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, Sept. 24
‘Avenue Q’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $32
If you love “Crank Yankers” or the idea of Muppets turned a little dirty and vulgar, then “Avenue Q” is the show for you.
This puppet musical follows a college graduate, Princeton, trying to find his purpose in life. With his neighbors, who live in the rundown Avenue Q of New York, the show highlights the struggles of the everyday man … err, puppet. They struggle with love and sex, how to pay the bills and find a job, all with a touch of raunch unexpected by such cute-looking creatures.
The musical hasn’t been performed in Wilmington for roughly 20 years, last staged at City Stage in the early aughts. Panache Theatrical Productions is behind this iteration at Thalian Hall’s Ruth and Bucky Stein Theater.
It’s being directed by Ben Thomas-Reid, with puppet actors including Ethan Warren, Courtney Rickert, Bianca Shaw, Devin DiMattia, and more. Music is by Amanda Clawges, with choreography by Jason Aycock. Tickets are $37.45 here; the show is for 16 and up only. Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. Tickets: $37
OTHER THURSDAY EVENTS
Bachata After Sunset — Why Coffee? Bar and Kitchen, 431 Eastwood Road, welcomes dancers to its floor on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. A beginner Bachata class is taking place, followed by social dancing with DJ Yaenette — bring your best moves in Bachata, Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia. All experience levels are welcome, beginner to advanced, with or without a partner. It’s $10 at the door.
Friday, Sept. 25
‘Dracula’
Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St. • Tickets: $37
The cooler temps are here and Halloween is just around the corner. To get into the spooky spirit, Thalian Association is producing Steven Dietz’s “Dracula.”
Directed by Joshua Zieseniss, with assistance from Sydney Smith Martin, the show is scheduled for Sept. 25 through Oct. 4 on the main stage of Thalian Hall.
Dietz’s adaptation embraces the classic tale of an ancient vampire, Count Dracula, traveling from Transylvania to London in search of new blood among a larger population to feed on. The show includes macabre horror, dark romance and psychological thrills.
It stars Corey Ahlers as Dracula, Mark Sutton as Van Helsing, George Cole as Mina, Cat Thomas as Lucy, John Gibson as Harker, Chase Harrison as Seward and Caylan McKay as Renfield, among others.
Tickets are $32 to $42 and showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees.
OTHER FRIDAY EVENTS
ARTFall Show and Sale — Inside the Historic USO Building, more than 50 artists will exhibit their work in various mediums: acrylic, alcohol ink, gouache, linocut, mixed media, oil, pastel, pen and ink, photography, and watercolor. The event is an annual juried exhibition and sale and is celebrating 11 years in 2026. It’s free to attend but works are individually priced. The event takes place through Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artist awards were given for first through third place, with honorable mention and the People’s Choice Award.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Emil Wakim
Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. Third St. • Tickets: $30-$42
Having been the first Lebanese-American cast member of “Saturday Night Live” — often seen on Weekend Update — Emil Wakim is bringing his standup to Dead Crow Comedy Room this weekend.
The Brooklyn-based comedian’s bits often are self-deprecating, socially conscious, and center on his heritage and experiences as he dishes about family, relationships and modern anxiety. In a 2022 show, Hakim quipped:
“I just got back from a friend’s lake house … whew,” he said. “I’ll say this: If you’re ever worried you can’t say anything anymore, go to a lake house. They’re saying it — they’re saying it and they’re wearing those sunglasses where you’re like, ‘Oh, he cries during the anthem. … That whole culture is crazy to me. Like, I stopped trusting people who have boats.’”
Hakim will be performing at Dead Crow both Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are available here.
OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS
WSO Season Opener — Wilmington Symphony Orchestra’s “Journeys” season, their program for 2026-2027, kicks off Saturday with orchestral classics, American masterworks, and contemporary voices. The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College is hosting the WSO’s violin concert featuring Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World,” conducted by music director Peter Askim on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Dvořák’s “From the New World” was written to explore and initiate a distinctive American style of classical music, taking inspiration from musical traditions done by Native Americans and African Americans. Future showcases as part of “Journeys” will feature Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5,” Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and Still’s “Symphony No. 1,” Brahm’s “Symphony No. 2,” Schumann’s “Cello Concerto” and selections from Holst’s “The Planets.” Tickets range from $31 to $61 and can be found here. Information on future shows for the Wilmington Symphony’s Journeys Season and other showcases can be found here. The Wilson Center Box Office can be reached at (910) 362-7999 for further information on tickets.
Country Night — There will be free country partner dancing lessons hosted at Azalea Station, 1502 Castle St., from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by social dancing until close. Bring friends, a spouse, or come solo — no partner or experience is necessary to have fun. Dances will include country swing, two-step, one-step and line dancing, so wear shoes appropriate to spin, slide and twirl. A full bar will be open for purchases and free street parking is available.
She ROCKS 5K/1.5-mile Fun Run and Walk — A walk and run to raise Ovarian Cancer Awareness is taking place in Long Leaf Park this weekend. The She Rocks 5K and 1.5 Run and Walk is open to the public. Packet pickup for early registrars is available on Friday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m and the day of the race at 8 p.m. The 5K run starts at 9 a.m. and the 1.5-mile walk at 9:05 a.m. Awards take place at 10 a.m. She ROCKS raises money for research and supports people facing ovarian cancer. Learn more here.
Docktoberfest — Dock Street businesses are getting into the Ocktoberfest spirit this weekend with Oden Brewing Company, Prost Biergarten, Ponysaurus, The Husk, Duck and Dive, Savard Beer and Board, and Banter. The Docktoberfest! Block party includes stein-holding competitions, costume contests, yodeling, live music, beer releases and prizes. It takes place at all businesses from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
2026 YMCA Wrightsville Beach Sprint Triathlon — Another race will be taking place in Wrightsville Beach for athletes participating in the 2026 YMCA Wrightsville Beach Triathlon. In its 46th year, racers swim from Trailborn Surf and Sound to Seapath Marina before biking 11 miles and then doing a 5K run. The event raises more than $40,000 for the YMCA annually. Packet pickup takes place Thursday at Two Wheeler Dealer on Wrightsville Avenue from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; then at Wrightsville Beach Park from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. The race starts at 6:40 a.m.; there is also a youth triathlon taking place at 8 a.m. Learn more here.
Cape Fear Latinos Festival — Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, the Cape Fear Latinos Festival will take place at Live Oak Bank Pavilion. It kicks off with a parade from 11:30 a.m. to noon starting at 413 N. Water and traveling down to the festival site. There will be free entertainment, dancing, music, children’s games, activities and more. Food trucks will also be onsite selling beverages and items to eat. Parking is available at CFCC, 200 Hanover St., Harrelson Center, 20 N. 4th St. and MedNorth, 1010 N. 4th St., with free shuttle services running throughout. The festival takes place from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 10 Cowan St. and the shuttle runs until 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Strange and Unusual Market
Waterline Brewing Co., 721 Surry St. • Free
If getting into the weird, odd and wonderful is more your vibe this fall, then a wicked festival is on the books this Sunday at downtown’s Waterline Brewing Co. The Strange and Unusual Market takes place on Sunday, featuring unique vendors.
Guests will be able to speak to paranormal investigators to discuss their findings, theories and see equipment used. There also will be a costume contest, so come decked out in your best bedsheet or glam it up ghostly style for a chance to win prizes.
Plus, Lvl Up Coffee will be on site and beers from Waterline will be for sale. The event is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m.
OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS
Wilmington’s Fall Fest Under the Oaks — Wilmington’s Fall Fest Under the Oaks will be taking place noon to 4 p.m. at The Bend for an afternoon of fall flavors, local shopping and music. More than 60 local vendors will be on site, selling everything from jewelry to local honey, decor, vintage relics, baked goods, pet items and more. There will be coffee from Brighter Days, craft beverages from The Parlour House, food from Middle Sound Grille and soft serve ice cream from Grumpy’s Soft Serve.
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