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 BETWEEN MAY 21ST TO SEPTEMBER 3RD
Oak Island Farmers & Artisans’ Market | Middleton Park Soccer Field | Oak Island | 8am to 1pm
Starting May 21st and continuing through the season, head down to the Oak Island market to enjoy local fresh produce, homemade jams, cakes, and a variety of homemade goods including jewelry, furniture, rugs and much more! You’ll find plenty of parking in the cabana lot directly across the street. Join us and support our local vendors/businesses!
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.
EVERY WEDNESDAY BETWEEN MAY 2ND TO AUGUST 29TH
Southport Waterfront Market | Ft Johnston Museum Lawn | Southport | 8am to 1pm
Starting May 2nd and continuing through the season, head down to the Southport waterfront market to browse beautiful local produce, baked goods, and handcrafted items. The breeze off the Cape Fear river and occasional live musical entertainment make it a real treat!
EVERY THURSDAY BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY AND LABOR DAY
Summer Concert Series | Franklin Square Park | Southport | 6pm to 8pm
Grab a lawn chair or your blanket and join the crowd for music under the majestic live oak trees in Franklin Square Park. Music lovers will enjoy everything from Americana to Blues, Blue Grass to Beach Music. For an up-to-date schedule of concerts, visit the City of Southport site.
EVERY THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH
NC Maritime Museum Adult Program | 223 E Bay Street | Southport | 7pm to 9pm
Join fellow history buffs for an evening of educational discussion about North Carolina’s maritime history. Topics vary from month to month.
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.
EVERY SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH
Children’s Petting Farm | Greenlands Farmstore | 668 Midway Road SE | Bolivia | 10am to 3pm
Enjoy a close encounter with a variety of farm animals while learning interesting animal facts with your kids. For more information, call (910) 253-7934.
EVERY SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH
Summer Concert Series | Middleton Park | Oak Island | 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Grab a lawn chair and/or blanket and enjoy the sounds of summer every Friday evening at Middleton Park soccer field between May 18th and September 7th. Weather permitting.
EVERY 2ND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH
Sale At The Trail | Ocean Trail | 630 Fodale Avenue | Southport | 8am to 1pm
Join Ocean Trail Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center for their monthly yard sale at their location on Fodale Avenue in Southport.
APRIL EVENTS
APRIL 19TH
A Plastic Ocean Movie Presentation| Oak Island Recreation Center | Oak Island | 6:30pm
Meet Dr. Bonnie Monteleon, Executive Director of Science Research and Academic Partnerships for Plastic Ocean Project during this special movie presentation of “A Plastic Ocean”.
APRIL 20TH
Earth Day Festival | Middleton Park | Oak Island | 10am to 2pm
Celebrate Earth Day with a hands-on environmental, Earth-friendly celebration featuring activities and fun for all ages. Sponsored by the Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department, head out to Middleton Park for this Earth Day event!
APRIL 21ST
Bandtastic! | Hatch Auditorium | NC Baptist Assembly | Caswell Beach | 3pm
The Brunswick Concert Bad will perform its Spring Concert, entitled “Bandtastic!” at Hatch Auditorium just down the road from the Oak Island Lighthouse. The concert is open to the public and free of charge for entry.
APRIL 21ST
Oak Island Lighthouse Run & Walk | Middleton Park Extension | Oak Island | 7:30am
This 20-year tradition is alive and well as a safe, fun and enjoyable event for all fitness levels. Whether you choose to run the 1/2 marathon, 10K or 5K course, you’ll be able to enjoy views of the salt marsh, Atlantic Ocean, wide beautiful beaches and our very own Lighthouse.
APRIL 21ST
Wine Tasting & Auction Fundraiser | Island Way Restaurant | Oak Island | 12pm to 2:30pm
Support the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society during its 19th Annual fundraising event “Embrace Diversity, The Same But Different”. Spend an elegant afternoon sampling twelve different wines while tasting delicious hors d’oeuvres from Island Way and other local restaurants, plus deli and fruits from local sponsors. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by contacting Duane Murphy (540-604-3659) or Billie LeTendre (910-250-9109).
