Every November, Pleasure Island trades beach umbrellas for kites. This Friday through Sunday, Nov. 6–8, the 20th annual Cape Fear Kite Festival brings more than 80 professional kite flyers to Fort Fisher, with a lighted beachfront kickoff in Carolina Beach on Friday night. It is one of the best free weekends of the year in southern New Hanover County, and if you have ever wondered what Carolina Beach and Kure Beach feel like once the summer crowds leave, it is also a very good time to find out.
Here is what is on the schedule, what to know before you go, and what the weekend can tell buyers, sellers, and investors about life on the island.
The Kite Festival Schedule
According to the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, which presents the festival, and the event listing on Whats Up CB (updated Oct. 31, 2026), the weekend breaks down like this:
- Friday, Nov. 6, afternoon: A sneak peek of kites in flight at the Kure Beach Fishing Pier.
- Friday, Nov. 6, at dusk: “CB Aglow” on the Carolina Beach beachfront near the Boardwalk, with lighted ground displays, fairy flutter flags, bubble waves, the “Sand Glow Disco” neon dance party, and a drone show.
- Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7–8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The main festival at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, 1000 Loggerhead Road in Kure Beach, with more than 80 professional flyers, music, local food trucks, craft beer and locally distilled rum tastings, and kids’ activities.
Admission is free. The Chamber notes the festival is handicap accessible with support from Ocean Cure, and that kite displays vary from year to year.
Parking and getting there
On Saturday and Sunday, the Chamber offers free parking and free shuttles from the Blakeslee Air Force Base Recreation Area to Fort Fisher. That is the easiest option, since the recreation area lot fills quickly on a nice day. For Friday night’s CB Aglow, plan to arrive early; the Boardwalk area is the most popular spot on the island on any event night.
One more Kure Beach note: the town announced on Oct. 29 that the E Avenue beach access is closed for all of November while the walkway is replaced, so use a different access point if that is your usual path to the sand.
More on Pleasure Island This Season
The kite festival opens a stretch of off-season events that locals look forward to. The Town of Kure Beach lists its Holiday Market at Ocean Front Park on Saturdays, Nov. 21 and Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with handmade gifts, food, wreaths, and art from local vendors. The town’s Grinch-themed Holiday Whoobie Whatty follows on Friday, Dec. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
A safety reminder from the Kure Beach Fire Department (Oct. 19): lifeguards are no longer stationed on the beach for the season, and rip currents and rough surf can happen any time of year, even on calm-looking days. If you bring kids out to watch the kites, keep an eye on the water’s edge.
What the Off-Season Shows Buyers and Sellers
Summer is when most people first see Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. November is when you see how the island actually lives. A festival weekend is a good excuse to look around with that in mind.
For buyers and relocators
- See the year-round rhythm. Notice which restaurants and shops stay open, how busy the roads are on a weekday versus an event weekend, and how quiet the side streets get.
- Drive the commute. If you would work in Wilmington, try the trip up Carolina Beach Road and over the Snow’s Cut Bridge at a time you would actually drive it.
- Compare the two towns. Carolina Beach has the Boardwalk, the lake, and a busier downtown feel; Kure Beach is smaller and quieter, with Fort Fisher, the aquarium, and the pier at its south end. Our guides to living in Carolina Beach and living in Kure Beach go deeper on each.
For second-home buyers and investors
Events like this one are part of why Pleasure Island draws visitors outside of peak summer. If you are weighing a property you would rent part of the year, look at how close it is to the Boardwalk, the pier, and Fort Fisher, and ask about the rules that apply: any town rules for rentals, HOA or condo restrictions, and parking. Flood zone, elevation, and insurance costs matter just as much as location on an island, so get insurance quotes during due diligence, not after.
For sellers
Buyers who tour in the off-season are usually serious. If you are thinking about listing on Pleasure Island this winter, a well-prepared home can stand out with less competition from spring listings. Plan showings around event traffic, and make sure your listing photos show the home the way it looks now.
FAQ
When is the 2026 Cape Fear Kite Festival?
Nov. 6–8, 2026. Friday brings the pier preview and CB Aglow; the main festival at Fort Fisher runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Does it cost anything?
No. Admission is free, and Saturday and Sunday parking and shuttles from Blakeslee Air Force Base Recreation Area are free, according to the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce.
Is November a good time to look at homes in Carolina Beach or Kure Beach?
Yes, for many buyers. You get a realistic picture of year-round life, and sellers who list in the off-season tend to be motivated. Check with organizers and the towns for any last-minute schedule changes before you plan your weekend.
Explore Pleasure Island With a Local Guide
Whether you come for the kites or you are already picturing a year-round life a few blocks from the ocean, we would be glad to show you around Carolina Beach and Kure Beach and help you compare neighborhoods, flood zones, and costs. Contact Aspyre Collective to plan your visit or talk through your next move.
