May 2023 Events on the Crystal Coast
May 2023 Events on the Crystal Coast
Whether you’re vacationing with us or a local, there’s always something to look forward to and always fun to be had right here on the Crystal Coast in May. Don’t miss any of these May 2023 events on the Crystal Coast.
You can click the event title links below to learn more about each event. You can also select the “Event Calendar” tag from the sidebar of our blog to see all published event calendars. Enjoy!
BEACHCOMBING
May 1st, 2023 – Recurring weekly on Monday, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM| $15 | NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Take a hike with Aquarium naturalists as they guide you through this important ecosystem to discover incredible shells, plant and animal life, and other organisms you may find at the beach. Ages 5 and up. A paying adult must accompany children 17 and under. This program requires you to provide your transportation to the beachcombing location. The combing location will be disclosed upon registration.
(Search Pine Knoll Shores vacation rentals to be close to this event)
BEHIND THE SCENES: FEEDING FRENZY
May 1, 2023 – Recurring weekly on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday | $20 for nonmembers / $18 for members | NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Explore the behind-the-scenes area with one of our excellent educators! Visit animal holding areas, labs, and help feed the fish in the Living Shipwreck. Ages 5 and up. A paying adult must accompany children 5-17.
(Search Pine Knoll Shores vacation rentals to be close to this event)
BIRD HIKE
May 1, 2023, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM | FREE | Fort Macon State Park – Visitor Center
Meet at the visitor center and take a leisurely hike to identify birds native to the area. The hike will cover both the trail and the beach. (Search Atlantic Beach vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
SMALL ARMS DEMONSTRATION
– | FREE | Ft. Macon State Park
Come to Fort Macon’s parade ground at 10:30 a.m. to learn about one of the small arms (musket, flintlock, or rifle) that a soldier stationed at Fort Macon would have carried and used. This will include a blank firing demonstration of the weapon.
(Search Atlantic Beach vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
THE NC SHELL CLUB’S CRYSTAL COAST SHELLEBRATION
May 5 – 7, 2023, 2 PM – 4 PM | $5 | Crystal Coast Civic Center
Don’t miss the largest display of shell collections and see some of the most beautiful and rarely-seen shells. All are welcome! Whether you’re a beginner, a crafter, a collector, a naturalist, or a scientist, this show is for you. The NC Shell show will feature educational exhibits, shell craft and artwork, and a vast selection of shells for sale.
Show times are Friday and Saturday, 9:00 – 5:00 PM. Sunday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Admission is $5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors age 65+ and military, and children 18 and under are free.
Morehead City is centrally located mainland, between Atlantic Beach and Swansboro, and only a short ride from any of our Crystal Coast vacation rentals.
CAVIAR FARM TOUR AND TASTING
May 5, 2023, 2 PM – 4 PM | $75 | Marshallberg Farm – 811 Straits Rd, Smyrna, NC 28579
Tour the sturgeon farm, taste caviar and sturgeon, and purchase products on-site. Marshallberg Farm Tours take place at our coastal/eastern NC facility.
(Explore our Crystal Coast area guide for vacation rentals)
LIVING HISTORY SERIES: BARN QUILT WORKSHOP
May 5, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | $75 | Beaufort Historic Site
Learn to make your own barn quilt, which is a large piece of painted wood designed to look like a single quilt block and decorate the side of a barn or building. This art form was born out the rich history of family quilting in Appalachia and the European folk art that contributed to it. Your barn quilt will measure 24”x 24”, and will be yours to take home and cherish forever. This workshop is limited to 6 people, so RSVP by calling the Beaufort Historic Site at (252)728-5225 to reserve your spot.
(Search Beaufort vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
SPRING FIRST FRIDAYS
May 5, 2023, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM | FREE | North Carolina Maritime Museum
Join the North Carolina Maritime Museum for the continuing “First Friday” art events. They will host artists at the Port of Call Museum Store with a reception and presentation of their work. The featured artists’ work will be available for purchase during the reception and all month at Port of Call.
(Search Beaufort vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
47th Annual Wooden Boat Show
May 6, 2023, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | FREE | North Carolina Maritime Museum
This free event celebrates the art of North Carolina boat building and the sport of boat racing. Dozens of handcrafted wooden boats will be displayed, and activities will be available for all ages.
Youngsters can participate in maritime games and crafts in the Wooden Boat Kids area. Families can team up to test their skills in sailing radio-controlled model boats. And kids can also make their own model sailboats. Enjoy traditional skills demonstrations and displays, educational activities, historic vessels, boat models, traditional sailboat races, and rides.
(Search Beaufort vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
MOSQUITO RUN 10K AND 5K
May 6, 2023, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM | $40 per participant | Ft. Macon State Park
Fort Macon State Park is excited to announce the return of the Mosquito Run for 2023!
This 10K and 5K run and walk, held at the park, will benefit the Friends of Fort Macon. The Friends group is a huge financial supporter of all park projects, including the park’s trail system. Even if you can’t join us for the race, please consider donating to the Friends group so we can continue to improve the park.
(Search Atlantic Beach vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
Astronomy Evening at Fort Macon
May 12, 2023, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | Fort Macon State Park 2303 E Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Join the Crystal Coast Stargazers at the beach access/bathhouse parking lot to view space through a telescope and learn more about our universe.
