20 things to do in what's shaping up to be a wild Wilmington weekend

The fall events are beginning to stack up hot and very heavy now in the Wilmington area. And even though the Port City's biggest fall festival, Riverfest, was canceled for this weekend, plenty more events have lined up to take its place. From theater and visual art to festivals and tons of concerts,

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The fall events are beginning to stack up hot and very heavy now in the Wilmington area.

And even though the Port City's biggest fall festival, Riverfest, was canceled for this weekend, plenty more events have lined up to take its place.

From theater and visual art to festivals and tons of concerts, there's lots to see and do, so let's get into it. Read on for our curated list of this weekend's events.

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

'Waitress'

Oct. 2-4 at CFCC Wilson Center: Broadway tour of the popular musical hits the road for its 10th anniversary. The show is based on the 2007 movie about a small-town pie-baker/diner

waitress looking for a fresh start at life. With songs by Grammy-winning Broadway icon Sara Bareilles. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 910-362-7999.

'The Wolves' (PTPT)

Oct. 1-4 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Wilmington's PTPT Apprentice Theatre presents the play by Sarah DeLappe about an intensely competitive girls' high school soccer team, whose conversations range from the jocular to the intense. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 910-632-2285.

Brendan Sagalow

Oct. 2-3 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: You've seen this very funny comic on the reels and various podcasts, and he was also one of the New Faces of Comedy at Montreal's prestigious Just For Laughs festival. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $30 and $42.

Thalian Hall Cinema

Wile E. Coyote is at the center of the live-action/animated hybrid shenanigans of

Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at Thalian Hall: A pair of new movie releases screen at historic Thalian Hall this weekend. "Late Fame" (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) stars Willem Dafoe as an aging, and fictional, poet who rediscovers his spark via an offbeat group of young creatives. "Coyote Vs. Acme" (Sept. 30-Oct. 2) is the new animated comedy based on the accident-prone Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote. For screening times and tickets, go to ThalianHall.org or call 910-632-2285.

'Dracula'

Oct. 2-4 at Thalian Hall: Thalian Association Community Theatre brings the classic vampire story to the stage. Josh Zieseniss directs, with an original score from Wilmington actor/comic/musician Patrick Basquill. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Oct. 2-3, 2 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 4. 910-632-2285.

'The Wolves' (UNCW)

The UNCW theater department presents the play

Oct. 1-4 at the Mainstage Theatre in the Cultural Arts Building, UNCW campus: University of North Carolina Wilmington's theater department presents the play by Sarah DeLappe about a girls' high school soccer team, whose conversations range from the jocular to the intense. UNCW theater professor Christopher Marino directs an all-student cast. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $8-$17. 910-962-3500.

FRIDAY

Creative Castle First Friday Art Walk

Castle Street mural near Fifth Avenue, completed in 2020.

Oct. 2 on Castle Street: Brand-new monthly event aims to showcase Wilmington artists and bring folks down to historic Castle Street between Third and 12th streets. Businesses including River's Edge Art Supplies and Home Plate Provisions will host art exhibits, live sketching and painting, musicians/DJs and more. Other participating venues include The Good Lie mini-golf bar, Gravity Records, Elemental Grove Emporium, The Roasted Bookery and more. 5-9 p.m. Friday, free.

'Sherman's March'

Oct. 2 at Jengo's Playhouse: Screening of Ross McElwee's acclaimed 1985 documentary that comedically blends Southern history with the filmmaker's own romantic travails. 7:30 p.m. Friday, $10.

Andy Frasco & The U.N.

Andy Frasco & the UN perform at the Sea.Hear,Now Festival in Asbury Park on September 18, 2022.

Oct. 2 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Genre-blending rock band has played Wilmington a number of times in the past. 7 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $40.

Jonah Kagen

Jonah Kagen headlines Summerfest's Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard July 4, 2026.

Oct. 2 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Savannah, Georgia, alt-country artist has had viral success. 7 p.m. Friday, $33.

SATURDAY

Old School R&B vs. Hip-Hop

Oct. 3 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: The house is always packed for this annual concert. Performers this year include R&B singer Sunshine Anderson ("Heard It All Before"), rapper Fabo from D4L and DJs B Lord, SkillZ, Mike Lang, Bigg B and Sandra the Midday Miss. 6 p.m. Saturday, $40.

Saxquatch

Saxquatch performs during The Big Stomp at Waterfront Park on Friday, July 26, 2024.

Oct. 3 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Jam band is led by a 7-foot-tall saxophonist. 7 p.m. Saturday, $25.

Oktoberfest Under the Bridge

Oct. 3 at Waterline Brewing: With live music from Harbour Towne Fest Band, German-inspired food, beer, games, a costume contest and more. Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, free.

Carolina Beach Music Festival

Oct. 3 at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Ballyhoo! headlines the reggae edition of the annual beach music festival, with sets by Cape Fear Rising and Wilmington's own Signal Fire. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, $35 in advance, $40 day of show.

Bark in the Park

Oct. 3 at Wrightsville Beach Park: Celebration of canines and canine agility has been happening annually for some three decades now. 11 a.m. Saturday, free.

Sean Thomas Gerard & David Dixon

Wilmington songwriter Sean Thomas Gerard, in his home studio space in his garage.

Oct. 3 at Live at Ted's: Hometown Wilmington hero Sean Thomas Gerard returns to the Port City to play his shimmery brand of poppy rock. With Wilmington singer/songwriter David Dixon. 8 p.m. Saturday, $12.

Sam Morrow

Oct. 3 at Yacht Club: Texas, California and now Nashville musician brings his blend of Southern rock, blues and funk to town in support of new album "Southern Boogie." With Wilmington favs Les Fontanelles. 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show Friday, $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

SUNDAY