The Crystal Coast
Plan an event
Download Podcast
 
Planning a wedding?
Brochure
 Events Calendar | Home 

Events Calendar
There are plenty of activities and events to entertain vacationers on North Carolina's Crystal Coast.
Select a month from the drop menu below to view the current calendar of events.
                                                                       View For PrintView for Print
Hot Wax Surf Camp
Event Date: Sep. 1, 2008
Hot Wax Surf Camp provides a series of camp packages to suit any beginner needs. From hourly sessions to weekly overnight camps.

Camps are only run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday*
of each week in the summer starting on Memorial Day weekend
and ending Labor Day weekend. Privates are run only on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Power Glide camps are offered Wednesday afternoons.
*Camp dates and times are subject to change for weather and attendance.

Call 252-354-6466 for details.


New Pirate Exhibit at the N.C. Maritime Museum
Event Dates: Sep. 1-30, Oct. 1-31, Nov. 1-30, Dec. 1-28, 2008
Throughout history pirates and their exploits have fascinated and entertained people of all ages. The stories of these rogues of the high seas are explored in an exciting new exhibit, "Knights of the Black Flag" premiering August 9, 2008, at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

The new exhibit features life-sized pirates dressed in period clothing and costumes museum goers can slip on to get a taste of the real experience. Replica cannons and weapons including swords, muskets and flintlock pistols used by pirate 'gangsters' to defeat their enemies and secure booty and treasure are on vies.

Knights of the Black Flag" will be open daily, through December 28. Admission to the Maritime Museum is free to the public.

For more information, call (252) 728-7317 or go to www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.







North Carolina Aquarium Events
Event Dates: Sep. 1-30, 2008
One-time events

Monday, Sept. 1, Labor Day
The Aquarium is open the usual hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Weekly Activities

These programs repeat weekly. Advance registration is required. Call 252-247-4003 for more information or to register.

Monday

Succulent Seafood
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join the Aquarium at local restaurants as chefs demonstrate how to prepare fresh local seafood with a flourish. Sessions include a taste test! Ages 12 and up. $15

Tuesday

Behind the Scenes – Aquarium Close Encounters
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Visit labs and holding areas, help with food preparation and feed the animals in this thorough behind-the-scenes tour that includes a look at the Living Shipwreck from above.
Ages 8 and up. $10

Wednesday

Dinner with the Critters
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy pizza, learn about animal care and see what it's like to feed the animals in the invertebrate touch tank. Ages 5 and up. $15

Thursday

Nighttime Pier Fishing
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join Aquarium staff for an introduction to pier fishing. This course covers everything needed to fish from one of the local piers – licensing, bait selection, species information, laws and regulations. Ages 8 and up. $20

Friday

Surf Fishing
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Learn to catch the big ones from the surf with expert instruction and hands-on experience. License requirement is covered. Equipment and bait are provided. Ages 10 and up. $15

Saturday

Breakfast with the Rays
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Enjoy a continental breakfast and help feed these amazing animals before the Aquarium opens for the day. Ages 5 and up. $15

Aquarium ABCs
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Preschoolers spend an hour learning about aquatic species with live animals, crafts to bring home and other fun activities. Ages 3-5. $8

Critter Class
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Creative art projects, games, videos and live animals introduce young children to aquatic life. Ages 6-8. $8

Sunset Kayak Trip
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Explore tidal flats and quiet backwaters as you become aware of the intricate web of life thriving in this pristine natural environment. The Aquarium provides kayaks. Ages 12 and up. $20

Sunday

Early Bird Canoe Trip
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Grab a paddle and join the Aquarium for an adventure your family will never forget. Load up canoes provided by the Aquarium and enjoy a leisurely ride through quiet backwaters to explore the diversity of the salt marsh. Ages 10 and up. $20

Aquarist Apprentice
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Join Aquarium staff on a behind-the-scenes tour, help prepare animal meals and then participate in some daily care and maintenance tasks. Educators teach you about the animals as you assist Aquarists with their caretaking responsibilities.
Ages 13 and up. $25

Behind the Scenes – Aquarium At a Glance
4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas and labs, and get a look at the Living Shipwreck exhibit from above. Ages 5 and up. $5


Programs Free with Admission


Live Dive!
Daily 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Divers swim with the fishes and sharks in the 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck exhibit, and interact with visitors via underwater microphones.

Animal Feedings
Daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Watch the mealtime activity in the 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck or other exciting exhibits throughout the Aquarium.

Creature Feature
Daily 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Why is a horseshoe crab like a spider? How big do sea turtles get? Come to the Big Rock Theater and discover the fascinating world of aquatic animals.

Otter Enrichment
Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.
Playful river otters frolic and feast during their exercise and enrichment sessions.

Storytime
Friday at 9:30 a.m.
Bring your preschoolers to Clearwater Classroom for favorite stories about the world around us.

