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Crystal Coast Kid Friendly Events - 2025 Schedule

Crystal Coast Kid Friendly Events - 2025 Schedule
Week of October 6, 2025 - October 12, 2025
Saturday, October 11th - Sunday, October 12th
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.

Week of October 13, 2025 - October 19, 2025
Saturday, October 18th
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 20, 2025 - October 26, 2025
Saturday, October 25th
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.

Saturday, October 25th 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cape Carteret

Come explore a unique and picturesque corner of the Crystal Coast with this grand event that celebrates all the activities and fun of the fall season. The Town of Cape Carteret Fall Festival features a myriad of food, activities, and entertainment for visitors of all ages, and the free festival is a great opportunity to uncover this scenic town that’s located just a shell’s throw away from the Emerald Isle coastline.

Week of November 17, 2025 - November 23, 2025
Saturday, November 22nd 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 24, 2025 - November 30, 2025
Saturday, November 29th 2:00 PM
Emerald Isle

Celebrating more than 20 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 December 1, 2025 - December 7, 2025
Friday, December 5th
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 6th
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.

Saturday, December 6th - Sunday, December 7th
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.

Week of December 8, 2025 - December 14, 2025
Friday, December 12th - Sunday, December 14th
Morehead City

Come explore a winter wonderland of holiday sights, sounds, and smells at this festive event that is celebrating its 11th year in 2025. 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.

Saturday, December 13th
Beaufort

The summertime Beaufort Farmer’s Market is revitalized for the holidays at this special annual event that combines Christmas shopping, local fare, kids’ activities, and plenty of community spirit. The Old Fashioned Holiday Farmer’s Market is celebrating its 11th year in 2025, and is a delightful opportunity to connect with local fishermen, bakers, craftsmen, artists, and vendors of all varieties to load up on unique holiday presents, or to take home some goodies of your own.

Crystal Coast Map
Emerald Isle Indian Beach Pine Knoll Shores Atlantic Beach Shackleford Banks Beaufort Morehead City Cape Lookout Cedar Island Harkers Island New Bern
North Carolina Maritime Museum at Beaufort

Dive into a wealth of coastal artifacts, folklore, and legendary figures with a visit to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Operating as one of three maritime museums along coastal NC, this distinctive site is known for its unique...

Lookout Cruises

Visitors can enjoy the Crystal Coast’s most coveted and hard-to-reach shorelines, or just embark on a breezy cruise of the open waters in search of dolphins and sunsets, with a trip that’s guided by Lookout Cruises. This local tour...

Pine Knoll Townes 132: Almost Oceanfront...

Pine Knoll Townes #132 is a Two Level Almost Oceanfront 2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath Townhouse in the Oceanfront Pine Knoll Townes Community Complex, sure to give you a welcome respite at Pine Knoll Shores!Make use of the painless 250 foot...

  • Pine Knoll Shores
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Morehead City Ferry Service

The Crystal Coast is best explored from the water, and Morehead City Ferry Service will take explorers to some of the most remote and beautiful corners of this long stretch of Southern Outer Banks shoreline. Launching from the heart of Downtown...

Oceanfront Bliss In Atlantic Beach, NC
4.7
(26)

SeaSpray146 is a first-floor, 2- bedroom, 2- bath, 840 Square Ft. oceanfront condo with Hi-Speed wireless internet access. The completely-equipped kitchen includes a refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher. You'll also find a Keurig coffee...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway - Crystal Coast

Visitors of all ages will have a blast at this destination that is designed for great times along the Crystal Coast shoreline. Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway is situated in the centrally located beach community of Salter Path, and...

Surf Capsule suite - coastal retreat in ...

Located on iconic Atlantic Beach, The Surf Capsule offers a laid-back coastal lifestyle. A peaceful and serene converted 1950's Motel, now individually owned unique condos. This space is a coastal, modern, comfortable getaway with a nod to the "old...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 2
Beaufort Pirates Revenge

Jump aboard the pirate ship "REVENGE" at 600 Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina. Our interactive voyages offer fun and adventure for families and swashbucklers of all ages. Come join our crew, take part in a pirate adventure, and enjoy festive...