As soon as Labor Day weekend is in the books, thoughts in the Wilmington area turn to fall.
One thing the season brings after the beach-centric focus of the summer months is the return of popular local festivals, many of them bearing autumnal themes, but also celebrating food, the arts, cultural diversity and even the flying of kites.
At this time, it's not known whether one of the area's more well-known fall events, the Cape Fear Fair & Expo, which hasn't been held since 2021, will return to the Wilmington area this year. But we should know soon.
As for some of the more than two dozen events we're anticipating, check our list below.
SEPTEMBER
Wilmington Coffee Fest
Sept. 13-14: Roasters and coffee shops from around the area will assemble to offer up samples and purvey their wares at Azalea Station in the Cargo District. The Latte Art Throwdown is 6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 13, with area baristas competing for the title of Latte Art Champion, with the main festival scheduled for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 14. Details:WilmingtonCoffeeFest.com.
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American Craft Walk Wilmington
Sept. 14:More than 100 artists and crafters in such categories as jewelry, pottery, fiber art, photography, glasswork and more will descend on the streets of downtown Wilmington in what's probably the area's biggest outdoor art sale of the year. Artists will be set up on Front Street between Orange and Walnut streets and on Princess Street between Front and Second. Festival runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with a rain date of Sept. 15. Details:AmericanCraftWalk.com.
Native Plant Festival
Sept. 18-21:Ninth annual festival from the Native Plant Alliance has been re-imagined for 2024. Speakers on various plant-related topics of interest to area gardeners are scheduled to appear at the New Hanover County Arboretum from Sept. 18-20. On Sept. 21, native plants will be on sale at multiple locations in the Wilmington area, including Pender Pines in Hampstead; Shelton Herb Farm in Leland; and Blooms & Branches Garden Center, Wild Bird and Garden, and The Garden Shop on Moss in Wilmington. Details:NewHanover.ces.ncsu.edu.
Ocean Fest
Sept. 20-21: Surf City festival celebrating live music, surfing and food moves to September this year. As part of Ocean Fest, Oysterpalooza will be held Sept. 20 in Soundside Park featuring tunes from The Oceanic, The Fontanelles and Justin Cody Fox, plus lots of juicy oysters and thoughtful eco-exhibits. A vintage/retro surf contest starts 8 a.m. Sept. 21, followed by a beach clean-up and live tunes in Soundside Park from Of Good Nature, Blue Footed Boobies, The Midatlantic and more. Proceeds benefit nonprofit organizations working to protect marine environments. Details:TheOceanFest.org.
Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta
Sept. 20-21:This one-of-a-kind event features costumed teams racing dragon-themed watercraft. Kickoff party with live music and team announcements is 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar. Races begin 8 p.m. Sept. 21 with winners in these categories: overall winner, division winners, most spirited, best costumes and best all-female team. Details:TheIslandMen.com.
Cape Fear Latinos Festival
Sept. 21: It's the second year for this festival celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month,which will be held 2-8 p.m. Sept. 21 at Riverfront Park/Live Oak Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. Wilmington. Last year's family-friendly festival was a blast, with vendors celebrating local Latino and Hispanic culture, live music and dance performances, children’s games, food trucks and more. Details: WilmingtonNC.gov.
OCTOBER
Wilmington Riverfest
Oct. 5-6: Wilmington's biggest annual fall festival since its founding in 1979, Riverfest features a slam-packed street fair with food booths and vendors, along with a children's entertainment, live music, and a car show. New this year will be the crowning of a Wilmington Riverfest Pageant Queen and a Wilmington Riverfest Pageant Teen. Plus, instead of the traditional fireworks, Riverfest will present the first ever "Open Sky Drone Show" in North Carolina. Details:WilmingtonRiverfest.com.
Bark in the Park
Oct. 5: This celebration of canines and canine agility has been happening annually at Wrightsville Beach Park for some three decades now. This year's event starts 11 a.m. Oct. 5, and the public is welcome to watch or to enter their dogs in the disc-catching contest, no prior experience needed (for the dogs or the people). The dog who get the most points in terms of distance and accuracy will be declared the winner, with extra points awarded for air catches. If your dog's not the athletic type, there are also prizes for best personality and best dressed, along with best-dressed team. Details: TownOfWrightsvilleBeach.com.
Pets in the Park
Oct. 5: ThePleasure Island Chamber of Commerce presentsthis fourth annual family-friendly celebration of pets, their owners, and pet-friendly businesses 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 5 at Carolina Beach Lake Park. Pets in the Park will feature live music, an "ask the vet" booth, food trucks, face-painting, pet costume and trick contests, giveaways and a mimosa and beer garden. Admission is $5, free for kids under 10. Details: PleasureIslandNC.org.
Town of Belville Fall Festival
Oct. 5: Held in Belville Riverwalk Park 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 5, this event features vendors, games, food trucks, family activities and more. Details: TownOfBelville.com.
Fire in the Pines
Oct. 5: Educational, family-friendlyfestival is dedicated to raising awareness about controlled burns in the longleaf pine ecosystem. Fire in the Pines runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Halyburton Park in Wilmington, and it features activities for kids (crafts, games and more), fire equipment on display, hayrides, educational exhibits, live tunes from the Folkstone String Band, food trucks, juggling demos, raptor shows and, for the festival's grand finale, a live fire demonstration. Free. Details:FireInThePines.org.
