|
New Bern NC Annual Events
New Bern NC Real Estate - EXIT Realty New Bern NC
Search for Homes here |
|
|
The town of New Bern does an incredible job of entertaining and educating throughout the year. Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens hosts a variety of special events, and the Craven Arts Council and Gallery and other arts organizations sponsor art exhibitions, music and dance performances year round. Several concert series and performing artists provide musical and visual entertainment at various venues. The New Bern Civic Theatre and the River Towne Repertory Players schedule a variety of dramatic and comedic presentations, and numerous musical and art organizations annually schedule shows and perform at city functions and festivities. Current calendar information may be obtained through the New Bern-Craven County Convention & Visitors Center, (252) 637-9400 or (800) 437-5767.
Handel's Messiah
Centenary United Methodist Church, 309 Middle St.,
New Bern
(252) 637-4181
A local favorite since 1981, performances of this classic around the time of "Old Christmas" in early January combine 150 community voices and North Carolina Symphony musicians with conductor James Ogle, artistic director of the Boise Philharmonic Association. Tickets are available for two afternoon and two evening performances.
Shriners' Parade
Downtown New Bern
(252) 637-5197
The Shriners host a colorful and entertaining parade in downtown New Bern, featuring clowns, horses, mini-cars, bands and more. Shriners' parades, wherever performed, are fun, funny and as festive as a fez. The parade is part of the Winter Ceremonial, which occurs annually during the fourth weekend of January, bringing in thousands of Shriners from all over North Carolina for events centered at the Sudan Shrine Center at the corner of Broad and E. Front Streets.
New Bern Preservation Foundation
Antiques Show & Sale
New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
(252) 633-6448
Antiques take the stage in mid-February when the New Bern Preservation Foundation sponsors its annual three-day Antiques Show & Sale at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. The show hosts as many as 40 dealers who sell, demonstrate, instruct and exhibit 18th- and 19th-century American antiques. Experts also are on hand to identify whether your items are "antique or junque." Tickets cost $5 for all three days. Proceeds from the show benefit the Preservation Foundation's restoration projects and many other properties that are saved by the foundation's revolving fund program.
Attic, Basement, Closet Sale
Knights of Columbus Building, 1125 Pinetree Dr., New Bern (252) 638-8558
Known as the annual ABC Sale, this event offers New Bernians a bargain opportunity each year in late February. Locals contribute a full building of sale items ranging from appliances to original art, then wait in line for the doors to open at 8 AM for the one-day sale. The event benefits programs of the New Bern Historical Society, which organizes the annual sale.
Decorative Arts Symposium
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens,
Pollock and George Sts., New Bern
(252) 514-4900, (800) 767-1560
In addition to their gardens, New Bernians are proud of the authenticity of their vintage belongings. Here again, Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens fills the bill with its annual Decorative Arts Symposium in March, which offers unique perspectives on decorative arts and American history. This event includes nationally recognized speakers as well as meals, social events and special tours. A registration fee is charged, and a brochure is printed each year outlining the thematic events.
Model Train Show
New Bern High School, Academic Dr.,
just off N.C. Hwy. 17, New Bern
(252) 637-4026
Mid-March brings the annual weekend Model Train Show of the Carolina Coastal Railroaders. The interesting collection of miniatures and model trains shown in the New Bern High School auditorium is a great stop for kids younger than 11, who are admitted free with an adult. Admission for ages 12 and older is $5.
Spring Historic Homes and Gardens Tour
New Bern Historical Society, 512 Pollock St., New Bern (252) 638-8558
Many people enjoy visiting New Bern in late March and early April for the New Bern Spring Homes and Gardens Tour. The event is cosponsored by the New Bern Historical Society and the New Bern Preservation Foundation, and the town puts on its prettiest face to welcome visitors. The tour includes private homes, gardens and churches in the historic district, with guides and location maps provided. The tour can best be enjoyed on foot and is an ideal opportunity to explore selected homes and landmarks in this river city. During the two-day event, Tryon Palace also opens its gardens for free. Historic Homes and Gardens Tour tickets, $18 on tour days or $15 in advance, may be purchased at the New Bern Historical Society office. Tickets can also be ordered in advance by mail.
Gardeners' Weekend
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens,
Pollock and George Sts., New Bern
(252) 514-4900, (800) 767-1560
The weekend of the New Bern Spring Historic Homes and Gardens Tour is the same as Gardeners' Weekend at Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens. Palace gardens are open free throughout the weekend. The 14 acres of gardens are planted with more than 30,000 bulbs and spring flowers, resulting in a riot of lovely colors. Thousands of gloriously colored tulips are in bloom, along with expansive plantings of blazing daffodils and pansies. All of this is set against a luxurious background of azaleas and dogwoods. It's quite a sight. The palace also hosts a Heritage Plant Sale, which features perennials, herbs, annuals, trees and shrubs as well as a collection of rare and historic plants, all available for purchase.
