Swansboro Arts By The Sea

Historic Downtown Swansboro | Free Admission

Join us for the Town of Swansboro’s Annual Arts by the Sea Festival, a vibrant celebration of creativity set along the waterfront in our charming historic district.

✨ Juried Fine Art & Craft Show

Explore coastal streets along the waterfront lined with award-winning pottery, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, fiber art, carvings, photography, sculpture, and metalwork—just to name a few. This juried show features some of the Southeast’s finest artists and crafters, drawing art lovers from across the region.

🛏️ Plan Your Arts by the Sea Getaway

Make it a weekend! Spring is the perfect time to explore Swansboro’s quaint shops, local dining, scenic waterfront, and small-town hospitality.✨ Stay at the award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites Swansboro, just minutes from the festival action.

🍷 Wine & Food Tasting Event: Taste of the Town

Treat yourself to Swansboro’s ultimate culinary competition! Sample delicious bites and sip fine wines while local chefs go head-to-head in a flavorful showdown.

🎟️ Tickets:
$45 in advance | $50 day-of event
Find out more and get your ticket ➤ Click Here

Thank you to our Sponsors!

🎶 Live Entertainment at the “Pug” Pavilion at Olde Town Square

Enjoy performances by talented local musicians at the Harry C. Pugliese “Pug” Pavilion, nestled right in the heart of downtown. The perfect backdrop for a day of art, music, and coastal charm.

🚙 Park & Ride – We've Got You Covered

To make your visit easy and enjoyable, downtown streets will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.

🚌 Take advantage of our FREE Park & Ride Shuttle, running from Ward Farm, just behind the Hampton Inn & Suites.

🛍️ Boutiques, Bites & Coastal Adventures

Make the most of your Arts by the Sea weekend with everything Swansboro has to offer!

🛍️ Shop coastal-chic boutiques and artisan shops throughout the historic district—perfect for picking up a unique treasure or gift.

🍤 Savor local flavor at Swansboro’s waterfront spots, favorite eateries, and lively bars—serving up fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and sweet Southern treats.

🚤 Hit the water for a different perspective—book an eco-tour with one of our local operators or take the ferry to Bear Island from Hammocks Beach State Park. Whether you’re kayaking, cruising, or shelling on the shore, it’s the perfect way to soak up our coastal North Carolina vibe. See the Bear Island Marsh Ferry Schedule here.

🎨 Interested in Being a Vendor?

Visit www.swansborofestivals.com to download a vendor application, view special hotel rates, and find full event details.

Pirate Fest

Historic Downtown Swansboro – Free Admission

☠️ Ahoy, Mateys! ☠️

Onslow County and Swansboro Parks and Recreation Departments proudly present Pirate Fest — an epic day of high-seas adventure in Historic Downtown Swansboro!

Join the crew on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM for an exciting swashbuckling celebration. From live sword fights and sea shanties to treasure hunts and live mermaids, this event brings the golden age of piracy to life along the Carolina coast.

Don your finest pirate garb and set sail for a day of plundering fun! Enjoy pirate shows, encampments, live music, and photo ops with sirens of the sea.

For more information, contact:
📞 Onslow County Parks & Recreation: 910-347-5332
📞 Swansboro Parks & Recreation: 910-326-2600

Photo: Captain Jane, Lady Swan Boat Tours

Friday Night's Swashbucklin’ Sunset Cruise with Lady Swan Boat Tours

(Arrgghhh! Sold Out)

Join us on Friday, May 9th at 6:30 PM aboard the Lady Swan for a 90-minute Pirate Cruise through the scenic Swansboro waters!

Photo: Captain Jane, Lady Swan Boat Tours

This one-of-a-kind voyage is $45 per person and includes an exclusive pirate show just for cruise-goers—featuring the very same pirates who will be invading downtown Swansboro for PirateFest on May 10th!

Date: Friday, May 9
Time: 6:30 PM
Duration: 90 minutes
Departure: Lady Swan dock
Cost: $45/person

Space is limited for this special adventure—so grab your crew and register today!

Register online at swansboro.recdesk.com
For more info, call the Swansboro Recreation Center at 910-326-2600

Celebrate Mother's Day in Swansboro!

