When the temperature heats up in New Bern, you know it’s time to have a summer full of fun! Here are some ideas to enjoy the longer days with lots of sizzlin’ excitement.

Sizzlin’ Idea #1

If you are a 70s and 80s rock-and-roll aficionado, you are going to be in dreamland over the next several weeks. That’s because the Footloose on the Neuse concert series has saved some of the best for last, with tribute bands of our favorite rock groups taking the stage at Union Point Park. First up is Tell Me Lies, a Fleetwood Mac Experience, on Friday, July 18. The next month, On the Border, an Eagles tribute band, performs on Friday, August 8. The series wraps up on Friday, August 29, with Rev On, a Foreigner Experience. Each performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free. Be sure to bring your portable chairs or blanket. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Sizzlin’ Idea #2

When you need a break from the heat, why not take in a play in an air-conditioned theatre? Running the last two weekends in July, Around the World in 80 Days will be performed at New Bern Civic Theatre. The Jules Verne classic is set in the 1870s and tells the story of Phileas Fogg’s trip around the world to win a bet. The play is performed by the Saax Bradbury Teen Players, and tickets begin from $15; details here. Then over the first two weekends in August, Death of a Salesman is being performed by the RiverTowne Players. Set in the 50s, Arthur Miller’s famous play tells the story of traveling salesman Willy Loman as he deals with strained relationships in his family and career. The play runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased here.

Sizzlin’ Idea #3

Looking for a relaxing day to take in a movie, or three (or more)? The Seventh Annual North Carolina Film Festival is set for Saturday, August 2, beginning at 10 a.m. at New Bern Civic Theatre. An all-day pass of $25 grants you access for a day of local, national and international short films. Tickets may be purchased here.

These are just a few ideas to enjoy the plethora of summer activities in our favorite hometown. For more ideas, check out visitnewbern.com.

The month of April in our hometown presents a splendid display of springtime activities. With the longer daylight, warmer weather and an extensive city calendar, here are a few events coming up that are sure to get you out and about.

Paint the Town (or Anything Else You Want)

Now this is a cool event! Open Easels is a show for artists 18 years old and up who are not currently represented in public spaces. The show takes place on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, at the Harrison Center (Christ Church). Each artist can display two pieces of original, two-dimensional art. Entries will be priced for sale by the artist, and registration ends March 28. For details, click here.

Be on the Hunt

With Easter coming up, you can be sure to find a good egg hunt (or two)! The annual Easter Egg Hunt is set for Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m., at Lawson Creek Park. Kids aged one to 12 will have different hunt starts. For the older kiddos, come out to the Twilight Egg Hunt on Thursday, April 17, 7:45 p.m., at Glenburnie Park. Be sure to bring a basket or other container to collect the goodies, along with a flashlight for the Twilight hunt. Both events are free to participate, compliments of the New Bern Parks and Recreation Department.

Take the Stage

One of the most enjoyable shows of the year is back! The New Bern Follies for 2025 takes place on Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the New Bern Civic Theatre. With a nostalgic nod to the years of Vaudeville, all kinds of acts will take the stage, whether it be singing, dancing, comedy and more. I have been to this show in years past, and I must say it is a night full of surprises and pure entertainment. Tickets begin at just $24; click here to purchase.

There is a load of fun in store for you and your family over the 30 days in April. It’s full “spring” ahead in New Bern!

The months of March and April are always full of amazing activities in New Bern, and this year is no exception. Springtime is also the perfect time to enjoy these activities with the entire family. Here are three upcoming events for the young, young-at-heart and everyone in between.

Under the Sea

One of our favorite animated shows is now a live action musical! Your favorite Nickelodeon characters are at the bottom of the sea with The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition. From the title character to Patrick to Squidward, you’ll be saying, “I’m ready, I’m ready!” While the show is geared toward younger audiences, the show appeals to all ages. Performances run the weekends of March 15-17 and 22-29. For more information and tickets at New Bern Civic Theatre, click here.

Over the Moon

The Glow Run is an evening run/walk 5k for participants of all ages, set for Saturday, April 6. Proceeds will directly benefit those living with disabilities, mental health issues and substance use challenges who are receiving services from Easterseals UCP/Port Health in our community. In addition to the 5K, the event also features a one-mile fun run, food trucks, live music and more. For more information, including how to roll with Ainsley’s Angels, click here.

