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New Bern Lessons & Educational Events - 2026 Schedule

New Bern Lessons & Educational Events - 2026 Schedule

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

This Week
Saturday, October 31st 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cape Carteret

Come explore a unique and picturesque corner of the Crystal Coast with this grand event that celebrates all the activities and fun of the fall season. The Town of Cape Carteret Fall Festival features a myriad of food, activities, and entertainment for visitors of all ages, and the free festival is a great opportunity to uncover this scenic town that’s located just a shell’s throw away from the Emerald Isle coastline.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of November 2, 2026 - November 8, 2026
Monday, November 2nd 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Atlantic Beach

Take advantage of the temperate spring weather and uncrowded shorelines to discover the wealth of wildlife that calls this coastal North Carolina region home. The Bird Hike at Fort Macon is a fun and engaging opportunity to explore one of the Crystal Coast’s most renowned landmarks while spotting a myriad of local and migrating birds that flock to this coastal destination.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of November 9, 2026 - November 15, 2026
Friday, November 13th - Saturday, November 14th
Beaufort

The Beaufort Pirate Invasion is one of coastal North Carolina’s most popular history-themed festivals, transforming the waterfront town of Beaufort into a lively seaport filled with pirates, soldiers, merchants, and colonial-era characters. Held annually in downtown Beaufort, the event celebrates the town’s rich maritime heritage and commemorates the historic Spanish attack on Beaufort in 1747, as well as the region’s connections to the legendary pirate Blackbeard and other seafaring figures.

Saturday, November 14th 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

Discover the beauty of traditional craftsmanship and the creativity of handmade textiles at the Fiber Arts Festival at the Beaufort Historic Site in historic Beaufort, North Carolina. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the timeless art of working with fibers, bringing together talented artisans, craft enthusiasts, and curious visitors for a day of hands-on learning, demonstrations, and shopping. Set against the charming backdrop of Beaufort's historic buildings, the festival offers a unique opportunity to explore traditional skills that have been passed down through generations.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of November 16, 2026 - November 22, 2026
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of November 23, 2026 - November 29, 2026
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of November 30, 2026 - December 6, 2026
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
Harkers Island

The small community of Harkers Island comes to life at this annual event that puts this community’s rich heritage and history in the spotlight. The annual Core Sound Decoy Festival, which is held the first full weekend in December, is a unique celebration that combines exhibits, demonstrations, vendors, food, and much more, to the delight of local visitors and residents alike.

Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
Harkers Island

The Crystal Coast is renowned as a popular destination for seasonal visitors of all varieties, and that includes the thousands of waterfowl that flock to this region every year. This unique distinction is celebrated annually at the Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend, which is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to learn more about this stunning landscape, and the many feathered visitors who call it home for the winter season.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of December 7, 2026 - December 13, 2026
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Saturday, December 12th - Sunday, December 13th
Beaufort

If you’ve ever wanted to test your mettle when it comes to construction, while enjoying an activity that will result in something special, then you’ll want to sign up for the Introduction to Wooden Boat Building Course. This unique event that is held in the heart of Beaufort is an intricate course of how to build a boat from the ground up, and best of all, will result with a newfound intricate knowledge of how to craft a boat or two of your own.

Saturday, December 12th 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Harkers Island

Celebrate the joy of the holiday season with a special Down East tradition at Santa Saturday at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center on Harkers Island, North Carolina. This festive, family-friendly event brings together the magic of Christmas and the rich coastal heritage of the Crystal Coast, offering a wonderful opportunity for children and families to enjoy holiday activities in a unique waterfront setting. With its welcoming atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, Santa Saturday is a delightful way to make lasting holiday memories.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of December 14, 2026 - December 20, 2026
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of December 21, 2026 - December 27, 2026
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of December 28, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of December 28, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of January 4, 2027 - January 10, 2027
Friday, November 20th - Friday, January 8th
Harkers Island

Celebrate the season with a little bit of coastal style and history at this event that will brighten everybody’s holiday spirits. The annual Gallery of Trees celebrates its opening day on November 18, and patrons will enjoy a wealth of brightly decorated and wholly unique Christmas trees that showcase the culture and the Christmastime beauty of the Crystal Coast.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of April 5, 2027 - April 11, 2027
Friday, April 9th - Saturday, April 10th 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Harkers Island

Discover the wonders of the night sky at the annual Crystal Coast Star Party, a family-friendly celebration of astronomy held at the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center on Harkers Island, North Carolina. This special event invites stargazers of all ages to explore the universe while enjoying some of the darkest skies along the East Coast. Held in conjunction with International Dark Sky Week, the Star Party celebrates Cape Lookout National Seashore's designation as an International Dark Sky Park and offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the stars away from city lights.

Event info is subject to change at any time. Check associated official event websites for latest.

Week of April 26, 2027 - May 2, 2027
Saturday, May 1st 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

The annual Wooden Boat Show is a tradition in the town of Beaufort, and its 51st celebration in 2027 promises to be bigger and more engaging than ever before. With a long roster of activities that are slated for the weekend-long event, visitors will be treated to a wealth of activities, displays, exhibits, and interactive ways to join in the fun.

Saturday, May 1st 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

Come and marvel as a fleet of wooden boats are constructed from start to finish before your eyes at this competition that pits boat-builders against each other in one of the most anticipated events of the Annual Wooden Boat Show. The BoatBuilding Challenge is an event that's been going strong for more than 15 years as of 2026, and the competition features 18 teams who will battle it out to craft the best wooden boat in just four hours’ time.

Crystal Coast Map
Emerald Isle Indian Beach Pine Knoll Shores Atlantic Beach Shackleford Banks Beaufort Morehead City Cape Lookout Cedar Island Harkers Island New Bern
Shelling near New Bern, NC

Treasure hunters of all varieties will find that New Bern serves as a fine launching point for a shelling adventure or two. From the ancient relics that are buried just outside the Aurora Fossil Museum to the isolated finds along the Cape Lookout...

2nd-floor condo with beach access, in/ou...

New in our program, this home has many great reviews from past guests.Located among the dunes of North Carolina's coast, this two-bedroom condo offers a peaceful, beachside escape from the everyday. Just a stone's throw from Fort Macon State Park...

  • Atlantic Beach
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
River Bend Retreat | Hot Tub·Waterfront...

Escape to The River Bend Retreat — a peaceful 3BR/2BA riverfront escape with a hot tub, EPIC game room, and a riverside deck overlooking the North River. Just 9 mins. from downtown Beaufort, this home has everything you need for a ideal, fun, and...

  • Beaufort
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford...

Sound Of The Sea North 212, Almost Ocean...

Sound of the Sea North 212 is a appealing two-level, nearly-oceanfront townhouse condo located in the charming Sound of the Sea community - where the gentle rhythm of the waves and salty sea air instantly set the tone for a calming Emerald Isle...

  • Emerald Isle
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 4
Kitty Hawk Kites

Founded as the world's first hang gliding school in 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites has grown into a beloved retail and outdoor recreation venture with more than 28 locations up and down the east coast! With more than 50 years of teaching the world to fly...