The fall festivals are hitting the Wilmington area full-force this weekend, with big events coming to New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.
Plus, we’ve got quite a few plays, several genres of live music, some comedy, a big art show and much more. Let’s get into it.
For more ideas of things to do beyond this weekend, check our list of fall concerts between now and the holidays, and our list of 18 fall festivals. We’ve also got two lists of Halloween-themed happenings in Southeastern North Carolina, one for fans of scary stuff and the other more family-oriented.
ALL WEEKEND
Brunswick County Agricultural Fair and Expo
Oct. 15-19 in Ash: It’s the first big fair in the Wilmington area since the old Cape Fear Fair & Expo was last held in 2021. With live entertainment, rides, animal exhibits, food and more. 4-11 p.m. Oct. 15-17, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 18 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 19. General admission is $7, unlimited rides ticket is $25.
N.C. Oyster Festival
Oct. 17-19 in Ocean Isle Beach: This Brunswick County festival first held in 1978 features live bands, vendors and, yes, lots and lots of oysters, including oyster-shucking and oyster-eating contests. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 18 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19. $5, free for kids 12 and under.
Autumn with Topsail
Oct. 17-19 in Topsail Beach: The 37th annual Pender County festival features over 100 artists displaying and selling their work, live music, food, a beer and wine tent, silent auction, children’s play area and more. 5-7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 18 and 8:30 a.m.-3:30 Oct. 19. $7 per day, $12 for a two-day pass and $18 for a three-day pass. Free for kids 12 and under.
Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival
Oct. 17-18 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: This annual event features food, live music and beer and wine samples from dozens of wineries and breweries. Starts Friday with the Voracious: Cellar, Sea & Shore Festival, which features specialty craft beers, food and more, with the main festival on Saturday. 6-9 p.m. Oct. 17, noon-5 p.m. Oct. 18. Tickets start at $45, with proceeds benefiting the Carousel Child Advocacy Center.
‘Home’
Oct. 17-19 at Thalian Hall: This play by late Pender County native Samm-Art Williams was inspired by the Tony- and Emmy-nominated writer, actor and producer’s time growing up in Burgaw. It follows a young Black man named Cephus Miles as he leaves his family farm for the big city. Earned a Tony nomination for Best Play in 1980. Fracaswell Hyman directs, Kaleb Edley stars. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 2 p.m. Oct. 19. 910-632-2285.
‘Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors’
Oct. 16-26 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Big Dawg Productions presents a fast-paced stage comedy sending up the classic vampire tale. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16-18 and 23-25, 3 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26. 910-632-2285.
ARTfall Show & Sale
Oct. 16-18 and 20-25, Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center: This juried art show features the work of dozens of artists. An opening reception will feature the announcement of the show’s award winners. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 17-18 and 20-25.
Art in the Arboretum
Oct. 18-19 at the New Hanover County Arboretum: This 29th annual event features the work of dozens of artists displayed (and for sale) in a lush outdoor setting. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, tickets are $5, free for children under 12, veterans, and Friends of the Arboretum.
‘Red Velvet’
Oct. 17-26 at Brunswick Little Theatre: This drama by Lolita Chakrabarti chronicles the true story of Ira Aldridge, who became the first Black actor to appear on stage in London when he played the title role in “Othello” in 1833. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17-18 and 24, 3 p.m. Oct. 12, 19 and 25-26.
Brian Simpson
Oct. 17-18 at the Dead Crow Comedy Room: This comic was a New Face of Comedy at the 2021 Just For Laughs festival in Montreal and had a one-hour Netflix special, “Brian Simpson: Live from the Mothership.” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 17-18, tickets are $30 and $41.
FRIDAY
Gov’t Mule
Oct. 17 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: This veteran rock/jam band led by singer-guitarist Warren Haynes is Back in the Saddle, which is how the band is billing its new tour. 7 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $60.
Ben Sollee
Oct. 17 at Bourgie Nights: There’s not another artist quite like cello-stroking musician Sollee, who takes an instrument typically used for classical or jazz and uses it to create songs that blend folk, bluegrass, R&B and more. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $25 in advance, $30 day of show.
Michael Glabicki
Oct. 17 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Singer Glabicki is best-known for his association with the band Rusted Root, which had a hit with its world-music-tinged 1992 song “Send Me on My Way.” 7 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $27.
MOMIX
Oct. 17 at Kenan Auditorium: This touring dance troupe presents an evening-length work inspired by the classic “Alice in Wonderland” tale. 7:30 p.m. Friday, tickets are $35 and $55.
Dusty Slay
Oct. 17 at CFCC Wilson Center: This popular comic with two Netflix specials name-drops Wilmington in his most recent special, “Wet Heat.” 7 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $25.
SATURDAY
Autumn Fest
Oct. 18, downtown Burgaw: This family-friendly festival features arts and crafts vendors, a 5K, a children’s play area, pumpkin decorating, a kids’ costume contest, live music, food trucks, a video game bus and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, free.
Old School Hip-Hop vs. R&B
Oct. 18 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: This annual show features multiple acts and headliner Julez Santana, a rapper formerly with hip-hop group The Diplomats. 6 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $33.
A Very Heathen Halloween
Oct. 18 at The Rift: Wilmington rocker Billy Heathen headlines what’s billed as “A Court of Heathens and Haunts,” with Romantasy-style costumes and an opening set from Carolina Beach act Gulp. 7-10 p.m. Friday, free.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.starnewsonline.com ’
