Crystal Coast Vibes April 17-23

Friday, April 17

• Shorebird Hike
  NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores
  Join an Aquarium naturalist for a guided walk on the beach as you search for sandpipers, plovers, willets, and other shoreline specialists.
  8:00-9:30 am | $15 non member / $13.50 aquarium member

• 5th Annual Crystal Coast Star Party 2026  
  Cape Lookout National Seashore, Harkers Island
  Experience Starlight Cruises with guided night sky tours by Cape Lookout National Seashore Park Rangers and NASA Solar System Ambassadors, a guest speaker from NASA and activities for the kids!
  Variouis times and prices, check the website 

• Beaufort Wine and Food Spring Fest
  Throughout the Crystal Coast. Two more days of events, including wine dinners, wine tastings, coffee tastings, and olive oil tastings. See the website for all the details

• An Acoustic Evening with Sidewalk Prophets
  Parkview Baptist Church, Morehead City
  An intimate evening of music, stories, and hope.
  7-9 pm | $23.53-$116.36

• Bourbon and Burgers Dinner Pairing
  Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
  Enjoy three quality bourbons, each one perfectly paired with a cheeseburger slider.
  $66.63 | 6:30-8:30

• Historic Grounds Social Tasting: An Elevated Afternoon of Coffee 
  Historic Grounds Coffee Shop, Beaufort
  A refined afternoon where coffee takes center stage. Sip thoughtfully curated roasts, enjoy delicate pairings, and savor an elevated coffee experience inspired by the tradition of high tea.
  3 pm | $51.25

• In Good Spirits: where the pours are bold and the vibes are loose
  Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort
  The pours are bold, the vibes are loose, and “just one more taste” becomes a lifestyle. This is not a quiet swirl-and-sniff situation. It’s a roam the tent, glass in hand kind of night.
  6-9 pm | $112.75

• Last Wine Dinner for the Season
  Christina's A Wine Boutique, Cedar Point
  A Spanish-themed lineup featuring a five-course meal paired with five wines.
  6 pm | $95, Wine Club members $85

• Meet the Makers: A Wine Mixer
  Cru Wine Bar, Beaufort
  Sip, mingle, and meet the faces behind the bottle at an easygoing wine social featuring wine talent, light bites, and great conversation.
  1-3 pm | $71.75

Saturday, April 18

• Crystal Coast Choral Society - “If You Believe in Music”
  Swansboro United Methodist Church, Swansboro
  Musical selections from Pop, Gospel, and Classical favorites.
  4 pm | Free ($10 donation suggested)

• 5th Annual Crystal Coast Star Party 2026  
  Cape Lookout National Seashore, Harkers Island
  Experience Starlight Cruises with guided night sky tours by Cape Lookout National Seashore Park Rangers and NASA Solar System Ambassadors, a guest speaker from NASA and activities for the kids!
  Various times and prices, check the website 

• New Bern Follies 2026
  New Bern Civic Theater, New Bern
  A night of unforgettable live entertainment as New Bern Civic Theatre presents the New Bern Follies Vaudeville Variety Show. 
  7:30 pm | $24

• Beaufort Wine and Food Spring Fest
  Throughout the Crystal Coast. Two more days of events, including wine dinners, wine tastings, coffee tastings, and olive oil tastings. See the website for all the details.

• Earth Day
  The Curb Market, Morehead city
  A special Earth Day event highlighting sustainability, nature, and community with local vendors, music, kids’ crafts, and hands-on gardening and planting activities for all ages.
  10 am-Noon | Free admission

• Blooms & Bubbles: sip, stem, and create  
  Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, Beaufort
  Spend the morning with Grow Social florist Cody Aubel as you learn how to add finishing floral touches to the perfect gift in this mini workshop while sipping on Champagne Jeeper. A bottle is included to take home!
  10 am | $76.88

• Kayak Demo Day
  Morehead City Transient Docks, Morehead City
  Complimentary kayak demo offered by Trusty Sail & Paddle. Try both paddle and pedal-powered kayaks.
  Free | 10 am-2 pm

Sunday, April 19

• Sweet Carolina Honey Showcase
  Weeks Farm, Newport
  Enjoy small nibbles, sweet treats, and sample mead (honey wine) from a local vineyard hobbyist. Purchase honey beer brewed by Shortway Brewery. Nine local chefs will compete for prizes in several menu categories.
  5-7 pm | $75

• Beaufort Wine and Food Spring Fest
  Join the afterparty.

