Throughout the year, Southport and Oak Island highlight a variety of holidays and national observations (as well as the importance of just plain fun with your neighbors) with special events. The most well-known of these events would have to be the North Carolina 4th of July Festival in Southport. This annual event is the largest 4th of July celebration in the state with various activities and entertainment planned locally for the entire week. (If you haven’t booked your stay for that week, you may want to do so as that week’s rentals fill up fast! On the other hand, don’t worry if you can’t make it to Oak Island in July as there are plenty of events happening all year long.) Be sure to check this page regularly as we will continue to update with event information as it is made available.
ON-GOING EVENTS
EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH
Oak Island VFW Bingo | 103 SE 50th Street | Oak Island | 6:30pm to 10:30pm
The public is invited to join the Oak Island VFW for a game (or two) of bingo. A fee is required to participate and cash prizes are awarded to winners. For more information, call (910) 278-9978.
FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH
First Friday Gallery Walk | 211 N Howe Street | Southport | 5pm to 7pm
Browse and shop the latest creations from area artists at the First Friday Gallery Walk. Wine and appetizers kick off this monthly event where guests stroll through downtown Southport viewing featured artists at Franklin Square Gallery, Art @ 211, Ricky Evans Gallery, Howe Outrageous, Lantana’s Gallery and Southport’s Silver Coast Winery and Gallery. You may even enjoy a bit of live music along the way! For more information, call (910) 457-1129.
DECEMBER EVENTS
DECEMBER 11TH
Alcohol Ink & Cuff Bracelets | 1102 N Howe Street | Southport | 6pm to 8pm
Join Coastal Bound in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes for 2 crafts in 1! Try your hand at painting with alcohol ink and turning your work into a stylish cuff bracelet. Nancy Turner will lead this fun class. Registration is required.
DECEMBER 12TH
Garden Whimsies | 1102 N Howe Street | Southport | 10am to 12pm
Enjoy learning about the care and potting of succulents into some great whimsical containers with Leslie of the Treasured Cottage. Also on the schedule are fun garden whimsies out of old pots, china and other containers. Registration is required.
DECEMBER 13TH
Family Fun With Paper | 1102 N Howe Street | Southport | 6pm to 8pm
Join Coastal Bound in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes for family fun with paper! Learn how to make gift boxes, unique gift tags and all kinds of fun ways to perk up your holiday gift giving season. Dagmar and her “cricket” will be on board as well. Registration required.
DECEMBER 14TH
Candy Cane Flashlight Hunt | Bill Smith Park | Southport | 6pm
Find candy canes along with red and green eggs on the softball field of Bill Smith Park. Enjoy hot chocolate and a visit with Santa for that perfect holiday photo opportunity!
DECEMBER 15TH
Bolivia Christmas Parade | 3848 Old Ocean Highway | Bolivia | 11am
Bring the little ones for this small town celebration! See Santa before viewing the town’s new volunteer fire department.
DECEMBER 15TH
Winter Wonderland | Brunswick Senior Center | Southport | 7pm to 10pm
Join The Mount Carmel AME Church for its 2nd Annual Yuletide Extravaganza! Entertainment will be provided by Deas Destinations. $25 donations are accepted. Please contact the church office at (910) 457-6582 for information on how to purchase tickets.
DECEMBER 26TH
Let’s Paint: Family Art Fun | Coastal Bound | Southport | 10am to 12pm
Parents, grandparents, kids and friends are all welcome! Play together and explore painting for only $20 per person at Coastal Bound in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes. Registration is required.
DECEMBER 27TH
Let’s Collage: Family Art Fun | Coastal Bound | Southport | 10am to 12pm
Parents, grandparents, kids and friends are all welcome! Play together and explore collage for only $20 per person at Coastal Bound in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes. Registration is required. Be sure to bring photo copies of pictures, quotes, old magazines, books, etc. It may get messy!
DECEMBER 28TH
Let’s Craft: Family Art Fun | Coastal Bound | Southport | 10am to 12pm
Parents, grandparents, kids and friends are all welcome! Play together and explore crafts for only $20 per person at Coastal Bound in the Olde Southport Village Shoppes. Registration is required.
DECEMBER 29TH
Mosaic Madness | Coastal Bound | Southport | 1pm to 3pm
Create your own themed glass decorated window for your home or to give as a gift. The cost is only $40 per person, registration is required.
