Stuff To Do In New Bern NC | Spring Arrival 2025

Your guide to local happenings in New Bern and surrounding areas

Stuff To Do In New Bern NC: Spring has arrived in New Bern, bringing with it a flourishing calendar of community events. From educational workshops and art exhibits to historical tours and family-friendly festivals, there’s something for everyone in the coming weeks. Mark your calendars for these exciting local happenings!

APRIL EVENTS – Stuff To Do In New Bern NC

TUESDAY, APRIL 23

Caregiver Educational Event
Craven County Senior Services
Join for an educational event for caregivers of people living with dementia. Dementia Alliance of NC will be present for a Q&A session, along with other educational resources and providers. Registration required: 252-638-1790.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

Movie in the Park
Union Point Park, 210 E Front St
Show starts at dusk (approximately 8:00pm). FREE admission! Concessions available onsite including popcorn, candy, and sodas. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a fun family evening under the stars.

Book Club: “Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy”
Havelock Library
Join the discussion of Karen Abbott’s “Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy.” Several copies of the book are available at the library.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

“Arts in April” Art Exhibit and “Sip and Paint”
St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, 604 Johnson Street
12:00pm – 3:00pm
The African American Heritage and Culture Center presents a unique art event featuring local African American artists displaying canvas, crochet, floral art, photography, and pottery works. The “Sip and Paint” activity follows the theme “Family History is Local History” and is open to all ages. No charge for either event; donations accepted for future programs and St. Cyprian’s renovation fund.

America 250 Event: Afternoon Tea
The Commission House, 610 Pollock Street
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Hosted by the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter, NSDAR. Celebrate New Bern history through the stories of five notable women: Mary Vail Moore, Bayard Morgan Wooten, Minnette Chapman Duffy, Gertrude Sprague Carraway, and Kathleen Wyatt Stallings Orringer. Photos and social hour from 1-2pm, followed by afternoon tea and a light meal prepared by Natasha of The Old Pinnex. Tickets: $50 (Ages 14+), available at The Old Pinnex, Savi’s Wine, or online at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/treasurers-at-tea-time/items?cart

Civitan Charity Golf Tournament
River Bend Country Club
Registration at 8:00am, Shotgun start at 9:00am
The 4th Annual Tryon Civitan Club Charity Golf Tournament. $75 per golfer includes green fee, cart fee, and lunch buffet. Prizes include cash for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, longest drive, straightest drive, closest to the pin contests, raffle prizes, and hole-in-one prizes. Proceeds benefit local non-profits. Contact Preston at 681-285-0830 for information.

Spring Garden Festival
Jacksonville
Locally grown vegetables, herbs, perennials, and landscape plants for sale (CASH ONLY). Plant Clinic open to answer gardening questions. Free children’s activity included.

New Bern Follies
New Bern Civic Theatre, 414 Pollock St
A tribute to The Athens Theatre’s Vaudeville origins, featuring talented local performers singing, dancing, and amazing the audience. Purchase tickets at newberncivictheatre.org

Healthy Kids Day
Twin Rivers YMCA, 100 YMCA Ln
9:00am – 12:00pm
A national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. Features food trucks, games, face painting, music, giveaways, and more!

Swansboro Touch A Truck
Swansboro Municipal Park, 830 Main St Ext
10:00am – 2:00pm
The 11th Annual event provides a unique opportunity to explore, climb, and learn about various vehicles including fire engines, ambulances, and construction equipment.

Havelock Spring Festival
Walter B. Jones Park and Havelock City Park
11:00am – 6:00pm
Featuring live entertainment, 40 food vendors, an artisan market, the 16th Annual Plant Swap, family activities, a small car show, face painting, and community engagement opportunities. Contact Havelock Chamber of Commerce at (252) 447-1101 for more information.

