The islands private clubs (BHI Club and Shoals) host a schedule of holiday events for families including a Santa Scramble, pool parties and movie nights.
Enjoy kayaking in the islands creeks or join the Conservancy for a guided tour and education about loggerhead sea turtles during nightly Turtle Walks. Here are some of the best insights about Bald head island events.
Pirate Invasion
Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, the waters off North Carolina’s coast were ruled by pirates, including two of history’s most famous swashbucklers, Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Today, the island continues to celebrate these pirates’ legacy during the annual Pirate Invasion (also known as Pirates Weekend), which takes place every August and features a weekend filled with incredible events that bring the stories of these swashbucklers to life.
A visit to the Island during the Pirate Invasion is sure to leave your family with lifelong memories that you will treasure forever. Kids will love the opportunity to participate in the School of the Sailor where they can learn how to walk, talk and act like a pirate while adults can take part in a treasure hunt and even attend a swashbuckling sword fighting demonstration. The weekend wraps up with a pancake breakfast at Jules’ Salty Grub & Island Pub where you can enjoy music and a costume contest and get your picture taken with a pirate.
If you would like to volunteer your time during the event, you can visit the website here for more information. The organizers are looking for help with setting up and breaking down at Marina Park, posting clues or burying treasure for the Treasure Hunt, selling merchandise or grilling during the day and checking in attendees during the evening for the Ghost Walk or Sunday morning for breakfast.
Fourth of July
Summer comes to a star-spangled climax with islandwide celebrations including the legendary golf cart parade. The parade celebrates the town’s commitment to remain car-free and showcases the incredible creativity of islanders who outfit their spirited vehicles with papier-mache, flashing lights and an array of accoutrements. The parade also raises funds for the Old Baldy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the town’s historic 202-year-old lighthouse.
Marching bands and truck-pulled floats are standard fare at Fourth of July parades across America, but when an entire town is accessed only by ferry or golf cart, the celebration takes on a whole new feel. Bald Head Island celebrates the holiday with a family picnic, arts and crafts show and, of course, the famous golf cart parade.
The annual celebration of America’s independence includes fireworks on the Oak Island Pier. This display is the perfect way to wrap up a day full of fun and festivities.
Visitors to Bald Head Island can get up close to nature during ongoing summer markets taking place in Oak Island, Holden Beach and Sunset Beach. Fresh fruits, locally grown vegetables and unique crafts are available to sample and purchase. Guests can also enjoy live music at free outdoor summer concerts and take part in weekly Movies in the Park or scavenger hunts for kids at Ocean Isle Beach.
Labor Day
As summer begins to wind down, the Island offers plenty of activities for the whole family. Take advantage of the mild coastal breezes and enjoy a day on the beach. Spread out your towels on the 14 miles of white sand beaches or explore the enchanted maritime forest trails that meander through the Bald Head Wood Maritime Forest Preserve. Go kayaking or paddle boarding and you might even see a dolphin or two!
A picnic on the beach is always a treat. Bring your favorite meal and enjoy a lazy afternoon with the sound of waves lapping the shore nearby. Afterwards, head over to the new pier park to catch some rays, play volleyball or just stroll along the waters edge. Bald Head Island is also a bird watchers paradise. The Island is home to rare species like the osprey, eagle kingfisher and sandpiper.
Whether youre looking for a new outfit, an arts and crafts project or some jewelry to remember your vacation, Bald Head Island has a variety of local shops and boutiques to choose from. Shops in the area are known to offer special discounts around Labor Day, so be sure to plan your purchases ahead of time.
Make your last summer getaway on the Island one to remember. With a quiet beach trip where you dont have to rush and can relax in your vacation rental, its the perfect way to slow down and appreciate lifes simple pleasures.
Holidays
Whether it’s the Pirate Festival creating a larger-than-life interactive experience, Fourth of July golf cart parades, or nights spent singing along under the stars at Howl at the Moon events, holidays and special times at Bald Head Island will create lifelong memories.
As summer ends and kids start back to school, vacations become even more important as families look for ways to squeeze in a final bit of fun before the daily grind sets in again. With the help of Bald Head Island Services, a family can plan a holiday break to the beach that will keep everyone in a good mood and connected to one another.
While the beaches are a popular draw for visitors, Bald Head Island’s natural side is equally as alluring. On the island, you’ll find alligators, foxes and more than 260 species of birds, including snowy egrets, loggerhead sea turtles and vibrantly colored painted buntings. To learn more about the island’s flora and fauna, visit the Bald Head Island Conservancy and take in one of their guided tours and programs.
After a leisurely ferry ride to the island, you’ll be ready to start exploring. Grab a latte at Sandpiper Coffee and pick up maps of the area to plan your day’s adventures. If you’re feeling the need to pamper, Island Retreat Spa is where you’ll want to go for a facial or massage under a forested canopy of native trees.
