There are SO many fun things happening on and around Topsail Island, NC this summer! From live entertainment to fishing competitions to movies in the park to author book signings to pirate invasions… the list is extensive! We’ve done the research for you and pulled together this fantastic overview of summer events that you can enjoy while vacationing in your beach house rental.
Earth & Surf Fest
If you happen to be enjoying one of our Topsail Island rentals on Saturday, May 19, be sure to head over to North Topsail Beach to check out this award-winning environmental awareness event!
The stated mission of this event "is to create a fun avenue for individuals to make the connection between the health of our environment, our economy, and our people."
The day kicks off with a 7:00 a.m. on-site registration for the 5k, shoes-optional, one-of-a-kind beach run. The run itself is designed to be eco-friendly and waste-free. In fact, even the power is generated from solar panels! Participants are off and running at 8:00 a.m. sharp.
After the race, you can enjoy a day full of smaller events and activities such as surf and SUP demonstrations, live performances, a paddle tournament, and beach yoga. The festival also includes various artisans and vendors for the savvy shoppers in your group.
Check out their website for more details or for the full schedule of events.
Author Visits and Book Signings
Bookworms visiting in June are in for a special treat, because Quarter Moon Books & Gifts located at 708 S. Anderson Blvd in Topsail Beach has not one but TWO authors coming in to visit!
On Saturday, June 2, best-selling author Susan M. Boyer will be at Quarter Moon Books from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Among other credits, Susan is the author of the award-winning Liz Talbot mystery series and is a North Carolina girl, born and raised.
Read Susan's full bio here.
Then, on Sunday, June 17th, author Mary Alice Monroe will be stopping in for a visit! Mary Alice has written both books for both children and adults and often focuses on themes of environmental conservation and interpersonal relationships.
Read Mary Alice's full bio here.
Fishing Tournaments
TOURNAMENT #1: Surf City's FREE annual Kid's Fishing Tournament will take place this year on Saturday, June 16. This event is hosted by East Coast Sports.
Pre-registration for this tournament is open from June 11th through 15th and can be done in person at East Coast Sports, located at 409 Roland Avenue in Surf City, NC. Same day tournament registration will be available from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
The first 200 children under 12 years of age receive a free rod and reel. Rods will be distributed to registrants at 10:00 a.m. Tournament awards will be given at 1:00 p.m.
Call 910-328-4887 for more information.
TOURNAMENT #2: Don't worry too much if your vacation doesn't coincide with the dates for the first kids' fishing tournament, because there's another tournament scheduled a little later in the summer. Surf City Pier is hosting its own children's fishing competition, which will occur on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
This FREE event is open to a maximum of 300 kids aged 0-16 who have PRE-REGISTERED. Pre-registration runs from June 1 through June 30 at 6pm, OR from June 1 until the date on which 300 kids have been pre-registered, whichever comes first.
You can review the full set of rules and registration requirements here.
Bingo on the Beach
Beach Bingo is as southern as sweet tea and biscuits. If you're a fan - or even if you've never played - grab your dobber and head on down to the Topsail Beach Historic Assembly Building (720 Channel Blvd, Topsail Beach NC) on Thursday, June 21 and see what the fuss is all about.
Doors for this event will open at 6:00 p.m. Early Bird games start at 6:30 p.m. and regular games start at 7:00 p.m. This is NOT a free event, and proceeds will benefit the Historical Society of Topsail Island. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Independence Day Celebration
No vacation that falls during Independence Day would be complete without participating in the community festivities, and your Topsail vacation is no exception!
Topsail Island celebrates Independence Day on July 3rd, which falls on a Tuesday this year. Bring your picnic blankets and lawns chairs over to Soundside Park in Surf City, where you will find yourself in the middle of a good old-fashioned small town celebration. The event kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and includes things such as live music performances, activities for the kids, and food vendors.
Professional fireworks begin after the sun goes down. Please note that individuals are NOT permitted to have their own fireworks. Glow sticks and noise-makers are allowed. Surf City town officials recommend arriving at Soundside Park no later than 4:30 p.m. in order to avoid the worst of any traffic snarls. You can call 910-328-2716 for more information.
For more Topsail Island Independence Day ideas, read this!
Pirate Invasion
The Missiles & More Museum, located inside of the Topsail Beach Historic Assembly Building (720 Channel Blvd, Topsail Beach NC), is a must-do attraction no matter what. However, rumor has it that this summer - on Tuesday, July 17 to be exact - pirates will invade the museum!
Event coordinators tell us to expect the following: "Pirate arts and crafts, Ship's Galley, Picture with a Pirate area, games and fun for the entire family! Walk the Plank, Dress like a pirate relay, Buried Treasure Hunt, Pirate Ship Races, Peg-leg Race and Capture the Flag."
Check out their event page for more details.
Shrimp Festival
When it comes to small town festivals, the Snead's Ferry Shrimp Festival definitely does it right!
This year's event will be held on the weekend of August 10-12, 2018. Held at 126 Park Lane in Snead's Ferry, this event has something for everyone and includes things such as shrimp peeling contests, cooking demonstrations, fossil digs, live music and lots of fabulous food. Don't forget about the fireworks show on Saturday night, and keep your eyes peeled all weekend for sightings of the Shrimp Festival Royals!
Check out their event website for more details.
ONE Great Spot FULL of FREE Events, All Summer Long!
Surf City's Soundside Park (517 Roland Avenue, Surf City NC) is a one-location stop for a summer full of free, family-friendly fun. Bring your chairs or blankets and settle in for a relaxing evening. You are also welcome to bring food and drinks along with you, although alcohol is prohibited.
Music events begin promptly at their designated time.
Movie events have pre-movie activities and food vendors which begin at 7:00 p.m. while the movie itself will begin playing once the sun goes down.
List of FREE 2018 Summer Events in Soundside Park (as of 5/14/18, may be subject to change)
DAY | DATE | START TIME | ACTIVITY | NAME |
---|---|---|---|---|
Friday | May 25, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | The Incredibles |
Saturday | May 26, 2018 | 6:30 p.m. | Music | The Carousels |
Friday | June 1, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Trolls |
Friday | June 8, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Boss Baby |
Thursday | June 14, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | Soul on the Beach |
Friday | June 15, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Ferdinand |
Saturday | June 16, 2018 | 9:00 a.m. | Fishing | Kid's Tournament |
Thursday | June 21, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | Slyde |
Friday | June 22, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Despicable Me 3 |
Thursday | June 28, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | Turnbridge Band |
Friday | June 29, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | The Greatest Showman |
Tuesday | July 3, 2018 | Evening | Festivities | Independence Day Celebration |
Thursday | July 5, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | The Imitations |
Friday | July 6, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Justice League |
Thursday | July 12, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | Vaughan Penn |
Friday | July 13, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Jumanji |
Thursday | July 19, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | Eastline |
Friday | July 20, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Captain Underpants |
Thursday | July 26, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | The Expressions |
Friday | July 27, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Paddington 2 |
Thursday | August 2, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Music | Matrix |
Friday | August 3, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Cars 3 |
Friday | August 10, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Sherlock Gnomes |
Friday | August 17, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Leap |
Friday | August 24, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | Diary Of A Wimpy Kid |
Friday | August 31, 2018 | 7:00 p.m. | Movie | A Wrinkle In Time |
We here at Ward Realty want you and your family to have a great time while you're vacationing on Topsail Island. We hope that this article helps you plan YOUR perfect family trip.
Check out our Area Attractions page for even more ideas on what to do while you're visiting the area!
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