SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features dozen of ways for people to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings and more.
All events featured were scheduled as of Thursday; however, it’s wise to check in ahead of attending any one. Inclement weather, changes in schedules and unforeseen circumstances may shift for organizers at the last minute.
Thursday, April 24
Zach Top
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets: $40 and up
Bringing his Beer and Country Music Tour to town with special guest Jake Worthington, Zach Top will perform in Wilmington on Thursday.
The 27-year-old released his debut album, “Cold Beer and Country Music,” in April last year, which charted number four on the U.S. country and fifth on the indie charts. He has been nominated for New Male of the Year and Album of the Year through the American Country Music Awards for 2025.
Top, inspired by his love of 1990s-era country music, got his start in bluegrass performing with various groups as a teen. The artist moved to Nashville three years ago and pivoted to recording country music in 2023. He debuted his single “Sounds Like the Radio” in January 2024, which landed in the top 20 Billboard country charts.
Inspired by artists like George Strait and Randy Travis, Top’s show has some verified resale tickets available, starting at around $100.
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Sonic Rainforest — As part of Barzarre’s “Hooked on Sonics” series, the venue will transform into an electronic forest of sounds from 910 Noise artists, including light and effects from DJ Strafnatz. Three 30-minute performances are planned: 8:30 p.m. (Dawn), 9:30 p.m. (Daylight) and 10:30 p.m. (Darkness). The performances are free and provide a unique aural and visual experience, based on works by David Tudor, who created four versions of “Rainforest.”
No Quarter — British rockers Led Zeppelin will be honored in tribute by the international touring band No Quarter, who is playing Zep’s hits at Thalian Hall. The group performs a live concert reproduction, note for note, and embodies the mannerisms of the super rock group. Bryan Christiansen as Jimmy Page, August Young as Robert Plant, Joel Pelletier as John Paul Jones, and Nathan Carroll as John Bonham will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. playing through tracks like “Houses of the Holy,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Kashmir,” “Immigrant Song” and more; tickets start at $42.80, available here.
Friday, April 25
Star Party
Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road • Free
An event being put on by Cape Fear Museum, Carolina Beach State Park, Cape Fear Astronomical Society and other community partners welcomes the community to stargazing and astronomy-themed activities. There’s a guided night-sky tour of the stars and planets, as well as up-close views with the use of binoculars and telescopes, star-themed stories at the Stellar Story Corner, pictures at the astronaut photo station, giveaways and free event swag.
Vendors will be on site to sell food and beverages; event parking is located at the back of the park. It takes place rain or shine, but in the event of rain, all outdoor activity stations will be cancelled. Only inside events at the park’s visitor center will remain, however, space and parking will be limited.
Star Party takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Tell Me Lies: A Fleetwood Mac Experience — Another popular tribute band — half British, half American — is coming to Bowstring Brewyard at 1002 Princess St. Heralded as “the most authentic Fleetwood Mac Experience,” Tell Me Lies takes on the six-decade career of FM members, primarily focusing on the ‘70s and ‘80s era when Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and John McVie sky-rocketed to fame. Tell Me Lies also covers Stevie Nicks’ best known solo work. The seven-piece band has homed in on the craft, musicianship, artistry and history of the group, to bring a multi-sensory experience that transports audiences via song — “Dreams,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Everywhere,” “Don’t Stop,” “Rhiannon,” “Landslide,” “Say You Love Me” and more. Tickets are $24.
Britney Spears Dance Party — It’s true, Brit’s gonna be blasting “Oh, baby, baby” for dancers to hit the floor at Eagle’s Dare Friday at 7 p.m. — OK, well, a DJ will be blasting it, at least. As hosted by Stonewall Sports Wilmington, the LGBTQ and ally nonprofit sports league welcomes everyone to don their fave Britney Spears era, whether Catholic school girl late-’90s or Y2K energy, low-rise jeans, glitter, and butterfly clips included. Throwback hits will be played all night, so bring your best moves. Eagle’s Dare is located at 420 N. Third St.
Larry the Cable Guy — The “Git-R-Done” comedian whose blue collar-humor has earned him Grammy nominations and Billboard awards will entertain audiences in downtown Wilmington. Larry the Cable Guy will be performing live at 7:30 p.m. at Wilson Center. The multi-platinum recording artist is known for comedy specials “Remain Seated” and with Jeff Foxworthy “We’ve Been Thinking.” He was nominated for a Grammy for “The Right to Bare Arms” special and is a NYT Bestselling author for his book, “Git-R-Done.” He’s also appeared in numerous films such as “Cars,” “A Madea Christmas,” and “Witness Protection,” and in 2015 with Jeff Foxworthy launched a comedy channel, Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup, on SiriusXM. Tickets start at $65.
“Eric LaRue” — Thalian Hall is screening Michael Shannon’s directorial debut, “Eric LaRue” in the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater. The film shot in Wilmington in 2022 and stars Alexander Skarsgard and Judy Greer. Based on Brett Neveu’s 2002 play, it was written in the aftermath of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Neveu also adapted the screenplay for the film, which deals with the aftereffects of a school shooting and how families left behind work through the trauma. Particularly, the story centers on a mother, Janice, whose 17-year-old son shoots and kills his classmates. As Janice struggles to face the aftermath, she meets with other mothers who are dealing with the indelible pain of losing their own teenagers at the hands of her imprisoned son. The film was released at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2023 before being distributed to nationwide audiences on April 4, 2025, on Amazon Prime. The production filmed in Wilmington at Elderhaus, St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church and New River Pottery. Tickets to Thalian’s 7 p.m. screening are $10.
The Great Gatsby Ballet — F. Scott Fitzgerald’s the Roaring Twenties is coming to life via movement and glam from the World Ballet Company in a one-of-a-kind production of “The Great Gatsby.” The 7 p.m. show, at Kenan Auditorium, features all the glitz and glamor of the era through costuming and dances the emanate the jazzy sounds and energy of the times. The L.A.-based dance company features the choreography of Ilya Zhivoy along with score by film and TV composer Anna Drubich, whose work includes the music for the 2023 Oscar-winning “Navalny” documentary. Lustrous costume designs are by Sonya Vartanyan. Tickets to the show are $55 and up here.
Saturday, April 26
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets start at $42
Alison Krauss is returning to Live Oak Bank Pavilion after touring through Wilmington in 2023 with Led Zeppelin’s frontman Robert Plant, off the heels of their sophomore collaboration “Raise the Roof” — a followup to 2007’s “Raising Sand.”
This time around she will be with her band of 36 years, Union Station. The group has released five albums to date; 1992’s “Every Time You Say Goodbye,” 1997’s “So Long, So Wrong” and 2001’s “New Favorite,” which earned the group Grammys for Best Bluegrass Album of the year.
The band has toured with Willie Nelson and Family, as well as Kacey Musgraves and has had numerous iterations throughout their decades-long career. They were featured on T-Bone Burnett’s Grammy-winning soundtrack for the 2001 Coen brothers’ movie “O’ Brother Where Art Thou?” with then-guitarist Dan Tyminski overdubbing George Clooney’s vocals on “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow.”
Today Union Station is made up of dobro and lap-steel guitar player and bluegrass icon Jerry Douglas, guitarist Russell Moore, bassist Barry Bales and banjo player Ron Block. Krauss also plays fiddle, in addition to singing with the band. They released “Arcadia” in March and are touring in support of it, making 73 stops in Canada and the U.S., including in Wilmington with special guest Willie Watson.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
2025 Earth Day Festival — Though Earth Day was officially on April 22, the celebration in Wilmington takes place at Long Leaf Park from noon to 6 p.m. for free. There will be more than 50 vendors, live music, a Kids EcoZone, food trucks, beer, and wine. This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” and includes a raffle for a hurricane kayak donated by Great Outdoor Provision Co., as well as recycling and composting stations to help the event be zero-waste (bring a refillable water bottle). Entertainment will be performed by Au Naturales, Tercel, and Righteous Roots. The Rapping Red Oak will lead the children’s Nature Brigade Parade at 1:30 p.m. and perform kids’ songs. Anyone is welcome to join the Community Drummers and Dancers circle at 3:30 p.m. Parking is free at the park and at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center, 2222 S. College Road, a free shuttle is offered by Wave Transit; Wave’s fixed-route bus and RideMICRO services are also fare-free all day. Leashed pets are welcome in grassy areas.
Kure Community Fest — Live music will be performed at Kure Community Fest, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Kure Beach. ReSoul Band and No Sleeves Magic will provide main stage entertainment. There will also be a disc-golf booth, bounce house, costumed character photos, mini golf, and vendors selling handmade wares. Beachside, there will be a K9 toss, fetch demonstration and beach games. The parking is free in all town-owned spaces for the day.
Art at the Harbor Way Gardens — Presented by the Harbor Island Garden Club and Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation, Art at the Harbor Way Gardens features original artwork created by roughly 20 local and regional artists who spend a week painting scenery around Wrightsville Beach. The Wrightsville Beach Paint Out culminates in a benefit art sale held next to town hall at the Harbor Way Gardens, with a portion of sales benefitting beautification and environmental projects sponsored by the club. The event is free and open to the public and features free parking. Also taking place will be a plant sale by Phillips Nursery of Leland, Botanical Coffee Bar Truck amd Smash-N-Dash Burgers & Dogs.
