April 3-7, 2024

COUNTDOWN:

Days
Hours
Minutes
Founded in 1948, the North Carolina Azalea Festival is Wilmington’s annual community celebration and the largest festival of its kind in the state. Each April, a full week of natural beauty, big-name entertainment, festive galas, fun family events and Southern hospitality come together to showcase the charms of the Wilmington area.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival is made up of over 30 events over the five-day Festival. Some events require tickets, some events are special “thank-you” events for our Sponsors and Festival Dignitaries, and some events are completely free to the public. For more information please see information on each individual event.  Here is a list of all of our Festival Events.

It depends which event you are attending. Take a look at our Parking Page for more information.

Dogs are not permitted at our events unless it is a service dog. At our free public events such as the Street Fair and the Parade, this is due to a city ordinance.

We partner with the Hotel Ballast located in the heart of historic downtown Wilmington. 

The best way to have your own Southern Experience is through our Patron Package. This package includes two tickets to exclusive events, including our signature event, the Airlie Luncheon Garden Party. Another option is the Bluewater Garden Party VIP Package which includes (1) Garden Party Ticket, no hassle parking at Bluewater, complimentary transportation to and from Bluewater to the Airlie Luncheon Garden Party, and dinner at Bluewater at the After Garden Get Down, featuring live music.

While the North Carolina Azalea Festival honors the azalea as its namesake, the true celebration encompasses so much more than a single flower. The Azalea Festival was founded to celebrate our region – the beauty that lies not only in our gardens but in the Southern hospitality of the people in our community. So, if we don’t have an azalea bloom in sight, or if we don’t have those famously blue Carolina sunny skies, you can still find us in full celebration mode. We’ll be the ones welcoming you to join us (in true Southern hospitality fashion) and reminding you to take time out of the busy, hectic race of life to stop—even if there aren’t any flowers to stop and smell—to stop and revel in and enjoy the company and hospitality of the Wilmington community.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival Street Fair application opens each year in June. In order to be considered as a vendor for the Street Fair, applicants must complete the online application, which is submitted to the North Carolina Azalea Festival Street Fair Committee, along with a non-refundable application fee.  Please see more information on being a Street Fair Fair Vendor here.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival recruits musical performers each year for various events. If you would like for us to have your information on hand, please submit the online application here. You will be contacted directly if there is interest.

We always love to get the community involved! If you’re interested in volunteering, please click here to view our volunteer application. This application gives volunteers an opportunity to choose their commitment level, time available, and role preference.

General Inquiries: info@ncazaleafestival.org
Street Fair Questions: streetfair@ncazaleafestival.org
Parade Questions: parade@ncazaleafestival.org
North Carolina Azalea Festival Ticket Office: (910) 794-4650
Mailing Address: PO Box 3275 Wilmington NC 28406
Physical Address: 5725 Oleander Drive Unit B7 Wilmington NC 28403