Crystal Coast Vibes July 24-30

What's Happening on the Crystal Coast!

July 23, 2026

July 24-July 30, 2026

Hello friends and neighbors!

Are you having fun yet? No doubt! And there’s much more to be had this week.

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

Have fun!

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Friday, July 24

  • Glass Sculpture with Curtis Cecil
    Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort
    A unique opportunity to watch Curtis, a master glass artist, as he demonstrates his craft. If a piece of his work catches your eye, you’ll have the chance to purchase it and take home with you!
    10 am-5 pm

  • Carolina Seashells 
    Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach
    Learn about the variety of local species you might find on your next beach walk.
    10-11 am | Free

  • Color Your Own Button 
    Western Carteret Branch Library, Cape Carteret
    Kids and teens can drop in to design and assemble custom wearable art using the library button maker.
    2-3 pm

  • Maritime Museum Presents Cookie Archaeology
    Bogue Banks Library, Pine Knoll Shores
    Dive into the fascinating world of shipwrecks and maritime archaeology! In this interactive program, kids can discover how artifacts are preserved deep underwater and learn the specialized techniques experts use to carefully uncover them after centuries at sea.
    2-3 pm | Registration required

  • Night Hike 
    Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach
    Join a ranger for a casual sunset/night hike on the 3.2 mi Elliot Coues trail.
    7:30 pm | Free

  • Dueling Piano Show
    Rock the Dock, Morehead City
    Live Dueling Piano Show: Two pianists. One stage. Zero setlist. Dueling piano nights are fast-paced, high-energy, and completely crowd-driven.
    8-11:59 pm | $10 and $20 Age 21+

Saturday, July 25

  • Glass Sculpture with Curtis Cecil
    Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort
    A unique opportunity to watch Curtis, a master glass artist, as he demonstrates his craft. If a piece of his work catches your eye, you’ll have the chance to purchase it and take home with you!
    10 am-5 pm

  • Christmas in July
    The Olde Beaufort Farmers' Market, Beaufort
    Dress up in your tropical wear, meet Tropical Santa, enjoy beautifully decorated booths, and soak up a festive, summer holiday vibe that’s perfect for the whole family.
    9 am-1 pm

  • Horse Sense and Survival
    Cape Lookout National Seashore, Harker’s Island
    Join the park ranger who monitors the wild horses for a glimpse into their world. Be prepared for a challenging walk.
    8:30-11:15 am | See the website for prices

  • Family Model Boat Class 
    Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, Beaufort
    For children but with adult participation. Each team will assemble and decorate a model boat under the supervision of experienced boat builders and model makers. Teams are limited to a maximum of 4 people, at least one of whom must be an adult. Minimum Child age is 8 years.
    8 am-2 pm | $45.00 – $50.00 Registration required

  • Old Salts Reunion Night
    Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, Harker’s Island
    An Evening of Celebrating Our Traditions And the Water/Ways that Connect Us - Generation to Generation.
    5:30-8 pm | RSVP on the website

  • Walk-In Bathtub
    Carteret Community Theater, Morehead City
    Eastern North Carolina’s longest running improv comedy troupe. You and your suggestions will fuel the ridiculous riffs, wacky worlds and silly situations that unravel on stage. [R]
    8 pm | $20

  • Dueling Piano Show
    Rock the Dock, Morehead City
    Live Dueling Piano Show: Two pianists. One stage. Zero setlist. Dueling piano nights are fast-paced, high-energy, and completely crowd-driven.
    8-11:59 pm | $10 and $20 Age 21+

Sunday, July 26

  • Swanfest
    Harry C. Pugliese, Jr. Pavilion, Downtown Swansboro
    This week: Heart Stop and some special fun for the USA 250th celebration.
    6:30-8 pm | Free

  • Shell’n Sundays
    Bear Island Concession at Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro
    Experience Bear Island and learn about the common and uncommon beach treasures you may find while combing the beaches of North Carolina.
    2-3 pm | The program is free, but you must purchase a ferry ticket to attend.

Monday, July 27

  • Dinosaur Sensory Stations
    Western Carteret Branch Library, Cape Carteret
    Children ages 5 and under are invited to touch, play, and discover through a variety of hands-on, dinosaur-themed activities at the Western Branch.
    10-11 am | Free

  • Bird Cruise
    Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro
    A ranger-led excursion that will help you identify wading birds, shorebirds, raptors, and seasonal migrants while exploring some of the area's premier birding locations.
    11 am-Noon | Registration required

Tuesday, July 28

  • Harold and the Purple Crayon
    Atlantic Station Cinema, Atlantic Beach
    Free summer kids’ shows!
    10:30 am

  • Felted Soap Workshop 
    Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort
    Explore the characteristics of different kinds of fiber that felt and some that don’t. Learn the history of felt, felting and the use of felted articles. Then join the hands-on workshop and felt your own soap bar or two.
    9-11 am | $15

  • A Journey Through South African Wine
    Promise Land Market, Morehead City
    Learn about South African wine with special guest speaker Mathilda from Sa-vor.
    6:30 pm | $35

  • Music Bingo
    Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
    Songs from all different genres. Sing along as you play against your friends and family.
    6:30-8:30 pm | $5.13, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63

