Week of April 1, 2024 - April 7, 2024

  • Wednesday, April 3rd - Sunday, April 7th
Wilmington

For more than 75 years, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has reigned supreme as one of the biggest and best festivals along the southeast coastline, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun to experience full days of vendors, live music, parades, and other events that shine a spotlight on the lively city of Wilmington. Founded in 1948, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has emerged as one of the most anticipated events in the state, and the celebration attracts visitors from all over the world who want to discover how enchanting the Cape Fear region can be.

  • Wednesday, April 3rd - Sunday, April 7th
Wilmington

Arguably one of the most anticipated corresponding events of the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival, the NC Azalea Festival Historic Home Tour is a rare opportunity to take a peek into both private and public sites in the heart of downtown Wilmington, and to learn more about this historic Port City community. Featuring an array of eye-catching residences that can be admired inside and out, this tour gives an inside look into centuries of local history in an engaging and educational way.

Week of April 22, 2024 - April 28, 2024

  • Wednesday, April 24th 7:30 AM
Kure Beach

Discover a beautiful little corner of the globe while celebrating Earth Day by participating in this engaging run, jog or walk that explores one of the prettiest sections of Kure Beach. The 5K Race for the Planet begins and ends at the Fort Fisher Aquarium, and the no-pressure race is a fun way to uncover all the beauty of this southernmost strip of coastline in the Cape Fear region.

Week of May 27, 2024 - June 2, 2024

  • Monday, May 27th
Wilmington

Head to the deck of one of the most famous landmarks in coastal North Carolina for a Memorial Day observance ceremony that won’t soon be forgotten. The Battleship North Carolina Memorial Day observance is an annual event that pays tributes to the men and women who bravely served our country, and which features a patriotic service on board one of the most impressive American battleships to sail the seas.

Week of June 10, 2024 - June 16, 2024

  • Friday, June 14th
Wilmington

Celebrate fly flag by flying your own colors on board one of the biggest landmarks in downtown Wilmington with this special event that combines history and patriotism with ease. The annual Flag Day at Battleship NC is a prime opportunity to celebrate the holiday while exploring one of the most impressive battleships to come out of the WWII era.

Week of July 1, 2024 - July 7, 2024

  • Thursday, July 4th
Southport

Revered as one of the oldest Independence Day celebrations in the state, the North Carolina 4th of July Festival is a big event that attracts visitors from all along the coastline and miles beyond to the charming town of Southport. Boasting a parade, a fair-style collection of vendors, a myriad of shows and activities, and a stunning display of fireworks over the water, this annual event lives up to its reputation as one of the most beloved 4th of July celebrations on the coast.

  • Thursday, July 4th
Bald Head Island

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.

Week of October 21, 2024 - October 27, 2024

  • Saturday, October 26th
Southport

There’s a lot to enjoy at the annual Classic Cars n’ Rock n’ Roll Cruise-In – a cool car show that’s held in the heart of Downtown Southport, and which features much more than the array of gorgeous and vintage automobiles. Featuring activities and attractions for visitors of all ages, this annual event that is brimming with live music, contests, and other activities is sure to be a crowd pleaser for the car lovers in your crew, and anyone who wants to dive into the community spirit of this coastal town.

Week of October 28, 2024 - November 3, 2024

  • Saturday, November 2nd
Southport

Water lovers of all ages and all varieties will have a ball exploring the fun and educational Southport Wooden Boat Show. Held in the peak of fall, this annual celebration brings together talented boat makers and mariners to showcase a stunning display of wooden boats, while providing a little history on Southport’s maritime heritage and life on the water.

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni