SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Li’l Friday features dozens of ways for people to enjoy the weekend via theater, music, art, culinary happenings and more.
All events below 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 9
Lil Jon
Live Oak Bank Pavilion, 10 Cowan St. • Tickets: $68 and up
Having produced and created worldwide popular club anthems like “Get Low,” “Turn Down What,” and “Yeah,” Lil Jon will perform Thursday, April 9, at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Riverfront Park, downtown Wilmington.
For more than two decades, the hip-hop artist has been known for elevating and shaping electronic dance music culture. He has won Billboard awards, a Grammy, and become recognized as a pioneer of the Crunk movement — highly stylized Southern hip-hop, featuring heavy bass lines, club beats, synths, and call-and-response vocals.
Tickets start at $68.
READ MORE: All Azalea Festival events can be found here
Friday, April 10
‘Wizard of Oz’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $42.50
Based upon the classic motion picture, “Wizard of Oz” is coming to life at Thalian Hall this weekend.
Thalian Association is presenting the musical, by L. Frank Baum, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y Harburg. A familiar tale of whimsy, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are taken by a tornado to an otherworldly land and endure numerous obstacles as they try to make their way back home to Kansas. Along the way, they meet plenty of characters — the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda the Good Witch, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion — as they’re introduced to the wonderful world of Oz.
The show features classic hits, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a Brain,” among others. The Thalian Association show is being staged April 10-19, at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Azalea Static Military and Civilian Display Days — Also taking place during Azalea Festival weekend is a Military and Civilian Display at Wilmington International Airport. Guests can explore military and commercial aircraft, snap photos, and meet skilled pilots and crew members. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12. The event celebrates North Carolina’s aviation legacy and is free for guests. Food trucks will be on site as well.
JF Harris — A writer and comedian who was tapped by Bill Burr to star in “The Ringers” on Comedy Central is performing at Dead Crow Comedy Room all weekend. Harris’ standup often lifts stories from his own life, whether about his youth on Staten Island or dealing with dyslexia and sobriety. He tours the world, having performed in comedy clubs everywhere and even opening for comics like Joel McHale. Harris’ shows take place on both Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $24 to $36 here.
‘The Hermit of Fort Fisher’ — Robert Harrill holed up in an abandoned World War II artillery bunker at Fort Fisher State Recreation Park. Originally from Shelby, North Carolina, Harrill hitchhiked to Fort Fisher at age 62 and lived in the bunker — without modern-day amenities and off the ocean and kindness from strangers — until his untimely death 17 years later. While his death was listed from natural causes due to a heart attack, an autopsy was never conducted and some believe it remains a mystery. During his time at Fort Fisher, Harrill was popular among local fanfare, becoming the second most visited attraction in the area, just behind the Battleship. He often took pictures with visitors and shared his “common sense” philosophy, living against the grain of societal expectations. A play by David Wright was written depicting Harrill’s story and Big Dawg Productions continues staging the show at Thalian Hall for the second weekend, with artistic director Steve Vernon directing. It’s Vernon’s sixth time guiding a cast, this time with Woody Stefl as the hermit. “The Hermit of Fort Fisher” will run through April 12, 7:30 p.m., except on Sundays at 3 p.m., at Red Box Theater inside Thalian Hall. Tickets are $42.
Poor Man’s Garden Party — The Poor Man’s Party is being hosted honky-tonk style at The Eagle’s Dare on Friday, April 10, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Billed as an “alternative to Azalea Festival,” there will be live music from multiple bands. They include Finch and Duff, The Dew Drops, and Russ Varnell & His Too Country Band. Plus, there will be mechanical bull rides from Lazy Day Farms and Webo’s Food Truck onsite. Fancy hats are not required but feel free to sport your best western duds and two-steppin’ boots. The party takes place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and tickets are $8.
UNCW Seabelles — The Seabelles are bringing their a cappella sounds to the Kenan Auditorium stage on April 10, 7 p.m. The group sings a mix of pop hits and contemporary tunes.
“Empire Records” – Though Rex Manning Day passed on April 8, there is still time to celebrate and catch a glimpse of Wilmington circa the mid-1990s as “Empire Records” will screen at Jengo’s Playhouse. The now cult-classic is a standard coming-of-age story, featuring a bunch of teens working in a record shop that is threatened of being taken over by a large chain. Starring Liv Tyler, Renee Zellweger, Robin Tunny, Ethan Embry and Max Caulfield as no one other than Rex Manning, “Empire Records” tickets are $7 to $10 here.
Saturday, April 11
Alt-zalea Fest
Brooklyn Arts District, Fourth Street • Free
More than 50 bands are taking over the Brooklyn Arts District for the annual Alt-zalea Festival, which has been taking place along Fourth Street for more than a decade during every Azalea Festival (sans the Covid-19 pandemic years).
Bands and performers will be staged at 10 businesses throughout the day, to promote all-local sounds at local businesses. Alt-Zalea was founded by a former business owner in the BAD, Allister Snyder, before local promoter Anna Mann took up the mantel to highlight the importance and impact of supporting local musicians.
Always a free event, Mann decided to take a year off, according to Tara English, owner of Brooklyn Cafe and one of the participants in this year’s event. English said at least 1,500 people come through the district during Alt-Zalea.
