Crystal Coast Vibes
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Crystal Coast Vibes June 19-25

Crystal Coast Vibes June 19-25

What's Happening on the Crystal Coast!

June 18, 2026

June 19-June 25, 2026

Hello friends and neighbors!

Sunday is Fathers Day! What better way to treat Dad than to take him to one of the fantastic events this week. A ballgame, a show, a special dinner, or a cold one while enjoying some music. You can find it all below.

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

Have fun!

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Friday, June 19

Forest Bathing
Hammocks Beach State Park
Spend time in the forest. Sit and breathe under the trees and immerse your senses as you connect with the natural surroundings.
9-10 am | Free
Summer Concerts in the Fort
Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach
Enjoy a concert inside historic Fort Macon. This week's group is Smokehouse!
6:30-8 pm | Free
Taste of the South 2026
Carteret Community College, Morehead City
The annual Taste of the South event, celebrating Southern culture through cuisine, community, and scholarship!
6 pm | $104.52
Retro Movie in the Park: The Goonies
Atlantic Beach Town Park
Enjoy a free movie at the Atlantic Beach Town Park. Free popcorn, too.
8:30 om | Free
The Lightning Thief
Carteret Community Theater. Morehead City
A high-energy musical based on the bestselling Percy Jackson novel/
7 pm | $22, 17 and under $19
Murder Mystery Dinner
Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
A wonderful evening of great food and wonderful fun!! Delicious dinner and a Murder Mystery.
6:30-8:30 pm | $56.38
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, June 20

America 250 Carteret County Celebration
Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City
A countywide event honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and Carteret County's extraordinary Revolutionary War history. There will be live reenactments, storytelling, hands-on children's activities, interactive exhibits, and more.
Noon-6 pm | Free
Adaptive Surfing Day
Oceanana Fishing Pier, Atlantic Beach
Participants of all abilities are encouraged to try surfing in a supportive environment.
9 am
Dinosaur Craft Day
Beaufort Branch Library, Beaufort
Kids will have the chance to create their very own cardboard dinosaur. Ages 6-12.
2-4 pm
Patriotic Lanterns
Newport Branch Library, Newport
A drop-in, fun-filled session where teens can stop by to design and build a patriotic lantern that shows off their red, white, and blue spirit.
Drop-in 11 am-4 pm
Cannon Day
Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach
Come to Fort Macon and learn how the different cannons of the fort were loaded, aimed, and shot. Cannon firing demonstrations will be held at 10:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.; and 3:30 p.m.
10 am-3:30 pm | Free
The Lightning Thief
Carteret Community Theater. Morehead City
A high-energy musical based on the bestselling Percy Jackson novel/
7 pm | $22, 17 and under $19
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 | $15 and $30 Age 21+

Sunday, June 21

Swanfest
Harry C. Pugliese, Jr. Pavilion, Downtown Swansboro
This week: East Coast Jam Band.
6:30-8 pm | Free
Shell’n Sundays
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.
The Lightning Thief
Carteret Community Theater. Morehead City
A high-energy musical based on the bestselling Percy Jackson novel/
2 pm | $22, 17 and under $19.

Monday, June 22

Bird Cruise
Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro
A guided bird cruise exploring the rich estuarine habitats around Hammocks Beach State Park.
2-3 pm | Registration required

Tuesday, June 23

Paddington in Peru
Atlantic Station Cinema, Atlantic Beach
Free summer kids’ shows!
10:30 am
Little Fins and Friends: Toddler Mini Series
NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores
A playful toddler program designed for curious little explorers ages 1-4 and their caregivers. Splash into summer with ocean songs, bubbles, and wiggly sea creatures! Meet a mermaid and enjoy under the sea activities with your favorite ocean friends!
9:30-10:30 am | Free
Line Dancing Class
Carolina Home and Garden, Newport
A fun evening of beginner Line Dancing Classes.
6:30-7:30 pm | $10

Wednesday, June 24

Paddington in Peru
Atlantic Station Cinema, Atlantic Beach
Free summer kids’ shows!
10:30 am
Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve
North Carolina Maritime Museum, Beaufort
discover the various plants and animals of the salt marsh and tidal flats at the Rachel Carson Reserve. The guided hike will take you through the different habitats and the sandy, muddy, and wet terrain found on Town Marsh and Bird Shoal. Ages 12+.
8:30 am-Noon | $22.50 – $25.00
Storytime with the Pine Knoll Shores Fire Dept.
Bogue Banks Branch Library, Pine Knoll Shores
The PKS Fire Department takes over Storytime on June 24th! There will also be a fire truck for kids to tour.
10:30 am | Free
Literary Luncheon with authors Kristy Woodson Harvey and Mary Kay Andrews
Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort
A luncheon at the Coral Bay Club, featuring New York Times Bestselling Author Kristy Woodson Harvey, with her new book, “Summer State of Mind”, in conversation with novelist Mary Kay Andrews and her new book, “Road Trip”.
Noon-3 pm | $58.71
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
Summer 5 Course Food & Wine Dinner Pairing
The Sunroom at Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
A beautifully curated five-course menu with a wine pairing.
6:30 pm | $87.13

