Access Your Weekend: October 1, 2026
Welcome to Access Your Weekend.
You’ve been getting Port City Jams in your inbox, so you know the deal. We find the good stuff happening in the Cape Fear region so you don’t have to hunt for it.
Access Your Weekend is like Port City Jams, but better! Our new events-focused newsletter is built around one simple idea: your weekend is worth our time. Every issue we’ll bring you a curated mix of what’s happening—live music, festivals, theater, must-see shows and more.
We’ve also been busy building something we’re genuinely excited about! AccessWilmington.com is our companion event site with the most up-to-date local event listings in the Cape Fear region. The newsletter and the website are designed to work together to tell you all you need to know.
This is Issue #1. Reply to the email and tell us what you like, what you miss, and what you want more of. It’s your weekend—we’re here to help you get the most out of it.
Let’s go. 🎟️
🍂 First Weekend of Fall in Wilmington
- 🎸 Jon Pardi: Gamblin’ Man Tour — Thu, Live Oak Bank Pavilion
- 🎺 Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral — Fri, Kure Beach Ocean Front Park, free
- 🌴 Carolina Beach MusicFest: Island Vibes — Sat, 40th anniversary reggae festival
- 🍺 11th Annual Oktoberfest Under the Bridge — Sat, Waterline Brewing
- 🍄 Liverfest — Sat, Fermental, free all day
- 🎵 Lettuce: Cook Tour — Sun, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
This would normally be Riverfest weekend, but organizers called it off for 2026 after a disagreement with the city over a safe, accessible layout. They’re planning to be back in 2027. In the meantime, Fermental is stepping up with Liverfest — a free, two-day community-first market with local vendors (including some who lost their Riverfest spot), live music, food, and drinks in the Cargo District. Family- and pet-friendly. Get the full lineup »
News & Updates
Carolina Beach Is Getting a Coastal Park and Event Stage
The New Hanover Community Endowment has approved a $3.5 million provisional grant to build a new public park and event stage on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Early plans include an outdoor stage for concerts and programs, a large open lawn, and family amenities like a possible splash pad. The project follows the town’s recent $12 million purchase of nine Boardwalk-area properties, five of which will become the park site. Public input on the design is coming. Mayor Lynn Barbee called it a continuation of a gathering place that’s been drawing people to the oceanfront since 1887.
Featured Events
Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral
FRI OCT 2 · 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Help us send summer off with a fond farewell. Port City Players will be providing the music and leading the procession promenade.
Rocky Horror Shadowcast at The Eagles Dare
FRI OCT 2 · 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM · The Eagle’s Dare
Pineapple-Shaped Lamps brings its iconic Rocky Horror shadowcast back to The Eagle’s Dare for a night of callbacks, costumes, and fishnets.
Carolina Beach MusicFest: Island Vibes
SAT OCT 3 · 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The 40th annual Carolina Beach Music Festival returns with an Island Vibes reggae lineup: Ballyhoo!, Signal Fire, and special guests Cape Fear Rising. Free re-entry permitted.
11th Annual Oktoberfest Under the Bridge
SAT OCT 3 · 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
PROST! Our 11th Annual Oktoberfest is happening at Waterline Brewing on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, from 12 noon to 8pm!
LIVERFEST 2026: Market, Music, and More
SAT OCT 3 · 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Fermental
Fermental’s two-day celebration of the Cape Fear region — live music, local vendors, food, and drinks in the Cargo District. A community-first alternative to Riverfest, featuring local vendors.
Lettuce – Cook Tour
SUN OCT 4 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Legendary funk and soul collective Lettuce brings the Cook Tour to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Featuring Adam Deitch, Nigel Hall, and the full six-piece band.
Live Music This Week
Thursday, October 1
John Hussmann Live — 6PM–8PM @ Smoke On The Water
Jon Pardi: Gamblin’ Man Tour 2026 — 7PM–10:30PM @ Live Oak Pavilion
Thomas Pope — 8PM–11PM @ Seven Mile Post
Dirty South Magnet & Gran Moreno — 7PM @ Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern
Friday, October 2
Steadfast — 6PM–9PM @ Shuckin’ Shack, Leland
Farewell Summer Jazz Funeral — 7PM–9PM
Wendy Kelly — 7PM–11PM @ Yacht Club Wilmington
Jonah Kagen — 7PM–10PM @ Bowstring
Andy Frasco & The U.N. — 7PM–10PM @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Dragons With Matches — 10PM @ The Palm Room
Bad Addiction — 8PM–11PM @ The Trailer Bar
The Hatch Brothers feat. Spencer Carlson — 7PM–10PM @ The Bend
Live Music at Hi-Wire Brewing — 6PM–9PM, free
Saturday, October 3
4th Annual Old School R&B Vs Hip Hop Party — 6PM–11PM @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Sam Morrow w/ Les Fontanelles — 8PM–12AM @ Yacht Club Wilmington
Liverfest: Callisto Sessions, One Hit Blunder, Cool Jerk — 2PM–10PM @ Fermental, free
Sean Thomas Gerard & David Dixon — 8PM–10PM @ Live at Ted’s
Sunday, October 4
Open Mic Night — 4PM–7PM @ Yacht Club Wilmington
Lettuce – Cook Tour — 6PM–9PM @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Stu Cru Two — 4PM–7PM @ Ogden Tap Room
Boogie in the Park: The Cruise Brothers Band — 5PM–7PM @ Kure Beach Ocean Front Park, free
Sunday Jazz Jam — 5PM–8PM @ Fermental
Artist Spotlight: OC3ANS
Oc3ans is a high-energy Wilmington, NC band blending rock, soul, and hip-hop, led by powerhouse vocalist Brooke Renshaw. The group also features Josh Boyd on guitar, Joey Lamb on drums, and Jared Sales as MC, and is known for its dynamic live performances and original tracks like “Love Myself.”
Looking Ahead
Tue, Oct 6 — The Doobie Brothers: Walk This Road Tour, Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Thu, Oct 8 — Trampled By Turtles, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Sat, Oct 10 — Jordan Klepper, Wilson Center
Sat, Oct 10 — Modern Legend Turns 10, Yacht Club (no cover)
Like what you see? Access Your Weekend lands in your inbox every Thursday with live music, festivals and free-ticket giveaways.