Annual Shriners' Fish Fry
Various locations
(252) 637-5197
In 2006 this annual tradition celebrates 39 years of providing New Bernians with delicious fish plates. Proceeds from the event benefit Shriners' Hospitals for Children. Fish plates, $5 each, are served in the Furniture Fair parking lot at 2880 Neuse Boulevard and the New Bern Shrine Club on 2102 S. Glenburnie Drive, both in New Bern; the Broad Creek Service Station on N.C. Highway 55 in Bridgeton; and at the Food Lion in James City. Serving times are 11 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 to 7 PM. Local businesses can arrange to have plates delivered.
Festival of Fun
Union Point Park, New Bern
(252) 639-2901
This fun-filled day of entertainment for children and their families includes amusement rides, games, clowns, hands-on educational activities, exhibits, pony rides and lots of other fun activities. Organized by the New Bern Recreation and Parks Department, the festival takes place at beautiful Union Point Park on East Front Street.
Strawberry Festival
Vanceboro
(252) 244-0017
Celebrating this delicious, locally grown fruit, the Strawberry Festival features food, rides, music, games and much more, all in a family atmosphere. The festival is sponsored by the Vanceboro Rescue Squad. To get to Vanceboro, located 20 miles from New Bern, cross the Neuse River Bridge and take U.S. Highway 17 north to N.C. Highway 43 and follow the signs.
Tryon Palace Concert Series
Tryon Palace's South Lawn,
Pollock and George Sts., New Bern
(252) 514-4900, (800) 767-1560
This four-concert series of free evening performances on the palace's South Lawn runs from mid-May through late June each year and includes concerts by a broad range of ensembles, including the North Carolina Symphony.
Neuse River Days
Union Point Park, New Bern
(252) 637-7972
Sponsored by the Neuse River Foundation, this festival is designed for people who enjoy outdoor activities. Kayak and canoe races, including the Neuse River Classic and the River Dog Relay Race, are among the festival's most popular features for all levels of competitors. The not-so-serious are invited to race homemade rafts in the Great Twin Rivers Raft Race. Every year participants are always entertained by the unusual entries, some of which actually float. Of course Neuse River Days also offers music, crafts, games and other festival favorites.
Fourth of July
Various locations, New Bern
(252) 637-9400, (800) 437-5767
As one of America's first towns to have a Fourth of July celebration, New Bern still enjoys a well-turned-out celebration with traditional hot dogs and fireworks. Swiss Bear coordinates the impressive fireworks display that takes place at Union Point Park on the downtown waterfront. Bands traditionally perform patriotic music to complement the event. Additional holiday activities take place at Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens, where the gardens are open for free.
Carolinian Shakespeare Festival
Scottish Rite Temple, 516 Hancock St., New Bern
(252) 634-3269
Carolinian Shakespeare Festival performs the works of the Bard in a three-week run the first three weekends of August. Discounts are available for students and seniors.
Greater New Bern Business Expo
New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
(252) 637-3111
The Greater New Bern Business Expo, hosted by the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and presented by the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, demonstrates the diversity of the business community in the Craven County area. Businesses and non-profit organizations set up displays, offer free samples, discounts and door prizes, and share information about their products and/or services. Admission is free.
Coastal Carolina Chamber Music Festival
Various locations, downtown New Bern
(252) 626-5419
The Coastal Carolina Chamber Musical Festival brings some of the nation's most talented musicians to eastern North Carolina for concerts that are entertaining, educational and interactive. Taking place at various locations over two weekends, the festival includes special open rehearsals that offer behind-the-scene peeks and opportunities to meet the artists, as well as a free family concert that offers discovery and adventure for all ages. Festival packages as well as individual concert tickets are available.
DUFFEST
Henderson Park, New Bern
(252) 639-7586
This annual festival -- DUFFEST is short for Greater Duffyfield Unity Family Festival -- celebrates the heritage of this historic African-American neighborhood with a parade, live music, food and other cultural activities. Sponsored by the Greater Duffyfield Residents Council, the festival is designed to foster community pride and unity.
Oktoberfest
Farmer's Market, 421 S. Front St., New Bern
(252) 637-3199
Oktoberfest, a celebration that usually signals the beginning of October, is annually celebrated by members of the New Bern Alpenverein. Oktoberfest gathers New Bernians, with or without European roots, for an evening celebration at the Farmer's Market on S. Front Street. German bands and dancers are usually there to provide the music and entertainment, and a real German dinner is served. Purchase of a dinner is required for admission.
