WILMINGTON — The North Carolina Folk Festival is bringing the spirit of the festival to the coast with “NC Folk Festival Goes East,” a free community pop-up taking place this weekend.
The event is on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at End of Days Distillery in Wilmington.
Presented in partnership with End of Days Distillery and the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, the event will feature live music performances, local artisans, live art demonstrations, food vendor, and specialty cocktails in a family-friendly atmosphere designed to celebrate North Carolina’s creative community.
Live music performances by Evan Blackerby and Karla Davis will take place outdoors on the distillery patio throughout the afternoon. Both artists are also part of the 2026 NC Folk Festival lineup this September 18-20 in downtown Greensboro, alongside Wilmington favorites Signal Fire. Guests can also explore an artisan marketplace featuring local makers including Eternally Connected Jewelry, Lost Wax Candles and Homemade Gifts with Karlee Fee (KFee).
Additional highlights include live art activations by Wilmington-area artists: Kim Possible Paints and Addie Wunesch, food by Mibby’s Deli, and craft cocktails from End of Days Distillery.
“NC Folk Festival Goes East is about building connections across North Carolina’s arts communities and giving people a taste of the energy and creativity that the NC Folk Festival brings each year,” Jodee Ruppel, NC Folk Festival president, said in a press release.
The NC Folk Festival is one of North Carolina’s largest free cultural events, drawing more than 130,000 attendees annually to downtown Greensboro for a three-day celebration of music, culture, and community.
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