Welcome to the coziest corner of coastal North Carolina, where salty breezes meet pumpkin spice dreams! If you remember our post from the spring, we highlighted the best spring activities! So it’s time to switch gears to the fall! 🎃
From pumpkin patches at the Carolina Beach Pier to fall festivals at Poplar Grove Plantation and Biggers Market. Wilmington fall events, Carolina Beach autumn activities, and Wrightsville Beach fall things to do are calling your name. Let’s unwrap the best seasonal adventures that’ll make this autumn unforgettable!
Wilmington's Must-Visit Pumpkin Patches 🎃
Biggers Market (Wilmington, 2 locations)
Located at 6250 Market St, and another road patch on Carolina Beach Rd. Pumpkins are going to be arriving soon! Stop by on select weekends in the fall to catch the Hidden Grounds coffee cart 🤯
BIGGERS MARKET UPCOMING EVENTS:
Fall Festival: October 4th from 2-6pm
Dog costume contest: October 31st
Barr Evergreen NC Pumpkin Patch (Wilmington)
Known for their Christmas Trees, Barr Evergreen also has an amazing pumpkin patch at 2715 Shipyard Blvd. Pumpkins usually arrive in October!
Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Patch (Wilmington)
Known affectionately as the “Pumpkin Church,” this roadside patch begins on September 30th at 1401 College Rd.
Amber Dale’s Pumpkin Patch (Wilmington)
A family-owned roadside patch located at 2307 N. College Rd—heartfelt, community-driven, and perfect for autumn photo ops!
Flytrap Brewing *NEW* (Downtown Wilmington)
New to the pumpkin patch scene, a local brewery and taproom that already serves up an incredible outdoor seating area and cold brews, now serving up Wilmington’s newest pumpkin patch!
Fall farms, festivals, & day trips
Trask Family Farms (📍 Castle Hayne)
Known for more than their pumpkin patch! Spend the day at their famous corn maze, enjoy seasonal produce, and let your kids play for hours! This farm deserves an entire day!
Oceanfront pumpkin patch 😱
📍Carolina Beach Pier (Carolina Beach)
This is the only oceanfront pumpkin patch on the east coast!!! (Jk, I have no idea if thats true or not) It is the only oceanfront pumpkin patch that is directly located in front of our GORGEOUS luxury condo complex that we have listed… North Pier Ocean Villas, you will love it! Anyways, each year they set up a seaside pumpkin patch at the CB Pier, complete with live music and the pier bar to enjoy festive fall cocktails!
Northwest Land & Cattle (📍 Leland)
If you saw our Instagram post from last year, you already know you have to take a day trip out to Leland for one of the most authentic fall farm experiences you can get! From apple cider and doughnuts, to pumpkins and corn, they’ve got it all…AND a variety of farm-to-table produce and meats!
Where to pick apples in Wilmington?!
Unfortunately, you have to travel a little bit away from Wilmington to apple pick. Our warm coastal climate in Wilmington just isn’t the right fit for apple orchards, apples thrive in cooler mountain air with chilly nights and crisp mornings, which is why you won’t find them growing locally. If you’re craving the apple-picking experience, you’ll need to head inland to North Carolina’s mountain towns like Hendersonville, Flat Rock, or Asheville, where orchards such as Sky Top Orchard and Justus Orchard offer rows of apple trees, cider donuts, and stunning fall foliage. It’s a bit of a drive—about 5–6 hours from the coast—but the combination of mountain views and bushels of fresh apples makes it a perfect fall weekend getaway.
For a closer apple picking experience, Millstone Creek Orchards offers U-pick apples, fall festivals, live music and more in Ramseur, NC.
Even more fall events to look forward to...
Nest County Fair 2025
We can't wait to enjoy a fall festival with our past clients, friends, and family at Poplar Grove Plantation in October! *Invite only, reach out to join us this year!*
Riverfest
Saturday, October 4th and Sunday, October 5th in Downtown Wilmington. Walk the riverwalk and enjoy all this festival has to offer to celebrate our beautiful area!
Lighthouse Beer & Wine Festival
Saturday, October 18th at Live Oak Amphitheater. Tickets sell out FAST, grab them while you can!
Galloway Farms Maze Craze
Visit Hallsboro, NC from September 21st-November 3rd for the best corn maze near ILM!
The Cotton Exchange Fall Market
Saturday, September 27th from 11am-3pm
Fall Soiree at Beach Med Aesthetics
Stop by on October 23rd, from 5:30pm til 7:30pm for an evening of beauty, fun, and the best specials the med spa has to offer! RSVP required!
Taste of Wrightsville Beach
Saturday, November 1st
Pender County Pumpkin Patches
Hampstead United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch
Located in Hampstead, NC, this pumpkin patch is a fundraiser, ran completely by the youth and adult volunteers of the church! Pumpkins are purchased from the Navajo Indians to help with their 42% unemployment rate on the Navajo Reservation! Stop by to support a good cause!
Mike's Farm
From haunted hay rides to pumpkin patch exploring, Mike's Farm has so much to offer in both the fall AND during Christmas time! Click to visit their website to learn more about dates & times offered for their experiences.
NEW in Hampstead, Virginia Creek Farms is a new event venue and pumpkin patch destination! Every Saturday they will host family-friendly fall events with a mini corn maze, bounce houses, pumpkins, food trucks, and more!
Humphrey Farms
From September 27th-October 25th, head to Burgaw for this family-friendly farm, pumpkin patch, and hayride experience!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
5th Annual Bluegrass Festival on October 25th, tickets available now!
