January 1st

Penguin Plunge in Atlantic Beach. Friends old and new gather to dip into the ocean.

February

Art From the Heart. A two-week exhibition and sale of original, innovative and traditional works by selected area artists.

March

Coastal Home and Garden Show.This annual trade show assembles the services, wares and expertise of local businesses that focus on aspects of building, landscaping and decorating.

St. Patrick's Day Festival. A great day full of fun and games for the entire family.

April

Easter Egg Hunt.The Beaufort Historic Site is the perfect setting for a traditional Easter egg hunt for the younger members of the family up to age 7.

Beaufort Wine and Food Weekend. Beaufort Wine and Food Weekend is a four-day event showcasing wine makers, celebrity chefs and other notable personalities.

Lookout Spring Road Race is an annual family fun and fitness road race in Morehead City.

May

The Wooden Boat Show of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is the largest gathering of wooden watercraft in the Southeast.

June

Beaufort Old Homes and Garden Tour has become a favorite of visitors from around the world. The tour opens some of the county's oldest private homes and buildings for narrated tours.

The Antiques Show and Sale is held in conjunction with the tour and features more than 40 dealers.

July 4, 2008

Fireworks and festivities take place throughout the Crystal Coast and Beaufort has a great "small-town" morning parade along the waterfront that is followed by a community picnic.

August

Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter Sand Castle Contest. This popular event helps support the efforts of the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter.

September

American Music Festival is an exquisite chamber music series featuring five concerts performed from September through May.

Fort Macon Civil War Reenactment. This event features Civil War–period activities performed by members of the 1st N.C. Volunteers.

October

The N.C. Seafood Festival takes place the first weekend in October on the Morehead City waterfront. The average attendance for the NC Seafood Festival is 125,000 during the three days of this mammoth outdoor annual festival.

Trick or Treat Under the Sea. The N.C. Aquarium hosts a bewitching evening of family-oriented Halloween fun with an aquatic twist on the Thursday before Halloween.

November

Annual Antique-A-Thon. The annual Antique-A-Thon is scheduled at The History Place in downtown Morehead City.

Community Thanksgiving Feast. A traditional Thanksgiving feast is served at the Beaufort Historic Site on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

December

Christmas Flotillas. Santa arrives by boat on the Crystal Coast. Evening parades of decorated and lighted boats bring him in to kick off the Christmas season celebration on the coast.

Coastal Carolina Christmas Walk. Historic bed and breakfast inns and buildings in and around the Beaufort Historic Site are decorated for Christmas in traditional styles and open their doors to the public during this annual holiday tradition.