Crystal Coast Kid Friendly Events - 2019 Schedule

No need to travel to New Orleans for a taste of Mardi Gras – a celebration is waiting close to home in the town of Beaufort, North Carolina! Mardi Gras on Middle Lane is an enticing afternoon event that pays homage to the grand annual party with an array of ways to have fun for visitors of all ages. From activities for the kids, to live Cajun music and jazz, there will be a fun party atmosphere throughout at the Mardi Gras on Middle Lane event.

There’s a touch of magic in the air at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on this special day that allows fantastical fans of all ages an opportunity to explore. Fairy Day at the aquarium features a world of mystical and enchanting activities and events, which will thrill any attendee who loves a little bit of fun and magic in all of their Crystal Coast adventures.

Take advantage of the temperate spring weather and uncrowded shorelines to discover the wealth of wildlife that calls this coastal North Carolina region home. The Bird Hike at Fort Macon is a fun and engaging opportunity to explore one of the Crystal Coast’s most renowned landmarks while spotting a myriad of local and migrating birds that flock to this coastal destination.

Visitors of all ages will have a ball at the Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival, which is an annual celebration that has become one of the most anticipated events of the springtime season. Going strong for more than 25 years, the Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival features a wealth of food, arts and craft vendors, rides, and activities for kids, which will all combine to get attendees into a festive holiday spirit.

Initially started more than 40 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.

Brighten your spring getaway with this engaging event that will have kids grinning from ear to ear. The Easter Eggstreme is a special celebration that is geared towards kids from 1 to 10, and which features a large collection of activities that are completely free for visiting and local children alike. From cake walks, and spoon races, to an appearance by the Easter Bunny himself, this special morning celebration is sure to make any Easter holiday in Emerald Isle even brighter.

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.

If you ever daydreamed about joining Alice, the Mad Hatter, and other colorful characters at their famed afternoon tea in the book “Alice in Wonderland,” this is your chance. The Alice in Wonderland Tea Event is a fun and lively afternoon that will feature a grand afternoon tea, plenty of nonsense and whimsy, and a group of mad hatters who can meet and mingle while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere that the Crystal Coast is known for.

The annual Wooden Boat Show is a tradition in the town of Beaufort, and its 45^th celebration in 2019 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.

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.

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.

Visitors who have always wanted to explore the acclaimed North Carolina Maritime Museum can enjoy everything this landmark has to offer and miles more at the annual Museum Day. Held in early June, this event features a wealth of activities, games, music, and unique displays from opening to closing time, and is a fantastic opportunity to explore this museum, and the charming town of Beaufort, North Carolina, in depth.

Young residents and visitors who have always dreamed of charting their own course on their water can learn all about the basics of sailing and beyond at the summertime Junior Sailing Program. This day camp that is open to all children ages 8 and over will cover everything that young mariners need to know about two classes of sailboats, and is an immersive and fun way to discover a new skill while enjoying the open waters of Beaufort, N.C.

Young residents and visitors who have always dreamed of charting their own course on their water can learn all about the basics of sailing and beyond at the summertime Junior Sailing Program. This day camp that is open to all children ages 8 and over will cover everything that young mariners need to know about two classes of sailboats, and is an immersive and fun way to discover a new skill while enjoying the open waters of Beaufort, N.C.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you’ve ever wanted to join the kayak fishing craze while exploring the stunning waters that surround downtown Beaufort, N.C., then this fully immersive and engaging day-long class may be an exceptional fit. The Kayak Fishing Class is a prime opportunity to learn everything you need to know about this popular sport that can be enjoyed just about anywhere in the Crystal Coast area, and is a fine opportunity to uncover a wealth of info as well as incredible on-the-water views in the heart of 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.

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.

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.

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 5^th year in 2019, 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.