Category Archives: Swansboro Festivals

Festivals, Historic Swansboro, Live Music, Arts, Crafts, Seafood, Fireworks, Wine, Beer, Waterfront, Christmas Flotilla, Independence Day, vendors, fresh fish

Swansboro by Candlelight

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024  5pm to 9pm

☔ Rain or Shine Event
Historic Downtown Swansboro becomes a magical winter wonderland on November 9th, 2024 from 5 pm - 9 pm as the Swansboro Downtown Merchants & Restaurants host their Annual Swansboro by Candlelight. Luminaries line the streets, shop windows display whimsical scenes, and ribbons & bows put the finishing touches on a journey back to the days of yesteryear.

Live entertainment in the Olde Towne Square, Wine Tasting at Bake Bottle & Brew, and The Gray Dolphin. The downtown merchants will be offering refreshments to all of their guests and they will be open until 9 pm.
Don't miss the Swansboro Dance Studio as they perform scenes from their Nutcracker Ballet at 5 pm!
A highlight of the evening will be the Annual Town of Swansboro Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 pm at Olde Town Square!
Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters will have freebie megalodon shark teeth fragments for the kiddos as well. This is a great time to get your Christmas gift and/or stocking stuffer! "Way better than a lump of coal!"  Located at 135 Front Street next to their Viking boat!
We invite you to stay for a long weekend in Swansboro! Visit our website at www.VisitSwansboro.org for information on where to stay, including Swansboro's award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites!

Live music on the Pug Pavillion Stage in Olde Towne Square is brought to you by the Seaside Arts Council.
featuring

The Will & Tony Show

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Enter the Win the Swansboro Cool & Breezy Getaway Contest

Discover the charm of Swansboro! Enjoy the quieter cooler vibes of the fall and winter seasons! Throw on a sweater and shop and stroll in our historic downtown. Adventures on the water and excursions to Bear Island are available nearly year-round. Enjoy the fall sunsets, island treasure hunting, and shelling. Savor the waterfront views and flavors of our local eateries!
❄️PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES❄️
2 Nights Stay for Two at Hampton Inn & Suites - Swansboro*
1 $50 Gift Card from Bake, Bottle & Brew
1 $100 Gift Card from The Boro Restaurant & Bar
The winner will be randomly selected and announced on our Facebook Page on Monday, November 27th.
*One room for two individuals for two nights at the Hampton Inn & Suites - Swansboro. Valid through November 11, 2024. Certain exclusions and black-out dates apply. Reservations must be made 7 days prior to arrival. Total value is a maximum of $350.

Kids Can Enjoy the Night Out Too While You Shop!

Where to Park

Street closures will be at 3 pm and will re-open at 9 pm, immediately after the event.
Streets affected by the closures include:
• All of Church Street
• All of Front Street
• Main Street will be closed up to Elm Street
• Moore Street and Church Street will be closed up to Water Street

Download Merchants & Restaurants Guide & Map

We look forward to seeing you in Swansboro!

 

Mullet Festival of North Carolina

October 12th & 13th, 2024

Join us for the 70th annual Mullet Festival of North Carolina in Historic Downtown Swansboro. It's so much fun, we bet you'll become a "Mulleteer Forever" and Feelin' Fine!

Admission is Free!

The Mullet Festival of North Carolina is a
Rain or Shine Event

Enjoy the convenience of transportation to Historic Downtown Swansboro via the Mullet Festival free parking shuttle running throughout the weekend from Ward Farm just behind the Hampton Inn off of Hwy 24!

What began as a small event to celebrate the completion of the bridge over the White Oak River has become a highly anticipated part of Eastern North Carolina culture. The first Swansboro Mullet Festival took place in 1954 and is now known as the oldest festival on North Carolina's Crystal Coast. The occasion celebrates the mullet, a species of fish found in Eastern North Carolina waters. Swansboro natives remember days long ago when mullets were hauled to shore in nets hooked to tractors along the beach.

Plan Your Mullet Festival Getaway to Swansboro!

It's a perfect fall weekend to discover the charm of our quaint and historic coastal town. Book your stay for Mullet Festival Weekend at our award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites Swansboro!

The weekend festivities kick off on Friday, October 11th, with the traditional Blessing of the Fleet at Casper's Marina at 6 pm. This is a very festive occasion, for both spectators and boat owners. All are welcome to participate. As the tradition continues, a wreath will be dropped in memory of the boat owners who have passed on.