Enjoy a relaxing Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 11th at one of our local eateries, then spend the afternoon on a guided paddling trip or an eco-tour with one of our tour operators, or an afternoon scenic history cruise through the coastal marshes aboard the Lady Swan.

Discover the Treasure Map to Swansboro's Shops & Eateries!

We’ll be waiting with treasure chests full of fun in Swansboro!

Swansboro Christmas Flotilla

Enjoy the Spectacular Views!

Food & Family Fun with Santa

Come hungry and enjoy delicious bites from local food vendors! Let the festive music set the mood as you savor sweet treats, warm cider, and hot cocoa. Keep an eye out for Santa Claus, who will make a special arrival by boat before heading to Pug Pavilion to greet the children right after the flotilla!

Bring Your Own Boat!

⚓ Don't miss your chance to join the fun and the possibility of winning a cash prize. Sign up at Swansboro Festivals Boat Sign Up.

Free Parking Shuttle & Tractor Hayride

For the first time ever, the Town of Swansboro is offering a FREE Parking Shuttle and 🚜 Tractor Hayride! Add a touch of magic to your evening—park at the Swansboro Recreation Center and catch a fun ride to downtown Swansboro to enjoy the festive boat parade. Service runs from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

♿ Accessible parking will also be available at Swansboro Town Hall with golf cart shuttles to take you downtown for your convenience.

Stay for the Weekend!

Plan a long Thanksgiving weekend getaway to Swansboro! Bring your holiday shopping list and enjoy Shop Small Saturday! Check out our unique accommodations with Airbnb and VRBO, as well as our Trip Advisor top-rated Hampton Inn & Suites, conveniently located within a short distance from Historic Downtown Swansboro.

Gobble up some coastal Swansboro goodness for Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 28th at local eateries, Saltwater Grill or Preston's Corner Bar & Grill. Give them a call and make your reservations!

Enjoy nature and hike the trails at Hammocks Beach State Park! Learn about the flora, fauna, and our history. The park's Visitor Center and hours of operation are from 8 am to 6 pm daily, except for Christmas Day.

What Not To Bring for the Safety of our Patrons

Flotilla Parade Route

Enjoy the Spectacular Views!

Street closures will be at 2 pm and will re-open at 9 pm, immediately after the event. This allows time for our vendors to set up and we appreciate your cooperation to have the streets cleared of all vehicles by 2 pm.

Streets affected by the closures include:

All of Church Street
All of Front Street
Water Street from Elm Street to the water
Elm Street will be open for southbound traffic
Walnut Street will be open to northbound traffic

Download Merchants & Restaurants Guide & Map

We look forward to seeing you in Swansboro!

Swansboro by Candlelight

☔ Rain or Shine Event

Step into a magical winter wonderland in Historic Downtown Swansboro on November 8th, 2025, from 5 pm to 9 pm, as the Swansboro Downtown Merchants & Restaurants host their Annual Swansboro by Candlelight. Enjoy the warm glow of luminaries lining the streets, whimsical shop window displays, and the charming touches of ribbons and bows that evoke the nostalgia of days gone by.

Enjoy live entertainment in Olde Towne Square, indulge in wine tasting at Bake Bottle & Brew and The Gray Dolphin, and savor refreshments provided by the Downtown Merchants and Restaurants.

Don't miss the Swansboro Dance Studio as they perform scenes from their Nutcracker Ballet at 5 pm!

A highlight of the evening will be the Annual Town of Swansboro Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 pm at Olde Town Square!

Plan a long weekend getaway in Swansboro! Discover our unique Airbnb and VRBO accommodations, as well as our award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites.

Mullet Festival of North Carolina

Join us for the 71st Annual Swansboro Mullet Festival of North Carolina in Historic Downtown Swansboro. (More details to follow!)

Free Admission | Rain or Shine Event

Pre-order your 70th Annual Swansboro Mullet Festival T-shirt!
Click Here!

What began as a small potluck-style gathering to celebrate the completion of the bridge over the White Oak River is now a highly anticipated part of Eastern North Carolina culture and the oldest festival on North Carolina's Crystal Coast.

The occasion celebrates the mullet, a species of fish found in Eastern North Carolina waters. Swansboro natives remember days long ago when mullets were hauled to shore in nets hooked to tractors along the beach. Back in 1954, mullet fed the workers building the White Oak River Bridge.