Around the Arts

It’s back! The Second Annual Arts in April has a full slate of events throughout the month, including the Music Fest on Saturday, April 27. From a wide variety of live music performances to community art exhibitions to a kid’s activity zone, this special event holds something for the entire family. For more information, click here.

In addition to these great ideas for family fun, New Bern has a roster of amazing activities to enjoy. Whether you are looking for an Easter egg hunt, live music or outdoor fests, you will find it in our resplendent hometown. For a schedule of upcoming events, Visit New Bern is the website to check out!

September is a welcome breather from the hot weather, as the nights begin to cool. However, the fun continues to heat up! Here are three things to do to amp up your enjoyment.

A Taste of Fun

What began as a way to enjoy New Bern’s signature event, MumFest, during the pandemic, has become a date on the calendar to not miss. MumFeast is back for the fourth year, and it is set to be bigger and better than ever! From 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, September 29, Downtown New Bern is taken over with “Feasting in the Streets.” Be sure to make reservations early, as this is a jam-packed dining experience. MumFeast also kicks off a month of mum fun, with Mumfest and the Mumfest Concert in October.

A Play of Fun

Gather your girlfriends for a fun night out at the New Bern Civic Theatre. The Revolutionists is a story of four strong women who lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. A playwright, an assassin, a Haitian rebel and Marie Antoinette hang out, commit murder and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This hilarious comedy is about a variety of emotions, plethora of “isms” and the bond of sisterhood. It is raucous fun and sure to be a memorable time for your tribe! Performances run the weekends of September 22 and 29. For tickets, click here.

A Trail of Fun

The second annual Trail to Tryon is set for Saturday, November 11, so it is time to lace up those sneakers and start training! Weyerhaeuser is once again the presenting sponsor of this 5k, 10k and half-marathon event. The races run through the streets of Downtown New Bern and along the scenic riverfront. Afterward, the post-race celebration will be filled with food trucks, vendors, music and medal presentations. Whether you participate in the race or cheer someone on, you and the entire family will enjoy a Veterans Day to remember! To sign up, click here.

July is one hot month in New Bern, and I am not just referring to the temperatures! If you are looking for activities offering enjoyment and air conditioning, here are three hot performances that are really cool.

Again and Again

The Teen Players production of “Rehearsals” is a must-see, tour-de-force comedy. Set in a small town, a community theatre is preparing a production of Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband.” But with a tiny budget, forgotten lines and overall chaos, a miracle will be necessary for the show to go on! This antics-filled play pulls the curtain back on what could happen at local theatre productions. Performances are July 14-16 and July 21-23 at the New Bern Civic Theatre. For tickets, click here.

Take Flight

You likely know that the Wright brothers are the inventors of modern flight. But do you know why? Orville and Wilbur had an amazing support system of family, friends and mentors, plus an incredible inventive spirit. The brothers made their living fixing bicycles, to which they used parts along with other materials to build their first flying machine. The performance is a mixture of music, comedy and drama to present the story of how our nation took flight. Presented at the North Carolina History Theater, the show runs July 21-23 and July 28-30. Get your tickets here.

A Fest of Films

Whether you prefer documentaries, dramas, comedies or all the above, you can have your fill of films on July 29 at the North Carolina Film Festival, being held at the New Bern Civic Theatre. For only $20, event goers will have a seat to view films from North Carolinians and artists around the world. For more information on this annual event, click here.

To enjoy all three events, a great way to plan is to buy tickets for Rehearsals the weekend of July 14; Flight the weekend of July 21; and the North Carolina Film Festival on July 29. Your weekends are covered, and you’ll be covered from the outdoor heat!

New Bern has so much to see and do for all ages. Whether you want to take in some salt air, learn more about history or increase the laughter ratio, it is a done deal close by! Here are three recommendations of activities over the course of the weekend of July 15-17 for the entire family to enjoy.

Family Time #1 – Friday

This time together requires a car ride for 36 miles; perhaps you play “I spy” on the way! The journey takes you to Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, at the tip of Bogue Banks. The fort is restored from the Civil War era, with tons of interesting history within five walls of brick and stone. Twenty-six rooms, nature trails and more will keep your pirate lovers and history buffs well-entertained. For more information about Atlantic Beach, click here.

