Access Your Weekend: October 15, 2026
Welcome to Access Your Weekend.
Big news: AccessWilmington.com officially launches Monday, Oct. 19, and it’s the perfect partner for this newsletter. The homepage puts the hottest upcoming events front and center, with filters to narrow them down to exactly what you’re after. You’ll also find ticket giveaways plus listings for local businesses and food trucks.
Congratulations to Stormy Sailor, winner of last week’s two free movie tickets to The Point 14! Every event in this issue links straight to its AccessWilmington page with times, venues and tickets, so tap through for the full details. Now let’s get to the weekend. 🎟️
🍂 Fall Festival Weekend
- 🍂 Autumn With Topsail: Fri to Sun, Topsail Beach
- 🍁 Burgaw Autumn Fest: Sat, Downtown Burgaw
- 🏃 IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina: Sat, Wrightsville Beach to downtown
- 🍺 Ogden Tap Room Oktoberfest: Sat, Ogden Tap Room
- 🍻 Taptoberfest: Sat, Tap Yard
- 🎻 Bachtoberfest: Sun, Fermental
Up for a drive? Burgaw’s Autumn Fest fills Courthouse Square Saturday with arts, crafts and food vendors, live bluegrass, inflatables and a costume contest. Vendors open at 10am, and the new Shrimp Showdown runs 11am to 2pm. Staying in town? Check the IRONMAN road closures below before you head downtown or to Wrightsville Beach.
News & Updates
IRONMAN 70.3 Takes Over Wilmington Saturday
IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina hits town Saturday, Oct. 17. Athletes swim 1.2 miles at Wrightsville Beach, bike 56 miles out MLK Parkway and US-421 into Pender County, then run 13.1 miles through downtown to a finish near the federal courthouse on Water Street. Driving near the course? Water Street between Market and Princess is already closed through 8pm Saturday. Causeway Drive closes 5:15 to 10am, the I-140 ramps to US-421 close 7:30am to 1:30pm and some downtown streets close as early as 3am. Want to cheer instead? Line the run course downtown and follow your favorite racer on the free IRONMAN Tracker app.
Smoke on the Water Is Moving Downtown
One of Wilmington’s favorite riverfront hangouts is on the move. Smoke on the Water at Riverlights is closing around Oct. 28 after the property sold. Owner Diane Smith says she plans to reopen downtown and bring her whole staff along. There’s no new address or opening date yet, so if you’ve got a favorite table by the water, this is the time for one last sunset there.
Featured Events
Autumn With Topsail Festival
FRI OCT 16 · Topsail Beach Festival Grounds
The 37th Autumn With Topsail Festival is a beloved 3-day event held each October in Topsail Beach, featuring over 100 regional artists and craftspeople, live musical entertainment and food vendors.
3 Band Show! General Purpose / Terrestrial Animal / Hyperloops
FRI OCT 16 · 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM · Barzarre
Three bands. One Night at Barzarre. 8:30PM / $10. Prog Rock • Post-Rock • Heavy Rock.
Little River Band
FRI OCT 16 · 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM · Wilson Center at CFCC
Australian rock legends Little River Band bring their timeless harmonies to Wilmington, performing classics like “Reminiscing,” “Lady,” and “Help Is on Its Way.”
Ogden Tap Room Oktoberfest
SAT OCT 17 · 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Ogden Tap Room
Ogden Tap Room’s annual Oktoberfest party featuring live music from Harbour Town Fest Band, Weiner Dog Races, and German food and drink specials. One of the best days of the year!
Taptoberfest
SAT OCT 17 · 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Tap Yard Wilmington
Hoist a stein at Taptoberfest! An Oktoberfest celebration in the Biergarten featuring live music, stein hoisting, yard games, Oktoberfest brews on tap, and more fun activities for all ages.
Oysters in October
SAT OCT 17 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens
The sixth annual Halloween-themed oyster roast in the gardens of the Burgwin-Wright House, presented by the Rotary Club of Wilmington West.
Live Music This Week
Thursday, October 15
Live! at CAM Café: Perry Smith — 6PM–8PM @ Cameron Art Museum
AUSTIN BROWN — 6PM–9PM @ The Bend
Sunset Performance Series: Myra Graham Quince (MGQ) — 6PM–7PM @ Cameron Art Museum
Open Mic at The Starling Bar — 7PM–9PM
3rd Thursday Open Mic at Tap Yard — 7PM–11PM
Open Mic at Oden Brewing — 8PM–11PM
Friday, October 16
Live Music at Hi-Wire Brewing — 6PM–9PM, free
Autumn With Topsail Festival — Topsail Beach Festival Grounds
Rodrigo y Gabriela – OurHome Tour — 7PM @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
THE OH-G’S FAMILY BAND — 7PM–10PM @ The Bend
Shoot to Thrill: All-Female Tribute to AC/DC — 7PM–10PM @ Bowstring Brewyard
Little River Band — 7:30PM–10PM @ Wilson Center
Ty Myers: The Legal Tour 2026 — 7:30PM–10:30PM @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Thalian Hall Panorama: Alluvial River — 7:30PM–9:30PM @ Thalian Hall
Open Mic at Rooted Kava — 8PM–11PM
Open Mic at The Harp — 8PM–11PM
Justin Cody Fox Duo — 8PM @ Live at Ted’s
3 Band Show! — 8PM–11:59PM @ Barzarre
Marvelous Funkshun — 10PM–12AM @ The Palm Room
Saturday, October 17
Wilmington Record Show — 11AM–4PM @ Waterline Brewing
Ogden Tap Room Oktoberfest — 12PM–10PM
Taptoberfest — 2PM–8PM @ Tap Yard
Evan Honer: It’s A Even Longer Road Tour — 7PM–10PM @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
CLAYMORE BAND — 7PM–10PM @ The Bend
Nightmares & Daydreams: A Horror Cabaret — 8PM–11PM
Sunday, October 18
Boozy Sing-A-Long Brunch — 11AM–12PM @ The Bend
Noah Guthrie — 4PM–6PM @ Live at Ted’s
Open Mic Night at Yacht Club — 4PM–7PM
Artist Spotlight: Blue Footed Boobies
Born in Wilmington, Blue Footed Boobies are a two-piece rock band that sounds a whole lot bigger than two people. Logan Chaucer handles guitar and vocals and Sam Baker drives it all from behind the kit. Their blues and psych rock sound nods to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Black Keys, and their shows are loud and high-energy. They’ve shared stages with Blues Traveler, The Nude Party and Stop Light Observations and were featured on PBS NC’s Shaped by Sound.
Looking Ahead
Mon–Tue, Oct 19–20: The Book of Mormon, Wilson Center
Wed, Oct 21: The Hip Abduction, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Sat, Oct 24: Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival, Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Sat, Oct 24: Ghostbusters in Concert, Wilson Center
Like what you see? Access Your Weekend lands in your inbox every Thursday with live music, festivals and free-ticket giveaways.
