One of the best festivals in Southeast North Carolina is Wilmington Riverfest in Wilmington, NC. It will be held October 4 and 5, 2025.
If you’re planning a trip to the area, check out all of our Wilmington, NC posts.
Wilmington Riverfest started in 1979 and had been held (almost) annually every year since then.
For a couple of days each October, food and craft vendors set up and the alluring smell of turkey legs brings a ton of people to downtown Wilmington. There’s live music, a kids zone with inflatables with children to enjoy, classic car displays, and — new for 2024 — North Carolina’s first drone light show.
This year’s annual Riverfest is on the scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2024. It’s a little different than it has been in the past, with a new location, so definitely read this post before you head down to the festival.
Planning a trip into Wilmington, NC for Riverfest? Get help planning your trip with this Wilmington, North Carolina Travel Guide.
Wilmington Riverfest: Frequently Asked Questions
Before we get into the reasons to attend, let’s get a couple frequently asked questions out of the way.
Wilmington Riverfest is always on the first full weekend of October. This year, it’s scheduled for October 4 and 5, 2025.
Quick note: Since 2023, Riverfest has been a two-day event. The yearly festival had been a three-day event before that.
The bands have not been announced yet because the festival is still looking for bands. Email [email protected] if you’re interested.
Wilmington Riverfest will be held on Front Street from Brunswick Street to Princess Street.
It had previously been held on Water Street in historic downtown Wilmington, along the Cape Fear River. Hence the name. But Water Street is the traffic route this year.
5 Reasons To Go To Wilmington Riverfest
Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.
The Food
I’ll be honest: The main reason I ever want to go to a festival is because I want an excuse to get a corn dog. I won’t often let myself get one outside of a festival because then I would get into a really bad habit. But at a festival, it’s okay.
There’s more than just corn dogs here. There are food booths where you can get funnel cake, lemonade, turkey legs, ribbon fries, huge sodas … you name it, it’s available for your enjoyment.
The Music
There’s always good live music at Wilmington Riverfest. It’s usually off in an area away from the street vendors, so it’s not crazy loud when you’re walking downtown.
This year, a performance stage will be set up in the Cape Fear Community College Student Parking Lot with bands scheduled to play on Saturday and Sunday.
The Vendors
The street fair portion of the Riverfest is a big draw. I love checking out the small crafters to see what they have to offer.
The last few years, the Wilmington Riverfront Farmers’ Market had been incorporated into the Saturday portion of Riverfest, so you may have seen Pete selling Rita’s Wooden Spoon there. This year, though, the Riverfront Farmers’ Market is taking the week off, so don’t head downtown looking for it on Saturday.
The Drone Show
My favorite holiday is July 4th because nothing beats a good fireworks show for me. In fact, the night I met Pete was minutes before a fireworks show. Literally. Not figuratively.
But, this year’s Riverfest is a little bit different because there won’t be any Saturday night fireworks. Instead, North Carolina’s first drone show will illuminate the sky at 8:30 pm.
The Car Show
One of the big Wilmington events for car lovers is the huge Rims On The River festival every fall. It’s canceled indefinitely, so if you want to see cars in Wilmington, this is your chance.
The Cape Fear Chapter of the Antique Auto Club of America hosts the Antique Car Display on Saturday. To be considered an antique, the vehicle must be 25 years old or older (which means it goes back to 1998 and I don’t think anything from 1998 should be considered an antique but what do I know).
The Sun Coast Cruisers hosts the Classic Car Display on Saturday and Sunday. I don’t quite know how old cars have to be to be a part of the classic car show rather than the antique car show, but hopefully older than my high school diploma.
Full Wilmington Riverfest 2025 Schedule
The full schedule has not been released yet. Below is the 2024 schedule.
Saturday, October 5
BMX Bike Show: It’s happening in the Cape Fear Community College parking lot from 11 am to 4 pm.
Burdette Duo: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 3 pm.
Car Show: Antique cars will be featured on Hanover Street beginning at 10:30 am.
Cliff Wheeler Band: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 4:15 pm.
Dog Star Chaos: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 5:30 pm.
Drone Show: North Carolina’s first drone light show will be at 8:30 pm.
Kid Zone: A children’s play area for kids will be in the Cape Fear Community College parking lot from 10 am to 5 pm.
Rose Rebellion: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 6:45 pm.
Stage Performances: Happening in the Cape Fear Community College parking lot from 11 am to 2 pm. We don’t have an exact schedule yet.
Street Fair: Food vendors and craft vendors will be set up from 10 am to 7 pm.
Sunday, October 6
Audiomelt: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 4 pm.
BMX Bike Show: It’s happening in the Cape Fear Community College parking lot from 11 am to 4 pm.
Car Show: Antique cars will be featured on Hanover Street beginning at 10:30 am.
Chaotic Behavior: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 12:!5 pm.
Double Cherry Pie: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 1:30 pm.
El Chino y Los Chavalones: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 11 am.
Kid Zone: A children’s play area for kids will be in the Cape Fear Community College parking lot from 10 am to 5 pm.
Soule & The Super Band: The band will be performing on the Cape Fear Community College parking lot stage at 2:45 pm.
Street Fair: Food vendors and craft vendors will be set up from 10 am to 5 pm.
More Fall Events Near Wilmington, NC:
If Riverfest was your first time in the Wilmington area and now you’re looking for more excuses to come back, there are some other events you’ll want to put on your calendar. For all of them, check out this Guide To Festivals In Wilmington, NC, with a breakdown by month.
And, if you’re looking for things to do while you’re visiting for Riverfest, our list of Fall Things To Do In Wilmington, NC will give you some ideas.
Have you been to Wilmington Riverfest? Let us know your favorite part in the comments!
Mommy Sigrid
Friday 4th of October 2019
You got me at food. Then to cap the day, fireworks. What a lovely outing. It's something that I can bring my kids to.
Chad
Thursday 3rd of October 2019
In all honesty i've never heard of Wilmington Riverfest!!! I would love to go there, the place looks amazing..I love it.
Candace
Thursday 3rd of October 2019
This reminds me of the Texas State Fair in some ways! I always love trying new foods, haha. And the car show and vendors are great to peruse. Have a great time!!
Echo
Thursday 3rd of October 2019
This looks like so much fun! I love a good street market!
Krysten Quiles
Thursday 3rd of October 2019
Oh gosh, this looks like so much fun! I love going to events like this. Thanks for sharing!