Wednesday, July 29

  • Harold and the Purple Crayon
    Atlantic Station Cinema, Atlantic Beach
    Free summer kids’ shows!
    10:30 am

  • Kayak with a Ranger
    Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro
    Join a ranger-led kayaking tour through the estuary. Ages 15+
    8:30-11:30 am | Registration required

  • Eco Cruise
    Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro
    A guided cruise through the rich estuarine habitats surrounding Hammocks Beach State Park. This ranger-led adventure will explore the plants, animals, and natural processes that make our coastal ecosystems so unique
    5-6 pm

  • Battle of the Breweries
    Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
    A blind competition of 8 IPAs. Your vote determines who takes home the gold!
    6 pm | $20

Thursday, July 30

  • 2026 Free Summer Kid Shows  
    Emerald Plantation Cinema, Emerald Isle
    This week: Harold and the Purplr Crayon
    10:30 am | Free

  • Maritime Heritage Lecture Series: "Battle of Beaufort: American Revolution"
    North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort
    Learn all about what might have been the final battle of the American Revolutionary War, that occurred in Beaufort in April of 1782.
    Noon-1 pm | Free

  • A Time for Science with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
    Western Carteret Branch Library, Cape Carteret
    An interactive paleontology workshop where participants step into the shoes of a scientist to carefully excavate fossils buried in soil. Learn how to mark and identify finds, and create a fossil imprint to take home. Ages 6+.
    3-4 pm | Registration required

  • Discovering Beauty Naturally
    Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
    Make natural beauty products and learn about food and herbs that will make you beautiful from the inside out. Presented by certifies herbalist and health coach Annette Massey.
    6 pm | $55

  • Music in the Park  
    Newport Community Park, Newport
    Featuring Donivan Carter.
    6-9 pm | Free

  • Emerald Fest
    Western Regional Access, Emerald Isle
    Featuring Title Blue’s.
    6:30-8 pm | Free

  • Rock the Docks Summer Concert Series 
    John Newton Park, Beaufort
    Featuring Jimmy Parker.
    5-8 pm | No admission charge

  • Dueling Piano Show
    Rock the Dock, Morehead City
    Live Dueling Piano Show: Two pianists. One stage. Zero setlist. Dueling piano nights are fast-paced, high-energy, and completely crowd-driven.
    8-11:59 pm | Free admission, VIP $10 Age 21+

Future Events 

Recurring Events

  • Morehead City Marlins - Big Rock Stadium, Morehead City
    Enjoy local baseball with the Marlins! July 24, 27, 29.
    5:30 pm | Prices vary, see the website

  • Life’s a Beach - Arts Council of Carteret County, Morehead City. Beaches, lakes, inland shores, and all that’s associated with them, make them valuable subjects for artists. | Daily 11 am-5 pm. June 20 through August 1

  • 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 | $

  • Summer Cornhole League at Rock the Dock, Morehead City | Tuesdays |
    6:30-9:30 pm | $5

  • 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

  • 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

Seaside Arts Council: Bringing Culture to the Crystal Coast

For more than fifteen years, the Seaside Arts Council has been a driving force behind the cultural life of Swansboro and Western Carteret County. Founded in 2009, the organization exists to promote, advance, and provide performing and visual arts opportunities, appreciation, and education for residents and visitors throughout the area. The Council has grown from a grassroots idea into one of the coastal region's most recognized cultural institutions.

At its heart, the Council's mission is broad and inclusive. It champions both the performing arts—music, theatre, and dance—and the fine arts, including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture, ensuring that creative expression in all its forms has a place to flourish. The organization's vision positions it as a voice for the arts in the community, working to make cultural experiences accessible to everyone, from lifelong residents to seasonal visitors passing through the coastal towns.

Each winter, the Council hostsan annual fundraiser, the Beach Ball, a festive night out featuring music, food, an art and gift auction, and a 50/50 raffle, with guests encouraged to dress in beach attire or dress up fancy for the occasion. First held in 2022, the event has become a beloved tradition that directly supports the Council's scholarship fund for local students pursuing education in the arts.

Summer brings the Council's signature event: the SwanFest Summer Concert Series, a beloved outdoor tradition that draws crowds to downtown Swansboro. The Council also invests directly in the community's future by offering scholarships to promising local students pursuing the arts.

Whether you're a working artist, a performer, or simply someone who loves a good concert on a summer evening, the Seaside Arts Council invites you to get involved, become a member, or just show up and enjoy the show.

