Access Your Weekend: October 29, 2026
Welcome to Access Your Weekend.
We stopped by the soft opening of Opa by Giorgios on Harnett Street last night. It was a fabulous event! The Greek spot on the Cape Fear River officially opens Nov. 2, and the baklava and the Persephone signature drink get our vote. This will be one of Wilmington’s hottest places to go for amazing cuisine and nightlife.
Our Halloween Events page now lists 42 parties, bar crawls, haunted trails and ghost tours between now and Halloween night.
Big ticket news too: Shaq’s DJ Diesel and the Avett Brothers just landed as Azalea Festival headliners, and Wynonna Judd is bringing the Hard Truth Tour to Greenfield Lake. Details on both below.
News & Updates
Avett Brothers, Shaq’s DJ Diesel to Headline Azalea Festival
The 80th NC Azalea Festival just locked its concert headliners. DJ Diesel, Shaquille O’Neal’s DJ alter ego, plays Live Oak Bank Pavilion Thursday, April 8, with the Avett Brothers headlining Friday, April 9. Tickets for both shows go on sale at noon on Nov. 9. Follow DJ Diesel on Instagram for a preview of the set.
Wynonna Judd Brings the Hard Truth Tour to Greenfield Lake
Wynonna Judd is playing Greenfield Lake Amphitheater on March 14, 2027. Presale for her Hard Truth Tour stop starts at 10 AM today, with tickets open to everyone starting 10 AM Friday through Ticketmaster.
Featured Events
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
THU OCT 29 · 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Thalian Hall
Thalian Hall brings back its annual screening of George A. Romero’s 1968 horror classic, made on a tight budget near Pittsburgh and a late-night hit before becoming a commercial success.
Blankets & Bonfires Music Series
THU OCT 29 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Carolina Beach Pier
Bring a blanket and settle in on the Carolina Beach Pier for live music at the 4th annual Blankets & Bonfires series, presented by High Tide Lounge & Tiki Bar. It runs Thursday and Friday evenings.
🎃 Halloween Weekend, Last Call
Costume parties, bar crawls, haunted trails and ghost tours: see all 42 on the Halloween Events page before the lineup resets for next year.
Indigo Girls
THU OCT 29 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Wilson Center at CFCC
Indigo Girls play the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College. Tickets are through AXS.
Haunted Forest @ WalkerWorld: Friday Pre-Party (Oct 30)
FRI OCT 30 · 4:20 PM – 12:00 AM · Walkerworld Organic Artist Retreat
Haunted Forest kicks off with a Friday pre-party at WalkerWorld in Castle Hayne: a haunted trail at 8 PM and Heter Pan’s Murder Mystery Band for Pirates and Wenches costume night.
Reggie’s Annual Halloween Cover Set Night
FRI OCT 30 · 5:30 PM – 12:30 AM · Reggies 42nd Street Tavern
Two stages and 10 local bands play Halloween cover sets at Reggie’s. The main stage kicks off with Bad Religion (acoustic) at 6:30 PM and wraps up with Ween/Primus at 11:15.
Whiskey Glasses: Morgan Wallen Tribute
FRI OCT 30 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Bowstring Brewyard
Whiskey Glasses Nashville brings the sound, energy and attitude of Morgan Wallen’s biggest hits to the stage. Featuring Adam James backed by a band of Nashville professional musicians.
Live Music This Week
Thursday, Oct. 29
Indigo Girls · 7–10 PM @ Wilson Center at CFCC
Mackenzie Morris · 6–9 PM @ The Bend
Live Jazz: Adam Fenton, Riley Ball & Dillon Goodson · 8–10 PM @ The Blind Elephant
Open Mic · 8–11 PM @ Oden Brewing
Friday, Oct. 30
OC3ANS · 7–10 PM @ The Bend
Nightmare on the Pier: ALLEYCVT · 5–10:45 PM @ Port City Marina
Live Jazz: Randy Johnston & Dillon Goodson · 6:30–9:30 PM @ GPrime Steakhouse
Another Fish in the Sea · 5–8 PM @ The Trailer Bar
Saturday, Oct. 31
Halloween with Given to Fly: Pearl Jam Tribute · 7–10 PM @ Bowstring Brewyard
JA_X_SON · 7–10 PM @ The Bend
Halloween Night! Tomato Basil The Band · 7–9 PM @ Waterline Brewing
Rocker’s Halloween Bash and Costume Contest · 7 PM–2 AM @ The Rusty Nail
Sunday, Nov. 1
Sunday Jazz Jam · 5–8 PM @ Fermental
The Embers Live · 6–9 PM @ Seven Mile Post
Open Mic Night · 4–7 PM @ Yacht Club Wilmington
Looking Ahead
Thu, Nov. 5 · Nightrain: Tribute to Guns N’ Roses, 7 PM @ Bowstring Brewyard
Thu, Nov. 5 · Abbamania, 7:30 PM @ Thalian Hall
A big thank you to Giorgios and his team for inviting Access Wilmington to the Opa by Giorgios soft opening. Reservations start Nov. 2 at opabygiorgios.com.
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