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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.

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 December 28, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Wednesday, December 30th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Atlantic Beach

Warm up your winter with a festive evening by the ocean at the annual Smoke on the Water Bonfire at the Atlantic Beach Circle. This popular Crystal Coast tradition brings residents and visitors together for a memorable night of live music, warm drinks, and a roaring beach bonfire. Hosted by the Town of Atlantic Beach, the free, family-friendly event offers a unique way to celebrate the holiday season and welcome the New Year while enjoying the beautiful coastal surroundings.

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

Week of December 28, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Friday, January 1st 1:00 PM
Atlantic Beach

Get a shockingly refreshing start to 2027 with this annual event that has been attracting brave Atlantic Beach visitors and residents for more than 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.

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
Newport River Pier and Ramp

The waterfront world of Beaufort, Morehead City, the Shackleford Banks, and everything in between is at a mariner’s fingertips when they launch from the Newport River Pier and Ramp. Located directly on the water in between Morehead City and...

3 bedroom home in coastal resort communi...

Have fun with the whole family at our freshly constructed Egrets Nest Cottage. Located in the resort neighborhood of Beaucoast. Conveniences are galore! Enormous outdoor community pool, recreation center, fire pits, pickleball courts, man-made lake...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Family affordable & close enough to all ...

Our family economical home is close to everything you need for a calming weekend or a week long adventure! It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with an upstairs front porch ideal for relaxing and sipping a drink after spending the day in striking downtown...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 7
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...

Downtown Riverfront Retreat

Downtown Riverfront RetreatFeel the appeal of historic downtown New Bern at Downtown Riverfront Retreat, a comfortable riverside getaway featuring handsome vistas of the Neuse River. This property offers the ideal setting for a charming calming...

  • New Bern
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 2
Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the...