Community Calendar

This July, New Bern's bears are being transformed into a city wide public art installation featuring handmade scarves and cowls made by local volunteers and will adorn bears throughout the city.

Open every Saturday, April 11 - November 28th. The Onslow County Farmers Market connects local farmers & ranchers, food producers, and artisans with the community. Shop seasonal produce, meats, eggs, baked goods (including gluten free options), honey and handmade artisan products.

We accept SNAP/EBT and SUNbucks. We participate in NC Farmers Market Nutrition program providing produce to eligible WIC families and seniors.

Get ready for one of the most exciting family friendly events on the Crystal Coast. The Big Rock Kids Tournament brings the thrill of offshore sport fishing to the next generation of anglers in an action packed competition filled with excitement, teamwork, and unforgettable memories on the water.

After a record breaking year with 74 boats and more than 350 junior anglers, the tournament returns July 8 through July 11, 2026, for its 6th annual event. Visitors can experience the energy of tournament week by watching boats head out and return to the docks, following the leaderboard action, and cheering on young anglers as they compete for tournament honors. Whether you are a fishing enthusiast or simply looking for a fun waterfront experience, the Big Rock Kids Tournament offers plenty of excitement and family friendly entertainment for all ages.

Tryon Palace is excited to once again host the artwork of popular photographer and beekeeper Deana B Marion to the North Carolina History Center.  We will be showcasing a new exhibit of her photography of pollinators – bees, butterflies, and insects on a variety of flowering blooms.  Her photography technique is macro photography with amazing detail!

The exhibit will also include video clips of activity at her beehives.

This exhibit is FREE and available to the public during our posted business hours at the North Carolina History Center.

Artist's Exhibit Description
The collection of macro images of bees and blooms in their native environment celebrates the art of nature, the beauty and wonder God created in the bees and blooms. The colorful images showcase the features of the small natural world as photographed in blooming trees and flower gardens. 

The plight of pollinators, their value to our food supply, and the causes for their declining population are receiving national attention, with pollination by honeybees responsible for one-third of our food and nearly $20 billion in value to agricultural crops each year in the United States. Deana B understands the issues are extremely important and has witnessed the alarming population decline firsthand. 

Deana B’s macro photography commenced in the 2002 with weekend classes taught by Barbara Brundege through the University of California Extension, Santa Cruz, along with numerous workshops where she was encouraged to “get closer, get closer.” She gained tremendous insight from a mentorship with Barbara focusing on enhancing the images to capture the intricate features of flowers with bees. Since 2010, she has specialized in photographing bees on blooms in exquisite detail at a distance of several inches. 

This unique body of images focus upon the beauty of bees in nature, all different but sharing a common theme, with attention to microscopic level features, use of color, and position of  blooms.

This is a Saturday morning acoustic traditional string music jam. A group of area musicians gather to play traditional music. This is a friendly welcoming group that enjoys playing together. New musicians and music fans are welcome. Please visit www.bctma.org for more information.

Bring the whole family to Fort Macon and experience the boom of history in action. Kids love this exciting cannon firing demonstration where visitors can discover how the fort's massive cannons were loaded, aimed, and fired during the Civil War era. Watch the fort come alive as costumed interpreters share stories, answer questions, and demonstrate the power of these historic weapons. It is a fun, educational, and unforgettable experience for all ages.

Cannon firing demonstrations are held at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Come early, grab a good viewing spot, and get ready for a blast from the past.

Check the website for the full schedule of events.

Join us at 10:30am Saturday, July 11, for our Tryon Palace Garden Lecture Series: Cold Hardy, Palms for North Carolina!

Discover how to give your garden a tropical feel with Gary Hollar as he discuses varieties of palms that grow well here in eastern North Carolina. This Garden Lecture Series presentation on palms will include:
* Palm choices for the New Bern area based on 40 years specializing in palms for this area
* Palm planting instructions
* Fertilization best practices
* Insect control
* History and photos of long-term survivors in our local area

If you’re wanting to develop your yard or landscape with palms, this Garden Lecture Series event is a must attend for NC gardeners.

This event is FREE to attend.

Calling all expecting mothers.

Grace Helping Others is excited to announce our 6th Annual Community Baby Shower happening Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Clinton, North Carolina.

If you're pregnant and looking for support, resources, education, encouragement, and baby essentials, this event is for you.

Join us for a day designed to celebrate motherhood while connecting families to valuable community resources and services.

Registration is required and space is limited.

Call 910-224-0082 or visit Grace Helping Others for details.

That's the Grace Helping Others Community Baby Shower, helping mothers today and empowering families for tomorrow.

The 2026 Alive at Five Concert Series is the perfect way for families and friends to enjoy an evening of music, fun, and entertainment together. Grab your lawn chair, gather your crew, and get ready for an energetic lineup featuring beach music favorites, crowd pleasing party hits, and dance tunes that will have everyone on their feet. With a lively atmosphere, great music, and plenty of family friendly fun, Alive at Five is a Crystal Coast tradition you will not want to miss. Come ready to sing along, dance the night away, and make lasting memories.

Check the website for the full schedule of events.

Bring your folding chair, settle in under the coastal sky, and enjoy an unforgettable evening of live music inside historic Fort Macon. This exciting concert series takes place within the walls of the iconic fort, where Civil War era history meets the energy of great local and regional performances. Sing along, soak up the atmosphere, and experience one of the Crystal Coast's most unique concert venues. Music, history, and waterfront breezes come together for a night you will not want to miss.

Check the website for the full schedule of events.