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 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, Oct. 15

Daniel Tosh
Wilson Center, 703 North Third St. • Tickets start at $82

Comedian Daniel Tosh will have a live show at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College in downtown Wilmington at 7 p.m., with doors at 6 p.m.

Tosh — best known for the Comedy Central show “Tosh.0,” from 2009 to 2020 — is headed to Wilson Center in downtown Wilmington. Tosh has been performing comedy festivals, appeared on multiple late-night shows and also in films and other TV shows throughout his career. 

His touring schedule averaged, at one point, 100 college campuses annually. 

Tickets are almost sold out. Tosh is having another show at 9:30 p.m. the same night and doors open at 8:30 p.m. There are more seating options for this showing and tickets start at $120.

OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Wilmington Underground Film Festival — Honey Head Films is hosting a collection of short films and music videos as well as other unexpected creations at The Eagle’s Dare, located at Third and Red Cross streets. The festival is free to attend, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and showings starting at 7:30 p.m.

‘Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play’ — Big Dawg Theatre Company is performing a gothic story written by Lauren Wilson in the Ruth and Bucky Stein Theatre in Thalian Hall in downtown Wilmington. Directed by Chad Hsu, the show poses a familiar story of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his monstrous alter ego, Edward Hyde. The show is set in the dark Victorian era, featuring the consequences of science, morality and the duality of human nature gone wrong. However, Wilson’s characters are set up as if they have wandered in from an unhinged British comedy, identities becoming increasingly complicated and Dr. Jekyll’s carefully controlled world rapidly spins out of control. The show features Jamie Lane as Dr. Jekyll the alter-ego, Mr. Hyde, and stars Charlotte Fuchs, Mae Domescik, Tamica Katzmann, Christy Grantham, Jake Taylor, Ash Ochs, Lisa Ramsey Perry and Jacob Denise. It is being shown Thursday, Oct. 15, and until Sunday, Oct. 25 — Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 3 p.m.

Sunset Performance Series: Myra Graham Quince — Gospel performer Myra Graham Quince is taking part in Cameron Art Museum’s free Sunset Performance Series at Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Quince is a singer, songwriter, and actress celebrated for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. She released her first single, “Psalm 91,” in 2013 and has since appeared in productions including Dreamgirls and Techmoja’s “The Color Purple.” The Sunset Performance Series is a sequence of free outdoor performances connecting culture and social justice, though a $5 donation to CAM is suggested. Chairs and blankets are welcome.

Friday, Oct. 16

250th: Outlander in the Cape Fear Walking Tour 
224 Market St. • Tickets start at $25

Taking inspiration from the book and TV series, “Outlander,” this 90-minute walking tour in downtown Wilmington is led by the assistant manager of the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, Hunter Ingram. It’s based on his podcast “Burgwin-Wright Presents… Outlander in the Cape Fear.” 

The tour covers life in Colonial North Carolina and starts at Burgwin-Wright House. Tickets are $25 and must be paid onsite. Aside from Oct. 16 tour date, they also take place Saturday, Nov. 7, at 9 a.m. and Friday, Nov., 13 at 9 a.m. Reserve a spot by calling 910-762-0570. 

OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
Little River Band in Concert — Australian rock outfit Little River Band is performing at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College in downtown Wilmington. The group just celebrated 50 years and is known for songs like “Reminiscing,” “Lonesome Loser,” and “Cool Change.” The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $43.

Marshall Charloff & The Purple xPeRIeNCE — Fans of Minneapolis’ iconic performer and one of the greatest rock and pop musicians of all time, Prince, are welcomed to Kenan Auditorium on UNCW’s campus at 7:30 p.m. to join a tribute band. Marshall Charloff & The Purple xPeRIeNCE take on the look and sound of Prince and his band, performing hits such as “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Little Red Corvette.” Tickets are limited and start around $49 to $59.

Panorama: A Musical Voyage — Thalian Hall is hosting an originally written show about life on the Mississippi River in the late 1800s as scored by Justin Lacy. The show “Alluvial River” will also debut a 109-foot panorama scroll, restored by Wendy Waszut-Barrett, an expert of panoramas and theatre history, and created in the 1980s. The debut of the scroll will take place Friday night, with around a dozen songs, each moving forward the story’s plot, centering on a steamboat showboat that travels up and down the Mississippi River. The audience in Thalian Hall will act as the showboat audience for whom Lacy and his crewmembers are performing to the panorama experience. Tickets start at $10 and read more about the one-night only show here.

Ty Myers — A Texas-born singer-songwriter, who blends rock, blues, soul and country, is playing Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park as part of his The Legal Tour. The 19-year-old singer released a few viral singles in 2024, including “Thought It Was Love” and “Ends of the Earth,” and followed up in 2025 with his first studio album, “The Select.” Tickets are sold out but verified resales start at $150 via Ticketmaster.

Galloway Farm’s Maze Craze — From now through Saturday, Nov. 7 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Galloway Farm in Hallsboro will host its 16th Maze Craze. Aside from the corn maze, the farm will feature opportunities to meet the animals, purchase food and dessert, and enjoy a giant pipe slide. Guests may go Tuesday through Friday by appointment only. Tickets cost from $15.27 to $37 depending on the package.

Acme Arts Yard Sale — The popular 5th Avenue gallery and artist studio is selling and will host a resident artist yard sale this weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artists will have furniture and books, tools, art and more for sale. It’s located at 711 N. 5th Ave.

