Wilmington will be jam-packed with activities and events of all kinds this fall.
Fall in Wilmington brings fewer crowds as the peak tourism season winds down. For some locals, that might mean it's the best time in a while to get out and enjoy the city. And there's no shortage of things to do.
Festivals are littered throughout the coming months, featuring food, live music and much more.
If you're looking to fill in your calendar for the next couple of months, here's a list of 22 activities and events that can keep you busy in October and November.
Trask Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Sept. 19-Nov.1: Trask Family Farms offers 10 acres of corn maze to explore as well as other fall experiences, including a pumpkin patch and hayrides.
Oktoberfest Under the Bridge
Oct. 3: The festival, hosted by Waterline Brewing downtown,
will feature German beers, food and live music. You can expect things like fresh-baked pretzels, lawn games, contests, and plenty more Oktoberfest traditions.
Bark in the Park
Oct. 3: Bark in the Park is returning to Wrightsville Beach for its 31st year. The event celebrates dogs and pits the local pets against each other in a good-natured disc-throwing contest. There will also be a competition for Best Dressed Dog, Best Dressed Team, and Dog Displaying the Most Personality.
The Doobie Brothers
Oct. 6: Famous rock band The Doobie Brothers is coming to town on Oct. 6 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion.
Fire in the Pines Festival
Oct. 10: Hosted at Halyburton Park, Fire in the Pines is an educational and family-friendly festival dedicated to raising awareness about controlled burns in the longleaf pine ecosystem. There will be live entertainment, local food trucks, hayrides and more.
First Cut Horror Film Festival
Oct. 10: Hosted at Jengo's Playhouse, this film festival can help you get in the Halloween spirit with a showcase of horror movies.
Art in the Arboretum
Oct. 10-11: The 30th annual art festival at the New Hanover County Arboretum provides local artists the opportunity to display their art for the community in the outdoor gardens. This year's event will feature over 80 booths.
Autumn with Topsail
Oct. 16-18: This three-day festival in Topsail Beach dates back to 1988. The event features a juried arts and crafts court, live tunes, food vendors, a beer and wine tent, a silent auction, children's games, pancake breakfasts and more.
IRONMAN 70.3
Oct. 17: This hardcore triathlon event is already sold out, but if you'd like to watch the athletes, the course carries them from the Intracoastal Waterway and all around the city before concluding at the downtown Wilmington riverfront.
N.C. Oyster Festival
Oct. 17-18: This Ocean Isle Beach staple dates back to 1978. Of course, it's all about oysters and will feature contests such as oyster shucking, oyster eating and oyster cooking.
Brunswick County Agricultural Fair & Expo
Oct. 21-25: The Brunswick County Fair returns for its second year. Held in Ash, the fair features live entertainment, rides, animal exhibits, food and more.
Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival
Oct. 24: If you want to get some drinking in this fall, this festival promises to offer "more breweries, wineries and delights than you can sample in one day," according to the event website. It's hosted at Riverfront Park/Live Oak Bank Pavilion.
Big Annie’s Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 24: Humphrey Farms in Burgaw calls this music festival their biggest event of the year. It will feature several bluegrass bands as well as food trucks and children's activities.
The Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington
Oct. 1-Nov. 30: This 90-minute ghost tour takes you through all of downtown Wilmington's supposedly haunted spots. The tour occurs nightly through October and November.
Cape Fear Kite Festival
Nov. 6-8: If you're looking for something a bit more unique, Cape Fear Kite Festival -- held at Kure Beach -- has you covered. The three-day event will feature more than 80 professional kite flyers displaying kites of all shapes, sizes and colors.
Southeast North Carolina Veterans Parade
Nov. 7: This parade runs through downtown Wilmington, celebrating the nation's veterans. There will be veteran organizations, military units and marching bands.
St. Stanislaus Polish Festival
Nov. 7: Held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Castle Hayne, this festival features Polish food like kielbasa and pierogi, beers, baked goods and dancing.
N.C. Spot Festival
Nov. 7-8: This festival celebrates the spot fish, with fried spot plates being the main delicacy served. There will also be inflatable rides and live music.
Festival Latino
Nov. 14-15: Celebrate Latino culture in the Cape Fear region at Ogden Park in Wilmington with food, dancing and more.
Cucalorus Film Festival
Nov. 19-22: If you're a movie buff, this festival is for you. The independent film festival returns for its 32nd year.
Kiwanis Park Turkey Trot
Nov. 21: This Thanksgiving tradition offers 8K and 2-mile races, as well as a kids sprint. The races will be held at Hampstead Kiwanis Park and pass through some of the surrounding neighborhoods.
N.C. Holiday Flotilla
Nov. 27-29: To round out November, the N.C. Holiday Flotilla offers a chance to watch the holiday season float on in. The festival begins on Nov. 27 with a kickoff party at Bluewater Grill, but the main event is Nov. 28, with the flotilla parade starting at 6 p.m.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington's fall calendar packs 22 festivals, concerts and events
