-0 King Mackerel Tournament

  • Tuesday, October 17th
Swansboro

Head to the Crystal Coast to enjoy some of the best fishing conditions all year long by participating in October’s annual Swansboro Five-0 King Mackerel Tournament. This popular fishing tournament features up to $180,000 in prizes for participants, and is a great way to enjoy the down home culture, hospitality, and great coastal waters of Swansboro and the greater Crystal Coast region.

Tuna Run 200 Relay

  • Friday, October 20th - Saturday, October 21st
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 23, 2023 - October 29, 2023

Emerald Isle Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5K Races

  • Saturday, October 28th 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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.

Fall Festival at Camp Albemarle

  • Saturday, October 28th
Newport

Crystal Coast visitors of all ages will want to take a break from the sand and head inland to the small town of Newport for this unique annual festival that puts the flavors of the fall season in the spotlight. The Fall Festival at Camp Albemarle is a family-friendly event that features a wealth of activities that visitors of all ages can enjoy. From outdoor adventures to food trucks and s’mores, everyone can celebrate the cooler and breezy fall season at this event that has tons to offer around every corner.

Carolina Kite Festival

  • Saturday, October 28th - Sunday, October 29th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Atlantic Beach

Wit breezy weather and warm temperatures, the fall is an ideal time to go fly a kite on the Crystal Coast, and this event is an ideal launching point for folks to celebrate their high-flying abilities. The Carolina Kite Festival, which is hosted by the local Kites Unlimited & Bird Stuff, has grown into a stellar and full-day event with hundreds of kites decorating the sky, and plenty of fun to go around.

Week of October 30, 2023 - November 5, 2023

Trunk or Treat Atlantic Beach

  • Tuesday, October 31st 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Atlantic Beach

Crystal Coast visitors don’t have to venture too far to enjoy a little bit of Halloween fun, thanks to this annual event that provides trick-or-treating in a safe and entertaining environment. The Trunk or Treat Atlantic Beach event is a free and kid-friendly celebration that features a wealth of food, games, and plenty of candy to go around.

Newport Halloween Hootenanny

  • Tuesday, October 31st 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Newport

With tons of games, food, fun, and attractions for visitors of all ages, the Newport Halloween Hootenanny is an annual event that can’t be missed. Held on Halloween night, this event is a community-wide celebration of the season, with lots of fun, food, and candy to go around all evening long.

Beaufort Bridge Run 5K & 1+ Mile Dog Strut

  • Saturday, November 4th 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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.

Veterans Day Parade

  • Saturday, November 4th 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Morehead City

The annual Veterans Day Parade in Morehead City is a time-honored tradition that honors the servicemen and women who have served their country. Located in the heart of the downtown area, and free and open to the public, this annual celebration is an event that visitors and locals alike won’t soon forget.

Week of November 6, 2023 - November 12, 2023

Dirt Nap Fest

  • Saturday, November 11th 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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.

Emerald Isle Car Show

  • Saturday, November 11th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Emerald Isle

Take a break from the beach and head over to this unique event that is held just a few steps off the sand, but which features a lively and unique atmosphere that car lovers everywhere will adore. The Emerald Isle Car Show is a fun and family-friendly opportunity for Crystal Coast visitors to see decades of unique automobiles, and for car fans to show off their most amazing and favorite rides.

Mistletoe Magic Holiday Gift Show

  • Saturday, November 11th 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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 13, 2023 - November 19, 2023

Jumble Sale at Beaufort Historic Site

  • Saturday, November 18th 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 20, 2023 - November 26, 2023

Swansboro Christmas Flotilla

  • Friday, November 24th
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.

Turkey Trot

  • Friday, November 24th 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cape Carteret

Emerald Isle Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

  • Saturday, November 25th 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Emerald Isle

Celebrating more than 15 years, the Emerald Isle Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting is a favorite wintertime event for visitors and locals alike that provides a fun and unforgettable way to ring in the season. Held in the heart of town, and featuring a line of floats that capture both the holiday and the coastal spirit, this annual parade and celebration will make everyone want to celebrate the holidays, Emerald Isle style.

