It’s North Carolina
It's North Carolina

Events and things to do in North Carolina, with dates, prices and drive times checked at the source.

Coast NC Events: Oct 2026 to Mar 2027

14 events and attractions in the Coast region are confirmed on the organizers’ own pages, from Oct 24, 2026 to Dec 16, 2026. Prices, hours and rules below are quoted from those pages and dated; anything an organizer has not published says “not published” rather than a guess. Towns covered include Wilmington, Morehead City and the Outer Banks. Next up: Battleship 101 (Battleship NORTH CAROLINA), Oct 24, 2026.

Coast events by date

Event Where Dates Hours Price (as published) Notes
Battleship 101 (Battleship NORTH CAROLINA) Wilmington Oct 24, 2026 not published Free with regular Battleship admission; admission price not published on page Volunteers at stations; hands-on; page says good for families and scout groups
Carolina Kite Festival (Fort Macon State Park) Atlantic Beach Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 Flying expected best 10 AM-4 PM both days Free Sponsored by Kites Unlimited; bring your own kites; large flying fields, ample parking; 2303 E. Fort Macon Rd
Wind and Sand ranger program (Wright Brothers National Memorial) Kill Devil Hills Oct 24, 2026 Daily 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM; park open 9 AM-5 PM not published NPS calendar lists it daily; end date and age notes not published
Super-NATURAL Creature Feature (Jockey's Ridge State Park) Nags Head Oct 25, 2026 2:00-3:00 PM not published Ages 6 to 12; pre-registration required (email austin.paul@ncparks.gov); treats and gift bags provided; 300 W. Carolista Dr
Trunk or Treat (Hammocks Beach State Park) Swansboro Oct 25, 2026 2:00-5:00 PM (per event text) not published Hayrides, games, candy, prizes, costume contests for people and pets; pets leashed 6 ft max; all ages
Dowdy Park Holiday Markets Nags Head Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 12, 2026 Saturdays Nov 14, Nov 28, Dec 12, 9 AM-12 PM Free (town says its events are free and family-friendly) About 50 local vendors; 3005 S Croatan Hwy
Dowdy Park Tree Lighting Nags Head Nov 28, 2026 5:00-7:00 PM; Santa arrives 5:30 PM Free (town says its events are free) Sing-along, hot cocoa, cookies, Santa visit
City of Wilmington Holiday Parade Wilmington Nov 29, 2026 6:00-8:00 PM; Front St closed 5:00-7:15 PM Free Front St between Walnut and Church; free metered parking on Sundays
Battleship Alive! (Battleship NORTH CAROLINA) Wilmington Dec 5, 2026 8 AM-5 PM Free with regular Battleship admission; admission price not published on page WWII living history interpreters; page says good for families and scout groups
Dowdy Park Candy Cane Hunt Nags Head Dec 16, 2026 5:00 PM Free (town says its events are free) Two simultaneous hunts split by age group; bring a flashlight

Each event name links to the organizer’s page. Last checked 2026-10-18. Confirm the date and ticket price there before you go, because organizers change both.

Open daily, weekly or all season

Event Where Dates Hours Price (as published) Notes
Beach Scavenger Hunt (Fort Macon State Park) Atlantic Beach Oct 24, 2026 to Feb 15, 2027 10:00 AM (state parks list); detail page shows 10-11 AM not published Ranger-led beach stroll; sunscreen and water recommended; meet at Visitor Center; all ages
Fort Macon free daily guided tour Atlantic Beach Oct 24, 2026 to Apr 14, 2027 Daily 1:00 PM, about 45 minutes, mid-Oct to mid-April Free Meet at fort entrance; pets not allowed inside the fort
NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Pine Knoll Shores Oct 24, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 Daily 9 AM-5 PM not published on page Advance tickets required; eagles, river otters, shipwreck exhibits
NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island Manteo Oct 24, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 Daily 9 AM-5 PM; last entry 4:30 PM; STAR Center 9:30-4:30; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas not published on page Timed entry, reserved tickets recommended; stingray touch, otters, sharks

Drive times

See drive times to 20 North Carolina destinations from Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington.

State parks in this region

For free days outdoors, see the North Carolina State Parks Passport: most state parks charge nothing for day use.

Frequently asked questions

How were these events checked?

Each row was read on the organizer’s or venue’s own page, not copied from a listings site. The link in the first column is that page and the check date is in the log. See our editorial standards and verification log.

What if a price says “not published”?

It means the organizer’s page did not show a price when we looked, often because tickets sit behind a booking widget. We leave it blank instead of guessing; use the event link to see current prices.

What is the next event in the Coast region?

Battleship 101 (Battleship NORTH CAROLINA), Oct 24, 2026, in Wilmington. Dates shift, so use the link in the table.

Where do I report a wrong date or price?

Use the contact page. Corrections are logged on our corrections page.

Sources

Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Coast NC Events: Oct 2026 to Mar 2027”, itsnorthcarolina.com/coast-events/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.