Get out your calendar.
Today we are giving you a sneak peek into all the best events, festivals, concerts and markets happening on and around Topsail Island in 2020. Maybe you would like to schedule your vacation around your favorite event, or perhaps you should just bookmark this blog to see what is going on when you visit. Either way, you will be impressed when you see just how much goes on around here!
Don't forget to download and print our handy list of events so you can track them all year long.
2020 Events
(Please note that event dates, locations & details are accurate at the time of this blog post but are subject to change)
January 28 - National Plan For Vacation Day
Did you know there is an entire day dedicated to planning your vacation? That's right. Set aside the last Tuesday in January to click around Ward Realty's website and plan your 2020 vacation. The sooner you plan, the more choice you will have in rentals, prices, locations and amenities.
April - Surf City Easter Egg Roll
Eggs are stuffed by volunteers and local businesses, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos. This event takes place at the Surf City Community Center and is free to the public.
Follow the Surf City Facebook Page for times and locations closer to the event.
May-August: Concerts & Movies at Soundside Park
Every other Friday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day there will be an FREE outdoor movie at Soundside Park in Surf City. Bring the family and some lounge chairs! The schedule will be published by the Town of Surf City. On the alternate summer Friday nights there is an outdoor concert at Soundside Park. Movies and concerts are free!
June 20: Surf City Annual Kids Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by the Town of Surf City and East Coast Sports, this annual event is open to all ages 12 and under. In years past, the first 200 kids to sign up received a free rod and reel from East Coast Sports! What a great way to celebrate Father's Day weekend.
Look for updates here.
July 4: Surf City Pier Kids Fishing Tournament
Kids have another chance to compete in a fishing tournament at the Surf City Pier on July 4th at the Annual Children's Fishing Competition and Celebration. Participants will be divided up by age and there is a one rod limit per child. Adults must accompany kids 10 and under.
This event is free and open to children up to age 16, but pre-registration is required.
July 3: Independence Day Celebrations
July 3rd: Get a jump on the celebration by attending the fireworks a day early (on July 3rd), right here in Surf City. Centered around Soundside Park, it's easy to view the show while staying on Topsail Island.
July 4th: If you travel to the mainland, the towns of Holly Ridge and Sneads Ferry team up to put on a fireworks show of their own. Head down to Holly Ridge Municipal Park with your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the festive celebration.
July 3-5: Ocean City Jazz Festival
August 8-9: Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival
2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival! Enjoy live music, lots of food, rides for kids, fireworks and a parade.
September: Topsail Island Jeep Week
Check out the Facebook page to learn more about this event for 2020. "What better place to put your top down and take in the salt air than beautiful Topsail Island! Bring your family and enjoy family fun, jeep adventure and island living at its best. Spanning six towns and two counties, this truly is an island takeover."
October 9-10: Surf City Ocean Fest
From the event website: "The Surf City Ocean Fest celebrates our area's wave-riding heritage while providing a fun, beachside event where everyone can enjoy live music, food, drink, and learn about ways to protect our favorite thing in the world: THE OCEAN."
This event, which was just founded in 2019, includes a vintage surf contest, a free adaptive surf clinic for those with disabilities, ocean-friendly exhibits, a vendor zone, beer garden, and all proceeds from the event benefit a variety of ocean-related charities and environmental causes.
October 17-18: Autumn with Topsail
This annual event has been going since 1998. It "... features a juried Artists’ and Crafts Court with over 100 regional artists displaying and selling their work. Enjoy exciting live musical entertainment, a variety of amazing food with beer and wine, inflatables and crafts for children, and much more!"
Autumn with Topsail is held in the Assembly Building, which is part of the Historical Society of Topsail Island (720 Channel Boulevard – Topsail Beach, NC 28445).
October: Surf City's Fall Festival
Presented by Surf City Parks & Recreation, the Fall Festival features all the usual festival fun you might expect. Hosted at our beautiful Soundside Park, you will enjoy food trucks, inflatables & games for kids, live music and much more.
Follow this page for event details and updates.
November 6-8: Topsail Fall Surf and Pier Fishing Challenge
Offering two divisions (surf and pier), anglers will enjoy this annual fishing tournament, sponsored by East Coast Sports. Email surf@fishermanspost.com for more information about this epic event, or stop by East Coast Sports for registration (and all the gear you need, too).
November: Surf City Tree Lighting
Every year, the Surf City Tree Lighting welcomes the spirit of the holidays in a way only Topsail Island can. Held at Soundside Park (517 Roland Ave, Surf City), you can also have your photo taken with Santa, enjoy festive music and visit with Topsail locals.
Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs if you want to hang out and get comfortable. Coolers are allowed (but are subject to search).
Follow this page for event details.
November: Topsail Beach Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
As November draws to a close, the town of Topsail Beach hosts its own Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. In years past, the parade was at 4:30 and the tree lighting at 6:30 pm (at the Topsail Beach Town Center).
Light refreshments, caroling, Santa and a beautiful evening await!
Click the image above or here to download this printable list!
This is not even close to an exhaustive list of things to do on Topsail Island in 2020, but hopefully it will give you a great start as you plan your vacation.
Don't forget to bookmark and read Ward Realty's blog, which is absolutely full of all the best things to do, most delicious restaurants, great ideas for your Topsail vacation, and tips and tricks from the experts.
Also, be sure to follow Ward Realty on Facebook, where we post additional information about Topsail that will keep you up to date on everything happening around here.
Lastly, make sure you "like and follow" the Topsail Island Entertainment Planner page on Facebook. Area restaurants and bars post about upcoming events, like music, soup or chili cookouts, wine tastings, craft projects, book signings, murder mystery nights, open mic nights and more. It's a great way to find fun and activities all year round that aren't just the usual festivals geared for tourists. Rub shoulders with the locals!
Happy travels!
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