Week of November 27, 2023 - December 3, 2023

Core Sound Decoy Festival

  • Friday, December 1st - Saturday, December 2nd
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.

Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend

  • Friday, December 1st - Saturday, December 2nd
Harkers Island

The Crystal Coast is renowned as a popular destination for seasonal visitors of all varieties, and that includes the thousands of waterfowl that flock to this region every year. This unique distinction is celebrated annually at the Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend, which is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to learn more about this stunning landscape, and the many feathered visitors who call it home for the winter season.

Newport Winter Wonderland & Town Tree Lighting

  • Saturday, December 2nd 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Newport

Get a jump start on the holidays with this fun event that will put everyone in a festive mood and ready to start the season. The Newport Winter Wonderland & Town Tree Lighting features a wealth of activities for visitors of all ages, including a scenic and brightly decorated trail, hot chocolate and goodies, festive movies, and even an appearance by Santa himself.

Friends of the Maritime Museum Holiday Flotilla

  • Saturday, December 2nd 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
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.

Emerald Isle Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair

  • Saturday, December 2nd 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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.

Beaufort Christmas Parade

  • Saturday, December 2nd 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Beaufort

Beaufort is a small town with a lot of personality, and this fun and coastal culture is on full display at the annual Beaufort Christmas Parade. Held in the heart of the waterfront downtown, the yearly parade is a fun event for visitors of all ages, and is a celebration that is sure to put all Crystal Coast visitors in a holiday state of mind.

Week of December 4, 2023 - December 10, 2023

Gingerbread Festival & Competition

  • Friday, December 8th - Sunday, December 10th 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Morehead City

Come explore a winter wonderland of holiday sights, sounds, and smells at this festive event that is celebrating its 10th year in 2023. The annual Gingerbread Festival & Competition is a fun and all-encompassing celebration that has incredible gingerbread displays, fun crafts and activities for the kids, and lots of ways to celebrate the holidays in style while admiring some of the most unique and creative gingerbread creations that the Crystal Coast has to offer.

Beaufort Holiday Art Walk

  • Saturday, December 9th 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Beaufort

Get into the spirit of the season while enjoying a picturesque taste of life on the water in a small North Carolina town with this event that offers plenty of spectacular views and festivities for spectators and participants alike. The Annual Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla is a local tradition that’s been going strong for more than 25 years, and is an opportunity for both visitors and locals to enjoy a festive display unlike any other along the Crystal Coast.

Christmas Candlelight Tour

  • Saturday, December 9th 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beaufort

Celebrating its 16th year in 2023, the Christmas Candlelight Tour is a celebration of Beaufort’s centuries of history and community spirit, and will be a festive event for locals and visitors alike. Hosted by the Beaufort Historical Association, the Christmas Candlelight Tour provides a rare look into some of Beaufort’s most prestigious and history-rich homes, businesses, and landmarks, and is a fun way to discover more about this popular vacation destination while enjoying the spirit of the season.

Week of January 1, 2024 - January 7, 2024

Penguin Plunge

  • Monday, January 1st 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Atlantic Beach

Get a shockingly refreshing start to 2024 with this annual event that has been attracting brave Atlantic Beach visitors and residents for 20 years. The annual Penguin Plunge is a favorite New Year’s event for participants and spectators alike, with an icy-cold dip into the Atlantic Ocean that is sure to get everyone’s heart pumping.

Week of January 29, 2024 - February 4, 2024

Carolina Chocolate Festival

  • Saturday, February 3rd - Sunday, February 4th
Morehead City

A favorite celebration for more than 15 years, the annual Carolina Chocolate Festival is a welcome event for food lovers who want to indulge a sweet tooth in seemingly endless ways in the heart of the Crystal Coast. Held at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City, and overflowing with activities that can range from tastings to spa trips, the Carolina Chocolate Festival is a decadent celebration that shows how sweet life can be along the beach.

Week of April 29, 2024 - May 5, 2024

Wooden Boat Kids

  • 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

Annual Wooden Boat Show

  • Saturday, May 11th 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.

Annual Boatbuilding Challenge

  • 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.

Crystal Coast Lady Cruises
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