8 things to do in the Wilmington area for the first weekend of 2026
Just in case you didn't get your fill of going out on New Year's Eve, or you chose to skip the festivities this year and stay in, here are some options for things to do in the Wilmington area for the first weekend of 2026.
For starters, we've got a big ol' rock 'n' roll stage musical; a rare Wilmington performance by a locally based, nationally touring stand-up comic; a range of live music, from jazz and blues to Southern and garage rock; a notable film screening/fundraiser; and even a chance to get out into nature.
Let's get into it.
ALL WEEKEND
'Rock of Ages'
Jan. 2-11 at Thalian Hall : Opera House Theatre Co. presents its first show of 2026, an R-rated jukebox musical about an aspiring '80s rocker who falls for an aspiring actress. Set in L.A. during the hair metal craze, songs include Poison's "Nothin' but a Good Time," Night Ranger's "Sister Christian" and many more. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2-3 and 8-10, 2 p.m. Jan. 9 and 10-11. 910-632-2285.
Cliff Cash
Jan. 2-3 at Dead Crow Comedy Room : Widely touring Wilmington comic brings his mix of political humor, silly hilarity and jokes skewering the South from the perspective of a Southerner to Wilmington's top comedy club. Cash's 2024 special, "The Long Road ," which was filmed at Thalian Hall, has been viewed more than 550,000 times on YouTube. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, tickets are $30 and $42.
'This is my shot': Wilmington comic hopes for viral boost to politically edgy new special
FRIDAY
Mystic River
Jan. 2 at The Exchange : Wilmington rock band plays at this Grace Street establishment that's part bar, part barbershop. 8-11 p.m. Friday, free.
SATURDAY
Lexi Weege
Jan. 3 at Bottega : Massachusetts jazz and blues singer rolls into town for a show at this North Fourth Street hotspot. 1-3 p.m. Saturday, free.
'Second Chance' watch party
Jan. 3 at The Sandspur : Screening of a new short film by Bradley Strickland about Jacob Venditti, late founder of the Live Fearlessly Foundation, a Wilmington nonprofit that supports those living with cystic fibrosis. There's an oyster roast along with the screening, as well as tunes spun on vinyl by DJ Time Tunnel. 2 p.m. Saturday, $50 ticket includes screening, oyster roast and one drink. Proceeds benefit the Live Fearlessly Foundation.
Second Helping
Jan. 3 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard : If you request "Free Bird" this time, this band just might play it. Touring Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band will play your favorite songs by the legendary Southern rock act. 7 p.m. Saturday, tickets start at $24.
Alla Prima
Jan. 3 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern : Nicely jangly Asheville garage rock act leads a four-band bill that includes Raleigh indie rock trio The Roosevelt Room along with Shack Ratz and Hickory alt-rockers Proxima System. 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show, $10. $15 for ages 18-20.
SUNDAY
New Year's Walk in the Woods
Jan. 4 at Abbey Nature Preserve : Walk through Abbey Nature Preserve in Pender County is being hosted by Audi Cape Fear and its nonprofit partner, Plastic Ocean Project. Trash bags and clean-up supplies provided if you want to do a good deed or two while on your walk, and Alliance for Cape Fear Trees will provide trees for planting. 2 p.m. Sunday, free.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do, events and what's going on in Wilmington, NC
