Wilmington Riverfest returns to the historic downtown riverfront October 3 and 4 for one of the largest free festivals in North Carolina. Running since 1979, the two-day event fills Water Street along the Cape Fear River with craft and food vendors, multiple live music stages, a children's area, and Saturday night fireworks over the water.
The festival draws tens of thousands of visitors across the weekend. Saturday runs from 10am to late evening with fireworks capping the night. Sunday runs from 10:30am to 5pm. No admission fee.
1.75-mile wooden boardwalk along the Cape Fear River through downtown. The spine of the downtown experience with restaurants, shops, and bars on the landward side …