Crystal Coast Vibes January 23-29

What's Happening on the Crystal Coast!

January 23-29, 2026

Hello friends and neighbors!

It’s the quiet season here on the Crystal Coast. But there is still plenty of fun to be had. Check out the recurring events, there are some gems there.

In this issue, you will find Crystal Coast Events, Local Buzz, Entertainment, and the Parting Shot.

Have fun!

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Friday, January 23

  • Tiny Trekkers Little Astronauts at the Swansboro Rec Center.
    Crafts, games, and snacks. For ages3-6.
    10 am | $5

  • Dive Club Campfire Night at Discovery Diving, Beaufort.
    Come gather around the fire! Open to all, you don't have to be a certified diver, just be interested and curious. Meet up with old friends, make new ones, and share your craziest dive stories.
    7 pm

  • Campfire Making 101 at Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro.
    Learn how to build a campground fire, including the most common fire structures and the materials required. Ages 10+
    3:30-4:30 pm

Saturday, January 24

  • DIY Clay Magnets at Western Carteret Branch Library, Cape Carteret.
    Kids and teens can get creative making their own colorful clay magnets at the library.
    1-2 pm | Registration required

  • Burns Night Supper at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Morehead City.
    Enjoy a cozy night with an Ode to the Haggis, whisky, and Scottish poems and music at the Burns Night Supper!
    6-10 pm | $87.21

  • Find Your Patriot! Genealogy Workshop at Beaufort Branch Library, Beaufort.
    Now is the time to find your Revolutionary War patriot ancestor and celebrate his or her contribution to America's independence. 16+
    10 am-Noon

  • Meet the Author at The History Museum of Carteret County, Morehead City.
    Author J. Timothy Allen with a presentation on Quakers and the Enslaved in North Carolina.
    Noon-2 pm | Lunch is $20 for Non-Members and $15 Museum Members

  • Terra String Quartet and Oskar Espina Ruiz, Clarinet at First Presbyterian Church of Morehead City.
    Enjoy a performance by five world-class musicians.
    7-8:30 pm | $39.19 | Students free with an adult

Sunday, January 25

  • Annual Chili Cookoff at Emerald Club, Emerald Isle.
    Prizes and trophies for the winners of 3 categories- traditional, nontraditional, and cornbread.
    2-6 pm

Monday, January 26

  • Starting a Spring Garden w/ Shawn Banks at Western Carteret Branch Library, Cape Carteret.
    An informative and hands-on workshop to help you kickstart your spring garden! This workshop, designed for adults, will cover the basics of planting, seasonal care, and what to expect as your garden begins to bloom.
    5:30-7 pm | Registration is required

  • Filtering Nature's Way at Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro.
    A hands-on water filtration program where participants will learn how charcoal, sand, and rock work together to filter water.
    11 am-Noon

Tuesday, January 27

  • Madras Planter Workshop at Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort.
    Join the Madras Planter Workshop, part of the Living History Series.
    9 am-4 pm | $75

  • Escoffier Dinner at Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center, Morehead City.
    Support the talented students of Carteret Community College's Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management programs! An exquisite dining experience that will play a pivotal role in their educational journey to France.
    6 pm Seating | $156.27

Wednesday, January 28

  • Oyster Roast at NC Beaufort Bar, Beaufort.
    Free freshly shucked, deliciously seasoned oysters.
    7 pm | Free oysters. Normal charges apply to everything else.

  • Jones Island Cleanup at Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro.
    Join a ranger for a ferry trip to Jones Island to participate in a debris clean-up effort. Participants should bring a facemask; gloves and trash bags will be provided by the park.
    9-11 am | Registration required

Thursday, January 29

  • Color your Shoestrings at Newport Branch Library, Newport.
    Come to the library to add some color to your shoe wardrobe. Fun for the whole family!
    5 pm

  • Herbal Class at Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
    Learn how to detox your body naturally after the crazy holiday season.
    6-8 pm | $56.38, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

  • Owl Prowl Bird Walk at NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores.
    An evening hike to search for these elusive birds of prey. Listen for their calls, learn about their amazing adaptations, and end the night with a special up-close encounter with an owl ambassador.
    4-5:30 pm | $15, $13.50 Members

  • Puzzle Competition at Carolina Home and Gardens, 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! 
    6:00-8:00 pm | Seat reservation $8.20, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

  • January Wine Dinner at Caribsea, Emerald Isle.
    A tour of classic varietals with a four-course dinner.
    6 pm | $99 plus tax and gratuity

Future Events

Recurring Events

  • Outdoor Ice Skating at Beaufort Hotel, Beaufort.
    Monday - Thursday December 1, 2025 - February 12, 2026.
    4-8 pm | $10

  • 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

  • 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

  • Friday Night Flights - 34° North Restaurant, Beaufort. | 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

From January 27th through February 3rd, it’s Crystal Coast Restaurant Week. The brainchild of Beaufort Wine and Food, this is a time to taste new flavors, explore new restaurants, and patronize your favorites. During this time, participating restaurants along the crystal coast offer special menus and deals in addition to their regular offerings. To view the participating restaurants and their special offers, see the website.

Friday, January 23

  • Monika Jaymes @ 34° North Restaurant | Beaufort | 8-11 pm

  • Black Eyed Daisies @ Preston’s Corner | Swansboro | 7-10 pm

  • Adam Rhodes @ Carolina Home and Garden | Newport | 6-9 pm

  • Barry Charlton @ The Mullet Bar | Morehead City | 8 pm

  • Matt Letch @ Cru Bar | Beaufort | 8 pm

  • Elijah Harris @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 7-10 pm

  • The Shoal Brothers Live @ Mug Shot Lounge | Morehead City | 8-10 pm

  • Monika Jaymes @ 34° North Restaurant | Beaufort | 8-11 pm

  • Elijah Harris @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 7-10 pm

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

  • $100 Monkey Band @ Flying Fox | New Bern | 8-11 pm

Saturday, January 24

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

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

  • NRPryme @ Carolina Home and Garden | Newport | 6 pm

  • Soul Syndicate @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 7-10 pm

  • Bob Laverty Duo @ Gaffers | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

  • Jake Sutton @ King Mackerels | Morehead City | 10 pm

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

  • Turner Edwards @ Cru Bar | Beaufort | 8 pm

  • Wes Rider @ The Royal James Cafe | Beaufort | 7-10 pm

  • Aaron Van Nynatten Trio @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 7-10 pm | $4

  • The Will and Tony Show @ Flying Fox | New Bern | 8-11 pm

  • Ryan Griffin @ Firefly Cafe | New Bern | 6:30-8:30 pm

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

Sunday, January 25

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

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

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

Monday, January 26

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

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

Thanks for reading. Have a fantastic time on the Crystal Coast this week. And be safe!

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