Mumfest
Downtown New Bern
(252) 638-5781
Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp. has organized and coordinated the annual fall event now known as Mumfest for the past 25 years. In cooperation with the City of New Bern, this three-day celebration, always the second weekend in October, highlights the city's assets and attracts more than 70,000 visitors to the downtown area and its waterfront.
Mumfest, one of the top 10 festivals in the state, kicks into high gear on Saturday and Sunday, with an endless diversity of festival foods, arts and crafts, corporate exhibits, and a kids' corner with amusement rides, fun activities, puppets, rock climbing, a petting zoo and more. Those attending also can enjoy such attractions as live-stage and roving entertainment; a model railroad exhibit; military vessel tours; flower and art shows; and a boat show. Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens features free admission to its gardens.
A free trolley shuttle makes parking easy -- just park at Twin Rivers Mall or one of the other convenient locations and ride the trolley into the downtown area.
Coastal Carolina Fair & Expo
Craven County Fairgrounds, U.S. Hwy. 70, 4 miles east of New Bern (252) 636-0303
Livestock and produce events are always interesting to see at this fair, sponsored by the Craven County Jaycees, but most folks come for the midway. Admission is available at the gate and includes all rides, special events, exhibits and parking, but the midway has lots of ways to entice more money from your pockets, including food, games and concessions.
New Bern at Night Ghostwalk
New Bern Historical Society, 512 Pollock St., New Bern
(252) 638-8558
In late October, the New Bern Historical Society conducts its New Bern at Night Ghostwalk, complete with ghosts from New Bern's past. Walking tours feature historic homes, churches and the Cedar Grove Cemetery. (Insiders recommend you attend all three nights. Attend the cemetery tour the first night -- which is the only attraction open the first day of the tour -- and then divide up the rest of the attractions over the next two nights. This will give you more time to enjoy the walk.) Ghostwalks focus on historic events particular to New Bern, and ghosts from historic occasions are present in homes and historic buildings on the tour to tell how the times affected them. Tickets are available at retail locations and the historical society's headquarters, the Attmore-Oliver Civil War House Museum.
New Bern Jazz & Blues Fest
New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
(252) 634-3261
The New Bern Jazz Preservation Society hosts two nights of hot jazz and cool blues in late October. This popular two-day event features nationally known headliners.
Craven Arts Council
Holiday Showcase and Sale
Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St., New Bern
(252) 638-2577
The Craven Arts Council's annual Holiday Showcase and Sale kicks off the day after Thanksgiving. Shoppers will find many unique handcrafted gift items, including jewelry, pottery and stoneware, floral arrangements, birdhouses, fine knitted baby wear, stuffed animals, toys and more. Admission to the sale is free.
Coastal Christmas Celebration
Various locations, New Bern
(252) 637-9400, (800) 437-5767
You can easily catch the spirit of the season in New Bern. Annual events of New Bern's Coastal Christmas Celebration during the month of December include the Craven County Jaycees' festive parade the first Saturday of the month in downtown New Bern, and the Craven Regional Medical Center Foundation's Festival of Trees gala, including the popular Breakfast with Santa for children. Downtown merchants host a special First Friday event, staying open late and offering fantastic bargains. Caroling, musical performances, prize drawings and other events round out this event. The New Bern Women's Club hosts its annual "The Holly and the Ivy" Homes Tour. Santa Claus also hears the Christmas wishes of good little boys and girls in his Santa House on the corner of Broad and Middle Streets. Performers from Down East Dance offer The Nutcracker ballet every other year.
Coastal Christmas Flotilla
Union Point Park, New Bern
(252) 672-0309
Santa arrives in downtown New Bern in style abroad a Hatteras yacht as part of the Coastal Christmas Flotilla, which takes place the first Saturday of the month and is organized by New Bern Recreation and Parks. The flotilla of gaily decorated boats of all sizes proceeds down the Trent River and passes Union Point, giving spectators a long, lingering look at the boats festooned with sparkling lights, diving dolphins and red-nosed reindeer.
Tryon Palace Holiday Celebration
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens,
Pollock and George Sts., New Bern
(252) 514-4900, (800) 767-1560
Staff and volunteers prepare for weeks for the Tryon Palace Holiday Celebration. By the beginning of December the palace looks much as it did during the holidays in 1770 when Governor William Tryon hosted a "very grand and noble Entertainment and Ball" to celebrate the grand opening of his sumptuous home and the Royal capital. The palace is lighted and adorned with fresh fruit and fragrant greenery. Cooks are busy in the kitchen preparing confections and delicacies, and the air is filled with holiday aromas. The tours run throughout the month of December and include all of the site's historic homes. Special events include Candlelight Tours, fireworks displays and the Jonkonnu celebration. Admission prices are $15 for adults and $6 for children.
Courtesy Insiders' Guide and the New Bern-Craven County Convention & Visitors Center, (252) 637-9400 or (800) 437-5767.
|
