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.
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 THIRD FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH
Southport Movie Night | Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn | Southport | 8:45pm
Bring the kids as well as your chair and popcorn to enjoy a movie under the stars on the Garrison Lawn in Southport. Weather permitting, movies will be shown at dusk (approximately 8:45pm) during the summer season. A complete schedule/list of movies being shown can be viewed on the City of Southport’s website.
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.
OCTOBER EVENTS
OCTOBER 4TH TO 6TH
US Open King Mackerel Tournament | Southport Marina
The Granddad of all NC King Mackerel tournaments returns to Southport for another year! Over $100,000 in prizes will be given in the tournament’s guaranteed prize structure. Spectators of the tournament are free; however, there is a fee for entry. Entertainment, delicious food and more await!! For more information, visit http://www.usopenkmt.com.
OCTOBER 5TH CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE FLORENCE
5th Annual PEER Fishing Festival | Ocean Crest Pier | Oak Island | 8am to 4pm
Come out to Ocean Crest Pier for a fun-filled day of fishing honoring NC’s Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans. This event invites over 350 Wounded Warriors, disabled veterans and their guests. Join us for lunch, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, t-shirts, and prizes. Rods and reels, tackle and bait will be provided.
OCTOBER 12TH
DMH Foundation Golf Classic | Oak Island Golf Club | Oak Island | 9am
Support the Dosher Memorial Hospital Foundation by participating in this fun, golf-lover’s event! This three-person Captain’s Choice Event includes four flights (including a women’s flight) and offers great cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winning teams in each flight. Registration per team is $405 and includes green fees, cart, use of driving range, player’s gift, refreshments, and awards dinner after golf. Single players play for only $135 and will be added to a team. The number of players is limited so be sure to contact Oak Island Golf Club at (910) 278-5275.
OCTOBER 15TH TO 21ST
Forks, Corks & Kegs | Various Locations | Southport & Oak Island
Diners rejoice! The Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce kicks off its inaugural Restaurant Week for the Southport-Oak Island area and would like your support! Enjoy special menu items and price points as well as pre-fixed dining options at more than 10 area restaurants and wine shops. Participating establishments include Bella Cucina, Blue Cow Grille, Dry Street Pub & Pizza, Gourmet To Go & Catered Affairs, LLC, Mr. P’s Bistro, Ports of Call Bistro, Shagger Jacks, Southport Cheese Shoppe, Southport Smoke House, The Grape & Ale, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Uncorked By The Sea. For more information on participating restaurants and specific offerings, visit https://www.forkscorkskegs.com.
OCTOBER 19TH
20th Anniversary Celebration Gala | 101 Stone Chimney Road | Supply | 7pm to 10:00pm
This year, New Hope Clinic is celebrating 20 years of serving our community by providing medical, dental and prescription services to low-income, uninsured Brunswick County adults in a patient-centered setting. Help celebrate this important milestone by attending this fun-filled gala.
OCTOBER 25TH
Brunswick County Annual Fall Festival | 45 Courthouse Drive | Bolivia | 6pm to 9pm
This free annual festival offers visitors hot dogs, drinks, candy, a cake walk, haunted trail, hay ride, kid games and other fun events as well as a costume contest. Rain date will be November 1st.
OCTOBER 26TH
Spook or Treat | 209 N Atlantic Avenue | Southport | 6pm to 8:15pm
Join Southport Parks & Recreation for some spooky fun, crafts, treats, and don’t forget our hayride and haunted gym. They’ll be looking for the funniest, scariest, and cutest contests with 1st and 2nd place winners announced in the following age groups: 5 and under, 6 to 9, and 10 to 12. For more information, please contact Maureen Moore at (910) 279-3331 or (910) 457-7945.
OCTOBER 26TH
Ultimate Trivia Challenge | The Brunswick Center | Southport | 6:30pm to 9pm
Gather your team of 6 players to compete in the Ultimate Trivia Challenge sponsored by the Southport Woman’s Club and Southport Junior Woman’s Club. This BYO event offers light snacks with the winning team receiving prizes and “bragging rights”. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased by email to pmsample@gmail.com.
OCTOBER 26TH & 27TH
Scarrison House | Fort Johnston’s Garrison House | Southport | Various Times
Southport’s spirits will gather at the Fort Johnston Southport Museum for Brunswick Little Theatre’s annual Scarrison House! Ghosts of pirates, sea captains, soldiers, weeping women and more will provide child-friendly and teen/adult scares. For specific age group times, please visit the City of Southport website.
OCTOBER 27TH
Classic Cars ‘n Rock ‘n Roll | Downtown Southport | 10am to 4pm
The Cape Fear Cruisers will hold its 5th Annual Car Show with live music from local bands, a costume contest, a 50/50 drawing and class trophies!
OCTOBER 27TH
Stede Bonnet Pirate Regatta | Provision Company | Southport | 6pm to 8:15pm
Arrgghh Mateys! This “Pirates Only” annual classic regatta is sponsored by the owners of Provision Company. Captains and crew must be in pirate costume for the captains meeting, race and award ceremony and Pirates Ball. The lines can be long so come early!!
NOVEMBER EVENTS
NOVEMBER 3RD
Holly Days | Southport Baptist Church CMC Building | Southport | 9am to 4pm
Head over to Southport Baptist Church for their annual arts and crafts festival. This fundraising event supports the Southport Baptist Church Bellamy Women’s Group Projects.
NOVEMBER 3RD
9th Annual Southport Wooden Boat Show | 107 Yacht Basin Drive | Southport | 10am to 4pm
Vote for your favorite boat entrant for People’s Choice Award while meeting and talking with wooden boat makers and owners at this year’s show. All along the waterfront, guests will enjoy a model boat exhibit, nautical and maritime demonstrations, children’s activities and exhibits.
NOVEMBER 9TH & 10TH
Artisans Holiday Boutique | Marker 614 | Southport | 9am to 4pm
Make this year’s holiday shopping just delightful with a visit to the Artisans Holiday Boutique at Marker 614. Choose your items from the selection of over 60 artisans offering fine arts and crafts, flower arrangements, jewelry, paintings, ceramics and more! All are offered at unequal values in scenic downtown. Options are also available for special orders.
NOVEMBER 10TH
Oak Island Dog Games | Middleton Park | Oak Island | 10am to 4pm
Join The Sergei Foundation to raise funds for its Coastal Chapter serving Brunswick and New Hanover counties in its mission “Saving companion pets’ lives by coordinating care for sick and injured dogs or cats, providing families with resources to obtain life-saving veterinary treatment.” This rain or shine event will include beginner and experienced competitions, dock jumping, a pet adoption area and area vendors. For more information, visit https://ncdoggames.com/about/.
NOVEMBER 23RD
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Franklin Square Park | Southport | 4:30pm
Join City of Southport Mayor Dove and other Southport revelers as the holiday season kicks off with a countdown to the lighting of the holiday tree in Franklin Square Park. Sing your favorite Christmas songs and delight in the reading of “The Night Before Christmas”.