Family Time #2 – Saturday

If you read this blog series often, you know I love visiting Tryon Palace. On Saturday, July 16, we have the added bonus of giveaways and family activities while exploring the galleries and gardens. Puppet shows, tours of the Pepsi Portal to History and Revolutionary War soldier reenactments make for an entertaining day. While the palace and gardens are simply spectacular on their own, this special day creates additional excitement about the first state capitol building’s heritage. More details here.

Family Time #3 – Sunday

If you are like me and remember the colorful story of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, be sure to catch the performance of Willy Wonka Jr. at the New Bern Civic Theatre. Roald Dahl’s fantasy adventure is brought to life with some slight differences from the movie. The premise remains the same, in that candy manufacturer Willy Wonka stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his yummy candy bars. From there, magical chaos ensues. Performances are July 15-17 and 22-24. Tickets may be purchased here.

Time with your family may not always be perfect, but it is indeed special. These three activities will definitely make the time also memorable!

May is a beautiful time to be in New Bern, and we are fortunate to have a wide variety of activities and events to enjoy. Here are three unique ways to get out and about this month!

Plein Fun

I am just “plein” excited about the return of Plein Air New Bern, an event that leaves the four walls of a studio behind to experience painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries, but was truly made into an art form by the French Impressionists. Up to 35 artists will participate in the week-long painting competition, officially beginning on May 9. An expansive list of breathtaking locations will be the setting for the artists to complete original works. Paintings will be on display daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the New Bern Farmer’s Market. The event’s complete agenda may be found here.

Laughs Guaranteed

If you are looking for a few hours of non-stop laughs, you need to secure a seat at a performance of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” at New Bern Civic Theatre. I have seen the movie based on this Stephen Sondheim musical, and it is truly a farce! With mistaken identities, slapstick fun and a love theme, it is a guaranteed side-splitting time. Performances run on three weekends, beginning May 13. Get your tickets here.

Sleuths Wanted

Oh, how I love a good mystery, so I will be on the hunt for clues on Sunday, May 22. The New Bern Historical Society and Sherlock T. Bear invite teams to test sleuthing skills in the New Bern History Quest. Sponsored by the New Bern Historical Society, the quest will take you all over town for a day to follow clues for a chance to win prizes. For details and to register, click here.

However you enjoy the month of May, you will surely have the fun be with you in New Bern!

With 2022 now in full swing, we are well on our way to the next major holiday event: Valentine’s Day. For those blissfully in love, it is another opportunity to celebrate. For those who are unattached, it can be a reminder of being just that–single. Regardless of your relationship status, here are three ways to enjoy the holiday with lots of heart emojis:

Valentine Stop #1 – “Bearly” There

If you want to fall more in love with New Bern, simply walk around to check out the ceramic and plaster bears scattered around town. The Bear Town Bears (Bern is German for bear) truly illustrate the community pride in New Bern. What I love most is how each bear has a special theme tie-in to the business it represents. From “Flag Bearer” at City Hall to “Harvest Bear” at the Farmer’s Market, you can barely pass a street corner without coming across a bear. I am not going to call out any favorites, as they all deserve “a-paws.”

Valentine Stop #2 – Appetizer Crawl

With all the craft brew places in town, you can surely enjoy a beer crawl. In New Bern, you can also enjoy an appetizer crawl. With too many restaurants to list here, I must give a special shout-out to three eateries with one-of-a-kind appetizers. First, the candied bacon at Beer Army is so incredibly scrumptious, you will stop in and order even when not hungry. A stop at Captain Ratty’s means orders of cannonball shrimp and fried green tomatoes are a given. Cap off this fried deliciousness with an order (or two) of Persimmons’ sweet corn and pimento hushpuppies. You will be full of love for your very full stomach after this crawl. No hangover, but you may be in a food coma.

Valentine Stop #3 – Will My Heart Go On?

New Bern Civic Theatre, you had me at the title, “The Last Five Years.” This musical is about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. What makes it so creative is the show is told from two perspectives: Jamie’s story is told chronologically, while Cathy’s version is told in reverse. The characters meet only once, at their wedding. I am so excited about seeing this intriguing format, and who can pass up the opportunity to witness true love that spans years? You have the option of three performances the weekend of February 11. Get your tickets here.