Wilmington, NC Outdoor & Nature Events - 2024 Schedule

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher turns into a winter wonderland at this annual event that is sure to be a delightful highlight of the holiday season for Cape Fear and Wilmington-area residents and visitors alike. During the Cape Fear Festival of Trees, the aquarium will be decked out with roughly 50 trees that are glittering with lights, adding a new and dazzling perspective to one of Fort Fisher’s most treasured attractions.

Take advantage of an opportunity to see some of the most prestigious and breathtaking gardens in the downtown Wilmington area and beyond with this special tour that coincides with the annual Azalea Festival. The Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour is an annual tour that has been featured in multiple publications like Southern Living magazine, and which introduced garden fans to some of the most stunning landscapes that the Cape Fear area has to offer.

For more than 30 years, Poplar Grove Plantation has been the site of one of the most anticipated events for gardeners in the spring season – the Annual Herb and Garden Fair. This yearly event features a wealth of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and green goodies of all varieties, and is a great first stop for local and visiting gardeners alike who are eager to ring in the spring season.

Ring in the Easter holiday with a world of fun for the youngest vacationers in your crew by attending the annual and aptly named Spring Eggventure. Held at the Halyburton Park in Wilmington, which is a beloved spot for exploring the wild terrain of the Cape Fear region, this morning event features an array of games, activities, and a popular Easter Egg hunt to the delight of nature fans of all ages.

Both kids and adults alike can join in the fun of this Easter Egg hunt which is a challenging evening treasure hunt that will delight attendees of all ages. Held in the heart of Holden Beach, this annual Easter Egg hunt challenges friends and family members to scour the grounds of a popular public park in search of tons of colorful eggs that will be even more hidden when the sun sets.

The skies over Carolina Beach are brimming with stars and natural wonders, and visitors and locals alike can learn more about this beautiful canopy by attending the Star Party at Carolina Beach State Park. Free and undeniably fun for stargazers of all ages, the Star Party features plenty of events including outdoor shows, telescope viewings, vendors, and other activities to help starry-eyed visitors discover all there is to know about this distinct and always stunning nightly display.

Kids of all ages will have a ball while learning a little bit more about our precious planet at the annual Earth Day Celebration which is held in the heart of Wilmington. During this special afternoon event, the Long Leaf Park in the central region of the Port City will be transformed into a fun, festival atmosphere complete with exhibits, drinks, food, and live music, which all combine to provide an educational yet entertaining day that kids and adults alike will adore.

The Fourth of July is easily one of the most festive days on Bald Head Island, and visitors can join in the fun with a wide array of activities that are found around town. The annual Bald Head Island Fourth of July Celebration is packed with tours, games, food, and fun – as well as a famed annual parade – and is a great way to truly enjoy everything this island community has to offer.

The Bald Head Island or “Old Baldy” Lighthouse is distinguished along the Carolina coastline as one of the oldest lighthouses still standing in the country, and visitors can learn all about this history while having a ball at the annual National Lighthouse Day Weekend. Generally held in early August, this weekend-long event features an array of corresponding activities and attractions that shine a light on this special local landmark, and which provide hours of fun and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Celebrating its 31st year in 2025, the annual Bark in the Park is a playful competition that pits high flying canines of all varieties in a number of competitions that will delight participants and their human spectators alike. Featuring a number of activities, and absolutely free to the public, Bark in the Park is a great outing for family members of all varieties, and especially the furry ones who love to make new friends and show off their stuff at one of the coolest parks in Wrightsville Beach.