16 things to do for Labor Day weekend in the Wilmington area

Summer (unofficially) comes to an end in the Wilmington area this weekend.

But while the number of visitors should drop off after Labor Day, if anything the number of local events will increase once the beach no longer beckons quite so insistently.

At any rate, there are tons of things to see and do this holiday weekend, with theater, comedy, film and plenty of music. Let's see what's up with what's going down.

For even more options, including concerts on weeknights, many of them for free, check out our big ol' list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area.

ALL WEEKEND

'The 39 Steps'

Aug. 29-Sept. 8at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Big Dawg Productions presents this whirlwind of a play which it last staged in 2016. Based on the John Buchan novel that Alfred Hitchcock adapted for his 1935 movie, it's a love-mocking celebration of old-timey thrillers, with actors playing multiple roles, quickly reconfigured set pieces and rapid-fire costume changes. The play is also a love letter to the ingenuity-on-a-budget spirit of community theater. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29-31 and Sept. 5-7, 3 p.m. Sept. 1 and 8. 910-632-2285.

Theatre review: '39 Steps' a fun, fast-paced send-up of spy thrillers

'Shining City'

Aug. 22-Sept. 1 at North Front Theatre: New Wilmington company Sihr Theatre makes its debut with this acclaimed play by Conor McPherson ("Girl from the North Country," "The Weir"). Set in Ireland, it's about a man racked with guilt who goes to see a therapist after seeing what he thinks might be the ghost of his dead wife. Tony-Elias Choufani and Brandi Simmons direct, and the play stars Choufani, Maya Noor, Brendan Carter and Reilly Callaghan. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29-31, 2 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Tickets are $17, $22 and $28.

Sam Tallent

Aug. 30-31at Dead Crow Comedy Room: The rare stand-up comic who's also a novelist — none other than Marc Maron praised his 2020 book "Running the Light" about a disgraced touring comedian — Colorado's Sam Tallent is one of the most, uh, talented joke writers in the biz. Great material about his size (large) and awkward social situations. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 30-31, tickets are $20 and $30.

FRIDAY

Carolina Beach Boardwalk Blast

Aug. 30on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk: Swan song of this year's summer-long Pleasure Island concert and fireworks series features The Main Event playing beach music and rock. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 30. Fireworks on the beach strand start at 9 p.m. Free.

Peter Rowan with the Sam Grisman Project

Aug. 30at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: Veteran bluegrass player Rowan teams up with the son of longtime collaborator David Grisman for this concert paying tribute to Old & In the Way, a band Rowan and David Grisman shared with Vassar Clements, John Kahn and the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia. 8 p.m. Aug. 30, tickets start at $44. 910-962-3500.

American Aquarium

Aug. 30at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: North Carolina country rock band has been playing Wilmington since the days of the old Soapbox downtown. They return this weekend in support of new album "The Fear of Standing Still" produced by Shooter Jennings, son of country legend Waylon. Opening act is the fabulous Watson Twins. 7 p.m. Aug. 30, tickets start at $33.

Friday Night Live

Aug. 30at The Pier at Port City Marina: Downtown Wilmington concert series held right on the Cape Fear River. Headliner is Aerosmith tribute band Pandora's Box. 7 p.m. Aug. 30, tickets are $10.

Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot

Aug. 30at Town Center Park (Ocean Isle Beach): Beach and pop music band brings this year's Ocean Isle Beach's summer concert to an end. Chairs allowed, no smoking, vaping or pets. 5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. show, 11 E. Second St. in Ocean Isle Beach. Free.

SATURDAY

Steve Earle

Aug. 31at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Veteran country rocker known for such hits as "Copperhead Road" comes to town in support of latest album "Alone Again (Live)." 7 p.m. Aug. 31, tickets start at $53.

'Peter Pan'

Aug. 31 at Thalian Hall: A special screening of this classic 1953 Disney animated film will feature a very special guest: Margaret Kerry, who was the human model for the cartoon character Tinker Bell. After the screening, Kerry will conduct a Q&A with the audience and do a post-show meet and greet. 1 p.m. Aug. 31, tickets are $10, free for ages 12 and under. 910-632-2285.

From the archives: A pixie-dusted life: Tinker Bell lives

Heavy Temple

Aug. 31 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Touring doom metal band from Philly will melt your face and make you like it. Opening act is Valley of the Sun. 7 p.m. Aug. 31, tickets are $18.

Shelby Smoak

Aug. 31at The Sandspur: Wilmington singer and author — his compelling memoir "Bleeder" centered on growing up with hemophilia — released his new single "Dancing" Aug. 16 on Wilmington's Fort Lowell Records. It's a soaring, muscular slice of indie rock goodness. With opening act Birdstrike. 7 p.m. Aug. 31, free.

Lawn Enforcement

Aug. 31 at Jimmy's: Wilmington rockers will be delving into their whole entire catalogue to play every song they've ever written at this Wrightsville Beach show, including bangers from 2023 album "Blood, Sweat and Shears" and recent singles "Dust Storm/Say Hello" and "Believe You." 8 p.m., cover at the door.

The Main Event Band

Aug. 31at Middleton Park Ampitheater (Oak Island): Final show in this year's Oak Island concert series features the Main Event Band playing popular covers from a variety of genres. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics allowed. 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31, free.

SUNDAY

Marty Stuart

Sept. 1at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Longtime country music star has played with such legends as Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash and is known for hits including "This One's Gonna Hurt You (For A Long, Long Time)." 6 p.m. Sept. 1, tickets start at $44.

Fins Up Festival

Sept. 1at Waterman's Brewing: Festival celebrates the music of the late Jimmy Buffet with bands including The Motos and Captain Mike & the Shipwrecked. Plus, watersports exhibits and a tribute to the 125th anniversary of Wrightsville Beach. 2-10 Sept. 1.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's happening on Labor Day weekend in Wilmington, NC, 2024?