Don't miss the Mullet Festival Parade that starts at 9 am along Hwy 24

The Mullet Festival is jam-packed with live music! The weekend features two stages for live entertainment!

Out of care and concern for your companion animals, please leave pets at home. However, we do allow trained service dogs to accompany a person with a disability, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

For more information including a special hotel rate specifically for vendors, and the weekend's music lineup, go to www.swansborofestivals.com and find out how to purchase a 2023 Swansboro Mullet Festival T-Shirt!

We look forward to seeing you in Swansboro!

Fall Fishing & Boating

Find out more about fishing and boating in Swansboro. Let our expert local fishing charters. outfitters and ???? eco-tour operators provide you with some of the most amazing and relaxing experiences on North Carolina's Coast.

Download our Merchants & Restaurants Guide

We look forward to seeing you in Swansboro!

 

Arts By The Sea

June 8th 2024

Join us for The Town of Swansboro's Arts by the Sea Festival in Historic Downtown Swansboro. The festival draws art lovers from around the state, eager to spy their next artistic find!

Admission is Free!

Come for the day or a Weekend Getaway and see the best artists and crafters as they line our historic streets with beautiful fine art and handmade crafts.  The juried craft show represents some of the finest crafters in the Southeast.

You'll find pottery, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, fiber, carvings, photography, sculpture and metalwork are just a few of the crafts represented at this annual event.  The festival features live, local entertainment throughout the day at the Harry C. Pugliese “Pug” Pavilion.

Plan Your Arts by the Sea Getaway to Swansboro!

It's a perfect spring weekend to discover the charm of our quaint and historic coastal town. Book your stay for your Arts by the Sea Weekend at our award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites Swansboro!

Enjoy the convenience of transportation from the hotel to Historic Downtown Swansboro via the Arts by the Sea free parking shuttle running throughout the weekend from Ward Farm behind the Hampton Inn!

To keep things safe, we ask that eventgoers abide by the following: no pets, bicycles or skateboards.  Streets are closed to vehicular traffic. As an extra treat, leave the parking to us!

Remember, there will be an Arts by the Sea Festival park-and-ride shuttle from Ward Farm, located behind the Hampton Inn.

Are you interested in vendor information? The Swansboro Festivals Team is seeking fine arts and crafts vendors along with food vendors! Please visit www.swansborofestivals.com and find all of the applications and about how to get involved!

We look forward to seeing you in Swansboro!

 

2023 Arts by the Sea Vendors - as of 5.01.23

231 MAD Designs
4 Pelicans Woodworking
Adore Ya Door
Agua Stone
Alpaca Bella Fina Ranch
Alpine Sleds
Artifactual Adornments
Berks Works Soap Shop
Black Cat Barn Quilts & Wood Crafts
Capone's – A Taste of Philly
Coastal Carolina Pottery
Creations by Judi
Crystal Coast Originals
Custom Designs by Carol Anne
Custom Designs by PWD
Decker-Smith Pottery
Dharma Crafts
DP Fine Art
Duplin Winery
DVD Books
Easy Street Leather, etc.
Emily's Treasures
Five Star Grilled Chicken
Glass Act
Grown Up Gummies
Handpainted by Eve
Hawaiian Dave's Island Treats
Hawaiian Slushies
Hotshots Photography
Janet Place Glass Designs
Jems of the Sea
Jones Ventures
Kathy Whitley Pottery
Kenn Moore Fine Art
Kona Ice of the Crystal Coast
Ladona Julia Pottery
Laura's Beaded Creations
Live Oak Rock & Silver
LOV Designs
MaJo Bead Designs
Mosaics Unleashed
Neanderthal Pottery
Odom Woodworks
Panda Wood Working
Pawsitive Vibe Prints
Perfect Imperfections
Pop-Nana's Old Fashioned Ice Cream
S Jones Ceramics
Salt Soothers
Saltwater Cowboy/Bounty Hunter Hats
Sea Glass Creations
Seaweed Designs
Sherry Eden
Stitch Works Sewing Studio
Stone and Hide Hand-Crafted Jewelry
Sunshine Girls Lemonade
The Beach Hive
The Green Outdoors
Topsail Island Glass Works
Tropical Paradise Woodworking
Veronica's Doggie Delights
Vintage Swell Designs
Wags to Riches
Your Island Treasure

Swansboro Independence Day Celebration

July 3, 2024 6pm to 10pm

Join us for the Town of Swansboro's 2023 Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show along Swansboro's Historic Downtown Waterfront!