Thursday, June 25

2026 Free Summer Kid Shows
Emerald Plantation Cinema, Emerald Isle
Paddington in Peru
10:30 am | Free
Rock the Docks Summer Concert Series
John Newton Park, Beaufort
Featuring Dmitri Resnik & Bootleg Beat.
5-8 pm | No admission charge
Emerald Fest
Western Regional Access, Emerald Isle
Featuring Big Sam and Co.
6:30-8 pm | Free
Purvis Chapel Choir Concert
Purvis Chapel, Beaufort
Enjoy an uplifting evening concert at Purvis Chapel, Beaufort’s Oldest Church. All proceeds go to Purvis Chapel for the ongoing needs of the church.
7 pm | $20
Tropical Paint Party
Carolina Home & Garden, Newport
Choose your favorite tropical floral design and paint it on a CANVAS or SURFBOARD!
6-8 pm | Canvas $42, Surfboard $69
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+

Future Events

65th Annual Old Homes Tour & More at Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort
June 26 and 27
50th Anniversary Birthday Splash at NC Aquarium, Pine Knoll Shores
July 11

Recurring Events

Morehead City Marlins - Big Rock Stadium, Morehead City
Enjoy local baseball with the Marlins! June 19, 21, 24
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
From Mountains to the Sea" A Solo Exhibition by Ed Hatch - Stella Maris Fine Art, Beaufort | Daily 10 an-7 pm, June 13 through 27
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

Institute of Marine Sciences

The Institute of Marine Sciences sits along Bogue Sound in Morehead City, operating as a field site of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Founded in the mid-twentieth century, the institute has grown into one of the state's primary hubs for coastal and marine research, drawing scientists, graduate students, and visiting researchers who study the estuaries, sounds, and ocean waters that define this stretch of the Crystal Coast.

Researchers at the institute focus on a range of topics tied to North Carolina's unique coastal geography, including estuarine ecology, fisheries science, coastal geology, and the effects of storms and climate change on barrier island systems. Its location near Bogue Banks and the Rachel Carson Reserve gives scientists direct access to salt marshes, tidal creeks, and nearshore habitats that serve as natural laboratories. Long-term monitoring programs there have tracked changes in water quality, fish populations, and shoreline dynamics over multiple decades, providing data that informs both academic research and state coastal management policy.

Beyond research, the institute plays an educational role, hosting undergraduate and graduate courses, training students in field and laboratory techniques, and supporting visiting investigators from other universities and agencies. It maintains laboratory space, research vessels, and access to specialized equipment for fieldwork in the surrounding waters, making it a practical base for hands-on marine science training that complements coursework on UNC's main campus.

The institute also engages with the broader Morehead City community and the public, contributing scientific expertise to regional conversations about fisheries management, coastal development, and environmental change. Its presence reflects North Carolina's broader investment in coastal science, situated within a cluster of marine-focused institutions along the central coast, including nearby facilities run by Duke University and NOAA. For a region where the economy and ecology are closely intertwined, with commercial fishing, tourism, and a fragile barrier island system all dependent on healthy coastal waters, the institute's research provides a scientific foundation for understanding and protecting these resources.

A Big Rock Record

Marlin Fever claimed victory at the 68th Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament on Saturday, riding a record-breaking catch from earlier in the week to the title. The boat's 919.9-pound blue marlin, weighed on Day 2, set a new tournament record, surpassing the previous mark of 914 pounds set in 2019. No larger fish reached the scales during the tournament's final stretch, leaving the record-setter unchallenged at the top.

Conditions turned difficult late in the week, with no blue marlin weighed in on either Thursday or Friday as crews contended with heat, wind, and sparse fishing opportunities. The leaderboard held steady heading into the weekend.

Angler Connor Daniel landed the winning fish aboard the Wilson County-based boat, also earning Marlin Fever the Fabulous Fisherman's prize for the first blue marlin over 500 pounds weighed in the event. Officials estimated the catch could be worth a multimillion-dollar payday once the tournament closed.

Fender Bender finished second with a 644.1-pound marlin caught on Day 3, and Haphazard took third with a 635.6-pound fish.

More than 270 boats competed at Big Rock Landing for a purse exceeding $9 million.

A New Fire Station for Morehead City

Morehead City celebrated a long-awaited milestone this week with the official ribbon-cutting for the new EMS Station 3, eight years after Hurricane Florence damaged the original facility.

The $2 million project was made possible through state funding, secured with the support of Representative Celeste Cairns and Senator Norm Sanderson.

Captain Nathan Lapp highlighted several new features included in the upgraded station, including a weight room, a pickleball court, and an expanded bay to better accommodate equipment and vehicles.

Among the most welcome additions, Lapp said, is a dedicated room for washing turnout gear on-site. Previously, crews had to travel to another station to clean their gear, a step that added time and inconvenience to their routines. Having that capability in-house is a change the team is especially grateful for.

The new station marks the end of a years-long rebuilding process following the hurricane's damage and reflects continued investment in Morehead City's emergency services infrastructure, ensuring crews have a modern, functional space to serve the community for years to come.