APRIL 27TH
Arbor Day Celebration | Southport | 11am
Join The Adventure Kayak Company for Southport’s Arbor Day Celebration in downtown Southport. Complete with an ice cream social, this celebration of Southport’s trees will surely be a good time for all.
APRIL 27TH
Dosher Foundation Gala | St James Community Center | Southport | 6pm to 11pm
Join the Dosher Memorial Hospital Foundation for a black tie-optional gala-style fundraiser to enjoy delicious food and fun music. Tickets are $125 per person with sponsorship opportunities available.
APRIL 28TH
Pancake Breakfast & Wings and Wheels | Cape Fear Regional Jetport | Oak Island | 8:30am to 1pm
EAA Chapter 939 presents their annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday the 28th followed by their Wings & Wheels event. Come out to enjoy delicious pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice for only $5.00 per person before viewing classic and antique static aircraft displays. Event is open to all cars and trucks.
APRIL 28TH
Southport NatureFest | Various Locations | Southport | 9am
Learn more about our local environment and develop a greater appreciation for it during this event organized by Coastal Water Watch. Featuring engaging speakers and guided outdoor activities, nature enthusiasts and locals alike will enjoy the valuable information offered about the area we all call home.
APRIL 28TH & 29TH
WAIT – Women Anglers In Training | Oak Island Recreation Center | Oak Island | 9am to 4pm
The Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department offers this stress-free, informative training event for all the ladies out there who are tried of being bothered by their husband/significant other when fishing. Come learn more about saltwater fishing including tackle, knots, rigging, flounder fishing, bottom fishing, drum fishing, surf fishing and cast nets. The cost for this program varies upon your training selections. Contact the Oak Island Parks & Recreation Department at (910) 278-5518 for more information.
MAY EVENTS
MAY 4TH
Relay For Life of Brunswick County | West Brunswick High School | Shallotte | 4pm
Celebrate, remember and fight back! Join the Brunswick County community for an incredible and inspiring event to honor cancer survivors, raise awareness, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society.
MAY 5TH
Southport Oak Island Golf Classic | Oak Island Golf & Country Club | Oak Island | 8:30am
Grab your clubs for this 4-person captain’s choice format tournament that attracts a full field of golfers at every skill level! This wonderful event offers the opportunity to network with fellow business owners in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The entry fee of $420/team includes cart, green fees, morning breakfast, coffee, juice, on-course hospitality and lunch. Teams may pre-register at the Chamber office. Check-in on tournament day is at 7:30am with a shotgun start set for 8:30am.
MAY 9TH
Festival of Flowers | 101 Stone Chimney Place | Supply | 4pm to 6pm
Don your prettiest and brightest floral prints and join Lower Cape Fear Hospice for an afternoon full of gardening, delicious food and fun while raising money to support patients and families facing serious and life-limiting illnesses.
MAY 17TH
29th Annual Games & Cards Party | Southport Community Building | Southport | 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Enjoy light refreshments, wonderful raffles and door prizes and an afternoon of laughs and fun with the Southport Woman’s Club during their 29th Annual Games & Cards Party! Tickets are $15 and may be purchased directly from SWC members. Proceeds from the event will benefit local scholarship and charity programs.
MAY 28TH
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony | Southport | 10:30am
Grab the kiddos and head out to Southport’s annual parade and ceremony in observance of Memorial Day. The parade will start at the corner of Lord and 10th Street and end at John N. Smith Cemetery.
MAY 28TH
Annual Memorial Day Observance | Southport Community Building | Southport | 2pm
Join the Southport Junior Woman’s Club and the City of Southport Department of Tourism for Southport’s annual Memorial Day Observance, “Days of Remembrance”. This event honors the United States armed forces and offers American traditions like homemade apple pie and ice cream.
MAY 28TH
Summer Concert Series Kick-Off | Franklin Square Park | Southport | 6pm to 8pm
Help kick off the Southport Summer Concert Series with the Jimmy Buffett-inspired beach music of the Parrot Party. Grab the kids and your lawn chairs for a fun evening in the park.
