October 2023 Events on the Crystal Coast
October 2023 Events on the Crystal Coast
Whether you’re a local looking for some autumn fun or a visitor planning a fall getaway, this guide will give you a taste of the best events happening this October.
As the temperatures become milder and the calm ocean breeze gently blows over our coastal communities, it’s the perfect time to explore the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. October is an exciting month, with plenty of events and activities to enjoy. From trunk or treats and pumpkin patches to seafood festivals and fishing tournaments, there’s something for everyone on the NC coast.
Visit our Event Calendar for a comprehensive list of year-round exciting happenings. Enjoy Fall Festivals and beyond this October on the Crystal Coast.
Large Fall Festivals on the Crystal Coast
37th Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival October 6th-8th-
Get ready for a 3-day seafood extravaganza that brings visitors and locals together for a family-friendly festival full of thrills, music, entertainment, and most importantly, fantastic food! Find out how you can enjoy this fin-tastic festival by Diving into the NC Seafood Festival!
69th Annual Swansboro Mullet Festival October 14th-15th-
It’s that time of year again for the Annual Swansboro Mullet Festival, not mullet the hairdo but the small bony fish found in our local waters. Being the oldest festival on the Crystal Coast, it has grown from humble potluck beginnings to encompass so much more, including local vendors and artists, delicious delicacies, and plenty of family fun, such as a large kid’s play area!
Are you looking for more fall fun, such as pumpkin patches, hay rides, and more? Check out our guide to Pumpkin Patches on the Crystal Coast!
Trunk or Treat on the NC Coast
Morehead City Parks and Recreation Annual Trunk or Treat October 25th, 5:30 PM-7:00 PM-
Join us at the Morehead City Recreation Center, 1600 Fisher Street, for a fun-filled Halloween celebration with spooky trunks and plenty of candy. All you need to bring is the family and your fun costumes! To host a trunk or donate candy, please register online! For more information, contact Amanda Beaman at 252-726-5083, ext. 702, or email amanda.beaman@moreheadcitync.org.
2nd Annual Carteret Community College Trunk or Treat October 26th, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM-
Join Carteret Community College for a spooktacular afternoon full of food trucks, inflatables, family fun, and plenty of candy! It’s free to the public, so what are you waiting for? Grab your costumes, and see you there! Don’t hesitate to contact Kristian Jenkins at jenkinsl@carteret.edu for further information.
6th Annual Trunk or Treat at the Atlantic Beach, NC Town Park October 27th, 6:00 PM-
Kickstart your fall family fun weekend by joining the Atlantic Beach Police Department as they host the 6th Annual Trunk or Treat! This is a free event with music, games, and a movie screening of Hocus Pocus at 8:30 PM. Grab your costumes, and remember a bag for all the candy! You can also help by bringing a decorated trunk and providing candy for all the kids!
Boo-fort Trunk or Treat October 28th, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM-
Make sure to don your favorite costume and hop between different ports (trunks) to collect treats or play tricks on the unsuspecting! You won’t want to miss this event, which will be held at Gallants Channel, Beaufort, in a classic trunk-or-treat environment. Participants can safely stroll through a well-lit area and trick-or-treat from approved vendors. This event is free, but pre-registration is required for “trunks,” which must provide their own giveaway items (such as candy or toys) and activities. To make arrangements to set up a trunk, email Christine.Brin@dncr.nc.gov.
October 6th
Mac Daddy’s and Golfin Dolphin’s 15th & 30th Anniversary Celebration 5 PM-11 PM-
You’re invited to celebrate the anniversary of the largest entertainment center on the Crystal Coast with them! Entry is $30 a ticket and includes food by Moore’s BBQ, Live Music, and all amenities except go-carts at no additional cost! Come out and have an amazing night of family fun!