This event depends on clear weather and may be canceled due to rain or heavy cloud cover. If you have a telescope, feel free to bring it. No pets, please.
Unless someone with your group has mobility issues, we ask that you park in the first parking lot when you enter the area (the parking lot west of the bathhouse), then walk over to the program area in the east lot. We hope this will prevent people from being blinded by headlights as people leave.
(Search Atlantic Beach vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
Crystal Coast Half Booty Triathlon
May 13, 2023, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | $200-$350 | 275 W Beaufort Rd Ext, Beaufort, NC 28516
The 2023 Half Booty event features a half triathlon distance race (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run) through the beautiful Crystal Coast, finishing in historic downtown Beaufort. The race is open to individuals and relay teams and offers an Aquabike division (swim and bike only). A fast, flat course perfect for new triathletes or experienced athletes looking for a PR.
Participants and spectators can enjoy all the coast of North Carolina has to offer! With average air temperatures in Beaufort between 60 and 75 degrees, May is the perfect time to visit.
(Search Beaufort vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
Atlantic Beach International Food Festival
May 13, 2023, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | FREE | Circle Regional Access
Celebrate the spring and summer kick-off at The Circle in Atlantic Beach! Discover the NC Coast! Support local restaurants and businesses on the beach. Food vendors are NC-based business owners. Latin Dance, Turkish, Middle East, reggaetón, and the LARGEST dance party! Free, family, and pet-friendly event!
(Search Atlantic Beach vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
Plein-Air New Bern’s Pop-Up Gallery
May 14-21, 2023, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | FREE | Beaufort Historic Site
The 3rd Annual North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival in New Bern begins Sunday, May 14, and continues through Sunday, May 21. The eight-day Festival showcases 35 nationally and globally acclaimed plein air artists, including 15 newly juried painters, joining 20 award winners and top performers from 2022’s Festival.
May 18th – The Beaufort Historic Site will host Plein-Air New Bern, a non-profit arts organization that brings together artists from across the globe to competitively paint outdoor scenes across eastern North Carolina. The Pop-Up will feature art created by these artists during the event as well as the opportunity to see these artists at work and purchase their creations. Held at 130 Turner St. in Beaufort.
(Search Beaufort vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
Beaufort Music Festival
May 19-20, 2023, 4:30 PM – 11:00 PM | Prices Vary | Gallants Channel Event Space
Beaufort Music Festival (BMF) is a community-supported, volunteer-run event put on by Beaufort Arts and Music, Incorporated, a 501c3 non-profit organization. For over 30 years, the festival has occurred each May in historic Beaufort. The town is packed on Friday and Saturday, with locals and tourists enjoying the beautiful weather and great music. The two-day festival takes place on the beautiful waterfront property at Gallants Channel.
There will be food trucks, vendors, beer tents, and a kid’s area. This year’s lineup is going to bring it like none other before! Visit the website to see the music lineup.
(Search Beaufort vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
9th Annual Atlantic Beach Music Festival
May 20, 2023, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | FREE | 115 Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
This year’s festival will feature Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot, The Band of Oz, Jim Quick and Coastline, I-42 Band, and The Mighty Saints of Soul.
Shuttles will be running from 9:00 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. Locations for the shuttles are Carteret Community College, DoubleTree, and Atlantic Beach Town Park. If you plan to ride in one of the shuttles, please be mindful of the bus rules. Coolers are limited to 32 quarts or smaller and may be inspected by the driver; please, no glass. Drivers will inspect large carry-on knapsacks or bags. Limit of one folding chair per person. No open containers of any type of beverage will be allowed on the shuttle. Lastly, the drivers reserve the right to refuse to transport anyone who refuses or fails to follow the rules.
(Search Atlantic Beach vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
World Turtle Day: Sea Turtles of North Carolina
May 23, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | FREE | North Carolina Maritime Museum
Join the museum educators in the auditorium on World Turtle Day to learn about the different species of sea turtles that inhabit the coastal waters of North Carolina and the trials they face from before they even emerge from their sandy nest.
(Search Beaufort vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
The Sunshine Band Orchestra
May 26, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | FREE | Fort Macon State Park
The Summer Concert Series at Fort Macon! Starting off this series with the remarkable Carteret Community Sunshine Band! Make sure to bring a chair, water, and sunscreen if needed. *ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PROHIBITED*
(Search Atlantic Beach vacation rentals to be closer to this event)
2023 Morehead City Marlins Baseball Games
May 26, 2023, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Prices Vary | Big Rock Stadium
Come out for some family fun and support the Morehead City Marlins for the 2023 season! Go Marlins! Season ticket packages are available.
Day of Game Pricing- $12
Pre-Sale Pricing (only available online before game date) – $10
All-You-Can-Eat Ticket (not available day of game) – $18
Children 3 and under will be admitted free
(Explore our Crystal Coast area guide for vacation rentals)
Enjoyed these May 2023 Events?
Stay tuned for more May events as we add to our monthly calendar!
We hope you enjoyed learning about these May 2023 events on the Crystal Coast. If you’re looking for additional events and happenings along the Crystal Coast, explore our 2023 Crystal Coast Calendar of Events page!
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments. Which events will you be attending? Kick off the conversation in the comments.
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