Crystal Coast Vibes
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Crystal Coast Vibes March 6-12

Crystal Coast Vibes March 6-12

What's Happening on the Crystal Coast!

March 05, 2026

March 6-12, 2026

Hello friends and neighbors!

Spring is in the air, and so is some extra daylight! This Sunday is the start of Daylight Saving Time. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour.

We hope to see you out and about!

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, March 6

"Ragtime" The Musical! at the Elysian Performing Arts Center, Morehead City.
A sweeping musical set in the early 1900s that explores themes of racism, injustice, hope, and dreams amid the changes in society, music, and culture rising in NYC and across America.
7:30 pm | $27.50
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
Astronomy Night at Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach.
A night of astronomy, where Ranger Paul Terry will discuss the night sky, with telescopes set up for viewing (or bring your own).
6 pm, weather permitting | Free

Saturday, March 7

Coastal Home & Garden Show at Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City.
Turn all your home and garden dreams into reality at the annual Coastal Home & Garden Show at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. With 60+ vendors - this show will have something for every project in the new year.
10 am-3 pm | Admission $5, 12 and under - Free
Living History Weekend at Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach.
Reenactors with the 45th Massachusetts Regiment portray what life would have been like at Fort Macon during the Civil War. There will be various programs and short talks throughout the day including: Small Arms Demonstrations, Uniform & Equipment talks, Artillery Demos., etc.
9 am-4 pm | Free
"Ragtime" The Musical! at the Elysian Performing Arts Center, Morehead City.
A sweeping musical set in the early 1900s that explores themes of racism, injustice, hope, and dreams amid the changes in society, music, and culture rising in NYC and across America.
7:30 pm | $27.50
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
Coin Show at History Museum of Carteret County, Morehead City
Dealers will be on hand to buy, sell, and appraise coins, paper money, bullion, and numismatic related material.
10 am-5 pm | Free
Wynona Wang, piano, and Friends at First Presbyterian Church Morehead City.
International pianist Wynona Wang, along with Nathan Meltzer on Violin and Leland Ko on Cello in a concert of clasical chamber music.
7-8:30 pm | $39.19, Students 19 and under free with one adult.

Sunday, March 8

Coastal Home & Garden Show at Crystal Coast Civic Center, Morehead City.
Turn all your home and garden dreams into reality at the annual Coastal Home & Garden Show at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. With 60+ vendors - this show will have something for every project in the new year.
10 am-3 pm | Admission $5, 12 and under - Free
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
"Ragtime" The Musical! at the Elysian Performing Arts Center, Morehead City.
A sweeping musical set in the early 1900s that explores themes of racism, injustice, hope, and dreams amid the changes in society, music, and culture rising in NYC and across America.
2:30 pm | $27.50
Living History Weekend at Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach.
Reenactors with the 45th Massachusetts Regiment portray what life would have been like at Fort Macon during the Civil War. There will be various programs and short talks throughout the day including: Small Arms Demonstrations, Uniform & Equipment talks, Artillery Demos., etc.
9 am-2 pm | Free
Coin Show at History Museum of Carteret County, Morehead City
Dealers will be on hand to buy, sell, and appraise coins, paper money, bullion, and numismatic related material.
10 am-4 pm | Free

Tuesday, March 10

Spring Garden Concert at Beaufort Historic Site, Beaufort.
Featuring International guest artist Novos Caminhos perforning Brazilian choro and samba.
7:30-10 pm | $55 - $125
Mario Day Perler Bead Magnets at Newport Branch Library, Newport.
Celebrate Mario Day by creating these fun Perler bead magnets. Ages 6-12. All supplies are included.
3-5 pm
Lil Stitches Craft Club at The Periwinkle, Beaufort.
Second Tuesday of the month, new craft each month! Everything provided, with an occasional exception.
6-8 pm | $10

Wednesday, March 11

Exploring Coastal Habitats at Rachel Carson Reserve, Beaufort.
A guided hike of the Rachel Carson Reserve will take you through the different habitats and the sandy, muddy, and wet terrain found on Town Marsh and Bird Shoal. The program is recommended for ages 12 and up. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
8:30 am-Noon | $25, Friends Members $22
Music Bingo at Carolina Home and Gardens, 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
Wilderness Workout at Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro.
A physically challenging, full body workout in nature.
10-11 am | Free

Thursday, March 12

Fairy Garden Class at Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
Create your own magical fairy dish garden filled with charming plants and whimsical accents! Learn simple design and care tips while crafting a beautiful miniature world to take home. All materials are provided.
6-8 pm | $46.13, Small Charcuterie Box $15.38, Large Charcuterie Box $25.63
Make Homemade Pasta with Tim Becker at Carolina Home and Garden, Newport.
Learn how to make homemade ravioli from start to finish! This is a hands-on class! Everyone will get to roll out their own dough and learn the skills needed to prepare pasta at home!
6-7:30 pm | $46.13

Future Events

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

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 | $
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

The North Carolina Maritime Museum

After over a year of renovations - and a blizzard - the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort has reopened.

Located on Front Street overlooking Taylor’s Creek, the museum celebrates centuries of coastal life, from early fishermen and boat builders to pirates, shipwrecks, and modern marine science.

The roots of the museum stretch back more than a century. Its earliest collections began around 1904 with marine specimens and artifacts gathered at a U.S. Fisheries Laboratory on nearby Pivers Island. Over time, these items grew into a significant collection documenting the maritime heritage of coastal North Carolina. The museum as visitors know it today opened in Beaufort in the mid-1980s and continues to serve as a center for preserving and interpreting the region’s maritime culture.

Inside, visitors can explore displays on traditional fishing and oyster harvesting, historic watercraft used along the Carolina coast, lighthouses and lifesaving stations, and the evolution of the U.S. Coast Guard in the region. One of the most popular attractions is the collection of artifacts recovered from the wreck of Queen Anne’s Revenge, the flagship of the notorious pirate Blackbeard, which ran aground near Beaufort in 1718.

There are two new exhibits now on display. One is called ‘North Carolina’s Road to Revolution, which celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.” The other new exhibit is “Swell Times,” which highlights coastal recreation, such surfing, fishing and boating.

Beyond the exhibits, the museum offers a hands-on experience. Just across the creek, the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center showcases traditional boatbuilding and even hosts classes for visitors interested in learning the craft.

Morehead City, N.C.-based Carteret Health Care has begun construction on a $50 million outpatient campus in Cedar Point, N.C.

The 50,000-square-foot project will house a freestanding emergency department, advanced diagnostics and primary and specialty care, and an Ambulatory Surgery Center.

The emergency department will be the first freestanding emergency depsartment in the region and will have 10 private treatment rooms.

The campus is expected to be completed by fall 2027

Rate increase? At its March 10 meeting, the Emerald Isle Board of Commissionerswill consider a proposal to increase the parking fees for the 2026 season to $5 per hour, with a maximum daily charge of $25. Current fees are $4 per hour with a daily maximum of $10. This fee increase would be paired with an amendment to the Town's current parking contract, and would generate approximately $120,000 of net additional revenue annually that would be used to cover increasing expenses for visitor services.

If approved, the new fees would be effective April 1, when parking fees go into effect for the 2026 season.