Seasonal & Holiday in Carolina Beach and Kure Beach
Holiday, Halloween and seasonal events on Pleasure Island.
Weekly
Pumpkin Patch (Through Oct 31)
Pumpkin Patch (Through Oct 31)
Boardwalk on Ice (Through Jan 3, 2027)
October 2026
Carolina Beach Pier Pumpkin Patch
The beachfront pumpkin patch offers photo spots, with pumpkins and refreshments for sale.
St. Paul's UMC Pumpkin Patch
The church sells pumpkins, and proceeds buy Christmas gifts for local families and Methodist Homes for Children.
Pumpkin Painting Party
Carnival of Carnage (Halloween Carnival at Brewery)
The brewery offers free carnival games and popcorn, a specialty beer release, and drink specials.
Halloween Carnival
This free family carnival features games, prizes, candy, bounce houses, music, and a costume contest.
American Legion Post 129 14th Annual Holiday Craft Show
The craft show features local artisans and vendors.
Doggy Halloween Costume Party
Halloween Story Time by the Sea
Princesses from Fairytales and Dreams by the Sea lead a costume story time.
Paddle ILM's Witches & Warlocks Paddle
Paddleboarders, kayakers and canoers dress as witches and warlocks for a self-supported group paddle suitable for all skill levels.Paddleboarders, kayakers and canoers dress as witches and warlocks for a self-supported group paddle suitable for all skill levels. Costumes are encouraged, and participants bring their own paddle-powered boat, a life jacket and a whistle. A post-paddle reception follows at Stoked Restaurant.
Boo! to Trash Beach Cleanup (NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher)
The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher holds a beach cleanup at Carolina Beach Pier.The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher holds a beach cleanup at Carolina Beach Pier. The date and place are confirmed on the aquarium calendar, but the 4:00-6:00 PM time comes from a single search summary.
Doggy Halloween Costume Contest
Dogs in Halloween costumes compete for $20 and $10 gift card prizes; treats for all dogs.
Halloween at Silver Dollar
Silver Dollar hosts a Halloween event.
Halloween Costume Contest
The venue hosts a Halloween costume contest with Halloween beats, fun drinks and prizes.
Halloween Costume Contest (Co-Hosted With Silver Dollar)
The Halloween costume contest is co-hosted with Silver Dollar.The Halloween costume contest is co-hosted with Silver Dollar. Karaoke starts at 9 PM, registration runs 10 PM to 11:45 PM, and the contest begins at 12:00 AM. Winners are announced at about 12:20 AM. The purse totals $300: $175 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.
IB Halloween Party With DJ Nico
Witches Pub Crawl (11th Annual): Fundraiser for Harry's House
Beaches & Boots hosts the annual pub crawl along the boardwalk, and hats and light-up brooms are encouraged. Funds raised go to Harry's House.
"Scaraoke" Halloween Costume Contest
Karaoke and registration start at 8 PM; registration closes at 9:45 PM; contest at 10 PM; $300 purse.
Alley-Ween at The Dive
The all-ages family fair runs 4:00-7:00 PM with trick-or-treating, carnival games, and vendors, and a kids' costume contest at 7:00 PM.The all-ages family fair runs 4:00-7:00 PM with trick-or-treating, carnival games, and vendors, and a kids' costume contest at 7:00 PM. The 21+ Spirits in the Alley party runs 8:00-11:00 PM with live music by Jam Sandwich, food, spooky cocktails, scary movies, and vendors. A DJ afterparty follows from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with an adult costume contest at midnight.
Halloween Costume Party at Hurricane Alley's
The Boardwalk bar hosts a costume party with a DJ and drink specials.
Halloween Night Party
Live Music: Jam Sandwich
Jam Sandwich plays live on Halloween night.
Stoked Halloween Party With DJ Riz
The annual Halloween party features DJ Riz, drink specials, and costume prizes.
November 2026
Breakfast With Santa: Reservation Launch Day
Veteran's Day at Silver Dollar
Silver Dollar holds a Veterans Day tribute event.
Kure Beach Holiday Market
The market features handcrafted goods, a DJ, and food trucks.
The Merry Market on the Beach
Thanksgiving at Silver Dollar
Silver Dollar hosts a Thanksgiving Day gathering.
