April 2024 Events on the Crystal Coast
NC Coast Events April 2024
Ready for an April adventure on the NC Coast? Get excited because we’ve got a tidal wave of fun waiting for you! Dive into a jam-packed calendar of events, witness the colorful bloom of flowers, and soak up the sun as the weather heats up. Don’t miss out on this coastal extravaganza – pack your bags and join the party!
Bird Hike
April 1st
Location: Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach
Join one of the Rangers in the Visitor Center Lobby of Fort Macon State Park for a leisurely bird-watching hike. Explore the diverse bird species that call Fort Macon their home.
Opal Beach Turtle Painting Class
April 3rd
Location: Crystal Coast Brewing Company in Atlantic Beach
At Wine & Design’s Painting Class, you can expect more than just an art class. Get ready for music, laughter, and stress relief! Bring a friend or loved one for a guaranteed good time. Local artists will lead you step by step to create your masterpiece. This class is open to all experience levels and is $38 per person (this includes all art supplies you will need). Reserve your spot online, as seats are limited.
46th Annual Pig Cooking Contest
April 5th and 6th
Location: Newport Community Park
Join in on the fun at the Newport Pig Cooking Contest! Experience two days of springtime fun filled with delicious food, rides, irresistible bake sales, live music, souvenirs, and more! Take advantage of all the festivities!
Atlantic Beach King Mackerel 4th Annual Sapphire Soiree
April 6th
Location: The Cottage at the Crystal Coast in Atlantic Beach
Join us for the Sapphire Soiree, an elegant event supporting Life Saving Equipment for the Atlantic Beach Fire Department. Dress code: Semiformal Royal Theme with jewel tone colors. Tickets are $100 each, including complimentary shuttle services, an open bar, delicious food, live entertainment by Trainwreck, and a chance to win $1,500 in a reverse raffle.
8th Annual Core Sound Run
April 6th
Location: Core Sound Waterfowl Museum on Harkers Island
Take advantage of Core Sound Museum’s annual 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run/walk, uniting runners, walkers, and youth teams from Carteret County and beyond to experience one of Eastern North Carolina’s most scenic runs. Now in its 8th year, we anticipate over 400 participants celebrating the arrival of spring in Harkers Island and Down East.
Jumpstart 2024 at Carteret Speedway
April 6th
Location: Carteret County Speedway in Swansboro
The 2024 race season begins with Opening Day, featuring all 8 Divisions hitting the track. The action starts at 2 p.m., promising excitement for racing enthusiasts eager to hit the throttle!
Kiddo Collab: Kids Market
April 7th
Location: The Periwinkle in Beaufort
Mark your calendars! It’s time to rally your creative, entrepreneurial kiddos for the Kids Market season. Join us on Sunday, April 7th, from 1–3 p.m. for a fantastic opportunity to inspire young minds and support budding entrepreneurs.
Nantucket Basket Class
April 9th
Location: Beaufort Historic Site
This basket-making workshop, led by Kathy Petronzio, is priced at $75 per person and is led by Kathy Petronzio. Participants will craft the Divided Tin Tray basket, featuring a rectangular tin tray with a wooden handle and an 8″ x 12″ slotted maple base. The sides are woven with madras blue-dyed reed, standing approximately 4″ high. This versatile basket is perfect for serving condiments on your patio.
Kayak the Salt Marsh
April 10th
Location: Gallants Channel in Beaufort
Join our education team for beginner kayak lessons and safety training on shore before embarking on a 1.5-mile paddle through the salt marsh in our touring kayaks. This program is suitable for ages 12 and up, with participants under 18 requiring adult supervision. Swimming ability is a must, and some prior kayaking experience is recommended. The cost is $35 per person ($30 if you bring your kayak), and pre-registration is required by noon the day before.
Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale
April 12th and 13th
Location: Beaufort Historic Site
As spring blossoms, it’s planting season! Join the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association of Carteret County for their annual Spring Plant Sale at the Beaufort Historic Site on Turner Street. The sale will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, offering various options to satisfy your gardening needs.
ZUZU African Acrobats
April 12th
Location: East Carteret High School in Beaufort
Get ready to be captivated by the incredible ZUZU African Acrobats! Experience the vibrant culture of Tanzania as they perform breathtaking stunts and share the beauty of East Africa! Join us for an engaging 90-minute show filled with human pyramids, juggling, comedy, and thrilling acts!
