Crystal Coast Vibes Feb 27-March 5

Friday, February 27

• Italian Dinner and Wine Pairing at Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
  This dinner and wine pairing will transport you to Italy! A four course dinner, each paired with a selection of fine Italian wines.
  6:30-8:30 | $87.13

• Putting It Together at the Masonic Theater, New Bern.
  The Rivertown Players present “Putting It Together” , a musical revue by Stephen Sondheim.
  7:30 pm | $23, Students $12

Saturday, February 28

• Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase at the Swansboro Rotary Civic Center.
  Presenting Swansboro businesses, with performances by Swansboro Dance Studio.
  10 am-3 pm | Free

• Putting It Together at the Masonic Theater, New Bern.
  The Rivertown Players present “Putting It Together” , a musical revue by Stephen Sondheim.
  7:30 pm | $23, Students $12

• "Cash and King" Tribute Concert at Carolina Home and Garden.
  The legendary sounds of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley brought to life, performed by acclaimed tribute artist Josh Rush.
  6-8 pm | $46.13

• Morse Code Bracelets at Newport Branch Library, Newport.
  Practice your spelling and secret messages with dots and dashes to create unique jewelry. For teens.
  Drop in between 11 am until 4 pm.

Sunday, March 1

• Putting It Together at the Masonic Theater, New Bern.
  The Rivertown Players present “Putting It Together” , a musical revue by Stephen Sondheim.
  3 pm | $23, Students $12

Monday,March 2

• Bird Hike at Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach.
  A leisurely hike with one of the fantastic rangers at Fort Macon State Park. Learn about the birds native to the area.
  9-10 am | Free

Tuesday, March 3

• WineOrama at 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, March 4

• Open Play Mahjong at Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
  Come practice your mahjong skills, or get a refresher on how to play!
  6:00-8:30 pm | Experienced Players $8.20, Refresher with a Teacher $20.50, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

Thursday, March 5

• Storytime with Mrs. Millie at Down East Branch Library, Beaufort.
  Go on exciting adventures through the written word and make adorable crafts to take home and cherish always.
  10 am | Free

• Tin Can Wind Chimes at Newport Branch Library, Newport.
  Turn household items into treasure during the tin can wind chime program. Adults.
  11 am-1 pm | Free

• "Winter Warmer" Tap Takeover at Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
  This one is for the dark beer lovers. We'll have the classic stout and porter on draft, and even a black ipa! Tim with Tryon Distributing will be chatting about the selection and giving out free brewery swag!!
  6-7:30 pm | $5 pints

• Octopus’ Garden Tote Bag Painting Class at Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
  A step-by-step class where you will paint your own Octopus’ Garden design on a carry-all canvas tote bag (included).
  6-8 pm | $55, $90 for two 46.13, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

Future Events

• Coastal Home & Garden Show at Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City.
  March 7-8

• Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Emerald Plantation Shopping Center.
  March 14

• Swansboro Oyster Roast at Swansboro Rotary Club, Swansboro.
  March 21

• Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort.
  April 4

• OWLS Fort Macon 5k Trail Run at Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach.
  April 11

Recurring Events

• Color My World at Art Council of Carteret County, Morehead City,
  Daily 11 am-5 pm through February 28.

• 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 | $

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

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

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

• Music Bingo at Nacho Brewery | Morehead City | Wednesdays | 7-9 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.

• 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

• 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

Bear Island

Known by many as part of Hammocks Beach State Park, Bear Island is a peaceful paradise. Acessible only by ferry, water taxi, or private boats, Bear Island has a beautiful beach, no vehicles, and primitive campsites.

What many people don’t know is the interesting history of Bear Island.

Originally the domain of native tribes, it was a likely hideout of pirates, including Blackbeard.

After seeing action in the Civil War and being used as an outpost in World War II, Bear Island eventually went to the African American-comprised North Carolina Teachers Association (NCTA), which unsuccessfully tried to develop the island as a private beach destination for African Americans during segregation.

In 1961, the NCTA donated Bear Island to North Carolina for planning as a park. The state initially planned to develop the park for minorities and opened it, along with the rest of Hammocks Beach State Park, in 1961.

Following the Civil Rights Act passage, Hammocks Beach was integrated as a state park for everyone to visit.

To visit Bear Island, the State Park Bear Island Ferry runs from May through October and leaves from the Hammocks Beach State Park mainland entrance. For the adventurous, it’s a nice day trip via canoe or kayak.

Carteret County residents who need to take advantage of early voting for the March Primary elections have until the end of the day February 28th.

Early voting will be held through February 28 at the following locations:

• Carteret County Board of Elections at 1702 Live Oak St., Suite 200, Beaufort, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Fort Benjamin Park at 100 McQueen Ave., Newport, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Western Park at 275 Old Hwy 58, Cedar Point, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

All early voting sites will also be open on the final day of early voting, Saturday, February 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Voters may vote at any early voting site regardless of their precinct.

Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters casting a ballot on Election Day are eligible to vote a regular ballot at their assigned precinct. The Carteret County Board of Elections office will not be open for voting on Election Day.

If you don’t know your polling place lcation, you can use the Election Day Polling Place Search.

The popular summer concert series “Rock the Docks” will be returning to downtown Beaufort this year.

The concerts take place Thursday evenings from May 21 through August 6. Music is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at John Newton Park.

These events will feature a variety of local musical and are be family-friendly and pet-friendly

Friday, February 27

• Donnie Lane @ Preston’s Corner | Swansboro | 7-10 pm

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

• Roy Stewart @ Promise Land Market | Morehead City | 8 pm

• Corey Stuart @ Cru Bar | Beaufort | 8 pm

• Bob Laverty @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 7-10 pm

• Barefoot Wade @ Tapping the Admiral Bar | Beaufort | 6 pm

• Brian Hoff and the Altar Ratz @ Carolina Home and Garden | Newport |
  6 pm

• Christopher Siren @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 7-10 pm | $2

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

• Live Comedy @ The Brown Pelican | New Bern | 7-8:30 pm | $15

Saturday, February 28

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

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

• Jimmie Parker @ 34° North Restaurant | Beaufort | 8-11 pm

• Dirty Blonde Band @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 7-10 pm

• Barefoot Wade @ Mugshots | Morehead City | 8 pm

• Dueling DJs @ Jack's Waterfront Bar | Morehead City | 9 pm

• Ed Prophet @ Gaffer's | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

• Thorn @ 34 North of Cedar Point | 8 pm

• Wes Rider @ The Royal James Cafe | Beaufort | 7 pm

• Erika Butters @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 7-10 pm | $4

• Head on Collision @ Pinky’s Pub | New Bern | 7:30-10:30 pm

• Morgan Hudson @ Firefly Cafe | New Bern | 6:30-8:30 pm

Sunday, March 1

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

• Dayton Vesper @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 5-7 pm

Monday, March 2

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

Thursday, March 5

• Open Mic @ On the Rocks | Atlantic Beach | 5:30-8:30 pm

• Dinner & Piano with Dale Moore @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 5:30-8:30 pm

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