Access Your Weekend: October 8, 2026
Welcome to Access Your Weekend.
Congratulations to the AYW subscriber with the handle Shady Sailor, winner of last week’s two movie tickets to The Point 14! Didn’t win? We were giving away two more this week. Meanwhile, dig into a packed weekend of bluegrass, horror films, vintage cars, comedy and a whole lot of live music.
Let’s go. 🎟️
🎃 This Weekend in Wilmington
- 🪕 Trampled By Turtles — Thu, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
- 🔪 First Cut Horror Film Festival — Fri–Sun, Jengo’s Playhouse
- 🎸 Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney — Fri, Thalian Hall
- 🚗 Pistons & Pints — Sat, Waterline Brewing
- 🎤 Jordan Klepper — Sat, Wilson Center
- 🎶 Indigo Girls — Sun, Wilson Center
Headed downtown Saturday? Parking in the Market Street and 2nd Street decks is now a flat $5 on Saturdays through Dec. 26, which makes dinner plus Jordan Klepper at the Wilson Center an easy call.
News & Updates
Downtown Parking Drops to $5 on Saturdays
Catching a Saturday show downtown just got cheaper. Through Saturday, Dec. 26, drivers can park in the Market Street and 2nd Street parking decks for a flat $5 on Saturdays, and the first hour is still free. The holiday-season rate is meant to give visitors more time to linger downtown, whether that means dinner, a little shopping, a stroll on the Riverwalk or a show at the Wilson Center or Thalian Hall. On Sundays, metered street parking is free, though that Sunday break doesn’t extend to the decks. Park once and make a night of it.
$31 Million Promised to Keep Cameras Rolling in Wilmington
At Cinespace Studios on Tuesday, state lawmakers announced plans for an additional $31 million in film grant funding for fiscal year 2026–27, prioritized for productions in New Hanover and surrounding counties. It follows months of worry after the state Commerce Department committed grant dollars years ahead, raising fears of no new grants until 2029 and crews leaving for other states. Sen. Michael Lee, who led the effort, expects action when the General Assembly returns in mid-November, along with changes to how the grants work. Outer Banks creator Jonas Pate called it a big step forward. Gov. Josh Stein welcomed the added money but argued it shouldn’t be limited to one region.
Read More » · WilmingtonBiz » · Background »
Featured Events
Trampled By Turtles
THU OCT 8 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
Trampled by Turtles brings their high-energy bluegrass sound to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. The Minnesota-based quintet is known for blistering tempos, original songwriting, and timeless roots music.
First Cut Horror Film Festival 2026
FRI OCT 9 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Jengo’s Playhouse
The 3rd annual First Cut Horror Film Festival returns to Wilmington, Oct 9–11, celebrating horror, macabre, and obscure indie cinema. Kicks off Friday with a public launch party at Waterline Brewing.
Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney
FRI OCT 9 · 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM · Thalian Hall
Thalian Hall Main Attractions Series. The critically-acclaimed show ‘Live and Let Die’ features Tony Kishman, veteran of the Broadway smash hit musical “Beatlemania”.
Pistons & Pints
SAT OCT 10 · 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Vintage car show, craft beer, food trucks, and live music from Mark Sinnis (3–5 PM) at Waterline Brewing — plus a Vintage Clothing Market by Vintage Flea ILM and car-centered vendor booths.
Velvetina’s Blue Moon “Hex Appeal” Burlesque Revue
SAT OCT 10 · 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Our beloved showgirl Velvetina Taylor is back in town celebrating her birthday with a spooky fun and bawdy night of burlesque!
Indigo Girls
SUN OCT 11 · 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM · Wilson Center at CFCC
Multi-Grammy-winning folk duo Emily Saliers and Amy Ray celebrate over 35 years of music with timeless songs like “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears,” joined by Linda Perry.
Live Music This Week
Friday, October 9
Marina Grill Friday Concert w/ JET 22 Refueled — 6PM–9PM @ Marina Grill
Emo Nite w/ Forever This Way — 7PM–11PM @ Reggies 42nd Street Tavern
Open Mic Night at The Fuzzy Needle — 7PM–9PM @ The Fuzzy Needle
First Cut Film Festival Launch Party — 7PM–10PM @ Waterline Brewing Company
Papa Midnight Band — 7PM–10PM @ Seven Mile Post
Live Music Friday: Eternally Grateful — 7PM–9PM @ Fermental
Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney — 7:30PM–10:30PM @ Thalian Hall
Open Mic at Rooted Kava — 8PM–11PM @ Rooted Kava Lounge
Lillith & Co. — 8PM @ Wilmington Distillery
Open Mic at The Harp — 8PM–11PM @ The Harp
DUBTOWN COSMONAUTS Live at The Palm Room — 9:30PM–11:30PM @ The Palm Room
Saturday, October 10
MGB Live at Marina Grill — 6PM–9PM @ Marina Grill
Bootleg Dynasty — 7PM–10PM @ Ogden Tap Room
The Brook & The Bluff: The Werewolf Tour w/ The Sways — 6PM–10PM @ Bowstring
Live Music Saturday: The Casserole — 7PM–9PM @ Fermental
Jordan Klepper — 8PM–10PM @ Wilson Center (tickets required)
Modern Legend Is Turning 10. Let’s Party! — 8PM–12AM
Sunday, October 11
Beth Manning — 4PM @ Jimmys on WB
Wendy Kelly: One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show (Matinee) — 2PM–5PM @ Yacht Club Wilmington
Open Mic Night at Yacht Club — 4PM–7PM @ Yacht Club Wilmington
Luke Bulla — 4PM–6PM
Sunday Jazz Jam — 5PM–8PM @ Fermental
Indigo Girls — 7PM–9:30PM @ Wilson Center at CFCC
Lillith & Co. — 10PM @ Jimmys on WB
Artist Spotlight: Dubtown Cosmonauts
Dubtown Cosmonauts are a Wilmington, NC band with roots in the local beach scene, blending funk, jam, soul and psychedelic jazz into high-energy live sets. Expect upbeat originals, adventurous solos flying in from every direction, and an eclectic stack of covers that keeps the crowd guessing where the night goes next.
Website | Bandsintown | Facebook | Instagram
Looking Ahead
Sat, Oct 17 — Ogden Tap Room Oktoberfest
Sat, Oct 24 — WALKERWORLD Spookyfest Art+Music Festival
Sun, Oct 25 — Oysterberfest 2026, Wrightsville Beach Brewery
Like what you see? Access Your Weekend lands in your inbox every Thursday with live music, festivals and free-ticket giveaways.