Boardwalk on Ice
The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce brings an 88-foot real-ice skating rink with seasonal vendors to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, from Black…The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce brings an 88-foot real-ice skating rink with seasonal vendors to the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, from Black Friday Nov 27 through Jan 3, 2027. Public skating runs Wednesday through Sunday; Mondays and Tuesdays are set aside for lessons, exhibitions and private events. Holiday hours: Dec 24, 2-7 PM; Dec 25, 3-8 PM; Dec 31, 2-9 PM; Jan 1, 2-8 PM.
Island of Lights: Lighting at the Lake
The Christmas tree lighting countdown at Carolina Beach Lake includes kids' games, hot cocoa, baked goods, a Christmas caroling sing-along, snow, and…The Christmas tree lighting countdown at Carolina Beach Lake includes kids' games, hot cocoa, baked goods, a Christmas caroling sing-along, snow, and Santa. Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation co-presents the event with Island of Lights.
Kure Beach Holiday Market
This is the second day of the holiday market.
December 2026
Carolina Beach Christmas Parade
The parade travels north from the lake toward Publix, with Santa closing the parade.
Carolina Beach Holiday Market
The market features local artists and vendors.
Island of Lights Christmas Flotilla
Decorated boats parade for prizes on Sat, Dec 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the second Saturday after Thanksgiving.Decorated boats parade for prizes on Sat, Dec 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the second Saturday after Thanksgiving. One aggregator lists Dec 12, but this listing follows the organizer's date.
Christmas Palm Tree Lighting
The giant palm tree at Carolina Beach Pier is lit for the holiday season.The giant palm tree at Carolina Beach Pier is lit for the holiday season. The time follows last year's event (4:00 to 6:00 PM); confirm with the source.
Holiday Movie at the Lake
A holiday movie screens at Carolina Beach Lake. The title is not listed.
Island of Lights Tour of Homes
Ticket holders take a self-guided tour of private homes and local businesses decorated for the season, with a tour map provided.Ticket holders take a self-guided tour of private homes and local businesses decorated for the season, with a tour map provided. Tickets are sold at Sumthin Beachie.
Networking and Coffee Holiday Potluck
The networking series holds a holiday potluck edition.
Holiday Whoobie Whatty
The Grinch-themed night includes the Cheermeister announcement, a movie, crafts, cookie decorating, and Grinch photos.The Grinch-themed night includes the Cheermeister announcement, a movie, crafts, cookie decorating, and Grinch photos. Donations are collected for the Help Center of Federal Point.
Britt Foundation Christmas Celebration
The foundation's Christmas celebration includes food and is ticketed on Eventbrite. It may be invitation-oriented.
Holiday Story Time by the Sea
Princesses lead a holiday story time.
Santa by the Sea
Santa appears alongside holiday activities.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (Kure Beach First Baptist Church)
The community sings carols by candlelight with Kure Beach First Baptist Church; bring a lawn chair and a battery-powered candle.The community sings carols by candlelight with Kure Beach First Baptist Church; bring a lawn chair and a battery-powered candle. The inclement-weather location is Kure Beach First Baptist Church, 208 6th Ave S.
Island of Lights New Year's Eve Countdown and Drone Display
The countdown includes live music, a ball drop countdown, and drone fireworks shows at 8:00 PM and at midnight.The countdown includes live music, a ball drop countdown, and drone fireworks shows at 8:00 PM and at midnight. Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation co-presents the event with Island of Lights.
Karaoke New Year's Eve at Silver Dollar
Silver Dollar hosts karaoke on New Year's Eve.
NYE Early Bird Celebration at the Carolina Beach Pier
New Year's Eve Party at Hurricane Alley's
The Boardwalk bar hosts a New Year's Eve party with a DJ and party favors.
October 2027
Halloween Story Time by the Sea (2027)
A Halloween-themed story time takes place at Ocean Front Park.
November 2027
Kure Beach Holiday Market (2027)
The holiday market takes place at Ocean Front Park, with a second date on Nov 27.
Kure Beach Holiday Market (2027)
The holiday market takes place at Ocean Front Park.
December 2027
Kure Beach Holiday Whoobie Whatty (2027)
A Grinch-themed holiday event takes place at Ocean Front Park.
Holiday Story Time by the Sea (2027)
A holiday story time takes place at Ocean Front Park.