For more information on these events, please contact Claire Aubel, 252-247-4003.


Hilarious Comedy Comes to The History Place
Event Dates: Sep. 5-7, 2008
The Dixie Swim Club, a hilarious and touching comedy of five unforgettable women, will take the stage September 5-7 at the History Place in downtown Morehead City.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Sept. 5th and 6th and again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7th.

Tickets are $15 and advance reservations are recommended. Wine and refreshments will be available.

Tickets are available in Morehead City at the History Place 1008 Arendell Street), Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. 4 p.m., (252) 247-7533, Poor Richard's 105-D Wayne Drive, Dee Gees Books and Gifts 508 Evans Street, or in Beaufort at the Beaufort Historical Association 130 Turner Street.


Boatbuilding Carpentry (Round-bottom)
Event Dates: Sep. 6-7, Dec. 13-14, 2008
Sponsored by the NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort

The Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, located across from the main museum building, is open for viewing wooden boat construction and restoration and ship model building.

Boatbuilding Skills Classes are designed for novices and experienced woodworkers. Boatbuilding Carpentry is a prerequisite for the Boatbuilding classes. Boat in a Day is for an adult/child team working from a pre-cut kit.

Contact the museum for details, 252-728-7317 or visit the website.

Event Times: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Friday Free Flicks
Event Dates: Sep. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, 2008
Sponsored by Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation.

Movies are family oriented. Free and open to the public, children must be accompanied by an adult. Popcorn and drink for $1.00. Please bring chairs and or blankets, no outside beverages or snacks. Call 252.354.6350 for movie title one week prior to showing.


Event Times: 7:00 pm

Cinema by the Sea at Gallants Channel
Event Date: Sep. 12, 2008
An outdoor summer film series presented by the NC Maritime Museum

Gates open at 7:00 p.m.
Entrance Fee is $10 per carload or $2 per person for walkups
Entrance fee includes free admittance from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm to the Repository for Artifacts and the exhibit: "Our Sunken History: Archaeological Treasures for North Carolina Shipwrecks."
Movie begins at sunset.
Refreshments and snacks are available for purchase on site.
Proceeds support North Carolina Maritime Museum programs.
No dogs or pets, please. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult

For details, www.cinemabythesea.com or 252-728-7317.

Atlantic Beach Saltwater Classic
Event Dates: Sep. 12-13, 2008
Formerly known as the Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Tournament

For details, call Terry Adkins, 800-546-4622

4 X 4 Beach Volleyball Tournament- Emerald Isle
Event Date: Sep. 13, 2008
Tournament location: Western Ocean Regional Access, Islander Drive, Emerald Isle.

This is an "open gender" series and players must be at least 16 years old. Participants can pre-registration at a team fee of $55 if registered by 5:00pm the Friday before game day. Game day registration is $75 and participants must be registered by 8:30am the day of the tournament. Registration fees go towards prize money going to the top two teams (70% to first place; 30% to second place).

Teams must bring their own ball and will act as officials when not playing. Note: officiating may be required after elimination. There are no rain dates and refunds will be issued for bad weather. FIVB/EI beach rules apply.

For registration, payment and general information contact Brittany Wood, Recreation Coordinator at 252-354-6350 or bwood@emeraldisle-nc.org

Event Times: 9:00 am until the last game is over

Crystal Coast Showcase of Homes
Event Dates: Sep. 13-14, 2008
The Carteret County Association of Realtors is sponsoring the first ever Showcase of Homes for the Crystal Coast. There will be over 200 homes featured.

Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

For information, call 252-247-2323

A full listing of homes will be soon be available on their website.

Free Concert on Beaufort Waterfront
Event Date: Sep. 18, 2008
Robert McDuffy

Location: Beaufort waterfront beside the Dock House by the clock

For more information, please contact Pat Wesson, 252-504-3396

Beach Jive After Five Summer Concert
Event Date: Sep. 18, 2008
Event Time(s): 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Located at the Western Ocean Regional Access in Emerald Isle

Featuring: STRETCH (Acoustic Originals and Covers)

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers- or even dinner. Enjoy live music and th tranquil ocean breeze. This beach access also features sand volleyball courts, picnic tables and restrooms. Alcoholic beverages prohibited in this and all Emerald Isle Parks.

Free to the public!

For more information: 252-354-6350 or www.emeraldisle-nc.org.

3rd Annual Crystal Coast Super Boat Grand Prix
Event Dates: Sep. 19-21, 2008
If you're looking for excitement and feel the need for speed, then come watch the Crystal Coast Super Boat Grand Prix on the Morehead City Waterfront!

Last year's event was so successful that Morehead City has earned a permanent spot on the racing calendar. Watch the Super Boat races from the Morehead City waterfront, one of the best places for up-close audience viewing on the racing circuit.

Some of the activities for this year's race weekend include a "Taste of Crystal Coast" reception, Block Party, Cook Out and Awards Banquet.

The tickets for the race are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets may be purchased at EJW Sports and at the Port Authority gate. Military can purchase tickets at ITT aboard Cherry Point Air Station.

All of the net proceeds from the race will go to benefit The Downtown Morehead City Revitalization Association.

Contact Keri McCann for details: 252-422-8853




Emerald Isle's 3rd Annual Day4Kids
Event Date: Sep. 20, 2008
Bringing adults and children of all ages together for a fun-filled day of vendors, activities, games, face painting and more!

Celebrate our children by spending meaningful time with them. Day4Kids will be held Saturday, September 20th from 10am to 2pm at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Center, 7500 Emerald Drive in Emerald Isle. Rain or Shine.

Call for details 252.354.6350 or email Laura Lee at ldavis@emeraldisle-nc.org. Interested vendors and sponsors should contact Laura Lee Davis, Event Director. Vendors are NOT allowed to sell items, giveaways only. There is no vendor fee. However, vendors are responsible for giveaway items (approved by event director) for the first 400 children to visit their booth.

Sponsor a meaningful event for the children of our community by supplying the funds necessary to provide this free day of family fun. The vendor application/agreement and sponsorship forms are available at www.emeraldisle-nc.org.



Event Times: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Boatbuilding Classes at the Watercraft Center
Event Dates: Sep. 20-28, 2008
Boatbuilding in one week! Boatbuilding carpentry is a pre-requisite for the classes.

Location: Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center directly across from the N.C. Maritime Museum

Call 252-728-7317 for more information



Event Times: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Fort Macon Civil War Reenactment
Event Dates: Sep. 20-21, 2008
This event features Civil War–period activities performed by members of the 1st N.C. Volunteers. Similar events also take place in April and July. Talks on flags, uniforms and Civil War dress are held, as are musket firings and drills. Admission is free.

For more information, 252-726-3775

Emerald Isle's 2008 Flounder Fishing Tournament
Event Dates: Sep. 20-27, 2008
Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation and The Reel Outdoors are sponsoring the 2008 Flounder Fishing tournament to kick off the surf-fishing/beach driving season that starts September 15. 

The tournament will run one week from 6am on September 20 to 4pm on September 27, 2007.  Registration is FREE and the Reel Outdoors will be providing prizes for the top 4 anglers! 

Registration starts at 8:30am on September 5 and will run through 5:30pm on September 19. The Reel Outdoors is the official weigh-in station.  All flounder must be caught by fishing on foot (surf, pier, inlet, sound) from Fort Macon to Emerald Isle; no boats. 

See complete rules on the back of the registration form, which may be picked up at The Reel Outdoors or the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center. Registration forms and rules may also be downloaded at http://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/eiprd.

Contact Brittany Wood for more information, 252-354-6350

Fall Family Fun Day at The History Place
Event Date: Sep. 21, 2008
Event Time(s): 2:00 pm
The whole family can be part of constructing life-size scarecrows that they can take home for their own fall decorations. Each scarecrow will be created for notable people of Carteret County including John Motley Morehead, Morehead City's founder; Emeline Pigott, confederate spy, or even Blackbeard the pirate. Guests will learn a little history about some of the prominent people in Carteret County while having a lot of fun.

Guests should bring a pair of denim pants (jeans), a flannel shirt and a pillow case, or for a small charge, the museum will supply them. The History Place will also furnish the straw, stuffing, backbone boards, nails, hammers, rope and pins to hold the scarecrows together. Light refreshments will be served.

The cost is $10 per scarecrow and seating is limited. Call the History Place at 252-247-7533 ext. 106 historyplace@starfishnet.com to reserve your seat for this fun family outing.

The History Place is located at the corner of 11th and Arendell Streets in downtown Morehead City.


Down East FolkArts Society Concert Season Kick-off
Event Date: Sep. 21, 2008
Event Time(s): Reception- 2:30 pm, Concert- 3:00 pm
Join us at the Morehead City Train Depot with family and friends as we kick off our 16th season!

The Bogue Sounds, talented Carteret County musicians, will bring a wide range of instruments and an eclectic mix of music from the British Isles, Americana, Swing, and originals.

A reception open to the public begins at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, September 21. The concert starts at 3:00 p.m. and at intermission several lucky members will win raffle prizes such as CD's, gift certificates, massages, and more. Admission is $10.

See www.downeastfolkarts.org for more information, or call (252) 504-2787.

Carteret County Numismatic Coin Show
Event Dates: Sep. 26-28, 2008
Location: Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City

Coins collectors from near and far travel to this annual event to view, sell, swap and trade coins of all types. This show is hosted by the local Numismatic Coin Club and is a popular event.

For more details, 252-247-3883

                                                                       View For PrintView for Print