Things to Do in Wilmington and Southeast NC This Weekend

Port City Daily reported that the Cape Fear region’s Li’l Friday lineup features dozens of weekend events across theater, music, art, and culinary happenings, kicking off with ABBAmania at Thalian Hall and stretching across Pleasure Island kites, Castle Hayne Polish food, and historic site pumpkin detonations.

What is happening on Pleasure Island for the Cape Fear Kite Festival?

There is also a neon dance party with a DJ and drone show, taking place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Things to Do in Wilmington and Southeast NC This Weekend

Where can visitors find authentic Polish food in Castle Hayne?

The annual Polish Festival is returning to the Cape Fear region this weekend at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church at 4849 Castle Hayne Road from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The church brings in authentic kielbasa, pierogi, golabki, and chrusciki from Pennsylvania to sell.

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How do you blow up a pumpkin with Civil War technology?

The North Carolina Historic Sites and Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site is hosting the Great Pumpkin Blowout from noon to 4 p.m. For a $10 fee, participants can bring their Jack-o-lanterns to detonate with the exact technology that was used during Civil War times to blow up torpedoes. According to the historic site, the gourds that do not have as much carving provide the best explosions. Tickets are available onsite the day-of, though watching is free, with all proceeds funding educational programming at the site on Saint Philips Road SE.

What music and theater performances are scheduled around Wilmington?

The weekend schedule features heavy musical acts and theatrical revivals across multiple venues. ABBAmania brought its global disco-pop tribute tour to Thalian Hall on Thursday evening with tickets starting at $53.50. Meanwhile, the Port City Blitz at Waterline Brewing hosts more than two dozen bands across two days, featuring punk acts like The Rumjacks, Strike Anywhere, and Corrosion of Conformity.

At the Wilson Center, Electric Light Orchestra’s music will be performed by a 12-piece band accompanied by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra’s string section on Friday evening. Over the weekend, the venue also hosts Monty Python’s Spamalot for three performances starting November 7, following a critically acclaimed 2023 Broadway revival.

Where is the Southeast NC Veterans Parade marching?

Veterans and active-duty personnel are being celebrated on Saturday in downtown Wilmington during the Southeast NC Veterans Parade from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It kicks off at the corner of Hanover and North Third streets, concluding at Market and Third. It is free to attend and open to the public, though attendees should anticipate closed streets downtown.