Fishing for a cure in October
Pokerfish Surf Fishing Tournament & Beach Party, October 8th, 10 AM-
Paint the beach pink with Fishin’ for a Cure by wearing pink and participating in this fantastic event to raise awareness for women’s cancers. Registration starts at 10 AM on the left side of the Bogue Inlet Pier in Emerald Isle. Both team members must check in and get an armband. The cost is $25.00 per person, and a long-sleeved Pokerfish t-shirt is included with registration. Each team consists of an angler and a runner, who can switch spots anytime, but only one line may be in the water per team. Hotdogs, chips, and a hydration station will be set up for all. Please see event registration for more details and rules.
October 14th
Morehead City Barktober Festival, 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM-
Join Morehead City Parks and Recreation at the Rotary Dog Park at 2203 Mayberry Loop Road for a morning filled with dog walks, a pet costume contest, food vendors, and more! The best part is the event is free and a great way to meet other pet parents. The costume contest is just one dollar to enter! For more information, contact Amanda Beaman at amanda.beaman@moreheadcitync.org or call 252-726-5083, ext. 702.
October 21st
The venue for CedarFest is the beautiful Boathouse Creek Park, situated at the end of Masonic Avenue. The Town of Cedar Point owns this park, and spans 57 acres, located at the intersection of Boathouse Creek and the White Oak River. Many family-friendly activities will be available, including free kayak rentals, bounce house and slide, games, food trucks, and more!
3rd Annual Crystal Coast Highland Games 9 AM-
The Highland Games are coming to Beaufort this October, and with it comes Heavy Athletics, Highland Dancing, Scottish Vendors, Beer Tent, Food Trucks & so much more! Tickets are $15.00 if purchased in advance, $20.00 at the gate, and all children 12 and under are free.
October 28th-29th
36th Annual Carolina Kite Festival, Atlantic Beach, 10 AM- 4 PM-
Come and join the fun at the 36th Annual Carolina Kite Festival presented by Kites Unlimited at the Sands Villa Resort located in Atlantic Beach! Bring your kites and cameras, and spend a lovely weekend enjoying the sight of colorful kites soaring in the skies of beautiful Atlantic Beach. You and your family will surely have a great time with various kites of different shapes and sizes!
Other Fun Events in October on the NC Coast
Fear At The Fort, Fort Macon State Park, October 20th, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM-
Spooky happenings have been reported at Fort Macon, and we want you to experience them firsthand! The 19th-century Fort Macon is about to have a night of haunted happenings brought about by actors and various themed props. Fear At The Fort will take visitors through the dark casemates and passageways of Fort
Macon, with walk-through times being, on average, 20-25 minutes. *This event is rated for children 13 OR OLDER unless supervised by an adult.
Phantom Seas: Legends and Lore at The Aquarium, October 28th-
This Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium event is entirely FREE with admission, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit a haunted swamp and a mermaid cove and learn about the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Throughout the day, there will be trick-or-treat booths, carnival games, crafts, animal encounters, and other exciting activities available at various times for all attendees to enjoy.
2nd Annual Morehead City Haunted House, October 27th,28th, and 30th, 6 PM-9 PM-
You’re invited to the Morehead City Recreation Center located at 1600 Fisher Street. Get ready for a hauntedly good time of kid-friendly scares, games, and big kid haunts happening in different rooms! Proceeds go toward the parks and rec scholarship fund. The event ticket is $5 per person.
Have You Found Your Ideal Experience on the NC Coast for October?
Get ready for exciting events this October as we continue to update our monthly calendar! The North Carolina Coast is brimming with all sorts of fall activities and happenings. We’ve given you a sneak peek into some of the October 2023 events, but there’s so much more to explore. If you’re still itching for adventure, be sure to check out our comprehensive 2023 Crystal Coast Calendar of Events.
Just because summer has come to an end doesn’t mean our beautiful coast goes to sleep. It really comes to life with festivals, family fun, and outdoor activities abound. If you like a milder temp, a quieter family beach, and a plethora of events to plan around, now is the time to discover the beauty of the Crystal Coast. Let us help you craft your stress-free Fall vacation today!
Pin Your Way to Fun: Save These NC Coast October 2023 Events for Later
