Crystal Coast Insider — Your weekly guide to events, live music & happenings around the Crystal Coast. Emerald Isle, Atlantic Beach, Swansboro.

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Your weekly guide to life on the Crystal Coast — every Thursday.

Events · Live Music · Beach Happenings

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Happening Now

Big Rock Tournament

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Live Music Nights

40+ shows

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Local Markets

Every Saturday

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Weather Vibe

Sunny · 80°–86°

Can't-Miss Happenings

Crowd at Big Rock Landing in Morehead City during the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament weigh-in June 5 – 14

Fishing Tournament

Big Rock
Blue Marlin Tournament

📍 Big Rock Landing · Morehead City

📅 Fishing Jun 8 – 13 · Gamefish weigh-ins from 4 PM

The East Coast's biggest blue marlin tournament. Boats fish 4 of 6 days — lines in at 9 AM, fishing ends at 3 PM. Gamefish hit the scales 4–7 PM daily; blue marlin show up whenever they show up. Track live weigh-in ETAs on the Big Rock App.

Arts by the Sea festival poster — Saturday June 13, Historic Swansboro waterfront, 9 AM to 5 PM Sat · Jun 13

Art Festival

Arts by the Sea

📍 Historic Downtown Swansboro

📅 Saturday, June 13 · 9 AM – 5 PM

This annual celebration brings the heart of the arts to downtown Swansboro, showcasing local artistic talent and coastal charm. Enjoy live performances throughout the day and stroll through over 80 art and craft vendors — from jewelry and home décor to paintings and pottery. Whether you're a lover of the arts, a foodie, or simply looking for a memorable day by the sea, there will be something for everyone!

Runners on a tree-lined historic street in downtown Beaufort at sunrise during the Rotary road race Sat · Jun 13

Road Race

Beaufort Historic
Rotary Road Race

📍 Front Street · Downtown Beaufort

📅 Saturday, June 13 · 1-Mile 7:30 AM · 5K & 10K 8 AM

Run past Beaufort's historic homes and waterfront on the 1-mile, 5K, or 10K course. Every mile benefits Rotary's PolioPlus mission and the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program.

Patriotic outdoor community celebration with American flags, festival tents, and families on a sunny summer day Sat · Jun 20 · Free

Community Celebration

America 250 Fest
Arrival of Independence

📍 Crystal Coast Civic Center · Morehead City

📅 Saturday, June 20 · 12 – 6 PM · Free

Carteret County marks America's 250th with a free community celebration — Revolutionary War reenactments, live music, exhibits, food, and family activities all afternoon.

💡 Insider Tips

This Week's Heads-Up

🎣 The Big Rock, Day by Day

The East Coast's biggest blue marlin tournament takes over Morehead City June 5–14. Here's the whole week — parties, fishing days, and weigh-ins at Big Rock Landing.

Sat Jun 6

Captain's Party

The week kicks off — 7 PM at the Crystal Coast Civic Center.

Sun Jun 7

Prayer Breakfast & Pig Pickin'

Breakfast at 9 AM, then a Pig Pickin' dinner that evening at Big Rock Landing.

Mon Jun 8

🎣 Fishing Begins

Day one on the water (lines in 9 AM) · Mahjong & Kids Night ashore.

Tue Jun 9

Tasting Event

Fishing continues · an evening tasting on the waterfront.

Wed Jun 10

Southern Supper

Fishing continues · a Southern Supper after the weigh-ins.

Thu Jun 11

🎣 Fishing Day

More marlin hunting · Ladies Fashion Show ashore.

Fri Jun 12

Concert Night

Fishing continues · live music with the Sleeping Booty Band.

Sat Jun 13

🎣 Last Fishing Day

Final lines in — the last shot at the leaderboard.

Sun Jun 14

Awards Brunch

Champions crowned · 11 AM – 2 PM at the Crystal Coast Civic Center.

🎣 Boats fish four of these six days. Gamefish weigh-ins run daily from about 4 PM at Big Rock Landing — free to watch the boats roll in.

View the Full Schedule →

Hosted at thebigrock.com · subject to change

Free Live Music

🤠 Velvet Rodeo Is Coming Home

Velvet Rodeo plays a homecoming concert in downtown Swansboro. Come out and welcome them back!

  • 📅 Saturday, June 6 · Music at 7:30 PM, Velvet Rodeo takes the stage 8:30 PM
  • 📍 Free admission · The Boro parking area, downtown Swansboro

Where We're Going

this week

Loaded supreme pizza on a metal tray on the waterfront deck at Anchor Drafthouse & Pizzeria in Salter Path

Anchor Drafthouse & Pizzeria

📍 Salter Path

The kind of spot that instantly feels like a good time. Soundfront views, deck seating right over the water, live music, cold drinks, and pizza that hits the spot — all surrounded by classic movie memorabilia and themed poster tables.

Local Favorite

Slow Down

here

Golden sunset over the ocean and dune grass from the maritime forest at Pine Knoll Shores

Our pick this week:

Pine Knoll Shores

Cross the dunes and let the day wind down with a slow walk along the shore. Pine Knoll Shores stays calm and uncrowded — just soft sand and a sky that shows off at sunset. No phones, no plans, just salt air.

Weekend Guide

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Best Brunch

Preston's Corner

Swansboro

Order the eggs benedict with ham ~ You won't regret it!

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Best Coffee

Historic Grounds Coffee Shop

Beaufort

The pound cake cold brew with house-made vanilla foam ~ is amazing!

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Best Wine

Mountain Brook Vineyards

Emerald Isle

Do a wine tasting with the delectable chocolates ~ The perfect afternoon!