Monday, April 20

• Beach Scavenger Hunt
  Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach
  Take a stroll on the beach with a park ranger to see what we can find, from drift beans to sea glass, and of course, seashells.
  10-11 am | Free

Tuesday, April 21

• Art Gallery Exhibition
  Carteret Community College, Morehead City
  Celebrate creativity, talent, and artistic expression at Carteret Community College’s Student Art Gallery Exhibition—a dynamic showcase featuring the work of our talented student artists.
  8 am-7 pm | Free

• Sound Discoveries: "Blue Carbon" Film Screening
  Carteret Community College, Morehead City
  In celebration of Earth Day, Carteret Community College Foundation invites the community to a special Sound Discoveries screening of the documentary "Blue Carbon: Nature’s Hidden Power".
  5:30-7 pm | Free

• Swing into Spring Dance Class  
  Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
  Learn a fun cardio dance with swing style vibes, paired with uplifting music! No partner needed, and all skill levels are welcome! Come try something new, or bring your favorite dance partner for a fun and energizing night in The Gardens!
  6:30-8 pm | $25

• Wine-O-Rama Wine Flights
  Aqua Restaurant, Beaufort.
  An evening of friends, fun, and fine cuisine, with FOUR new fresh and fabulous wines during the course of your meal.
  5:30-8 pm | $15

Wednesday, April 22

• Art Gallery Exhibition
  Carteret Community College, Morehead City
  Celebrate creativity, talent, and artistic expression at Carteret Community College’s Student Art Gallery Exhibition—a dynamic showcase featuring the work of our talented student artists.
  8 am-7 pm | Free

• Puzzle Night and Competition 
  Carolina Home and Garden, Newport
  Teams of up to 4 people race to see who can complete a 500 piece puzzle the fastest. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places! 
  6:30-8:30 pm | Seat reservation $8.20, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

Thursday, April 23

• Art Gallery Exhibition
  Carteret Community College, Morehead City
  Celebrate creativity, talent, and artistic expression at Carteret Community College’s Student Art Gallery Exhibition—a dynamic showcase featuring the work of our talented student artists.
  8 am-7 pm | Free

• Beaufort’s Dolphins, Getting to Know Them  
  North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort
  Bottlenose dolphins are seen in Beaufort year-round, but they’re not the same individuals. Join Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster to learn about the biology, behavior, and conservation issues affecting “Beaufort’s Dolphins.”
  Noon-1 pm | Free

• Paint Party 
  Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
  A beautiful, relaxing evening of creativity painting soft, spring-inspired florals: dreamy wisteria and cheerful daffodils.
  6-8 pm | $42

• Vermicomposting Class
  Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
  Learn how worms can turn your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer. You'll explore the basics of composting and create your own take-home vermicomposting setup.
  6:30-8:30 pm | $46.13, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

• Wine Tastings with Jay
  Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
  Taste some wines from many different wineries around the world while Jay tells you a little bit about each one. Each week will feature something new.
  5:30-7:30 pm |  Admission $10.25, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

Future Events 

• 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort.
  May 2

• Pirate Fest in Downtown Swansboro
  May 9

• Atlantic Beach Beach Music Festival at Atlantic Beach Circle.
  May 16

Recurring Events

• Upcycle at Art Council of Carteret County, Morehead City | Daily 11am-5 pm, March 7-April 25

• Beach Yoga Every Day - Western Beach Access, Emerald Isle | Daily 8 am | Donation

• Championship Trivia at Snapperz Grill, Morehead City | Mondays |
  6:30 pm

• Roosevelt Natural Area Paddle Trip - NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores.
  Explore tidal flats and quiet backwaters with an aquarium educator as you learn about the intricate web of life thriving in this pristine natural environment. Mondays and Wednesdays 9-11 am | $

• Music Bingo at The Dock House, Beaufort | Tuesdays | 6:30-8:30 pm

• Taproom Trivia at Nacho Brewery | Morehead City | Tuesdays | 7-9 pm

• Trivia Tuesday - The Emerald Club, Emerald Isle | Tuesdays 7:30-9:15 pm

• Small Arms Demo at Fort Macon State Park- Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach | Wednesdays 10:30-11 am | Free | Small Arms history and demonstrations.

