October 2026 Events in Carteret County & Swansboro

by Barefoot-Chandler & Associates

October 2026 Events in Carteret County & Swansboro

Fall festivals, Halloween fun, coastal races, markets, and things to do around the Crystal Coast
Updated October 14, 2026

October still has plenty in store around the Crystal Coast. From kites over Fort Macon and Scottish games in Newport to waterfront fishing tournaments and Halloween celebrations, there are good reasons to get out and enjoy our local communities.

This guide covers upcoming public events in Carteret County and nearby Swansboro for the remainder of October. It brings together organizer pages, town calendars, and regional listings. Smaller events and live music schedules are added throughout the month, so the calendars at the end are useful for checking what’s new.

October 15–17: Swansboro Five-O King Mackerel Tournament

Downtown Swansboro

The Swansboro Rotary tournament is underway, with fishing days on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Scales open at 4 p.m., and teams must be in line by 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday or 5 p.m. Saturday. The published schedule lists weigh-ins at Saltwater Grill.

Saturday’s awards party begins at 7 p.m. and includes a free concert by Spare Change, with awards around 8:30 p.m.

View the official tournament schedule

October 16, 17, 23 & 24: Fear at the Fort

Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach | 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Fort Macon’s historic casemates become a haunted walk-through for four evenings this month. This is the scary version of the event, rated PG-13 and not recommended for children under 13. Admission is listed at $10 per person.

Fear at the Fort details

October 17: CedarFest

Boathouse Creek Park, Cedar Point | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

CedarFest brings live bands, food trucks, and more than 70 vendors together for a full day at Boathouse Creek Park. Browse handmade goods, grab something to eat, and spend some time enjoying the music.

Visit CedarFest’s official page

October 17: Crystal Coast Highland Games

Newport Flea Mall Event Grounds, 196 Carl Garner Road, Newport

Watch Highland athletics, hear bagpipes, enjoy dance demonstrations, and explore the food trucks and vendors at the sixth annual Crystal Coast Highland Games. The organizer also lists a kids’ area.

Advance tickets are $20, gate admission is $25, and children 12 and under are free.

Highland Games information and tickets

October 17: Kids’ No-Scare Trick-or-Treat at Fort Macon

Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach | 5–5:45 p.m.

For a gentler Halloween visit, children 12 and under can explore the rooms with a chaperone before the evening haunt begins. The park says animatronics, fog machines, and strobe lights will be turned off, and there will be no scare actors in the rooms.

Tickets are listed at $5; check the event page for purchase instructions.

Kids’ trick-or-treat details

Saturdays, October 17, 24 & 31: Local Markets

Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market

300 Courthouse Square, Beaufort | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Make a Saturday morning of shopping beneath the courthouse oaks. The market calendar lists Sweet Potato Day on October 17, a regular market on October 24, and Halloween Fun on October 31.

View the market calendar

Morehead City Curb Market

1211 Evans Street, Morehead City | 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Shop handmade, homemade, and homegrown goods while supporting local vendors. The city’s calendar lists markets on all three remaining Saturdays in October.

Morehead City Curb Market information

October 24: Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

Western Ocean Regional Access, Emerald Isle

Race day returns to Emerald Isle with marathon, half marathon, and 5K distances. Whether you are participating or cheering along the route, check the organizer’s website for start times, registration, and race-day instructions.

Race information

October 24–25: Carolina Kite Festival

Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach | Best flying expected 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Bring a kite or enjoy watching colorful designs take flight over the beach. Kites Unlimited hosts this free two-day gathering, with flying centered near the park’s swimming beach. Wind and weather will affect the schedule.

Carolina Kite Festival information

October 24: Phantom Seas—Legends and Lore

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

The aquarium’s Halloween celebration features marine mysteries, North Carolina folklore, themed activities, crafts, and animal encounters. The event is included with regular admission or a member reservation for that day.

Advance reservations are required, including for members. The last ticket is sold at 4 p.m.

Aquarium event details and reservation links

October 24: Beaufort Historic Site Fall Party

Beaufort Historic Site | 6:30–9:30 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of live jazz and autumn dishes prepared by Beaufort Grocery Company. The party is a fundraising event, with tickets and sponsorship information available through the Beaufort Historical Association.

Fall Party information and tickets

October 25: Sensory-Friendly Phantom Seas

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores | 4–5 p.m.

The aquarium offers a lower-sensory version of its Phantom Seas celebration, with the entrance waterfall turned off and sensory-friendly experiences throughout the building. Reserve the 4 p.m. admission time to attend.

View aquarium reservation details

October 25: Hammocks Beach State Park Trunk or Treat

1572 Hammocks Beach Road, Swansboro | 2–5 p.m.

Enjoy hayrides, games, candy, prizes, and costume contests for people and pets. Pets must remain on a leash no longer than six feet.

Hammocks Beach Trunk or Treat details

October 28: Morehead City Trunk or Treat

Morehead City Recreation Center, 1600 Fisher Street | 5:30–7 p.m.

Decorated trunks, treats, children’s activities, and costume and trunk-decorating contests are on the schedule for Morehead City’s annual celebration.

Morehead City event information

October 29: Pumpkins & Pals

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores | 9:30–10:30 a.m.

This Little Fins and Friends program is designed for children ages 1–4 and their caregivers. Expect Halloween-themed stories and sensory play. Costumes are welcome.

The program is included with admission, has a maximum of 15 children, and does not require separate program registration. Check aquarium admission requirements before visiting.

Pumpkins & Pals information

October 29: Halloween in the Park

Atlantic Beach Town Park, 915 West Fort Macon Road | 6–8 p.m.

Atlantic Beach’s free Halloween celebration includes candy and games such as ring toss, ball toss, fishing, bowling, and putt-putt for children in costume.

Halloween in the Park details

October 30: Emerald Isle Trunk or Treat

Emerald Isle Community Center, 203 Leisure Lane | 5–7 p.m.

Local businesses and community partners will hand out treats and prizes at the community center. Put on a costume and enjoy an evening of Halloween fun.

Emerald Isle event details

October 31: Cape Carteret Fall Festival

Cape Carteret

The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority lists the town’s Fall Festival for Halloween day at Cape Carteret Town Hall. Regional listings show 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; confirm the final schedule with the town before heading out.

Fall Festival listing

October 31: Newport Halloween Hootenanny

Newport | Listed for 6–9 p.m.

The regional event listing describes an evening of games, food, and Halloween activities. Check the linked page and its organizer link for the current venue and final arrangements.

Newport Halloween Hootenanny listing

Through October 31: Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Tournament

Atlantic Beach

The regional calendar lists the tournament from October 10 through October 31. Anglers should follow the organizer’s current rules, fishing-day requirements, and weigh-in instructions rather than treating the date range as a daily public event schedule.

Tournament listing and organizer link

More Local Events, Music & Programs

For smaller community events, restaurant music schedules, classes, and newly announced activities, check these calendars:

This is a roundup of published events, rather than a complete inventory of every gathering. Dates, prices, ticket availability, and outdoor plans can change. Follow the event links for updates before making the trip.

Enjoy October on the Crystal Coast

A market morning in Beaufort, an afternoon watching kites in Atlantic Beach, or an evening out in Swansboro is a good reminder of how much there is to enjoy here beyond the beach.

If your fall plans include buying or selling a home, Barefoot-Chandler & Associates Real Estate is here to help in Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Morehead City, Beaufort, Newport, Cedar Point, Cape Carteret, Swansboro, and surrounding communities.

Explore Crystal Coast homes or request information about selling your home.

Barefoot-Chandler & Associates Real Estate
252-222-4663
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