Summer’s nearing its end — maybe not on the calendar, but in terms of things like back-to-school season and the approaching Labor Day holiday — and this weekend in Wilmington has a bit of an end-of-summer vibe to it.
We’ll see the end of a popular summer theater series as well as a festival bidding farewell to the season, but we’ve also got a nice collection of concerts, some film screenings, a cultural festival and even a pop-up history exhibit.
For more ideas of things to do this weekend and beyond, don’t forget to check our list of outdoor concerts in the Wilmington area for the summer of 2025, many of which aren’t listed here, as well as our list of concerts to see during the month of August.
ALL WEEKEND
‘Oklahoma!’
Aug. 14-24 at Thalian Hall: Opera House Theatre Co. ends its summer season of musicals with the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. With a story about life and love on the frontier of the old West, the show features such indelible songs as “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'” and “People Will Say We’re in Love.” Charlotte director Ron Chisholm returns to Wilmington to direct for Opera House for the first time since 2018. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14-16 and 20-23, 2 p.m. Aug. 17 and 23-24. 910-632-2285.
Dan Soder
Aug. 14-16 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Well-known comic and podcast host brings his act to Wilmington’s premiere comedy club. 7 p.m. Aug. 14-16, 9:30 p.m. Aug. 15-16, tickets are $33 and $47.
Thalian Hall Cinema series
Aug. 13-16 at Thalian Hall: A trio of movies screens at the historic downtown Wilmington theater this week. Writer-director Eva Victor stars in new release “Sorry, Baby,” a darkly comedic drama about a woman overcoming a traumatic event. Also screening is family-friendly ’80s sci-fi adventure “Explorers” for its 40th anniversary and cult favorite “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.” For times and tickets, go to ThalianHall.org.
‘The Hallelujah Girls’
Aug. 14-17 at Brunswick Little Theatre: BLT presents this Southern-fried stage comedy from the Jones/Hope/Wooten writing team. It’s about the preciously named Sugar Lee, who opens a day spa named Spa-Dee-Da! in a dilapidated former church, partly to encourage her wacky cadre of 40-and-50-something friends, and herself, to stop deferring their own happiness. Conflict creeps in when Sugar Lee’s longtime nemesis, Bunny, tries to ruin Sugar Lee’s business. Tickets are mostly sold out online, but might be available in person at Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport.
FRIDAY
Red Clay Strays
Aug. 15 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country rockers known for viral single “Wondering Why” bring their Get Right Tour to Wilmington’s biggest venue. 7 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $84.
Chris Lane
Aug. 15 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: North Carolina country singer has toured as an opener for Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, Kane Brown and others. With opening act Myles Morgan. 7 p.m. Friday, tickets are $37.50.
‘Burnout’
Aug. 15 at Jengo’s Playhouse: Debut feature of North Carolina director Lydia Hyslop screened at Wilmington’s Cucalorus Film Festival back in 2013. The indie comedy is about a 20-something pot dealer named Ada (Tara DeSpain) who faces an existential (and financial) crisis when marijuana is legalized in her state. 7:30 p.m. Friday, tickets are $10.
Airlie Gardens concert series
Aug. 15 at Airlie Gardens: Jim Quick and Coastline play beach music and their trademark “swamp soul” for this popular concert series. 6-8 p.m. Friday, tickets are $10, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. Parking is off-site at the Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road, with free shuttle service starting at 5 p.m.
Ocean Isle Beach Summer Concerts
Aug. 15 at Town Center Park: Beach music legends The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard (they love beach music, always have and always will), play in Ocean Isle Beach for what’s known as the Peggy Hughes Summer Concert Series. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. show Friday. Free. Chairs allowed, no smoking, vaping or pets.
SATURDAY
Liquid Summer Festival
Aug. 16, Randall Parkway: Festival of food, drink and music will feature a half-dozen bands and DJs on two stages. Acts include a Jimmy Buffett tribute band and a Beach Boys tribute act called The Beach Buoys. 2 p.m. (VIP) and 3 p.m. gates Saturday, tickets start at $30.
India Day
Aug. 16 at the Harrelson Center: The Cape Fear Cultural Association of India hosts its second annual India Day featuring food, entertainment and activities centered on the culture and heritage of India. With henna painting, cooking demonstrations, historical information and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, free.
Florencia & the Feeling
Aug. 16 at The Palm Room: Poppy funk band from Johnson City, Tennessee, plays a Wrightsville Beach show with Raleigh jam band Duck. 9 p.m. Saturday, cover at the door.
Houndmouth
Aug. 16 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Alt-blues and rock band from Indiana is known for its storytelling songs and raucous live shows. 7 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $48.
A Tale of Two
Aug. 16 at Live at Ted’s: Award-winning duo (singer Stephanie Adlington and guitarist Aaron Lessard) blend blues with Americana and a dash of Southern-style storytelling. 8 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $15.
SUNDAY
Wrightsville Beach Museum pop-up exhibit
Aug. 17 at Flying Machine Oyster Bar: Special presentation created from the archives at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. Enjoy a beverage or two and check out rare photos and artifacts from the old days of Wrightsville Beach. 4 p.m. Sunday, free.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.starnewsonline.com ’
