the Destination Magazine™

You Won’t Believe What’s Happening in Wilmington This Saturday! 🥃🔥 WIN TICKETS HERE

Posted on by the Destination Magazine Creative Team
You Won’t Believe What’s Happening in Wilmington This Saturday! 🥃🔥 WIN TICKETS HERE

The first 12 LUCKY SOULS TO snag a spot on our newsletter list will score TWO TICKETS to the Saturday session.

But wait, the pot gets even sweeter: those first 12 speedsters will also be tossed into an exclusive drawing for a pair of VIP tickets for Saturday. That’s right—you could be living the high life with premium pours and elite perks just for hitting “subscribe.” Don’t let someone else drink your bourbon; get your name on that list before the smoke clears!

Wilmington, NC
March, 2026

The Wilmington waterfront is bracing for a sensory takeover this March 14 as the Live Oak Bank Pavilion transforms into a riverside sanctuary for the smoke-obsessed and the spirit-inclined. The Wilmington Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival has long been a cornerstone of the coastal culinary calendar, but this year’s iteration promises a particularly intoxicating blend of Southern grit and gourmet refinement. Against the shimmering backdrop of the Cape Fear River, the air will be thick with the sweet, heavy scent of hickory and oak—a siren song for any self-respecting barbecue enthusiast ready to worship at the legendary Shrine of Swine. Here, the art of the “low and slow” is elevated to a spectator sport, featuring whole-hog presentations and a masterclass in brisket and ribs that proves why North Carolina remains the undisputed heart of barbecue country.

For those whose palates lean toward the amber-hued and barrel-aged, the festival serves as a high-end liquid laboratory. The Tasting Theatre offers a sophisticated reprieve from the lively crowd, inviting guests to go beyond the glass with guided explorations of complex flavor profiles and traditional aging techniques. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado hunting for a rare small-batch find or a curious novice looking to distinguish between rye and wheated mash bills, the expertise on hand ensures every pour is an education. It is an interactive, spirited journey that pairs perfectly with the salt air and the indulgence of the pits, creating a curated experience that feels both rugged and remarkably refined.

As the afternoon sun dips lower over the water, the festival’s energy shifts from a slow-simmering feast to a full-throttle celebration. The soundtrack for the day is meticulously paced, beginning at 12:30 PM with the upbeat, atmospheric curation of DJ Anna Lynn Green, before giving way to the high-octane nostalgia of Kids in America at 3:30 PM. This seamless blend of elite craftsmanship, riverside charm, and infectious live music ensures that the March 14 festivities are more than just a meal; they are a deep dive into the soul of Southern hospitality. It is a day designed for those who believe that the best memories are forged over a shared plate of burnt ends and a perfectly balanced pour of bourbon.

The Wilmington Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is scheduled to take place this Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the scenic Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park, located at 10 Cowan St, Wilmington, NC. This highly anticipated coastal celebration brings together the best of Southern flavors and spirits for a full day of smoky indulgence and live entertainment. For those looking to secure tickets or view the full schedule of pitmaster demonstrations and tasting sessions, all official information and updates can be found at wilmington.beerandbourbon.com.

Subscribe Now

Weekly Destinations to Enjoy

We Tell You Where To Go!

the Destination Magazine Creative Team

Think of us as your digital tour guides with a serious design addiction. At The Destination Magazine, our creative team has spent over 40 years mastering the art of the “wish you were here” feeling. We’ve traded city traffic for scenic routes and cubicles for wide-open spaces, all to prove that the best stories aren’t found on a screen—they’re found down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. We’ve gotten so good at making rural look radical that we were even named an Adobe Success Story. Apparently, our layout and design techniques are officially “the gold standard,” but we just like to think of it as making sure the local hidden gems get the spotlight they deserve. Whether it’s a tiny mountain town or a coastal secret, we use our four decades of design magic to make sure you’re inspired to pack a bag, grab your keys, and go find some fresh air.