Wilmington Oktoberfest
Oct. 19: Long-running Wilmington celebration of Bavarian food, beer and culture returns to the Ogden Tap Room noon-7 p.m. Oct. 19. With live polka and blaskapelle from the Harbour Town Fest Band along with grub, brew and of course the festival's beloved "wiener dog" races. Details:Wilmington Oktoberfest on Facebook.
Autumn with Topsail
Oct. 18-20: Annual Topsail Beach festival dates to 1988. Features a juried arts and crafts court, live tunes, food vendors, a beer and wine tent, silent auctions, children's games and more. Saturday and Sunday mornings start with a Kiwanis pancake breakfast, and musical headliners include The Notorious Clam Slammers (Oct. 18), The North Tower Band (Oct. 19) and The Catalinas (Oct. 20). Proceeds benefit the Historical Society of Topsail Island. Details:AutumnWithTopsail.com.
NC Oyster Festival
Oct. 18-20: Longtime Ocean Isle Beach festival dates to 1978. It features kids' activities, arts and crafts, live music and contests that include oyster shucking, oyster eating and oyster cooking. Admission is $5 cash, free for ages 12 and under. Details:NCOysterFestival.com.
Big Annie’s Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 26: Fourth annual bluegrass festival at Humphrey Farms in Burgaw features various vendors as well as the main attraction: bluegrass music from a variety of bands. 10 a.m. gates, 1 p.m. music. Tickets are $15. Details:HumphreyFarmsNC.com.
Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival
Oct. 25-26:This massive festival from Lighthouse Beer & Wine features libations from dozens of breweries and wineries, and runs from noon-5 p.m. at Live Oak Bank Pavilion on Wilmington's Northside. The live music is always a highlight (bands TBA), and festival alumni include country star Charley Crockett. Proceeds benefitthe Carousel Center, which supports abused children in the Wilmington area. The festival's annual pre-party of sorts, the Voracious Beer & Wine Festival, runs 6-9 p.m. Oct. 25 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion.Details:LighthouseBeerAndWine.com.
Goosebumps in the Grove
Oct. 26-27: Halloween-themed "gift show and carnival" includes some 75 vendors, food trucks, adult beverages, trick or treating (ages 10 and under), carnival games and prizes, and a Haunted Manor House for those kids (and adults) who are extra-brave. Plus, a "PG" witch's candy chute, sing-alongs, photo ops, balloon creations and more. Details:PoplarGrove.org.
Holden Beach Festival by the Sea
Oct. 26-27: Annual arts and crafts festival in the heart of Holden Beach. Features art by local craftsmen,live entertainment, contests, food vendors, children's activities and more. Details:NCBrunswick.com.
NOVEMBER
Cape Fear Kite Festival
Nov. 1-3: High-flying three-day festival sponsored by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce is held at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach and features dozens of spectacular, colorful kites. Details for this year are still being worked out, but there's no other festival in the area quite like this one. Details:PleasureIslandNC.org.
St. Stanislaus Polish Festival
Nov. 2: Turning 24 in '24, Wilmington's annual Polish Festival will return to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4849 Castle Hayne Road, in Castle Hayne. Always on the menu: Polish food such as golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls), pierogi, potato pancakes, kielbasa, desserts and domestic and Polish beer. With dancing, live music from Wilmington's Harbour Towne Fest Band, children's entertainment, raffles and more. Details: StStansPolishFestival.org.
NC SpotFestival
Nov. 2-3: Hampstead festival is one of the longest-running festivals in the area, as it was first held in 1963. It's a celebration of the humble, bony and delicious spot, a fish that's plentiful in local waters. They'll be serving up lots of fried spot plates for sure, but there will also be vendors, beer and wine, arts and crafts, area pageant queens and princesses, activities for children and more. Details:TheNCSpotFestival.com.
Taste of Wrightsville Beach
Nov. 2: This 11th annual food festival celebrates the fare served at restaurants in and near Wrightsville Beach. With live music and dozens of booths featuring local food, beer and wine, judges will rate their favorite dishes and guests can vote for the People's Choice and other awards. Held at Bluewater Grill in Wrightsville Beach. Proceeds benefit the Weekend Meals on Wheels program. Details:WeekendMealsOnWheels.org.
LakeFest
Nov. 2: A celebration of science, nature and wildlife, this environmental festival organized byCape Fear River Watch and the city of Wilmington's department ofParks & Rec is held at the Greenfield Lake Boathouse. There will be educationalgames and activities, face painting, live animals on display, tours andpaddle boat rides, and reps from areaenvironmental organizations. Details:CapeFearRiverwatch.org.
Festival Latino
Nov. 9-10: This year's celebration of Latino culture, the 23rd annual, is held at Ogden Park in Wilmington. The family-friendly affair features food from all over Latin America, crafts, vendors, live music and dancing, and more. Details: Festival Latino Facebook page.
Cucalorus Film Festival
Nov. 20-24: Wilmington's annual festival of independent film, fringe-fest-style performances, artistic collaboration, activism and fun parties turns dirty 30 this year. The dozens (if not hundreds) of films in this year's lineup will be announced soon, but hitting the three-decade mark should make this year's Cucalorus extra-extra special. Passes on sale now. Details:Cucalorus.org.
