Things to do with kids in Wilmington, NC
Checked · All times are local Eastern Time (Wilmington time)
Coming up in Wilmington: Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot (Nov 26), Enchanted Airlie (from Nov 27), City of Wilmington Holiday Parade (Nov 29) and 1 more event. 6 always-open places. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Wilmington
Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 1-mile 8am; 5K 8:30am
- Cost
- $45 (1-mile or 5K)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A family Thanksgiving morning along the Cape Fear River downtown: an untimed 1-mile run/walk at 8am and a 5K at 8:30am, plus a costume contest (7:30–8:30am). Street parking downtown is free on Thanksgiving.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: lights
Enchanted Airlie
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Mon, Dec 21 (Nov 27–28 and Dec 1–21) · Entry windows 5:30–9:30pm
- Cost
- Carload ticket $35 per vehicle (car, truck, SUV or minivan; plus tax and fees); XL van $65
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Airlie Gardens’ holiday light show and biggest fundraiser, with reserved one-hour entry windows. Tickets are sold per vehicle and must be bought in advance; dates sell out quickly.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
City of Wilmington Holiday Parade
- When
- Sun, Nov 29 · 6pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s 23rd annual holiday parade on Front Street downtown. Front Street between Walnut and Church closes to traffic at 5pm; metered parking is free on Sundays.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Family Storytime at the Main Library
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Dec 8 (Tuesdays) · 10:30–11am
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- Ages Young children with a grown-up · Indoor
Weekly family storytime in the Main Library’s children’s room.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Airlie Gardens
- Price
- General admission $10; children 4–12 $3; New Hanover residents and military $5
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Gardens open 9am–5pm (last admission 4:30); closes at 4pm Dec 1–21 for Enchanted Airlie; closed Thanksgiving, Dec 23–26 and New Year’s Day
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Cape Fear Museum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
New Hanover County’s museum in its new Grace Street building, with a 60-seat planetarium, the Port City Play space for young children and the hands-on Science Matters gallery; Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm
The Children’s Museum of Wilmington
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–10 (our guidance)
Downtown children’s museum; Tue–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm; stroller-accessible entrance on 2nd Street
Battleship North Carolina
- Price
- Adults (12+) $14; children 6–11 $6; 5 and under free; seniors $10 (plus NC sales tax)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Self-guided tour of the WWII battleship across the river from downtown, with 9 levels to explore; open daily 8am–5pm (noon on Christmas Day); free parking
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Riverfront Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown riverfront park with a playground, lawns and a seasonal water feature (April–October); open sunrise to sunset
New Hanover County Main Library
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Main library (230 Grace Street, Suite A) with family and bilingual storytimes in the children’s room
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Wilmington this weekend?
Airlie Gardens, Cape Fear Museum and The Children’s Museum of Wilmington are open most days, but we don't have a Wilmington event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot (Nov 26) and Enchanted Airlie (Nov 27).
What time is trick-or-treating in Wilmington?
Sunset on Halloween in Wilmington is at 6:19 p.m. Wilmington doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
Where can kids play indoors in Wilmington when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 3 indoor places in Wilmington: Cape Fear Museum, The Children’s Museum of Wilmington and New Hanover County Main Library.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Wilmington?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Wilmington: Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Wilmington area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Wilmington?
We list 1 holiday light event in Wilmington: Enchanted Airlie (Nov 27 – Dec 21).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Wilmington?
We list 1 everyday program in Wilmington: Family Storytime at the Main Library (Tuesdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Wilmington?
We list 4 places in Wilmington that welcome kids under 2, including Airlie Gardens, The Children’s Museum of Wilmington and Riverfront Park. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Wilmington family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 2 places in Wilmington: Airlie Gardens (adult $10, kids 4–12 $3) and Battleship North Carolina (adult $14, kids 6–11 $6). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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