Photo Credit: Swansboro Historical Assn. | Frank Tursi | Charles Farrells

The White Oak River Bridge now serves as a vital link between Onslow and Carteret counties. Upon its completion, the conception of the Mullet Festival began as a way for the communities to celebrate the arrival of the modern era – in bridge form – and that spirit of celebration continues, 70 years later!

Contest is Now Closed

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Swansboro Getaway Contest

Plan Your Mullet Festival Getaway to Swansboro!

It's a perfect fall weekend to discover the charm of our quaint and historic coastal town. Book your stay for a FUN-filled Mullet Festival Weekend at our award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites – Swansboro!

The weekend festivities kick off on Friday, October 11th, with the traditional Blessing of the Fleet at Casper's Marina at 6 pm. This is a very festive occasion, for both spectators and boat owners. All are welcome to participate. As the tradition continues, a wreath will be dropped in memory of the boat owners who have passed on.

Check out the Mullet Festival Music Line Up!

All Drone Photos: Todd Dini

For a complete line-up of the 70th Annual Swansboro Mullet Festival of NC happenings, head over to the

Swansboro Festivals Website

Enjoy the convenience of transportation to Historic Downtown Swansboro via the Mullet Festival FREE PARKING SHUTTLE running throughout the weekend from Ward Farm just behind the Hampton Inn – Swansboro off of Hwy 24!

Out of care and concern for your companion animals, please leave pets at home. However, we do allow trained service dogs to accompany a person with a disability, per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Fall Fishing & Boating

Find out more about fishing and boating in Swansboro. Let our expert local fishing charters, outfitters, and eco-tour operators provide some of the most amazing and relaxing experiences on the water along North Carolina's Coast.

Download our Merchants & Restaurants Guide

We look forward to seeing you in Swansboro!

Swansboro Independence Day Celebration

Historic Downtown Swansboro Waterfront
Admission: Free

Get ready to celebrate Independence Day with us in beautiful, historic Swansboro! Join friends, family, and neighbors for an unforgettable evening of live music, delicious food, and dazzling fireworks over the waterfront.

🍔 Savor Swansboro’s coastal flavors at our local restaurants or enjoy a tasty bite from one of the food trucks onsite.

🎇 The night ends with a spectacular fireworks display over the water—a perfect way to celebrate our nation's independence!

🎆 This is a family-friendly event! For safety reasons, we ask attendees to follow these guidelines: No pets, bicycles, or skateboards.

🎶 Entertainment begins at 6 PM with a performance by the legendary Tams at Olde Towne Square’s Harry C. Pugliese Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair and your dancing shoes and settle in for a night of music and fun!

Plan Now for your 4th of July Weekend, Late Summer, or ***Fall* *Getaway*** to Swansboro!

It's a perfect time to plan your adventure! Discover the charm of our quaint and historic coastal town.

Book your getaway at our award-winning Hampton Inn & Suites Swansboro or one of our unique Airbnbs, or VRBOs!

Thank you to our Sponsors!

🚗 Event Details and Street Closures

🅿️ More Parking Details for Thursday, July 3rd

Town Hall will be designated handicapped parking ONLY — the entire lot will be reserved for those with proper credentials.
• Golf cart shuttles will run from Town Hall to downtown
General parking will be available at:
• Swansboro Municipal Park fields
• Ward Farm (behind the Hampton Inn)

There will be NO SHUTTLE SERVICE — all attendees must walk from the general parking areas to downtown. Please plan accordingly.

The Swansboro Fire Department will have a crosswalk on Hwy 24 (at the fire station) to help everyone cross safely.

We appreciate your patience and kindness to our volunteers who are working hard to park everyone safely and efficiently.

Questions? Call the Swansboro Recreation Center at 910-326-2600.
Let’s make it a safe and fun celebration for all!

🚧 Street Closures

In preparation for the Independence Day festivities, streets will be closed from 3 PM to approximately 11 PM. We kindly ask for your cooperation in ensuring that all vehicles are removed from the affected streets by 3 PM.

Front Street – entire length
Church Street – entire length
Water Street – from NC 24 to Broad Street
Main Street – from Elm Street to the waterfront
Elm Street – open for southbound traffic
Walnut Street – open for northbound traffic

🐾 For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, please remember that no pets, bicycles, or skateboards are permitted during the event.