Admission is Free!

Enjoy live music starting with the National Anthem at 6 pm performed by Velvet Rodeo, followed by the TAMS jamming until 10 pm at the Harry C. Pugliese “Pug” Pavilion! There will be a couple of food snack vendors and we encourage patrons to visit our downtown restaurants. Street closures will begin at 3 pm until approximately 11 pm.

???? Hop on the golf cart shuttle that will be running from Swansboro Town Hall to the Visitor Center in Downtown Swansboro.

♿ Handicap parking at Town Hall.

Street closures are from 3 pm to 11 pm - as follows:
  • Front Street – from Main Street to Church Street
  • Church Street – from Front Street to Water Street
  • Water Street – from Church Street to Main Street
  • Main Street will be closed at Water Street for eastbound traffic

Plan Your Summer Getaway to Swansboro!

????️ It's a perfect time to plan your adventure and discover the charm of our quaint and historic coastal town. Book your stay at our award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites Swansboro or at one of our Airbnbs, VRBOs or Vacation Rentals!

For more information on the Swansboro Festivals please visit swansborofestivals.com or call 910-326-2600.  Like Swansboro Festivals on Facebook for up-to-date festival information or visit www.swansborofestivals.com.

Swansboro Christmas Flotilla

Friday, November 29, 2024 5pm to 8pm

Join us at dusk in Swansboro the day after Thanksgiving, on Friday, November 29th, 2024 from 5 pm to 8 pm for one of our most enchanting evenings of the year!
The spirit of the holiday season will be in full swing at Swansboro's Annual Christmas Flotilla as a parade of boats decorated in glimmering lights sparkle against the water as they make their way down the White Oak River.

Enjoy the Spectacular Views!

Food & Family Fun with Santa

Bring your appetites and have a bite to eat with one of the food vendors! Music will fill the air while you enjoy sweet treats, cider, and hot cocoa. You might even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as he disembarks his boat on his way over to Pug Pavillion to visit with the children directly after the flotilla!

Bring Your Own Boat!

⚓ Don't miss your chance to join the fun and the possibility of winning a cash prize. Sign up at Swansboro Festivals Boat Sign Up.

Parking

Parking for the 2023 Swansboro Christmas Flotilla will be street parking as well as at Swansboro Town Hall, located at 601 W. Corbett Avenue.

Stay for the Weekend!

Plan a long Thanksgiving weekend getaway to Swansboro! Bring your holiday shopping list and enjoy  Shop Small Saturday! Check out our unique accommodations with Airbnb and VRBO, as well as our Trip Advisor top-rated Hampton Inn & Suites, conveniently located within a short distance from Historic Downtown Swansboro.
Gobble up some coastal Swansboro goodness for Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 23rd at local eateries, Saltwater Grill or Swansboro Food & Beverage Co. Give them a call and make your reservations!
Enjoy nature and hike the trails at Hammocks Beach State Park!  Learn about the flora, fauna, and our history. The park's Visitor Center and hours of operation are from 8 am to 6 pm daily, except for Christmas Day.

What Not To Bring for Safety of Our Patrons

Flotilla Parade Route

Downtown Swansboro Event Road Closures Map

Front Street, Church Street, and Water Street will be closed during the event. Street closures will begin at 3pm.

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Enter the Win the Swansboro Cool & Breezy Getaway Contest

Discover the charm of Swansboro! Enjoy the quieter cooler vibes of the fall and winter seasons! Throw on a sweater and shop and stroll around our historic downtown. Adventures on the water and excursions to Bear Island are available nearly year-round. Enjoy the fall sunsets, island treasure hunting, and shelling. Savor the waterfront views and flavors of our local eateries!
❄️PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES❄️
2 Nights Stay for Two at Hampton Inn & Suites - Swansboro*
1 $50 Gift Card from Bake, Bottle & Brew
1 $100 Gift Card from The Boro Restaurant & Bar
The winner will be randomly selected and announced on our Facebook Page on Monday, November 27th.
*One room for two individuals for two nights at the Hampton Inn & Suites - Swansboro. Valid through November 11, 2024. Certain exclusions and black-out dates apply. Reservations must be made 7 days prior to arrival. Total value is a maximum of $400.

Download Merchants & Restaurants Guide & Map

We look forward to seeing you in Swansboro!