Beaufort Historic Association Publick Day
April 13th
Location: Beaufort Historic Site
Publick Day is a charming flea market held at the Beaufort Historic Site. Vendors offer a variety of goods, including antiques, collectibles, artwork, handmade jewelry, books, delicious food, and much more.
Beach Scavenger Hunt
April 15th
Location: Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach
Join a park ranger for a leisurely beach walk to explore and discover treasures like drift beans, sea glass, and seashells. Remember sunscreen and water. Weather conditions and the group will determine the hike distance. Meet at the visitor center lobby to start your beach scavenger hunt!
Staghorn Fern Mounting Class
April 16th
Location: Carolina Home and Garden in Newport
Attention all plant enthusiasts! Join us for an informative and exciting class with the skilled instructor, Fran! Learn the ins and outs of caring for Staghorn Ferns while mounting them on wood to take home and enjoy year-round. Tickets are $45 per person. Tickets for this class sell out fast, so secure yours today!
Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve
April 18th
Location: North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort
Accompany a member of our education team at the Maritime Museum for an exploration of the diverse plants and animals inhabiting the salt marsh and tidal flats of the Rachel Carson Reserve. This guided hike will lead you through various habitats, including sandy, muddy, and wet terrain on Town Marsh and Bird Shoal. Recommended for ages 12 and up, an adult must accompany all participants under 18.
1st Annual Beer Mile
April 20th
Location: The Periwinkle in Beaufort
Mark your calendars for the Beer Mile, brought to you by the Periwinkle! Join us for this unique event where participants will tackle four beers and a one-mile race, all supporting a good cause. The race fee is $40 per person.
OWLS Fort Macon Trail 5K
April 20th
Location: Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach
The Fort Macon trail run offers a cross-country style course with moderate elevation changes. The trail traverses wooded areas and open sunlit spaces, featuring footbridge crossings and scenic views of Beaufort Inlet, Bogue Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. The race fee is $35 per person.
Door Hanger Workshop
April 23rd
Location: Carolina Home and Garden in Newport
Join us for a painting party hosted by Happy Cloud Art Studio in the beautiful Sunroom at Carolina Home & Garden! Sip on a drink or snack as you create your masterpiece. This event is open to all skill levels! We’ll paint and decorate door hangers, with four 3D multilayered round designs available for this painting party.
18th Annual Beaufort Wine and Food Festival
April 25th-28th
Location: Varies
A beloved tradition in Carteret County, NC, is the 18th Annual Beaufort Wine and Food Festival, which is back in the charming town of Beaufort. This four-day extravaganza features a variety of events across different venues, including wine dinners prepared by renowned chefs, showcasing award-winning wines, a fashion show, brunch, and a grand wine and food tasting.
Bonehenge Whale Center Excursion
April 26th
Location: Beaufort Historic Site
Gather at the Beaufort Historic Site on 130 Turner Street to board the Historic 1987 English Double-Decker Bus. During the ride, a narrator will share Beaufort’s fascinating history as a whaling community. Arriving at the Bonehenge Whale Center, participants will enjoy a guided tour to learn about whales and conservation. You’ll even touch baleen, teeth, large bones, and other whale artifacts! Price is $20 per person.
Feeding Frenzy Fest
April 27th
Location: Salty Pirate Water Park in Emerald Isle
Join us for a music festival in Emerald Isle! Enjoy live performances by Brad Brewer and your favorite trop rock artists while partying with friends! Tickets are available online for $30 per person or $40 per person at the gate. Remember to bring your sunscreen!
Strawberry Day
April 27th
Location: The Market at Cedar Point
Are you a fan of strawberries? Join us at Cedar Point’s Market for a delightful selection of local strawberries, food trucks, a farmers’ market, local art, and organic food.
Experience April on the Crystal Coast
As we bid farewell to April on the Crystal Coast, let’s reflect on the fantastic experiences it brought and eagerly anticipate the adventures awaiting us in May! If you’ve uncovered the perfect events and need a home base for your coastal getaway, your search ends here. Come this way to discover the ideal vacation rental on the Crystal Coast!
Crystal Coast Events Year-Round
Get ready for a whirlwind of excitement on the Crystal Coast this April! But don’t just stop there—make sure to jot down the dates for the epic Beaufort Music Festival and the Atlantic Beach Music Festival in May. The anticipation is already building for the fantastic events ahead! Prepare for even more thrilling adventures on the Crystal Coast as the weather heats up. And don’t miss out on our year-round calendar of events to stay in the loop with everything happening in our community!
