CrystalCoast.com logo

Crystal Coast Outdoor & Nature Events - 2026 Schedule

Crystal Coast Outdoor & Nature Events - 2026 Schedule

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

This Week
Saturday, October 24th - Sunday, October 25th
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.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of November 2, 2026 - November 8, 2026
Monday, November 2nd 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Atlantic Beach

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.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of November 30, 2026 - December 6, 2026
Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
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.

Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
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.

Saturday, December 5th 6:30 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.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of April 26, 2027 - May 2, 2027
Saturday, May 1st 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

The annual Wooden Boat Show is a tradition in the town of Beaufort, and its 51st celebration in 2027 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.

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
Swansboro, NC Photos and Information

Though not too many Eastern NC visitors will encounter Swansboro unless they are en route to the Emerald Isle shoreline, this small coastal town is most certainly worth a second look. One of the oldest towns along the Crystal Coast, and easily one...

Steps to the beach! 3BR/2.5BA Oceanfront...

The ideal place for your vacation! Very well maintained 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bathroom condo with vistas of the pool. The unit is conveniently located steps from the elevator and steps to the beach. Sit in privacy on the secluded screened in porch...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Dog Friendly, Beach Home, Private Pool- ...

Looking Glass is a unique Emerald Isle getaway just a short 400-foot walk to the beach. This dog-friendly home features all bedrooms on the ground level, a private pool, and an open-concept living space upstairs. Appreciate ocean breezes from dual...

  • Emerald Isle
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 9
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...

Southwinds D11-Oceanview Condo

Oceanview Condo, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. Bed configuration: Q, 2T, QSS. Summer School (Southwinds Unit D-11) is a freshly refreshed oceanview condo located in the handsome Southwinds Condominium complex in Atlantic Beach, NC. This condo complex is...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford...