We finally made it.
The last, official weekend of summer is upon us, as fall officially begins Sept. 22.
And, while I hope you had a great summer, the fun doesn't have to stop. This weekend's Wilmington-area events are proof of that. From a bawdy, puppet-powered musical and a touring Netflix comic to a ton of live music and a range of festivals there's a ton going on, so let's get into it.
Read on for the full list. For more ideas of things to do this weekend and in the coming weeks, check out our lists of fall festivals in Wilmington and fall concerts coming to the area.
ALL WEEKEND
'Avenue Q'
Sept. 17-27 at Thalian Hall (studio): Laugh-out-loud, Tony-winning musical comedy is packed
with puppets — and with four-letter words, so leave the kids at home. Ben Thomas-Reid ("Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors," "Disaster: The Musical") directs for Panache Theatrical Productions. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Sept. 24-26, 2 p.m. Sunday and Sept. 27. 910-632-2285.
Cape Fear Native Plant Festival
Sept. 16-20: Five-day event features speakers on plant-related topics at the New Hanover County Arboretum, plant sales at multiple locations and garden tours. Details on EventBrite.com.
Wilmington Coffee Fest
Sept. 18-19: Roasters and coffee shops from around the area will assemble to offer samples and purvey their wares in the Cargo District. WilmingtonCoffeeFest.com.
'Hey 23: A Call Back to Tree Hill'
Sept. 18-20: Weekend-long convention for Wilmington-shot series "One Tree Hill," which premiered 23 years ago in 2003, features a pep rally, celebrity basketball game, live music with Tyler Hilton, a Clothes Over Bros fashion show, photo ops and autograph sessions. Confirmed guests include actors Barry Corbin, Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty and Sophia Bush. Friday through Sunday,tickets at FriendsWithBenefitsEvents.com.
Widespread Panic
Sept. 18-19 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Beloved jam band returns to town for a two-night stand. Official after-party is on Friday at Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard on Princess Street with Sicard Hollow, and on Saturday at Yacht Club in downtown Wilmington with Andy Thomas. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, "verified resale" tickets start at $203.
Cape Fear Arts in Motion
Sept. 17-18 at Thalian Hall: Wilmington's Forward Motion Dance Company presents its annual Cape Fear Arts in Motion performance, billed this year as "Winds, Rhythm, and Soul." The blend of dance, music, film and visual art features such styles as modern, contemporary, hip-hop, classical and jazz. Organized by Wilmington choreographer Tracey Varga, this year's guest choreographer is Phillip Clyde Bernier ("Mary Poppins," "The Wizard of Oz"). 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 910-632-2285.
Strictly Liquid
Sept. 18-20: Young jam band will be playing eight sets at four Wilmington venues in 50 hours as part of the so-called "Widespread Panic weekend." 3:30-7 p.m. Friday at Fermental, 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Hi-Wire Brewing, 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Katy's.
Jared Freid
Sept. 18-19 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Comic, podcaster and writer had a Netflix special ("37 & Single") in 2023 and had his first book, "Walking Red Flag: Dating Advice From Your Favorite Guy Friend," published by Simon & Schuster this year. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $30 and $42.
FRIDAY
ZZ Top
Sept. 18 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Blues/boogie/pop legends led by vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons recently suffered the death of drummer Frank Beard. 7 p.m. Friday, "verified resale" tickets start at $83.
Larry Keel Duo
Sept. 18 at Live at Ted's: Virginia musician is one of the best flat-picking guitarists around. 8 p.m. Friday, tickets are $48.
Wendy Kelly
Sept. 18 at Yacht Club: Singer and storyteller formerly with pop/rock/country duo Ginger Martini is bringing her one-woman musical cabaret act, "One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show," to town. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show Friday, tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day of show.
'Draw or Die'
Sept. 18 at Jengo's Playhouse: Inspired and insightful documentary film about the life and work of late Wilmington artist Minnie Evans, who was born in rural Pender County in 1892 and went on to have her mysterious, mesmerizing drawings and paintings exhibited in some of the country's top galleries. Produced and directed by Linda Royal. 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, $10. Post-screening discussion with filmmakers.
SATURDAY
Carolina Beach Dragon Boat Regatta and Festival
Sept. 19 at Carolina Beach Yacht Basin: This one-of-a-kind event features costumed teams racing dragon-themed watercraft. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, details at TheIslandMen.com.
Beckwith Recital Series
Sept. 19 at Beckwith Recital Hall, UNCW campus: Saxophonist Gabriel Sanchez and pianist Elizabeth Lopartis will play the program "Latin American Rhythms and Dances" to mark Hispanic Heritage Month. The duo will explore such Latin American musical traditions as samba, tango and more. With music by Astor Piazzolla, Arturo Márquez, Miguel del Águila, Paquito D’Rivera, Manuel Vásquez, Jesus Bonilla and Vinicio Meza. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $14.
Wilmington Book Fair
Sept. 19 at Waterline Brewing: Dozens of vendors will have books, books-related items and more for sale. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, free.
Battle of the Bands
Sept. 19 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Five acts will perform 30-minute sets to raise money for First Fruit Ministries. Winner gets a $1,000 paid show at Bowstring, recording session and photo shoot. Acts are Passenger Seat, Justin Heter Pan, Joe Copple & Wild West, The Queen's Giant and Carlos Rising. 7 p.m. Saturday, $10.
SUNDAY
Foreigner
Sept. 20 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Veteran rock and pop band celebrates 50 years of such hits as "Cold as Ice" and "Hot Blooded." 8 p.m. Sunday, tickets start at $30.
'28 Days'
Sept. 20 at Jengo's Playhouse: Wilmington-shot movie stars Sandra Bullock as a recovering alcoholic. Part of the Hope Arts Fest. 5 p.m. Sunday, $10.
John Staton is the arts and culture reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at jstaton@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 18 things to do in the Wilmington area for the last weekend of summer
