Looking for things to do near Wilmington, Surf City and Southport? These five Southeastern North Carolina picks cover October 30–November 5, 2026, from Halloween activities and classic cars to seasonal outdoor art and a newly opened museum exhibition.
1. Classic Cars 'n Rock 'n Roll Car and Truck Show — Southport
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026 · Vehicle registration 8:30–11 a.m.; awards at 2 p.m.
Where: Downtown Southport; Howe Street along Bay Street to Atlantic
Cost: Day-of-show vehicle registration $25; spectator admission is not stated on the organizer page.
Browse the 12th annual car and truck show in downtown Southport. The Cape Fear Cruisers fundraiser benefits local charities; preregistration is closed, with vehicle registration available on show day.
2. Trick or Treat at Lori’s Ace Home & Hardware — Surf City
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026 · Noon–2 p.m.
Where: 14021 NC-50, Surf City
Cost: Free; recommended for children ages 0–12 and their parents.
Follow the in-store pumpkin trail for a bag of candy, with coloring and craft activities along the way. Pender County’s official tourism listing also advertises free pizza and popcorn for this family Halloween stop.
3. Fall Corn Maze at Trask Family Farms — Castle Hayne
When: Friday–Sunday, October 30–November 1, 2026 (season’s final weekend) · Friday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Last maze entry one hour before closing.
Where: 3650 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne
Cost: Friday $10 before 4 p.m., $12 from 4–7 p.m. including hayride; Saturday/Sunday $15 including hayride. Ages 3 and under free. Pumpkins sold separately.
Try three maze difficulty levels across ten acres, with games to solve along the trails. The farm’s final weekend is a seasonal outdoor option near Wilmington; children under 12 must remain with an adult.
4. unFROGettable: Art in the Garden at Airlie Gardens — Wilmington
When: October 30–November 5, 2026; exhibition runs July 10–December 31 · Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; last admission 4:30 p.m.
Where: 300 Airlie Road, Wilmington
Cost: Exhibition included with garden admission: general $10; New Hanover residents and military $5 with ID; ages 4–12 $3; members free.
Look for ten oversized fiberglass frogs, each decorated by a selected artist, throughout Airlie Gardens. This temporary outdoor art exhibition offers a colorful garden outing close to Wrightsville Beach.
5. Echoes of Us: North Carolina Storykeepers — Wilmington
When: October 30–November 1 and November 3–5, 2026; exhibition runs October 24, 2026–May 23, 2027 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday/Thursday open until 9 p.m. Closed Monday, November 2.
Where: Cameron Art Museum, 3201 South 17th Street, Wilmington
Cost: Adults $17; ages 6–17 $6; seniors/students/educators and active military/veterans $14, plus tax and service fee. Members and ages 5 and under free; see museum for additional eligibility-based admission options.
Explore a newly opened exhibition about North Carolina artists who lift up community voices through public art. Curated by Brenda Miller Holmes, it connects individual artistic practices with the role of artists as keepers of collective memory.
Quick local-event FAQ
What is free this week?
The October 31 trick-or-treat event at Lori’s Ace in Surf City is listed as free for children ages 0–12 and their parents. Car-show spectator admission is not stated; do not assume it is free.
Which activities work beyond Halloween weekend?
Airlie Gardens’ temporary frog exhibition runs throughout this week. Echoes of Us is open at Cameron Art Museum except Monday, November 2; Wednesday and Thursday offer later museum hours.
Where should I confirm weather changes and tickets?
Use each event’s official link in this roundup. Check outdoor-event updates before setting out, and review day-specific farm pricing and museum or garden admission rules.
Details were checked October 27, 2026. Dates, hours, prices, weather plans and availability can change. Check the linked official information before traveling; event organizers control last-minute changes.