Menopause the Musical 2 — After the first iteration of “Menopause the Musical” toured through Wilson Center a few years ago to much success, part two is now coming back. “Cruising Through the Change” will take place for two shows at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The musical picks up five years past a chance encounter in the underwear section of a department store, when Professional Woman, Soap Star, Earth Mother, and Iowa Housewife, decide to set sail on a life-changing cruise. Wanting to charge on for brighter days ahead, they’re faced with dating, grandchildren, body changes, and more. Expect plenty of dancing, singing and comedy. Tickets start at $38.
Pollinator Palooza — The N.C. Coastal Land Trust is hosting its annual free community event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with activities and information regarding pollinators and native plants. Plus, 50 parsley plants will be handed out on a first-come first-serve basis as part of a demonstration. Free seeds of strawberries, cosmos, basil, nasturtium, and borage will be given away as well. The event takes place at 3 Pine Valley Dr.
Boos on the Battleship — Have a thing for the paranormal? Climb aboard the Battleship North Carolina for an investigative journey to learn what haunts its nine decks, hull and galley, plus areas normally not accessible to the public. There will be a meet-and-greet with special guests and vendors, guided ghost hunts, and free roaming time. The ship is open until 3 a.m. as part of the event and there will be a midnight gallery reading with psychic medium MaryLynn Bast of Beacon TV’s “Para with a Normal.” Tickets start at $37 here.
The Drifters — Known for their vocal harmonies and indelible impact on rock ‘n’ roll, The Drifters are coming to Thalian Hall for two shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The 1950s group has had upward of 40 members in its seven-decade span, launching solo careers for well-known R&B artists like Clyde McPhatter (originally from Durham) and Ben E. King. Today’s iteration of the group includes Louis Bailey, Stephen Brown, Jerome Manning and Jeff Hall. They’ll perform hits including “There Goes My Baby,” “Up On The Roof,” and “Under The Boardwalk,” among others. Tickets start at $42.
UNCW Seabelles — Kenan Auditorium will welcome a performance from the UNCW Seabelles at 7 p.m. The a capella group will be performing their spring concert, “Sunny Hunny, featuring both throwbacks and hits from the 2000s. The group is led by seniors Morgan House, president, and Carly McCusker, vice president. A special guest performance also will take place featuring N.C. State’s Grains of Time. The show is free but tickets are needed, which can be accessed here.
Sunday, April 27
Wilmington Jewish Film Festival
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $10 and up
For 12 years now, the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival has been hosted in town and will showcase six films as part of its 2025 festival, to take place April 27 through May 6.
It kicks off Sunday with the screening of “The Boy in the Woods” — about a boy separated from his family and escaping Nazi persecution.
Other films featured include “October 8,” regarding campus protests that have taken place nationwide in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. A story about the “fifth Beatle,”Brian Epstein’s life is screening in “Midas Man”; Epstein signed The Beatles and helped usher in their rise to fame.
In addition to films, there also will be receptions including food and beverages included as well. See the full lineup and purchase tickets ($10-$12) and passes ($60) here.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Family Fun Day — Bellamy Mansion at 503 Market St. is welcoming families to its campus from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a day of fun. The historic music will have pony rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, live music, storytelling, and games. Food and drinks also will be available for purchase.
Make Wilmington Weird Festival — Hi-Wire Brewing has Sunday Funday planned with a festival encouraging everyone to be themselves. Make Wilmington Weird will have performances by fire-spinners, sword swallowers, and belly dancers, with local businesses also vending on site. Mini ponies, Henna tattoos and tarot readings are available too. It takes place from noon to 6 p.m.
Wilmington Spring Fest Under the Oak — The Bend in Ogden is also hosting a spring festival with live music from area musicians, adoptable dogs from Dauntless Animal Rescue, jewelry from Artful Violet, hats from Coastal Hat Bar, baked goods from Half Cup Confections, candy from Flora’s Goodie Garden and other small local businesses. Food trucks include On Thyme and Kimchi Taco and the event takes palace from noon to 4 p.m. at 7227 Market St.
Fibrage a Trois — Art in Bloom is featuring three artists who specialize in fiber arts: Fritzi Huber, Leslie Marsh and Rebecca Yeomans in “Fibrage a Trois.” The show includes works of handmade paper, hand-sewn embroidery, botanically printed textiles, and there will be an artist reception from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments, live music and more. Art in Bloom Gallery has moved into a new space at 970 Inspiration Dr. in Mayfaire.
Hendel’s Messiah II and III — The UNCW Chamber Singers and University Chorale present the first two parts of Handel’s Messiah. Soloists will take to the stage as chamber orchestra instrumentalists perform, including additional works by William Dawson, Rosephanye Powell, Vaclovas Augustinas, and Stephen Chatman. The concert is free at 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Third St.
Sing On! — The Wilmington Chorale Society will perform in Sing On! at 4 p.m. at Wilson Center. The performance features Wilmington’s oldest community choir with 90 singers coming together to lift their voices. Songs include “May You Heal,” “Let the River Run,” “Carousel” and “The Sound of Music.” Tickets are $15 to $25 here.
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