Week of December 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025

  • Tuesday, December 31st 9:00 PM
Carolina Beach

The aptly-named Pleasure Island is the place to be in the Cape Fear region to ring in the new year, thanks to a hopping beach boardwalk, music and dancing, plenty of refreshments, and a beautiful backdrop next to the Atlantic Ocean. The Island of Lights New Year's Eve Celebration lives up to its name with a traditional fireworks show and a grand beachside party that is sure to have everyone in the family ready to ring in the new year with style.

Week of January 27, 2025 - February 2, 2025

  • Thursday, January 30th - Sunday, February 2nd
Carolina Beach

Get ready for an event that will have you dancing the night away at this special affair that is celebrating its 13th year in 2025. The East Coast Shag Classic is a celebration of classic and North Carolina-based beach music and dancing with a host of events that range from raffles to social mixers to concerts to keep everyone entertained and on the dance floor.

Week of March 31, 2025 - April 6, 2025

  • Wednesday, April 2nd - Sunday, April 6th
Wilmington

For more than 75 years, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has reigned supreme as one of the biggest and best festivals along the southeast coastline, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun to experience full days of vendors, live music, parades, and other events that shine a spotlight on the lively city of Wilmington. Founded in 1948, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has emerged as one of the most anticipated events in the state, and the celebration attracts visitors from all over the world who want to discover how enchanting the Cape Fear region can be.

Week of June 2, 2025 - June 8, 2025

  • Saturday, June 7th
Carolina Beach

Going strong for more than 30 years, the Carolina Beach Music Festival ushers in the summer season with a full day and night of great music that is just steps away from the sand. Billed as the "the biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the North Carolina coast" by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, this annual festival is a great way to experience the sights, sounds, and all-around fun of this popular beach town while enjoying some great music along the way.

Week of June 30, 2025 - July 6, 2025

  • Friday, July 4th
Southport

Revered as one of the oldest Independence Day celebrations in the state, the North Carolina 4th of July Festival is a big event that attracts visitors from all along the coastline and miles beyond to the charming town of Southport. Boasting a parade, a fair-style collection of vendors, a myriad of shows and activities, and a stunning display of fireworks over the water, this annual event lives up to its reputation as one of the most beloved 4th of July celebrations on the coast.

Week of September 29, 2025 - October 5, 2025

  • Saturday, October 4th - Sunday, October 5th
Wilmington

Second only to the springtime Azalea Festival in terms of size, activities and attendance, the annual Riverfest is an all-encompassing festival that celebrates life by the water. Featuring a lineup of events that include exhibits, vendors, competitions, kid activities, fireworks, and so much more, this family-friendly event ignites the Wilmington downtown area with miles of fun to go around.

Week of November 17, 2025 - November 23, 2025

  • Wednesday, November 19th - Sunday, November 23rd
Wilmington

The Cucalorus Film Festival has been going strong for 30 years, and this annual film festival is well known as one of the biggest and best of its kind in the Cape Fear region and well beyond. Renowned as one of the largest film festivals in the southern United States, this multiple day event features a wealth of films, shorts, live entertainment, music, and many more ways to celebrate Wilmington’s reputation as the Hollywood of the East Coast.

Victory Beach Vacations

Visitors who are on the hunt for the postcard-perfect vacation rental in the heart of the Carolina Beach or Kure Beach area will find an enticing selection and plenty of friendly customer service when they rent through Victory Beach Vacations. Based in Carolina Beach in the coastal Cape Fear region, Victory Beach Vacations has more than 100 vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes to ensure that every vacationing family can find their dream home away from home on the beach.   When you book your Cape Fear getaway with Victory Beach Vacations, the fun doesn’t end when you leave the beach, it continues with an array of privately-owned properties outfitted with all of the amenities needed for a fabulous beach vacation.   Jenna Lanier, General Manager, explains that her family first opened the rental and property management business in 2002. At the forefront of Victory Beach operations is Lanier’s mother, Caroline Meeks. Meeks is both the Broker in Charge and co-owner with husband, Buck Meeks, who manages the Field Services team with Lanier’s husband, Scott.   For nearly 20 years, the Victory Beach team has worked tirelessly to establish a network of top-of-the-line rental properties for Cape Fear visitors to enjoy. “As far as our properties go,” explains Lanier, “they are all updated, well-furnished and appointed. “We have always performed post-cleaning inspections and since the pandemic, have put freshly laundered duvets over all of the comforters between rentals.”   Lanier emphasizes how important the guests experience is “we strive to give our guests a relaxing, stress free, memorable vacation.” This emphasis on customer service has led to Victory Beach Vacations having a 4.8 Google rating with over 300 reviews by happy owners and guests.In addition to Victory Beach’s superior sanitation practices, the company offers properties for every type of visitor. Choose from luxury oceanfront houses and condos to more reasonbly priced 2nd row properties with oceanviews. Many properties include pools and hot tubs as well, perfect for outdoor entertaining, and many are dog friendly.   Lanier also notes that all properties are within walking or driving distance to Pleasure Island’s main attractions – Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. The former, as described by Lanier, is the more commercialized of the two destinations and features a boardwalk, outdoor dining options and a plethora of weekly activities including fireworks, live music, amusement park pop-ups, and movies under the stars. Kure Beach offers a more residential feel with its fishing pier, intimate restaurants and family favorite, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.More water fun awaits, too. “There is a harbor and a canal that feed into the intercoastal. We have several properties on the harbor so guests can bring their boat, kayak, [or jet ski] and travel between islands,” says Lanier.   A stay with Victory Beach Vacations is an annual pilgrimage for most. “A large percentage of guests are previous guests. Some even reserve the same property for the next year as they’re checking out,” Lanier says. “It’s almost like it’s their personal vacation home.”   Even before guests arrive at their vacation destination, the Victory Beach Vacations’ website greets them with a live beach cam and exquisite aerial footage of both Carolina and Kure Beaches. See for yourself by scanning the QR code and call Victory Beach Vacations at 910.458.0868 to book your Cape Fear getaway. Start making your memories today! —Grace Silipigni