Topsail Beach’s favorite fall festival is back on October, 15, 16 and 17.
For the 32nd year, art and music lovers will gather in Topsail Beach at the Autumn with Topsail (AWT) Festival. The festival takes place, rain or shine, October 15 to 17 on the grounds of the Historic Assembly Building. Proceeds from the festival support the Historical Society of Topsail Island, the volunteer nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Assembly Building and Missiles and More Museum.
New in 2021 Autumn with Topsail will expand the festival to another evening of live music, food, libations and fun on Friday.
The Friday night schedule includes The Notorious Clam Slammers, who will kick off the festival with a performance from 6 to 8:30 pm. Food trucks and the beer and wine tent will be open. Admission for Friday night’s festivities is $5. All Friday night tickets are sold at the main gate only starting at 5 pm. Please note the craft vendors are not open on Friday night.
Saturday and Sunday’s juried art festival will feature arts and crafts in a variety of categories including oils, acrylic, charcoal, photography, ceramics, glass, metal, pottery, woodworking, leather, fiber, wool, musical instruments, jewelry and much more.
Live bands performing at the festival this year include:
The Notorious Clam Slammers on Friday evening from 6 to 8:30 pm.
The Carolina Band will take the stage on Saturday at noon, followed by the North Tower Band at 5 pm.
The Band of Oz will perform Sunday afternoon from 1 to 4 pm.
In addition to art and live music, the food court offers a large selection of local vendors cooking on the festival grounds. Snacks and sweets will be available alongside traditional options. There are always plenty of tables and chairs for diners to relax and enjoy their food along with a drink from the popular wine and beer tent!
Start your festival day off with a pancake breakfast hosted by The Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island Area from 7:30 to 10 am on Saturday and 8 to 10 am on Sunday inside the Assembly Building on the festival grounds. Pancake breakfast prices are $7 for adults and children older than 12 years, $4 for children ages 6 to 11 years and free for children 5 years old and younger with an adult purchased breakfast.
For the kids, the Assembly Building will host children’s arts and crafts including painted friendship rocks, pirate eye patches, mermaid tiaras, seashell critters and designing beaded anklets, necklaces and bracelets. On the grounds is a bouncy town, with houses, slides and all things bouncy for just $2 per child age 12 and younger.
A Silent Auction will be held inside the Historic Assembly Building. Get your bid in for beach getaways, spa days, gift baskets and more donated by local families and businesses. Bidding ends Sunday at 3 pm.
The Assembly Building also houses the Missiles and More Museum, which will be open from 10 am to 4 pm during the festival. Admission to the museum is free, but donations are gladly accepted.
Want to go?
Autumn with Topsail Festival
October 15 – 5 to 8:30 pm
October 16 – 8:30 am to 8 pm
October 17 – 8:30 am to 4 pm
Historic Assembly Building, 720 Channel Boulevard, Topsail Beach
Admission: $6 One Day adult (13+) or $10 Two Day adult (13+). Children 12 and younger and active-duty military with an ID are admitted free. There’s no need to stand in line to purchase admission tickets. New this year, purchase tickets in advance online at autumnwithtopsail.com or eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=1259.
Coolers and weapons are prohibited. Service animals only. Shuttle busses with handicap accessibility are available from all designated AWT parking areas.
For additional information visit the AWT website: autumnwithtopsail.com
