Morehead.com logo

Morehead City Festivals Events - 2026 Schedule

Morehead City Festivals Events - 2026 Schedule
Week of June 8, 2026 - June 14, 2026
Saturday, June 13th 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Swansboro

There’s a host of reasons to explore a creative side, as well as the picturesque Swansboro waterfront, at the Swansboro Arts by the Sea Festival. This unique and day-long festival has a wealth of activities, entertainment and enticements for everyone in the family, and with plenty of food, crafts, children’s activities, shopping opportunities and more, the festival is sure to be a highlight of any Crystal Coast vacation.

Week of October 5, 2026 - October 11, 2026
Saturday, October 10th - Sunday, October 11th
Swansboro

If you’re a southern seafood fan, then you’re going to love the annual Mullet Festival of Swansboro. This two-day affair features a wealth of ways to enjoy this local crystal coast staple, as well as plenty of games and activities that celebrate the food, flavor, and all around fun of the heart of Swansboro and the North Carolina coastline.

Week of November 23, 2026 - November 29, 2026
Friday, November 27th 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Swansboro

Celebrate the holidays Crystal Coast style with this annual event that entices locals and visitors alike to get into the holiday spirit. The Swansboro Christmas Flotilla is a time-honored tradition that combines Swansboro’s love of life on the water with a truly festive atmosphere, and the event is sure to become an annual celebration that Crystal Coast visitors will want to return to again and again.

Saturday, November 28th 2:00 PM
Emerald Isle

Celebrating more than 20 years, the Emerald Isle Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting is a favorite wintertime event for visitors and locals alike that provides a fun and unforgettable way to ring in the season. Held in the heart of town, and featuring a line of floats that capture both the holiday and the coastal spirit, this annual parade and celebration will make everyone want to celebrate the holidays, Emerald Isle style.

Week of December 7, 2026 - December 13, 2026
Friday, December 11th - Sunday, December 13th
Morehead City

Come explore a winter wonderland of holiday sights, sounds, and smells at this festive event that is celebrating its 12th year in 2026. The annual Gingerbread Festival & Competition is a fun and all-encompassing celebration that has incredible gingerbread displays, fun crafts and activities for the kids, and lots of ways to celebrate the holidays in style while admiring some of the most unique and creative gingerbread creations that the Crystal Coast has to offer.

Crystal Coast Map
Emerald Isle Indian Beach Pine Knoll Shores Atlantic Beach Shackleford Banks Beaufort Morehead City Cape Lookout Cedar Island Harkers Island New Bern
Cedar Island

Located on the edge of North Carolina and serving as a midway point between the Outer Banks and the Crystal Coast, Cedar Island is a relatively undiscovered gem that feels miles away from the rest of the world. Close to historic and natural...

Why Knot Getaway…Rooftop with WaterVie...

PRIME LOCATION! Why Knot Getaway is an adorable studio in Downtown Beaufort on Front Street overlooking the water of Taylor's Creek-great location for a coastal hideaway! This prime spot is ideal for calming, strolling the waterfront boardwalk, and...

  • Beaufort
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 2
The Lighthouse, Oceanfront house, in Pin...

Come and appreciate The Lighthouse, a 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath Oceanfront bungalow that ¡s fun for the whole family. Located in the sleepy town of Pine Knoll Shores,The Lighthouse is a great place to stay & savor a calming vacation. The North...

  • Pine Knoll Shores
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Shackleford Wild Horse & Shelling Safari

Take a quick and scenic ferry ride with your experienced guide over to the pristine Outer Banks Island of Shackleford Banks, which is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, you are introduced to the wild horses of Shackleford...

Oceanfront Oasis w/double covered porch ...

Oceanfront Escape at "WaitnSea" - Your Emerald Isle RetreatDiscover the allure of coastal living at "WaitnSea," a delightfully refreshed four-bedroom, two-bathroom oceanfront half-duplex. This inviting home offers the ideal backdrop for memorable...

  • Emerald Isle
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway - Crystal Coast

Visitors of all ages will have a blast at this destination that is designed for great times along the Crystal Coast shoreline. Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway is situated in the centrally located beach community of Salter Path, and...