17 things to do in the Wilmington area for Memorial Day weekend
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, so Wilmington-area crowds are likely to be thick this weekend, at the beaches and everywhere else.
Once you get your fill of the beach, or if you plan on staying off the crowded strands, there's plenty of entertainment to check out. Lots of concerts for sure, many of them out of doors, but we've also got a nice mix of theater, comedy, visual art and even one of Wilmington's most beloved arts festivals. Details below.
If you feel like planning ahead, don't forget to check out our big ol' list of outdoor summer concerts, link below.
Live music: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area for 2025
ALL WEEKEND
May 22-June 1 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Big Dawg Productions presents the interactive, Tony-nominated play by playwright Heidi Schreck starring Wilmington thespian Cathy Sanborn Street. Schreck, who earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions as a teenager, not only delves into the meaning of the U.S. Constitution, but she explores how it shaped the lives of the women in her family. The show includes a live debate segment, with audience members voting on the "winner." 7:30 p.m. May 22-24 and 29-31, 3 p.m. May 25 and June 1. 910-632-2285.
May 23-25 at Thalian Hall: Thalian Association Community Theatre presents the musical based on the movie about Elle Woods, a bubbly blonde who finagles her way into law school to try to win back the guy who dumped her. Elle ends up learning a lot about her self-worth and singing some wonderful songs. Meghan McDonald, a Wilmington Theater Awards nominee for best actress in a musical, plays Elle. 7:30 p.m. 23-24, 2 p.m. May 25. 910-632-2285.
May 23-24 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Touring comic and actress with a huge online following has been featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the New York Comedy Festival, and on Joe Rogan's podcast. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, tickets are $25 and $36.
May 22-24 at Kenan Auditorium: Show of new works from Wilmington dance studio Techniques in Motion. 5:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with additional 1 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $20, $15 for youth. 910-962-3500.
May 23-24 at The Boatyard, 18 Harnett St.: At this weekend outdoor concert series, the folky Jesse Stockton Duo takes the stage Friday while rockers Machine Gun play Saturday. Located behind Marina Grill & Tequila's Waterfront just off the Wilmington Riverwalk. 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free.
May 23 on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Memorial Day weekend event kicks of this weekly Pleasure Island concert series. The Port City Shakedown will play R&B and soul on the boardwalk, followed by fireworks on the beach strand. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, with fireworks starting at 9 p.m. Free.
May 23, downtown Wilmington: Monthly crawl of downtown and downtown-adjacent art galleries and art spaces includes a show of new paintings and collages by longtime Wilmington artist Elizabeth Darrow, "Dance with Me," at public radio WHQR's MC Erny Gallery. Plus, Acme Art studios on North Fifth Avenue will have an "I Love Wilmington" show with work by multiple Acme artists. 6-9 p.m. Friday, free. For full list of participating galleries, go to ArtsWilmington.org.
May 23 at The Eagles' Dare: Foo Fighters tribute band Hey, Johnny Park headlines this weekly concert series, which features area, touring and tribute acts. Davy Williamson and Mary Kathryn Clewis open up. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. opener, 8 p.m. headliner. Free.
May 23 at Middleton Park Amphitheater: Beach music band The Entertainers kicks off this Brunswick County outdoor concert series for Memorial Day Weekend. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics allowed. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, free.
May 23 at Live at Ted's: Longtime Wilmington musician and former Nashville songwriter Jones — he penned Travis Tritt's hit "Country Club" — plays a rare show of his deftly written folk and country tunes. 8 p.m. Friday, tickets are $10.
May 23 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Wilmington indie rock band Lawn Enforcement, whose stellar new album "Lamb" includes such moody bangers as the rockingly introspective "All To Me," plays its final show with drummer Jackson DeGrappo. It's a stacked lineup, with blues rockers The Queen's Giant, psyche-rockers Blue Karma, and alt-rockers Noise Complaint. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, cover at the door.
SATURDAY
May 24-25 at Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center: The 29th annual indoor/outdoor festival and fundraiser for Thalian Association Community Theatre features dozens of artists displaying and selling their work — everything from paintings and sculpture to pottery, jewelry and more — as well as a show juried by Wilmington artist Ben Billingsley. With food trucks, student art, arts center tours and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, free.
May 24 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Longtime jam band brings its patented blend of improvisational rock to this beloved lakeside venue. 7 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $32.
May 24 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Dreamy Wilmington rock band headlines this midtown rock club with support from Port City songstress Bella Peadon. 8 p.m. Saturday, cover at the door.
SUNDAY
May 25 at Bridgeview Park: The Embers featuring Craig Woolard kick off this Brunswick County concert series with their classic Carolina beach music sound. Bring a blanket or a chair. 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday, free.
May 25 Town Center Park: The Main Event Band kicks off this Brunswick County concert series, also known as the Peggy Hughes Summer Concert Series. Food vendors on site. Chairs allowed, but no smoking, vaping or pets. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. show, Sunday. Free.
May 25 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Rapper and songwriter brings his Upside Down Tour, Part 2 to town. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, tickets start at $32.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What to do and things going on in Wilmington, NC, Memorial Day weekend
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