Saturday, Oct. 17

IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina: Beach to Battleship
Wrightsville Beach to Downtown Wilmington • Registration closed  

The return of Ironman triathlon is scheduled for Wilmington this Saturday, beginning at 7:10 a.m. It takes participants from Wrightsville Beach on 1.2-mile swim in Banks Channel to a 52-mile bike course from the beach, crossing the Cape Fear River into the rural countryside of Pender County, and heading back downtown for the 13.2-mile run final course. It takes place along Front Street, toward Greenfield Lake and ends at Water Street Park.

Annually, the event brings around 3,500 athletes and more than 7,000 visitors to the area. 

See maps of the courses and learn more about the race here; traffic delays should be expected in certain areas across the city.

OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
Island Men Backyard BBQ Cookout — From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., over 20 local barbeque smokers will compete for a first place trophy at 118 River Front Road, Kure Beach. Visitors and locals are welcomed to enjoy the food along with local live music from bands such as the Water Kickers, local art vendors, and a children’s entertainment area. Admission onsite is $15 and kids under 10 get in for free. The event is hosted by the Island Men who raise money for area nonprofits and civic organizations.

Evan Honer — Country/indie singer Evan Honer will perform at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in Wilmington at 7 p.m. Honer, influenced by The Eagles, Jim Croce and James Taylor, began writing music during the Covid-19 pandemic and auditioned for “American Idol,” thereafter, wherein he was told by Luke Bryan to “stick to diving,” as Honer was a champion-winning diver from California Baptist University. But he stuck to music and has self-released multiple albums on his own label Cloverdale Records, including 2026’s “Halfway,” available only on vinyl.  Tickets start at $35.75 here.

Monster Dash 5k — Carolina Beach State Park is also hosting a race this weekend, welcoming all ages for a Halloween-themed trail run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There also will be local organization booths, a costume contest and a fundraiser for Cape Fear Flyers. Registration is $35. The state park is located at 1010 State Park Rd.

Springbrook Farm’s Ghost Trolley — A 30-minute narrated horse-drawn tour about the ghostly history of downtown Wilmington, is every Friday and Saturday in October from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for adults cost $21 and tickets for children 12 and under cost $10 cash or Venmo. Interested parties should meet at Market Street between Water and Front streets.

Poplar Grove Historic House & Museum Paranormal Ghost Tours — Investigative Tours hosted by Haunted Rooms America are scheduled for Oct. 17 and 24 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and tickets cost $129. There is also a full moon tour scheduled for Halloween night on Oct. 31 for $25, though there is no guarantee of ghost activity, cameras and other paranormal equipment are permitted. The Poplar Grove home is allegedly haunted by deceased members of the Foy family, who called Poplar Grove home for six generations, and make their presence known in particular rooms of the house. Guests use professional ghost hunting equipment in small groups, then have time to investigate on their own.

On Set Cinema — The 1986 horror film “Trick Or Treat” will screen at UNC Wilmington’s Hanover Hall Gymnasium on Saturday, Oct. 17. Check-ins will begin at 1 p.m. and the showing at 2:45 p.m. “Trick or Treat” is about an outcast teenager, played by Marc Price, who becomes haunted by his rock hero, Sammi Curr, played by Tony FIelds and was filmed in Wilmington. There will be a special appearance from the actor Marc Price for autograph and photo opportunities. Tickets are $35 and the movie will play at UNC Wilmington Hanover Hall Gymnasium.

Phobia Haunted Trail — Open daily through Nov. 1, from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., the Phobia Haunted Trail includes a 30-minute walk with various horror actors providing jumpscares aplenty. The trail, located in Winnabow off Governors Road SE, will not be open on Halloween night.​​ Tickets for general admission cost $27 and VIP tickets cost $37, with last sales taking place at 11 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18

Zombie Run 5K and Monster Mile 
Long Leaf Park, 314 Pine Grove Rd. • Registration: $20-$40

Long Leaf Park is hosting a non-timed 5K course at 5:30 p.m. where participants wear a flag belt and hidden costumed zombies along the course try to pull the flags off. 

All participants receive a t-shirt whether or not a flag of theirs has been pulled off. Runners who complete the course with at least one flag will receive an additional prize. 

The Monster Mile is for kids to run/walk a mile and take photos with the costumed zombies throughout the course. It starts at 4:30 p.m. Registration is for ages 12-plus only here.

OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Trask Family Farms’ Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch — Through Sunday, Nov. 1, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Trask Family Farms located in Castle Hayne, will open their corn maze Wednesdays through Sundays featuring 10 acres, with four different games inside the maze. Attendees who solve it will win a prize. There are also pumpkins, hay rides, a flower field, local honey for sale, homemade ice cream, food from local vendors, live music, and more. Tickets for the corn maze, sold at the farm or available online, cost between $10 to $15. Entry for the maze is allowed until an hour before closing, and children 3 and under are free.

Nan Graham Book Release — Local author Nan Graham is releasing her third book, “Y’all Things Considered,” with an artist reading an reception at Art in Bloom Gallery, 970 Inspiration Dr., in Mayfaire. It’s free and open to the public, and features artwork done by local abstract artist Elizabeth Darrow, featuring the piece “She’s Come Undone.” Graham’s book features bite-sized radio essays from her longtime, biweekly commentary for WHQR Public Radio.

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