Holden Beach Area Events Calendar
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Scroll through the calendar to find fun Holden Beach events in every month of the year. Holden Beach is known for its laid-back, family-friendly charm, and we celebrate everything that makes this coastal town so special.
Visit in the off season to enjoy some of the best events Holden Beach has to offer, from family gatherings and outdoor festivals to celebrations of our coastal heritage and local history, plus holiday events, live music, seafood and culinary happenings, and so much more.
North Carolina Oyster Festival
- Location: Ocean Isle Beach
- Starts: 9:00 am
- Ends: 6:00 pm
2026 NC Oyster Festival Highlights
- Community Night Kick-Off – Friday, Oct. 16: The weekend starts with a free community celebration and concert by The Sea-Cruz Band. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with a ceremony and ribbon cutting before the concert from 6–8 p.m. There are no vendors or shuttle service that evening.
- Live Music: Five bands perform throughout the weekend, including The Caroline Keller Band, Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot, Chocolate Chip & Company, and The Embers featuring Craig Woolard. Expect a mix of beach music, funk, country and variety.
- Oyster Shucking Contest – Saturday at noon: Professional and amateur competitors race to see who can shuck oysters the fastest. It’s free to enter and fun to watch.
- Oyster Eating Contest – Saturday at 1:30 p.m.: Oyster lovers compete to see who can eat their way to the title of Oyster Eating Champion.
- Oyster Stew Cook-Off – Sunday at 1 p.m.: Local cooks put their oyster stew recipes to the test, with festivalgoers getting in on the tasting.
- Arts & Crafts: Browse a large selection of vendors offering handmade jewelry, coastal art, woodcraft, clothing, décor, specialty foods and other locally made finds.
- Food: Local restaurants and food trucks serve up plenty to eat throughout the weekend—including, naturally, oysters and other coastal favorites.
The main festival runs Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is $5 cash for adults and free for children 12 and under. Free shuttle service is available from designated parking lots.
