4th of July shenanigans, free art camps, funky flower fest, kitten yoga, charity baseball night, and more.
June 27, 2025
Happy Friday, Wilmington. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Wilmington Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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4th of July fun 🎆
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Funky flower fest 🌸
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Yoga with kittens 🐱
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Summer festival lineup: The region’s summer fun kicked off this week with the 22nd annual North Carolina Blueberry Festival and moved into today’s Fourth of July Festival in Southport and Oak Island, with BAD Day Music & Arts on July 12 and fall’s Dragon Boat Regatta and Native Plant Festival to follow — check out the full lineup.
Even more summer fun: Free arts camps, family nights, and veteran-focused programs are now available across the area for all ages — explore them here.
Greenhouse cover ripped away: High winds tore the cover off Willowdale Urban Farm’s greenhouse just days before a critical planting window, and volunteers have launched a GoFundMe to fund repairs — lend your support here.
Is your bank underperforming? If you’re earning less than 3.80% APY with your current savings account (the national average is 0.41% 👀)… the answer is yes. Do yourself a favor and take the time to open a SoFi savings accounts. It could earn you up to 9x more in interest on top of no fees and a $300 bonus with eligible direct deposits — what are you waiting for?
Highlights this week
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Aircraft start up to build in Greensboro
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Explore the best places to live in North Carolina
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Attend charity baseball night benefiting WAC
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Enjoy kitten yoga while supporting a cat rescue
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Discover top vendors at the wedding expo
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Endurance’s auto warranty is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pom-pour perfection: When life gives you apples, Pour Taproom turns them into sparkling, spiced sips you didn’t know you needed—whether you’re into crisp and dry or sweet and cinnamon-kissed, they’ve got the pour to match your fall-in-love mood.
Last bite, best bite: Tiny towers of frosting, molten center marvels, and a sugar swagger that’ll keep you guessing what’s coming next—Sweet D’s Cuisine is where your sweet tooth (and your Instagram feed) both get their moment in the spotlight.
Mic drop central: From shower-stall solos to power-ballad bravado and the occasional “sorry, not sorry” encore, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot hands you the mic, cranks up the neon, and dares even the most tone-deaf among us to steal the show.
Bolt action: Hunting for bold florals, buttery satins, or that perfect canvas for your next DIY masterpiece? Mill Outlet Village stocks bolts of fabric so good you’ll actually look forward to hemming, quilting, or just petting every. single. yard.
Plot twist (AARP is actually amazing): It’s packed with perks that actually matter — discounts at hotels, restaurants, flights, even car rentals. Plus, you’ll unlock a second membership for free for someone else in your house. At just $15 per year… it’s kind of a no-brainer.
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📆 Wilmington happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎉 Sports Card & Pokémon Mixer 2 @ Wilmington Convention Center | Friday (6/27) at 3 pm – Ready to catch ’em all? Wilmington’s biggest Pokémon & sports card extravaganza returns with over 250 vendor tables, rare finds, and the one and only Jason Paige live in concert on Saturday! Snap up that meet & greet, trade like a pro, and relive the nostalgia with fellow trainers and collectors alike.
🛍️ Sunny Day Market @ Water Street Park | Friday (6/27) at 5 pm – Kick off your weekend with an artisan vendor market, permanent jewelry pop-up by Fern & Hazel, and food trucks serving up all your cravings alongside fresh-squeezed lemonade. Live music sets the soundtrack for your Friday night—gather your crew and make Water Street Park the place to be!
🎨 Power of Pigment Art Show @ Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens | Friday (6/27) at 6 pm – Dive into a kaleidoscope of hues as Todd Lengyeltoti unveils the secrets behind his vivid creations. Set against the elegant Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens, this exhibit marries historic charm with modern color explosions. Perfect for a Friday-night art fix—come see why pigment truly packs a punch.
This weekend
🏍️ Ducati Soft Opening & Rebranding Party @ Cape Fear Moto Group | Saturday (6/28) at 11 am – Ready to shift your weekend into high gear? Demo rides will get your adrenaline pumping while CMA fires up burgers and dogs just how a backyard cookout should be. Wash it all down with Wilmington Brewing Company’s Tropical Lightening on tap, try your luck in the surprise-item raffles, and show off your skills in cornhole and other yard games.
