Seasonal HAPPENINGS

Enjoy a weekend filled with performances by some of the world’s greatest traditional and swing jazz musicians during the North Carolina Jazz Festival Feb. 6-8. Lace up your running shoes and run from Wrightsville Beach to Historic Downtown Wilmington during the Novant Health Wilmington NC Marathon Feb. 22, a Boston Marathon qualifier or don your swimsuit for the Polar Plunge and 5k Run-N-Plunge at Kure Beach’s Ocean Front Park Feb. 8. Enjoy live music from the Band of Oz, Jim Quick & Coastline Band and others during the East Coast Shag Classic at the Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort Jan. 30-Feb. 2.

Dinner & A Sunset Show

Spend an evening in Wilmington savoring great food and entertainment. Visit Thalian Hall to see stunning performances like the Cabaret now through Jan. 12 or H.M.S Pinafore Jan. 31. Indulge in authentic Italian fare on a private balcony featuring sunset views over the river at Floriana. Find award-winning cuisine at manna ave. 123, Wilmington's only restaurant to receive the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. Catch “Dear Evan Hansen” Jan. 18, “Riverdance: The New Generation” Feb. 15, “The Addams Family” March 4 and more at The Wilson Center, the largest and most technologically advanced performance center in the eastern NC. Fill your evening with laughter and live entertainment at Dead Crow Comedy Room. For drinks after the show, swing by Pour Taproom & Bar for craft cocktails, local wine and beer offerings.

ROOTED IN HISTORY

Spanning more than 230 blocks, Wilmington is home to one of the largest National Register Historic Districts in the South. Tour historic home museums like the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design, Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens or Latimer House Museum. Experience the Colonial nightlife with a candlelit guided tour during the Night Tour at the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens the first Friday of each month. The first city in the country to be designated an American World War II Heritage City, Wilmington is also home to the WWII Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. Embark on your own discovery aboard the Battleship or book one the of many guided tour offerings led by knowledgeable volunteers. In Kure Beach, visit the new Visitor Center featuring new exhibits at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, the site of the largest land-sea battle during the Civil War. 

Explore African American history at Cameron Art Museum and visit the nation’s first United States Colored Troops (USCT) Park, which honors 1,600 USCT who once fought on the grounds of the museum during the Civil War. The centerpiece of USCT Park is Boundless, a life-size bronze sculpture by artist Stephen Hayes. Visit Feb. 22 to attend the museum's Living History event to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the battle featuring reenactors, film screenings and more. 

Outdoor Activities

Bask in the feel-good glow of the sunshine at our nearby island beaches: Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Hike one of Carolina Beach State Park's nine trails, two of which are wheelchair accessible, or visit on Saturdays at 10 a.m. to go on a park-ranger led hike to learn about the park's diverse ecosystems. In Kure Beach, visit Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and embark on a winter hike along the Basin Trail, a popular 2.2-mile trail for birding and hiking. In Wrightsville Beach, walk or jog along The Loop, a 2.5-mile trail that encircles the island providing scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Banks Channel. It's not too early to listen to the call of the sea and start planning your spring and summer beach vacations; make your reservations for island accommodations now!