While Mann stepped back from heavy organizing this year, she did help English and Eagle’s Dare owner Joe Apkarian register bands. There will be varied genres to satisfy any musical taste, including punk from The Explainers at Eagle’s Dare, singer-songwriter Jaden Money performing at Brooklyn Cafe, hard rockers Echoes of Heroes at Chow Town food court and jam band Soul-R-Fusion at Flytrap Brewing.
At the new Avenue B — formerly Bottega — musicians from local label Fort Lowell Records will perform all day. It includes Sean Thomas Gerard, who just released a new album “Stay in Your Light,” Fuzz Jax’s brand of indie hip-hop and Tercel’s indie rock, as heard on their 2025 self-titled release, among others.
Other participating businesses include Commodore Kitchen and Pub, Don Luca Pizzeria, Goat and Compass, Kitchen Sink and three10.
In addition to music, there also will be art vendors and food trucks. Attendees should take note that it’s not a social district Saturday, so open-carrying alcohol in public rights-of-way is not allowed.
The music kicks off at noon.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Strawberry Festival — Waterline Brewing is getting in the strawberry spirit with a festival. There will be strawberry treats for sale, as the official season is underway, plus a petting zoo will be set up, vendors and food trucks. The festival takes place both Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. It’s a $9 admission for the petting zoo, otherwise the event is free sans purchases for food or beverages. Waterline is located at 721 Surry St.
Azalea Fest Street Fair — The street fair will close off Front Street from Red Cross to Orange streets, welcoming food and arts and crafts vendors, selling wares and grub to the public. It’s open Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Throughout the weekend, there will be free multicultural events and children’s performances. A children’s area will feature family-friendly vendors and hands-on activities and a performing arts stage highlights local entertainment, plus the Azalea Alley Beer & Wine Garden will be open to purchase food and beverages. It’s free to attend, with parking open at downtown decks. Expect traffic delays near downtown due to the festival.
Dark Echoes — Marina Grill hosts its Sunset Live Music Series weekly through October for free. The Pink Floyd cover band Dark Echoes will be performing. Opening will be Voodoo Ways, performing a tribute to 1970s blues music. The group consists of Omar Martinez on guitar and lead vocals, Steven Gramling on bass and vocals, Chris Cassar on drums, and James Quigley on keyboards, all of whom hail from Charlotte, North Carolina. Each show transforms into a Pink Floyd experience, performing songs from “The Dark Side of the Moon” to “The Wall.” The show is free and starts at 6:30 p.m.
The Other Garden Party Food Truck Rodeo — Leland Brewing Company is also getting into the garden party tradition held every Azalea Festival. There will be a food truck rodeo with a variety of mobile eats onsite, plus a bounce house, face-painting, live music and a vendor market. All proceeds benefit Lincoln Elementary School and the event is family-friendly, taking place from noon to 4 p.m. Leland Brewing is located at 141 Old Fayetteville Road.
Carolina Beach Chowder Cookoff — It’s time to taste the chowder and rate the flavors. Carolina Beach’s annual Chowder Cookoff returns from the Carolina Beach Inlet Association from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Good Hops Brewing. There will be sampling of dishes, with event judges tasting at noon. It’s a $10 entry for the public to taste all the chowder, submitted by locals. There will be prizes and games, plus a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds benefit CBIA operations, which works to educate the community on keeping the inlet open and safe.
St. Joseph’s Block Party — Also in Carolina Beach, St. Joseph Street will be closed Saturday for a block party, hosted by Putter Pub, Hop Lite, Neopolitan and Four Hounds Distilling. Live music will be provided by The Fractured and the Dram Family Jam Band with Brooke Renshaw, who performed on “American Idol” season 23. In addition to entertainment, food and beverages, there will be a bounce house, mini golf, local vendors and face-painting. It’s free and open to the public.
Sunday, April 12
Herb and Garden Fair
Poplar Grove, 10200 U.S. Highway 17 • Admission: $5
The gardening season is officially here in southeastern North Carolina, and Poplar Grove is celebrating with its annual Herb and Garden Fair.
The annual event takes place this Saturday and Sunday, on April 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and April 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Hampstead. There will be more than 100 plant, herb, nursery, and garden vendors, as well as artists and artisans selling wares. Plus, food trucks and concessions will be on site.
Admission is $5 (12 and under free) and all proceeds benefit the historic site, located at 10200 US-17.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Carolina Beach Mural and History Walk — For folks who want to avoid the downtown crowds of Azalea Festival, Carolina Beach has a walking tour that blends a love of art and history. The guided walk takes tourists on a showcase of vibrant murals and rich coastal legacy, as they learn about Carolina Beach’s roots and growth, from its Boardwalk to its City Walk of Fame to its arcade. The walk is also punctuated by the public art on display showcasing the community’s surf and even shag culture (North Carolina’s state dance). Partial proceeds benefit The Carolina Beach Mural Project, with tickets costing $30 here. Tourists meet at 205 Atlanta Ave.
Jewish Film Festival — For more than a decade, the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival celebrates films that embrace Jewish culture. The 2026 festival will feature six films showing April 26-May 6, with receptions including food and beverages as well. However, the kickoff starts with a precursor Sunday screening “Against the Wind: The Fight to End Hate,” at 7 p.m. The documentary takes a look at antisemitism through interviews from Holocaust survivors and their children, former neo-Nazi members and historians. A question-and-answer session and dessert reception follows screening, which is free and open to the community. The full lineup of Jewish Film Festival screenings can be found here, along with full festival passes on sale for $60 or tickets for $10 individually.
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