Today
in Wilmington
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ YMCA of Southeastern NC & City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation will host the 13th annual Healthy Kids Day on April 18 at Empie Park. Activities include a one-mile fun run at 9:30 a.m., sports stations, bouncy houses and face painting. WECT
- ➤ Petsense Leland will host a Spring Adopt-a-thon on Saturday, Apr. 18, featuring adoptable pets + over 40 local vendors, food trucks, an Easter egg hunt, games, raffles and giveaways. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1215 West Gate Dr. WECT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Breeze Airways is offering limited time promotional fares on one-way tickets starting at $54 from Wilmington International Airport. The sale includes flights to eight destinations and runs through April 9 with travel available until May 14. WWAY
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Arts Council of Wilmington awarded $430K in grants to 43 arts organizations today to support theater, music, dance, and literary programs; funding from The New Hanover Community Endowment will boost educational and public initiatives under the enhanced Arts & Culture Grants Program. Port City Daily
- ➤ The Cape Fear Wine and Food Experience will take place April 16 to 18 at the GLOW Academy campus, featuring community dinners, small plates by local chefs + a private dinner with celebrity chef Virginia Willis and live auctions to support Beacon Education’s GLOW and Spark Academies. WECT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ CFCC doubled the size of its Surf City Center — providing advanced training and resources to meet the growing demand for education services in Pender County. Wilmington Star-News
- ➤ Cape Fear Community College will host a free Public Safety Career Discovery Night on Tuesday, Apr. 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. at its North Campus in Castle Hayne & it will offer hands-on demos, meet instructors, and explore training programs for fire service, EMS, and law enforcement. WWAY
- ➤ At the April 1 board meeting, New Hanover County Schools superintendent Chris Barnes reported that the deficit was reduced to $485,000 through spending cuts and adjustments, though the district will ask for an extra $700,000 for a 3% COLA. Barnes expects further tweaks before the April 28 recommendation. Port City Daily
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Today, the 79th annual NC Azalea Festival begins in Wilmington with the Azalea Queen’s coronation amid cooler weather — 63°F with gusts up to 28 mph; later events are set to enjoy sunny, warmer conditions as forecast by the National Weather Service. Wilmington Star-News
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ NCDOT employee Chad Ray donated a kidney during National Donate Life Month and helped save two lives in New Hanover County. The transplant procedures have been completed and local residents can sign up as donors when renewing their DMV license. WWAY
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Mary's Art Explorers
10-11 a.m. — Friends School of Wilmington — $5 each — Enjoy a story time about frogs followed by a nature walk and craft making.
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Wilmington Grand Vendor Expo
9 a.m. — Carolina Beach State Park — Free entry — Explore local vendors and enjoy great deals and positive vibes.
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5th Annual Derby Day Soiree
2-7 p.m. — Smoke on the Water — Tickets available — Celebrate Kentucky Derby style with live music, celebrity guests, and stunning river views.
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Green Thumb Plant Social
5-7 p.m. — Tap Yard Wilmington — Free entry — Swap plants and tips while enjoying a fun bingo night with raffles and prizes.
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Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band
7-10 p.m. — Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College — Ticket prices vary — Experience a night of blues with the legendary Taj Mahal and his band.
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Piff the Magic Dragon Live Show
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College — Ticketed event — Experience the hilarious magic and comedy of Piff the Magic Dragon, a crowd favorite since America's Got Talent.
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Wilmington Dance Festival
7:30-10:00 p.m. — Kenan Auditorium — $35 — Experience an inspiring showcase of ballet, contemporary, and modern dance featuring local talent and guest artists.
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Lagerfest 2026
1-5 p.m. — Wrightsville Beach Brewery — $25 for tasting glass and unlimited sampling — Celebrate local lagers with live music and food options.
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Summer Music Series - May
5-8 p.m. — Bluewater Waterfront Grill — Free entry — Come rock the dock with live music and waterfront views every Sunday this May.
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Welcome to the Today in Wilmington, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Wilmington, North Carolina community. If you like the Today in Wilmington, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Wilmington.
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