Friday, July 24

  • Barefoot Wade @ The Compass Hotel | Beaufort | 5-8 pm

  • Rollin’ Woods @ 34° North Restaurant | Beaufort | 9-11 pm

  • Salty Bones @ Carolina Home & Garden | Newport | 6:30-9:30 pm

  • Crystal Coast Bluegrass @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 7-10 pm

  • Barry Charlton @ On the Rocks | Atlantic Beach | 7:30-9:30 pm

  • Blair Rich Project @ The Bar at Norris Station | Newport | 7-10 pm

  • Justin Castellano @ Floyd’s 1921 | Morehead City | 6:30-9:30 pm

  • Songs from the Road Band @ Gaffer's | Emerald Isle | 6:30-9:30 pm

  • Mikah Peeden @ Promise Land Market | Morehead City | 8 pm

  • Ron Benton @ Jack's Waterfront Bar | Morehead City | 9 pm-1 am

  • Ed Frankfort @ Flipperz Family Bar & Grill | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

  • Local News @ The Thirsty Surfer | Emerald Isle | 7-10 pm

  • Jay Tyndall @ Tapping the Admiral Bar | Beaufort | 6-9 pm

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

  • Aaron Davenport @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 7-10 pm | $2

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

Saturday, July 25

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

  • Gary Dudley & The Maxxtones @ Compass Hotel | Beaufort | 5 pm

  • Barefoot Wade @ Promise Land | Morehead City | 8:30-11:30 pm

  • Swimming with Sharks @ On the Rocks | Atlantic Beach | 7:30-9:30 pm

  • Mike Santos @ Jack's Waterfront Bar | Morehead City | 9 pm-1 am

  • Justin Castellano @ 34° North Restaurant | Beaufort | 9-11 pm

  • Changelings @ Carolina Home & Garden | Newport | 6:30-9:30 pm

  • Walker Taylor @ Gaffer's | Emerald Isle | 6:30-9:30 pm

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

  • The Elijah Harris Band @ Birdies at Star Hill | Cape Carteret | 6-9 pm

  • Robbie Alton @ The Trading Post | Emerald Isle | 6:30-9:30 pm

  • Shaina Marie and the Whiskey Crossroads Band @ The Thirsty Surfer | Emerald Isle | 7-10 pm

  • The Remedy @ Tapping the Admiral Bar | Beaufort | 6-9 pm

  • Son of a Preacher Band @ Tipsy Turtle Tavern | Atlantic Beach | 9 pm

  • Red and the Rockers @ Floyd’s 1921 | Morehead City | 6:30-9:30 pm

  • Shaina Marie & The Whiskey Crossroads Band @ The Thirsty Surfer | Emerald Isle | 7-10 pm

  • Wes Rider @ The Bite at the Box | Atlantic Beach | 6-9 pm

  • Rural Folk Fiasco @ Willy Nilly Warehouse | Swansboro | 6-9 pm

  • Hank Barbee @ The Boro | Swansboro | 8-11 pm

  • John Van Dyke @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 7-10 pm | $4

  • The Wannabees @ Blackbeard’s Triple Play | New Bern | 7:30-11 pm

  • Saxy Saturday with Jeff Durham (of The Dust Parade) @ The Brown Pelican | New Bern | 8-11pm

  • Tentacle @ The Flying Fox | New Bern | 8-11 pm

  • Wailin’ Maylon @ The Firefly Cafe | New Bern | 6-9 pm

Sunday, July 26

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

  • Jay Tyndall @ Birdies at Star Hill | Cape Carteret | Noon-3 pm

  • Barefoot Wade @ Fishtown Brewery | Beaufort | 1-4 pm

  • The Shoal Brothers @ Jack's Waterfront Bar | Morehead City | 3-6 pm

  • Ed Frankfort @ Gaffer’s | Emerald Isle | 3-6 pm

  • Swimming with the Sharks @ Flipperz Family Bar & Grill | Emerald Isle |
    3-6 pm

  • Big Sam and Company @ Bogue Sound Distillery | Bogue | 3-6 pm

  • Wailin’ Maylon @ The Thirsty Surfer | Emerald Isle | 3-6 pm

  • Barry Charlton @ Homer’s Point Marina | Salter Path | 6-9 pm

  • Patrick G. Smith @ Willy Nilly Warehouse | Swansboro | 3-6 pm

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

  • Dinner Music with Daniel Sansone @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 5-7 pm

Monday, July 27

  • Michael Schott @ Preston’s Corner | Swansboro | 7-10 pm

Tuesday, July 28

  • RV Roadshow @ Caribsea Restaurant | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

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

Wednesday, July 29

  • Brian Felton@ Gaffer’s | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

  • Rural Folk Fiasco @ Flipperz Family Bar & Grill | Emerald Isle | 6 pm

  • Barry Charlton @ Homer’s Point Marina | Salter Path | 7-10 pm

Thursday, July 30

  • Barry Charlton @ On the Rocks | Atlantic Beach | 7-9 pm

  • Justin Castellano @ Carolina Home & Garden | Newport | 6 pm

  • Bryan Mayer @ The Trading Post | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

  • Local News Band @ Birdies at Star Hill | Cape Carteret | 6 pm

  • Big Sam and Company @ Caribsea Restaurant | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

  • Hardy Weatherington @ The Thirsty Surfer | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

  • Y2Kenny @ The Village Market | Emerald Isle | 6-9 pm

  • Morgan Hudson @ Preston’s Corner | Swansboro | 7-10 pm

  • Ray Wag @ Willy Nilly Warehouse | Swansboro | 6-9 pm

  • Abbey Lewis @ Baxter’s 1892 | New Bern | 6-8 pm

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

Proof that Life Isn’t JUST a Beach!

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

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