What’s New in
Carolina Beach, NC

Carolina Beach Centennial

Carolina Beach is celebrating 100 years and festivities kick off March 6. With exciting events and new additions around the town, the centennial invites visitors to reflect on the good times and look forward to more! A new I Love CB sculpture will be unveiled at the Carolina Beach Marina March 6 and don't miss the "100 Years of Bathing Suits" exhibit opening at Fort Fisher State Historic Site's visitor center early spring. Throughout the spring and summer, enjoy a variety of events from a decades car show, sand sculpture contests, the Carolina Beach Music Festival and a QR-guided "Now & Then" walking tour. Savor centennial-inspired menus and cocktails at local restaurants and bars or the 100 Flotilla, a special boat parade commemorating the centennial in September. More details to come, so keep checking back!

The Proximity

The Proximity, a new mixed-use complex, is now open at North Lake Park Boulevard in Carolina Beach. Situated on 12.5 acres, the complex features restaurants, retail shops, and more. Regional favorites like Drift Coffee & Kitchen, K38 Baja Mexican Grill and Boombalatti’s Homemade Ice Cream will be expanding into the area with anticipated opening dates in 2025. Alongside them, Island Passage, Sweetwater Surf Shop and Axis Fitness will offer diverse retail and lifestyle experiences.

Carolina Beach Mural Project

Visit May 17-18 for CB100 MuralFest, which will feature 20 large-scale murals created by 16 artists and four local schools created over the two-day festival. Themes may include iconic landmarks, significant events or creative tributes to the island’s 100th anniversary. This event is part of the Carolina Beach Mural Project’s ongoing efforts to bring public art to the community, with 20 permanent murals currently installed across the island and additional projects planned for 2025.

The BARge

Every hour is happy hour at The BARge, a newly opened floating bar in Carolina Beach located at marker 161 at the Carolina Beach Marina. Enjoy live music select days while sipping cocktails like Aperol Spritzes, Spicy Margs and Painkillers, frozen daquiris and margaritas, wine and beer. Or, get to-go beers for your boating adventure. 

WilmingtonNColor Seabreeze Tour

Coming early spring 2025, WilmingtoNColor Heritage Tours will introduce a new Seabreeze tour, highlighting the rich history of Freeman Beach in Carolina Beach. During the 1920s, Freeman Beach operated as a thriving African American resort offering a vibrant destination for recreation and community during a segregated era.

Island Burgers & Bites

Island Burgers & Bites is gearing up for an exciting move to a new, bigger location in the former Hardee's building. Anticipated to open spring 2025, the fully renovated space will feature indoor seating and an outdoor area to enjoy North Carolina's best burger according to Yelp. Along with their beloved menu, visitors can look forward to beer and wine offerings, spotlighting local favorites.

The Amazon Studio series, “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” returned to the destination to film season three. Some notable filming locations included the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, The Fat Pelican and nearby Fort Fisher in Kure Beach. See if you can catch your favorite vacation spots in seasons one and two, streaming now on Prime Video, and stay tuned for season three, anticipated to debut summer 2025.