This Weekend in Onslow County, Oct 9–11
22 events in Jacksonville, Swansboro, Sneads Ferry, Richlands and nearby.
Everything happening Friday, Oct 9 through Sunday, Oct 11 in Jacksonville and Onslow County, NC: festivals, markets, music and family plans, checked against official sources.
OCT9
Swansboro Blessing of the Fleet
Fri 6:00 PM (boats line up 5:45) · Free
Casper's Marina, downtown Swansboro
Boaters can join free; sign up by email with the town.
OCT9–10
Lazy H Ranch Rodeo
Fri & Sat 5:00–11:30 PM · Price not listed
105 Quaker Bridge Rd, Jacksonville
OCT9–10
Fishstrong Fright Nights
Fri & Sat 6:30–10:30 PM (ticket booth opens 6 PM; the show starts around 7 PM at dark) · $18 for both attractions; hayride alone $12
A haunted hayride and a walking trail. Scary, and not for little kids.
3100 Freedom Way, Hubert, NC 28539
Food vendors, carnival games and a pumpkin patch. Proceeds help NC families facing serious illness.
OCT9–10
Mike's Farm hayrides & pumpkin patch
Fri 1–8 PM, Sat 10 AM–8 PM (closed Sun) · Hayride $3, ages 3+; pumpkins charged by the pound
1600 Haw Branch Rd, Beulaville (about 40 min)
Free live music Fri 4–7 & Sat 3–7; magic shows Sat at 12, 1 & 2.
OCT9
Retiree Gametime & Coffee + free pickleball lessons
Fri 10 AM–1 PM · Free
Kerr Street Rec Center, 36 Kerr St, Jacksonville
Come for coffee, stay for a first pickleball lesson.
OCT9–10
Baby Steps story time
Fri 10:30 AM · Sat 10 AM · Price not listed
Sneads Ferry Library, 1330 NC Hwy 210, Sneads Ferry
Bring a finished puzzle Saturday and leave with a new one.
OCT9–10
Friday Family Club
Fri 4:30 PM · Sat 10 AM · Price not listed
Richlands Library, 299 S Wilmington St, Richlands
Bring a finished puzzle Saturday and leave with a new one.
OCT9–11
Bear Island ferry
Fri–Sun, hourly 9:30 AM–4:30 PM · $10 adults; $5 ages 3–12 and 62+; under 3 free
A short boat ride to one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on the coast: open beach, dunes and quiet.
Hammocks Beach State Park, 1572 Hammocks Beach Rd, Swansboro
Same-day tickets only, cards only, no pets. October service ends Oct 25.
OCT10
Halloween Hustle 5K
Sat 8:00 AM · Price not listed
Richlands Town Hall, 302 S Wilmington St, Richlands
Registration closes Friday evening; no race-day sign-up.
OCT10
Onslow County Farmers Market
Sat 8 AM–noon · Free entry
4024 Richlands Hwy, Jacksonville
OCT10
Limelight Local Market
Sat 8 AM–2 PM · Price not listed
145 Blue Creek School Rd, Jacksonville
Pair it with the farmers market for a full Saturday morning of local makers.
OCT10
Youth Track & Field
Sat 9–11 AM · Free
Jacksonville Commons Complex, 100 Recreation Ln
Weekly Saturday program through Oct 31. See the city page to sign up.
OCT10
Swansboro Library book sale
Sat 9 AM–1 PM · Price not listed
Swansboro Branch Library, 1460 W Corbett Ave
Go early, then walk over to the Mullet Festival.
OCT10
Murder Mystery Ride + Hot Dog Saturday
Ride 9:30 AM–3 PM; hot dogs 11 AM–2 PM · Hot dogs free
New River Harley-Davidson, 2394 Wilmington Hwy, Jacksonville
Not riding? Swing by for a free lunch.
OCT10
Richlands Farmer's Day
Sat 10 AM–5 PM · Price not listed
Heritage Elementary, 7444 Richlands Hwy, Richlands
A small-town day out the whole family can enjoy.
OCT10
72nd Mullet Festival of NC
Sat from the 9 AM parade. Sunday is canceled for weather. · Free admission
Saturday on the Swansboro waterfront, with a kids' area. No pets. Sunday is canceled for weather, and Saturday may run on a modified schedule.
Pug Pavilion, Front & Church Sts, Swansboro
Park free at Ward Farm behind the Hampton Inn, 215 Old Hammock Rd, and ride the free shuttle (Sat 9:30 AM–10:30 PM). Hwy 24 closes at 8 AM Saturday for the parade.
OCT10
Marine Corps vehicle display
Sat 10 AM–5 PM · Free
Mullet Festival, Main St, Swansboro
A hit with kids.
OCT10
Downtown Cider & Fall Fest
Sat from 11 AM · Free entry
The Clove Hitch, 622 Court St, Jacksonville
All ages welcome; 21+ to drink.
OCT10
Blackbeard: The Truth Revealed
Sat 11 AM–12:30 PM · Price not listed
Author and living historian Robert Jacob on the real story of the pirate Blackbeard. Indoors, so the rain won't stop it.
Jacksonville Main Library, 58 Doris Ave E, Jacksonville
OCT10
National Night Out
Sat 4:00–7:30 PM · Free
Meet Jacksonville police and first responders, with activities and entertainment for all ages.
Jacksonville Commons, 100 Recreation Ln
Rain date is Oct 17.
OCT10
Sneads Ferry Blessing of the Fleet (27th)
Sat 11 AM · Price not listed
Davis Seafood, 155 Davis Ln, Sneads Ferry
A working-waterfront tradition; arrive a little early for a spot by the water.
OCT11
Kayak 101 with a ranger
Sun 8:30–11:30 AM · Price not listed
Hammocks Beach State Park
Ages 13+, 10 spots. Sign up by emailing the ranger via the event page.
Plans can change, especially with weather. We recheck our listings daily, but confirm with the organizer before you head out.
More from New River Days: Halloween hub · Jacksonville (9) · Swansboro (4) · Sneads Ferry (2) · Richlands (3) · Hammocks Beach & Hubert (3) · Beulaville (1)
