10-07-2025
18 things to do in the Wilmington area during a big, 'BAD' and music-filled weekend
Every weekend in Wilmington is a good weekend for music these days, but this weekend is an especially good one for tunes.
Not only do we have the inaugural BAD Day Music & Arts Festival in the Brooklyn Arts District, but we've also got touring shows at some of Wilmington's top venues and concerts with some of Wilmington's best musical artists, not to mention non-musical events including theater, art exhibits, movies and more.
For more ideas of things to do this weekend and beyond, we've also got stories about outdoor concerts in the Wilmington area and a list of July concerts to see in and near Wilmington.
Top tunes: 39 concerts to see in the Wilmington area during the month of July
July 10-20 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Big Dawg Productions presents the original, Southern-fried dramedy from Wilmington thespian Ray Kennedy. Based on true events, the play chronicles the story of Louie, the matriarch of a rural family whose friends accompany her on 45-mile trips for Louie to receive cancer treatments. Cast includes Wilmington actors Debra Gillingham, Erin Hunter, Fracaswell Hyman, Jenny McKinnon Wright, Cindy Colucci and more. 7:30 p.m. July 10-12 and 17-19, 3 p.m. July 13 and 20. Tickets and details at 910-632-2285 or
July 11-12 at The Boatyard: Outdoor music series behind the Marina Grill and Tequila's Waterfront off the Wilmington Riverwalk. Friday features the soul/rock/hip-hop blend of Wilmington band Oc3ans and singer Brooke Renshaw, while Saturday will see a show from Durham R&B singer Bianca "BeMyFiasco" Rodriguez. 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Vendors on site. Bring a chair. Free.
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July 11 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Virginia jam band has drawn notice for its blend of musicianship and wacky humor. With Underground Springhouse. 7 p.m. Friday, tickets start at $18.
July 11 at Jengo's Playhouse: Horror film from directors Rachel Kempf and Nick Toti blends fact and fiction in telling its story of a married couple that buys an abandoned Missouri duplex to film a low-budget horror movie. 7:30 Friday, tickets are $10.
July 11 at the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area: Wilmington jam band Dubtown Cosmonauts kicks off this music series held in Kure Beach. 6 p.m. Friday. Bring a chair or blanket, food trucks on site. Free.
July 11 at The Eagles' Dare: Doors tribute band The Crystal Ship headlines this weekly concert series. The Adam Hill Band opens. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. opener, 8 p.m. headliner. Free.
July 11 at Middleton Park Amphitheater: Beach music legends The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard, perform for this outdoor concert series in Brunswick County. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics allowed. Free.
July 11 at the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens: Two notable tours at this 18th-century, downtown Wilmington historic site. The "Cape Fear Legends & Lore" tour includes stories of tunnels beneath Wilmington, the age of Prohibition and more. The candlelit "Colonial Nightlife" tour explores the "rituals and superstitions" of a time before electricity. Cape Fear Legends & Lore is 9 a.m. Friday, $25. Colonial Nightlife is 9 p.m. Friday, $20.
July 11 at Satellite Bar & Lounge: Veteran Wilmington rockabilly/psychobilly/honky-tonk country act plays this South Front District anchor. 7 p.m. Friday, free.
July 11 at The Fuzzy Needle: Cameron Sinclair, formerly of Carolina Beach rock outfit Pleasure Island, plays a release show for her album, "Starling Lightning Charm." Songs include the grungy, tuneful lover's lament "Bobby Gillespie" and lo-fi indie folk gem "Slingback." 7 p.m. Friday, $5.
July 11 at Franklin Square Gallery: Southport art gallery hosts a reception and awards ceremony for its annual summer show. With original paintings, pottery, sculpture and more by artists from around the region. 5-7 p.m. Friday. Free, with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and wine.
July 12 in the Brooklyn Arts District: New music festival in the Brooklyn Arts District has a packed lineup of bands on three stages that includes roots-jammers Railroad Earth, funk stalwarts Lettuce, bluegrass traditionalists Yonder Mountain String Band, genre-mashers Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, reggae band Signal Fire, Asheville electro-funk supergroup Electro Lust and more. With food, drink, artists/vendors, yoga/wellness and more. 10 a.m. gates on Saturday, tickets at
July 12 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Roots country act is touring in support of the 10th anniversary of its album "And the War Came." Opening act is Chicago-based duo Whitney. 7 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $46.
July 12 at CFCC Wilson Center: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original summer blockbuster with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra performing the iconic score live. 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $25.
July 12 at The Sandspur: Double bill features metal-adjacent Wilmington rock acts Black Mantis and Record Highs; the latter is the new band of Charles Krueger of Wilmington legends Thunderlip. 7 p.m. Saturday, free.
July 13 at the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar: Veteran Triangle folk rock act fronted by the vocalist Django Haskins brings its "pop-noir" songs to the pier-top musical hotspot in Carolina Beach. 7-9 p.m. Sunday, free.
July 13 at The Eagle's Dare: Wilmington comedy troupe Pineapple-Shaped Lamps presents an interactive "shadow cast" production of the family-friendly Disney cult classic for its 30th anniversary, with costumed performers acting out the animated film while it screens in the background. Audience costumes encouraged. 3 p.m. Sunday, tickets are "pay what you can," but advance registration is requested.
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July 13 at at Bridgeview Park: Jim Quick and Coastline bring beach music classics and "swamp soul" originals to this Brunswick County concert series. 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday. Bring a blanket or a chair. Free.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Events, things to do, what's going on and entertainment in Wilmington, NC