💇♀️ Natural Hair Care Class @ Blendsations Beverage Bar at The Roastery | Saturday (6/28) at 12 pm – Banish bad hair days once and for all with insider tips on moisture retention, twist-outs, and protective styling. Bring your favorite products (and a friend) for hands-on demos over delicious Blendsations sips. Your strands—and your selfie game—will thank you later.
🌞 Sun Catcher Class @ Bazar | Saturday (6/28) at 2 pm – Ready to add some sunshine to your décor? Crafted from sturdy, 1/4-inch laser-cut MDF, you’ll build and personalize your very own 12–16-inch sun catcher in this two-hour, hands-on workshop. All skill levels welcome—just bring your creativity and a sunny disposition.
🎧 Pride Silent Disco @ Hi-Wire Brewing | Saturday (6/28) at 7 pm – Get ready to groove in silent style at Hi-Wire Brewing for Durham Pride’s Silent Disco! Slip on your headphones and switch between three DJ channels—because singing off-key has never felt so liberating. Come celebrate love, identity, and self-expression in technicolor tunes.
⚾ Wilmington Sharks vs. Greenville Yard Gnomes @ Legion Stadium | Saturday (6/28) at 7:05 pm – Minor-league magic under the lights as the fin-tastic Sharks take on the mischievous Yard Gnomes—expect cracking bats, frosty beers, and the occasional rogue gnome. Rally your crew, don your team colors, and get ready for big swings and even bigger laughs!
🌸 Funky Flower Fest @ Waterline Brewing Co. | Sunday (6/29) at 12 pm – Waterline Brewing Co. is blooming with local florals, handcrafted goods, and mouthwatering bites from Kimchi Taco and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Sip on craft beers, groove to live tunes, and dive into face painting, permanent jewelry, and small-biz shopping—all under one sunny roof.
🍔 Ghost Pepper Smash Burger Pop-Up @ Tap Yard | Sunday (6/29) at 2 pm – Ghost Pepper is bringing their smash-burger magic back to Tap Yard for one tasty day only. Sink your teeth into creations like the “Notorious P.I.G” or the cheeky “O.K. Boomer,” paired perfectly with Tap Yard’s specialty pours. No cover charge, just fiery flavors and cold drafts under the summer sun.
🌈 Love Dance 2025 @ Cameron Art Museum | Sunday (6/29) at 2 pm – Celebrate summer, community, and PRIDE with an afternoon tea dance in CAM’s lush courtyard. Groove to DJ Louis’s beats, stroll through a Pride Gallery Tour, and snag goodies from the Pop-Up Pride Shop. Sip CAM Café’s signature Love Punch, cool off with Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, and bask in love’s rainbow glow. Perfect way to spend a sun-drenched Sunday.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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6/28 Big Something @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater – 4:30 pm
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6/28 Mac & Juice @ Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar – 7 pm
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6/28 Captain Mike & The Shipwrecked @ Bowstring – 7 pm
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6/28 Gladys Knight @ CFCC’s Wilson Center – 7:30 pm
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6/28 Chandler Carpenter and the Reckless Souls @ Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – 8 pm
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6/28 Jared Michael Cline @ The Underfront Co. – 9 pm
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6/28 The Slys @ Greenfield Lake Yacht Club – 10 pm
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6/29 Jared Michael Cline @ Goat & Compass – 4 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Wilmington edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Tory Kuehner Group (Landmark Sotheby’s International Realty) – 4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | Built in 2014 | 3331 sqft
Golf course views so close you’ll be tempted to critique every swing—preferably from the comfort of your screened-in porch or sprawling back deck, beverage in hand. The circular driveway makes every arrival feel like a grand entrance, and the 3-car garage ensures there’s room for your ride, your toys, and maybe even that golf cart you keep “borrowing.” Inside, granite countertops and stainless appliances in the open kitchen set the stage for culinary showdowns, while the first-floor primary suite delivers spa vibes and closet space that could swallow a small car.
Upstairs, a bona fide movie room—complete with projector and screen—waits for popcorn-fueled marathons or impromptu karaoke nights. The whole-home generator and encapsulated crawlspace keep things running smoothly, even when Mother Nature tries to crash the party. For those who crave more than just fairways, there’s deeded access to a private boat ramp and the perks of Porters Neck Country Club, where tennis whites and poolside lounging are practically a lifestyle requirement.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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Raleigh, NC 27606, United States of America
