Family events in Wilmington, NC

Cool off with Water Works at the Fit for Fun Center, where the outdoor play area becomes a lively water zone perfect for sunny-day fun. Enjoy splashy activities, plenty of laughs, and a refreshing ice pop along the way. Pre-registration is required.

Head to Wilmington Summer Market & Festival for a fun three-day outdoor weekend along the riverfront. You can browse local crafts and handmade goods, shop unique fashion and home décor, and grab plenty of tasty food from area vendors. There will also be live entertainment and family-friendly activities throughout the event.

Smart Start offers free Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups for families with children ages 0 to 5. These groups meet weekly, and no pre-registration is required. This session takes place at the New Hanover County Northeast Branch Library. All families are welcome to attend.

The Oak Ridge Boys bring their Celebrating Route 66 tour to the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, highlighting more than five decades of music-making. The show features rich four-voice harmonies and lively favorites that have produced dozens of country hits along with a pair of crossover pop singles. Their long career has earned recognition from the Grammys, Dove Awards, the CMA, and the ACM, as well as many additional accolades from fans and the industry. This event is for all ages and offers a family-friendly concert filled with classic songs and upbeat spirit.

Experience Colonial-era evenings by candlelight at the Burgwin-Wright House as interpreters share rituals, superstitions, and nightly routines from a time before electricity and modern comforts. Registration is $25 plus tax. Space is limited, so advance reservations are required. To reserve, call (910) 762-0570. Please do not email.

Holy Cross hosts the 2nd annual Back-to-School Wellness Fair, a community-focused gathering that supports students and caregivers as a new school year approaches. The fair takes place at the church and will proceed regardless of weather. Attendees can connect with New Hanover County Health and Human Services for SAFE Kids guidance, information on social services, and community nutrition resources. New Hanover County Fire & Rescue will share fire safety education and provide car seat checks. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office will present Crime Awareness and Prevention programming that addresses anti-bullying and Stranger Danger, along with the Elements youth violence intervention program and information from School Resource Officers. Novant Health’s Community Care Cruiser will offer RemarkableYou screenings at no cost for adults 18 and older, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and prediabetes assessments. Cub Scout Pack 205 will participate, and the Wilmington Lions Club will provide free vision screenings. Together, these partners deliver practical tools and health services to help families prepare for the school year.

Discover why Wilmington earned recognition as America’s first World War II Heritage City, a distinction that reflects its wartime contributions and ongoing preservation of significant sites. Learn how the city surged into a World War “Boomtown” through shipbuilding, chemical production, and other vital industries, and hear how downtown neighborhoods provided a temporary home for soldiers and sailors before they shipped out. The tour also explores homefront stories, including local lore that Wilmington’s prominence helped spark the only German bombardment on the U.S. mainland. Trace the places and moments that shaped the city’s role in the war and its lasting legacy.

Players gather for a Pokémon League session featuring age-division matchups and plenty of chances to tune up a deck against a wide field. The event uses the Standard format with Swiss rounds, best of one. The entry fee is $8, and entry can be purchased in store. Every participant receives one POP Pack. Prizes are awarded as store credit per match win. For three round events, players earn $5 in store credit for each win. For four round events, the payout is $4 per win. Any player who finishes undefeated, X-0, receives one pack from the most recent Standard set. Only sets that have had a prerelease count as Standard.

Camp CMoW offers a week of discovery, creativity, and hands-on activities. Each day introduces a new theme, giving campers opportunities across art, STEM, and literacy at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington. Engaging activities, hands-on exhibits, and imaginative projects spark curiosity throughout the week. A special field trip caps the experience with a memorable finale. A single-day option is available.

Rising Stars is a performing arts camp for kids ages 7 to 10. This week’s theme focuses on “Once Upon the Stage” and “Movie Magic,” inspired by Disney, with a mix of acting, singing, dancing, and hands-on art projects that explore Disney stories, characters, and settings. The camp runs each weekday as a full-day program, with options for a morning and afternoon session.

Smart Start offers a free Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group for families with children from birth to age five. Open to all families, the program meets each week and does not require advance registration. This session takes place at New Hanover County Public Library.

Embark on a kid-focused Dungeons and Dragons campaign with the Goblin Guild, where imagination leads the way. An in-house Dungeon Master guides the action, while players collaborate to shape the story, make decisions, and drive each adventure forward. The experience is designed to foster teamwork, creativity, and responsibility. Open to all skill levels for participants up to age 14. This is a recurring campaign, so returning players can continue their journey, and newcomers are welcome to drop in as they wish. To ensure everyone has time to shine, each session is limited to 7 players. Entry fee is $15.

Celebrate summer by creating a beautiful basket in a three hour class that is open to the public. Learn how to craft a coiled rope basket from 100% cotton and complete it in one session. The baskets are relaxing to make, they look wonderful at home, and the technique is easy for beginners while still satisfying for experienced artists. All ages are welcome. Art teacher Star Edwards will guide you as you choose colors and learn to design, coil, and stitch a one of a kind piece, with time to connect with friends while you craft. Registration includes step by step instruction, all 100% cotton materials, and a cocktail or a mocktail.

Sea turtle talks from the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project take place at North Carolina Coastal Federation and are designed for all ages. Attendees explore sea turtle biology, the nesting season on Wrightsville Beach, current conservation efforts, and practical steps anyone can take to help protect these creatures. It is a welcoming program for families, locals, and visitors who want a clear introduction to these animals and what to look for along the local shoreline.

Kids can cut loose at the climbing gym during an open session designed just for them. Every Wednesday features a relaxed, unstructured environment where young climbers can scale the walls, explore at their own pace, and simply have fun. Staff members are available to handle ropes for anyone who wants to go higher, and the format welcomes all experience levels, from first-timers to experienced kids. A parent or caregiver is required to remain with their child for the duration of the session. Admission is $17, which includes a day pass and all necessary rental gear.

Discover a large seasonal children’s consignment sale packed with savings on infant, kids, juniors, and maternity clothing, along with shoes, accessories, toys, books, games, craft supplies, bedding and decor, furniture, sports equipment, strollers, car seats, outdoor gear, and more. All items come from multiple individual consignors, creating a wide variety of finds at budget friendly prices. Choosing to reuse helps your wallet and supports local families and a small family business. Shoppers will find back to school options from basics to boutique, plus Halloween costumes, early holiday gifts and stocking stuffers, gently used books to share with a classroom library, and replacements for outgrown swimwear. Early shopping opportunities are available. Free pre sale admission is offered to new parents, whether expecting or with a baby under one, as well as foster and adoptive parents, grandparents, teachers, military, and first responders. Another way to access the pre sale is to bring a donation valued at $10 in products or cash for the Diaper Bank of NC, which covers entry for two adults. Children are always admitted free, and public shopping is free too. Parking is available across the street, with handicap permit spaces next to the building.

Smart Start facilitates a Circle of Parents gathering at Church of the Servant in Wilmington for families with young children. The program serves parents of children ages 0 to 8 and parents of children with special needs up to age 12. It is open to all parents and caregivers, and older siblings can attend as well. Families share a meal together, then children take part in a group for children while adults participate in parent discussions. There is no cost to attend.

This casual meet up pairs a Stroller Strides workout with time at the Long Leaf Park Splash Pad. Start with the fitness session, then gather for a relaxed playdate with plenty of splash time.