We’ve complied all the best that Elizabeth City has to offer, so you can plan 2023 accordingly! With exciting annual and inaugural events, you’re sure to find something new to discover this year in Elizabeth City! Read on to learn what the Harbor of Hospitality® has planned for YOU!
Annual Coast Guard Marathon Weekend
The Coast Guard Marathon is the only road race sanctioned by the U.S. Coast Guard. Hosted by Visit Elizabeth City and U.S. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City, our 3rd annual event has grown to include a FREE U. S. Coast Guard Guardians Big Band on Thursday, March 2, featuring an evening of big band and jazz at the College of the Albemarle Performing Arts Center. Our Health & Fitness Expo (March 2-3) FREE and open to the public with exhibitors showcasing a wide variety of products and services — plus samples! And finally the Coast Guard Marathon (5K, 13.1 and 26.2) where you can run along the Pasquotank riverfront, loop through the U.S. Coast Guard Base and Air Station, and finally running by our historic downtown district via Elizabeth City State University, a historically black college and the only four-year collegiate aviation education program in North Carolina. The mid-point of the Full Marathon race route takes runners around one of the last standing WWII airship hangars, a 20-story tall, dome-shaped structure on the waterfront! SIgn up to run, walk, volunteer or cheer throughout March 3-4 Coast Guard Marathon!
28th Annual TarWheel Cycling Event
Gear up to ride the amazing TarWheel on April 15, 2023! We’re thrilled to welcome cyclists from near and far to join us in Elizabeth City! Explore our scenic, yet flat countryside course as you travel through the beautiful northeastern NC counties of Pasquotank and Perquimans. Cyclists can register now to select 33, 62 or 100 mile rides which start on the waterfront in downtown Elizabeth City. You'll cycle by multiple waterfront areas and the sprawling countryside—passing farmlands, historic homes and our majestic waterfront skylines!
Legends & Lore of Elizabeth City
Who Killed Nell Cropsey? Take your Cropsey Clue Card, visit stops along this historic tour and meet the possible suspects to help solve the 1901 famous murder case of Nell Cropsey. This fun event is a mix of Ghost Walk, murder-mystery theater and scavenger hunt to find out “Who Dun It?!?” Sponsored by the Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc., Visit Elizabeth City, the Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association and several downtown businesses. You don’t want to miss this Inaugural Legends & Lore in Elizabeth City!
North Carolina Potato Festival
Yes, you can eat your spuds and have it all too! From food, arts, crafts, contests, live entertainment to a midway FULL of games and amusement rides right here in Elizabeth City! The North Carolina Potato Festival is Northeast NC’s largest festival and honors the agricultural community as well as one of the region's most important crops — Potatoes! Make a weekend of it starting with Friday night’s Kickoff Party where you can take a spin on our ‘spudtacular’ midway rides, eat carnival food and dance the night away. Return on Saturday and Sunday for more Street Fair food and rides, compete in the National Potato Peeling Contest and get your VRROOOM on with our Auto and Motorcycle Show! The festival runs from Friday, May 19 – Sunday, May 21, 2023.
2023 Mariners’ Wharf Summer Film Festival
What’s better than a drive-in theater? Watching FREE movies on Elizabeth City’s waterfront at Mariners’ Wharf Park as a beautiful backdrop. Classic American Films are shown on a large screen on eight consecutive while you Enjoy authentic movie theater popcorn and concessions from locally-owned RCE Theaters, Ever Tuesday in June and July starting at 8:30 pm (or dusk, whichever comes first.
The 2023 Music at Mariners' Wharf Fall Music Festival
Sing, dance or chill on your lawn chair or blanket at the 3rd Annual Music at Mariners' Wharf Fall Music Festival! Listen to performances by talented and popular local, regional, and Nashville- and Asheville-based entertainers at this FREE outdoor music festival — part of the summer Music on the Green at Mariners Wharf Park. Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23, 2023 at Mariners' Wharf Park on the beautiful downtown Elizabeth City waterfront. The event is free to the public with food vendors, beer and wine available to purchase. We encourage you to visit our downtown restaurants, bars, pubs and businesses prior to and after the concerts.
Annual Ghost Walk
The 24th Annual Ghost Walk invites you to enter historic homes where you’ll meet a friendly “ghost” who will share the story of their life in Elizabeth City in the early 20th century. This adventure is a combination of home tours, history lessons and live theater. At each of historic site in the downtown district you will meet the “ghost” of someone from our town’s past. Ghost Walk is a family-friendly, not scary way to learn more about Elizabeth City history!
Homecoming 2023 at Elizabeth City State University
Viking Pride will be on full display as Elizabeth City State University Homecoming festivities begin with a parade which starts at 600 Westover Street and continues along Ehringhaus Street, Water Street, Southern Avenue, and Parkview Drive and ends on ECSU’s campus at the G.R. Little Library. Join fans at Roebuck Stadium as we cheer on the Vikings football team! Kickoff for the afternoon football game at Roebuck Stadium! Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones through a variety of celebratory ECSU Homecoming Events all weekend long.
The Hot Cocoa Crawl
Christmas in Elizabeth City is where the Harbor of Hospitality® transforms into the Hot Cocoa Capital of the World!! Nothing says “cozy holiday season” like a warm mug of cocoa! Join us for our whimsical Hot Cocoa Crawl from Nov. 24 - Jan. 14, when Elizabeth City restaurants, shops, craft breweries, wine bars and cocktail lounges feature unique hot cocoa themed treats and eats, holiday gifts, experiences and stays! I’ll take mine with extra whipped cream, please!
See for yourself why Elizabeth City is the perfect place to discover in 2023. Stay up-to-date on all of the developments and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Anchored in purpose, data, and collaboration, Visit Elizabeth City is committed to illuminating the diverse people, places, and history that make Elizabeth City a special place to live, work, and visit. We acknowledge, not shy away from, the need to evolve our city's actions related to inclusion. It is our goal to make deliberate and intentional decisions that will evolve Elizabeth City as a destination that goes beyond inclusive marketing, to a city where people feel at home when they visit.... READ MORE
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