JANUARY EVENTS
JANUARY 14TH
Wine Dinner | Castucci’s, An Italian Joint | Southport | 10am to 12pm
Due to the popularity of its first wine dinner of the year, The Grape & Ale has partnered with Castucci’s for another fun event in the month of January. The special guest for the evening will be Matthew Carroll from European Cellars. Join these 2 businesses for a delicious 5-course meal with the tastiest wine pairings around. The price is only $50 per person and tickets may be purchased at either The Grape & Ale or Castucci’s.
JANUARY 20TH
25th Annual MLK, Jr. Celebration March | 1011 N Howe Street | Southport | 3pm to 5pm
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream lives on with this celebration march through the streets of Southport. This event, hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee of Southport NC is in its 25th year and welcomes all who will join them in representing this great leader’s dream for our future.
JANUARY 21ST
5th Annual MLK, Jr. Roundtable Breakfast | 209 E Nash Street | Southport | 8am to 11am
Join the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee of Southport NC for breakfast and a round table discussion about the man who brought hope and healing to American when it needed it most and what we need to do as citizens to carry on the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion and dignity during the rockiest of times. The speaker is TBD and tickets are $12 each.
JANUARY 24TH
Cooking for Crowds Workshop | 30 Government Center Dr | Bolivia | 9am to 1pm
Good intentions aren’t always “good” enough when it comes to cooking for a large group of people. Join the NC Cooperative Extension for this special food safety workshop for volunteer groups to learn how to safely and efficiently conduct a food event. This 4-hour workshop will feature instructors: Morgan Marshall, Extension Area Agent/NC Cooperative Extension, Rachel McDowell, Area Specialized Agent in Consumer and Retail Food Safety/NCSU & NC Cooperative Extension, and Cheryle Jones Syracuse, Food Safety Instructor. Registration is $10 per person with each registrant receiving educational material, digital thermometer and a light lunch. For more information, please visit the NC Cooperative Extension or its website.
JANUARY 26TH
Women Only Safe Boating Class | Oak Island Recreation Center | Oak Island | 8am to 4pm
Grab your gal pals and head over to the Oak Island Recreation Center for this women-only class given by the US Coast Guard Auxilary. This one-day boating course satisfies all state requirements and covers general information about boats and maintenance, preparing for safe and enjoyable outings, navigation rules and aids to navigation, guidelines for operating your boat or personal water craft safely, what to do in case of boating emergencies, and state-specific laws and regulations you must follow. The course fee is $35 per person or $30 for 2+ attendees. Cash and check are accepted at the door but you may also pay with PayPal on the Flotilla’s website. Please contact Dawn Smith at BoatingSafely@ec.rr.com for more information.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
FEBRUARY 2ND & 3RD
Salt Water Fishing School | Oak Island Recreation Center | Oak Island
Join Captain Jerry’s Salt Water Fishing School for sessions on catching speckled trout, red and black drum, flounder, sheepshead, gray trout, Spanish and King mackerel, offshore bottom fish and throwing/casting nets. Each session runs from 9am to 4:30pm and includes lunch. For more information, call Captain Jerry at (910) 279-6760 or email him at captjerry@captjerry.com.
FEBRUARY 8TH
Black History Symposium | 223 E Bay Street | Southport
Stop by the Southport Community Building to view local black history on display throughout the weekend. This year’s presenter, Donnie Joyner, is an amateur North Carolinian Black History researcher and historian. The event is free and open to the public; however, donations are appreciated.
FEBRUARY 14TH
Maritime Valentines | NC Maritime Museum | Southport | 5:30pm to 8pm
Drop the kids off with the wonderful staff and volunteers at the museum while enjoying a kid-free evening to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Kids will partake in arts and crafts, activities, games, movie time, pizza dinner and homework help. Registration is $25 per child and closes the day prior at 5pm. Contact the museum for more information on how to register your kiddos!
FEBRUARY 22ND
Diamonds & Denim Ball | St. James Community Center | Southport | 6pm to 10pm
Support the Brunswick Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation by attending this prestigious event. The night features Black Water Rhythm & Blues Band, hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, wine, beer, dancing, and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $80 per person and go on sale in early January. For more information, call (910) 253-0922.