• It's All Write - Western Carteret Library, Cape Carteret | 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 4-5:30 pm | 18+ | Writer’s Group Workshop.

• Chess Club - Nacho Brewery, Morehead City | Wednesdays 6 pm

• Booze Farm Bingo - Bogue Sound Distillery, Bogue | Wednesdays
  6-10 pm | 21+ only

• Smoke on the Water - 34° North Restaurant, Beaufort | Wednesdays | 7 pm | A celebration of slow-cooked Southern comfort.

• Poker Night - Gaffer's Catering & Event Center, Cape Carteret | 21+ | Thursdays 6 & 8 pm

• Musical Bingo - The Trading Post, Emerald Isle | Wednesdays 7-9 pm

• Cru Collabs: Open Jam for Musicians and Djs at Cru Bar, Beaufort | Thursdays | 7-11 pm

• Boot & Brews Line Dancing - Dancing Baristas Cafe, Beaufort | Thursdays

• Thursday Night Flights - MF Chappell Wine Merchant, Atlantic Beach | Thursdays 5-6:30 pm | $ | Wine Tasting.

• Weekly Trivia - Church Street Market & Pub, Swansboro | Thursdays |
  6:30 pm

• Almost Live Concert Karaoke - Bogue Sound Distillery, Bogue | Thursdays | 7-11 pm

• Karaoke Bingo - Mug Shot Lounge, Morehead City | Thursdays | 8-11 pm

• Friday Night Flights - 34° North Restaurant, Beaufort | Fridays | 5-10 pm | $ | Whisky flights

• The Garden Run Club - Carolina Home and Garden, Newport | Saturdays 8:30 am

• Bingo Beats Saturdays - Billfish Coastal Grill & Bar, Indian Beach. Music Bingo! | Saturdays | 7-9 pm

• Karaoke Night - Tackle Box Tavern, Atlantic Beach | Saturdays 9:30 pm -
  2 am

• Lil Story Time - The Periwinkle, Beaufort | Saturdays 10:30 am - 1:30 pm | Free

• Olde Beaufort Farmers Market - Beaufort. | Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm

• Saturday Farmer’s Market - The Market at Cedar Point | Saturdays
  10 am-2 pm

• Blind Draw Darts Tournament Series - Rock The Dock Dueling Piano Bar. Morehead City. | 2:30-3:30 pm Sundays through May 3 | $10

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores offers one of the region's most rewarding family destinations — and a world-class window into the aquatic life in our State.

Located at 1 Roosevelt Drive in Pine Knoll Shores, the aquarium takes visitors on a journey "from the mountains to the sea," showcasing thousands of aquatic animals across exhibits that follow the path of a raindrop from North Carolina's peaks to the open Atlantic.

Highlights include a "Living Shipwreck" exhibit featuring replicas of a German U-352 submarine and Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge, a stingray touch-tank, river otters, rare sea turtles, and multiple shark species. A newer addition, the Future Waters gallery features interactive exhibits, a 1,500-gallon saltwater coral reef habitat called Conservation Cove, and working labs highlighting the aquarium's sustainable aquaculture efforts and coral restoration work through the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project.

Beyond the exhibits, the aquarium offers programs and outdoor adventures. Summer offerings include Sea Turtle Trek, a guided evening program on Tuesdays and Thursdays, paddling excursions through the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Area, and behind-the-scenes tours that show visitors how staff care for the animals and maintain exhibits.

The aquarium also borders the 265-acre Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area, which includes the Alice Hoffman Nature Trail — a gentle loop through the marsh suitable for visitors of all ages.

The aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For tickets and information, visit ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores or call 252-247-4003.

Bogue Inlet Pier

As of Wednesday, April 15, paid parking at Bogue Inlet Pier is in effect. Current rates are $5 per hour and $30 per day.

Restaurant and ice cream shop customers can validate parking time with receipts at the pier house. Eligible stay limits are 2 hours for restaurant purchases and 1 hour for ice cream.

New Business Alert

Bloom and Ivory, a new flower and gift shop featuring local vendors, has opened at 2855 Trent Road in New Bern.

The shop carries floral arrangements and offers a bloom bar where customers can select individual stems. It also features roughly 40 vendors selling handmade and locally sourced goods, including candles, jewelry, clothing, bags, décor and 3-D printed items.

The shop's design takes cues from European flower markets, with designers working up front and visible to customers rather than behind the scenes.

Bloom and Ivory held a soft opening March 30, followed by a grand opening April 2.

Friday, April 17

• The Will & Tony Show @ 34° North Restaurant | Beaufort | 8-11 pm

• 42 West @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 7-10 pm

• Thorn @ King Mackerels | Morehead City | 10 pm

• Local News @ Carolina Home and Garden | Newport | 6 pm

• Clarence Coley @ Willy Nilly Warehouse | Swansboro | 6-9 pm

• Ginger May @ Preston’s Corner | Swansboro | 7-10 pm

• Stephen Poole @ Willy Nilly Warehouse | Swansboro | 6-9 pm

• Phil Routszong @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 7-10 pm | $2

• Southern Hellcats @ Pinky’s Pub | New Bern | 7:30-10:30 pm

Saturday, April 18

• Barry Charlton @ Southern Salt | Morehead City | Noon-3 pm

• The Denver Nixon Band @ Gaffer’s | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

• Rollin’ Woods @ 34° North Restaurant | Beaufort | 8-11 pm

• Hot Revolver Band @ Michelle & Laura's Charcuterie Creations | Newport |
  6-9 pm

• Stevie John @ Mug Shot | Morehead City 8-11 pm

• RV Roadshow @ Birdies at Star Hill | Cape Carteret | 6 pm

• The Will & Tony Show @ Carolina Home and Garden | Newport | 6 pm

• Thorn @ 34 North of Cedar Point | Cedar Point | 8 pm

• Kyle Marshall @ Preston’s Corner | Swansboro | 7-10 pm

• Monika @ Willy Nilly Warehouse | Swansboro | 6-9 pm

• Barry Charlton @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 7-10 pm | $2

• Packhouse @ The Brown Pelican | New Bern | 7 pm

• Aaron Davenport @ Firefly Cafe | New Bern | 6:30-8:30 pm

• Bridge Atlantic @ Pinky’s Pub | New Bern | 7:30-10:30 pm

Sunday, April 19

• Robbie Alton @ Gaffer’s | Emerald Isle | 1-4 pm

• Patrick Smith @ Idle Hour Biergarten | Atlantic Beach | 1-4 pm

• Ray Wag @ Birdies at Star Hill | Cape Carteret | 3 pm

• Barry Charlton @ Southern Salt | Morehead City | Noon-3 pm

• Sheldon Benton @ Jack's Waterfront Bar | Morehead City | 2 pm

• Justin Castellano @ Willy Nilly Warehouse | Swansboro | 4-7 pm

• Piano Brunch with Hans Werner @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 11 am-2 pm

• Quincy Jones @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 5:30-7:30 pm

Monday, April 20

• Bryan Mayer @ Preston’s Corner | Swansboro | 7-10 pm

• Jim Kohler and Friends @ Blackbeard’s Triple Play | New Bern | 7-10 pm

Thursday, April 23

• Barefoot Reggie Starrett @ Gaffer’s | Emerald Isle | 4-7 pm

• Ricky Lamb @ Birdies at Star Hill | Cape Carteret | 6 pm

• Dinner & Music with Coley Bayliss @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern |
  5:30-7:30 pm

Some venues listed here might have a cover charge. Events and times can be subject to change.