Steps N’ Sips for Parkinson’s Awareness
Choose from 1 mile walk, 5k walk, or 5k run. $40 registration includes participation, fresh breakfast, and 1 drink ticket. Additional beverages available for purchase at Freshwater Beer Co. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome. All proceeds benefit Bike Box Project supporting people with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers in Eastern NC. Live music by Joe Baes. Register at: https://runsignup.com/…/StepsnSipsforParkinsonsAwareness

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Percy Berry Remembrance Memorial
Cahooque Creek Landing, 1100 Cahooque Creek Rd, Havelock
2:00pm
A memorial to honor Percy Berry, who was killed in an act of racial terror on April 14, 1932. Event will include installation of a narrative historical marker sponsored by the Equal Justice Initiative, historical background, prayers, a remembrance by descendant Nick Courmon, display of the 2024 Soil Collection Jar, and singing. Free and open to the public. More information at www.cravenarts.org/eji.

Walk for Water-New Bern
Union Point Park
Join others in walking 1.5 miles with a bucket, filling it with water, and walking 1.5 miles back to represent the average distance many women and children walk worldwide to collect unsafe water. Funds raised will provide clean, safe water to more than 400 people around the world.

MAY EVENTS

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 2-3

Heritage Homes Tour
Downtown and DeGraffenried Historic Districts
A self-guided tour showcasing exceptional homes ranging from glorious to cozy, featuring rich stories and diverse architecture. Includes creative floral arrangements, live music from 14 local musicians performing on porches, gardens in bloom, and historical churches. Tickets (good for both days): $20 for adults through May 1, $23 beginning May 2. Discounts available for military, students, Historical Society members, and groups. Purchase at www.NewBernHistorical.org/tickets, by calling 252-638-8558, or at several local retailers.

SATURDAY, MAY 3

“A Little Butterfly is on the Way”
New Bern-Craven County Public Library, 400 Johnson St
1:00pm
Linda Martin will discuss the joys of raising monarch butterflies and the best plants to grow for every stage of the monarch’s life cycle. Free and open to the public.

Christ Episcopal Church 2nd Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Market
320 Pollock Street
9:00am – 3:00pm
Featuring many local artists and craft persons, this outdoor market provides an excellent opportunity to purchase creations for home, gifts, and Mother’s Day. Rain or shine, with vendors in individual covered canopy tents. Proceeds support the ministries of Christ Episcopal Church.

SUNDAY, MAY 4

Boat America Basic Boating Safety Course
Fairfield Harbor Community Center
8:30am – 4:30pm
Conducted by the USCG Auxiliary, this course covers knowledge required to operate a boat, including preparation, navigation, safety, legal requirements, and handling emergencies. Required for persons born in 1988 or later operating vessels with motors of 10 HP or greater. Cost: $30 (includes book), $10 for second person sharing a book. Contact Hank Steinfeld at 252-745-0893 or 301-247-0903, or email schytzcreek@centurylink.net.

FRIDAY, MAY 9

Mother-Daughter Tea Party
Craven County Senior Services
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Annual event featuring a variety of teas, refreshments, and activities. Space is limited, registration required. Free for those age 60 and over, $5 for those under 60.

SATURDAY, MAY 10

18th Century Apothecary Workshop
New Bern
Join Charles Brett, Apothecary-Surgeon, to explore period medical treatments and medical practitioners’ roles in colonial North Carolina. Participants will review surgery and bandaging principles, explore medicinal plants, and compound a medicinal recipe using period tools. Tickets: $30 (includes materials). Participants must be at least 13 years old; those 13-16 require a chaperone. Call 252-639-3527 for more information.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

Global Citizenship Music Festival
Union Point Park
3:00pm – 8:00pm
The Second Annual free music and dance event presented by Arts To End Genocide (ATEG) in partnership with Faith Connection and The Atlantic Dance Theatre. Features performances by musicians from various cultures sharing songs from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including Los Sabrosos Del Son, Solo, Unknown Tongues, K’nyaw, and Soulful Sisters. A community choir will close the program. New this year: free Instrument Making Workshop for children. Food trucks available. Rain or shine; bring your own seating or blankets. Voluntary donations accepted at https://www.artstoendgenocide.org or at the event.

For updates and more information about upcoming events, check with event organizers or visit their websites.