The summer season is officially over, crowds are low, and the weather is cooling off. October in Brunswick County is the perfect getaway for a calm and quiet beach vacation. Although many options are available, you’ll find one of the best family beaches on Holden Beach, NC. Located right in the middle of Brunswick County, Holden Beach offers easy access to a plethora of fall beach vacation options. Sand and ocean scenes don’t just need to be for summer. Instead, book your vacation for October in Brunswick County with your local source here at PROACTIVE Vacations.

Where To Go

While Holden Beach can found in a central location, Brunswick County spans a few different towns that have their own events this October. From Sunset Beach to Oak Island, you’ll have plenty to do with the whole family this fall. Continue reading below to see what each town is offering over the next few weeks or follow this LINK for a detailed schedule from the North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands webpage. Interested in general Holden Beach information? Check out the PROACTIVE Vacations blog HERE.

Holden Beach

Holden Beach will be your central vacation destination. Rated one of the top family beaches and rapidly growing, you and your family will have no shortage of activities. If you’re traveling later in the month a highlight includes the North Carolina Festival by the Sea. The Festival by the Sea will be hosted at the Holden Beach Pavilion under the bridge. Featuring local vendors including arts, crafts, food, live entertainment, local businesses, and more. From October 30th through October 31st you and your family will find fun for all ages.

Oak Island

Located just north of Holden Beach, Oak Island is just a short trip away from your vacation home. A local highlight can be found Saturday nights through October 30th with their “Oak Island Live & Local” events. Happening from 4:00-8:00PM in the Middleton Park, guests will enjoy farmers’ markets, food, vendors, and live music. Live music occurs each Saturday from 6:00-8:00PM with rotating local musicians. Don’t forget to bring your friends for this great fall fun event!

Oak Island Live and Local

Ocean Isle Beach

If you find yourself heading the other direction, you’ll find Ocean Isle Beach just a short trip south from Holden Beach. Found yearly in October, Ocean Isle Beach is home of the North Carolina Oyster Festival. 2021 celebrates the 40th anniversary for this local tradition, celebrating local oysters with a full list of local food, crafts, contests, live entertainment, and more. Located at the Town Center Park on Saturday October 16th – Sunday October 17th, there will be no shortage of activities for the whole family. Looking for something “Halloween” this fall? Then look no further than Ocean Isle Beach’s Grissettown Haunted Trail. This trail is hosted weekly on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00-10:00PM sponsored by the local fire department. With interactive props and live actors, it is a family friendly attraction but certainly not a “little kid” event.

North Carolina Oyster Festival

Sunset Beach

Continue driving south past Ocean Isle Beach and you’ll find Sunset Beach. Close enough for a quick daytrip away from your Holden Beach rental. Sunset Beach hosts a variety of weekly events including their Drum Circle (Mondays until October 25th) and their Summer Market (Thursdays until October 14th). Although the name “Summer Market” implies a certain time of year, you and your family will be happy to enjoy the festivities through mid-October! Happening Thursdays from 9:00AM-1:00PM you’ll find the best in local art, pottery, jewelry, food, crafts, and more. You can find the market at the Sunset Beach Town Park and the drum circle to the left side of the Sunset Beach Pier.

Sunset Beach Summer Market

Much, Much More!

In addition to the brief summary above, there is also plenty to do in the areas of Leland, Southport, Bolivia, Shallotte, and more. Due to this, below you’ll find a full schedule and you can follow the link HERE for a full list of details. Looking for more specific Holden Beach information? You can find out more in our BLOG as well as pages dedicated to DINING, SHOPPING, SEAFOOD, and ATTRACTIONS. Don’t forget to follow PROACTIVE Vacations on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and YOUTUBE!

Full Calendar:

    • October 4: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
    • October 7: Live at the Park (Leland)
    • October 7: Sunset Beach Summer Market
    • October 8: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 8: Southport Movies on the Lawn
    • October 9: Oak Island Live & Local
    • October 9: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 11: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
    • October 14: Sunset Beach Summer Market
    • October 15: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 16: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 16: Listen Up Brunswick County Concerts (Bolivia)
    • October 16: Movies in the Park (Leland)
    • October 16: North Carolina Oyster Festival (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 16: Oak Island Live & Local
    • October 17: North Carolina Oyster Festival (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 18: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
    • October 20: SBPD Trunk or Treat (Sunset Beach)
    • October 21: SPOOKtacular Night at Mulberry (Shallotte)
    • October 22: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 23: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 23: Fall Brawl King Classic (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 23: Oak Island Live & Local
    • October 24: Fall Brawl King Classic (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 25: Sunset Beach Drum Circle
    • October 28: Live at the Park (Leland)
    • October 29: Ocean Isle Beach Trunk or Treat
    • October 29: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 30: Grissettown Haunted Trail (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 30: NC Festival by the Sea (Holden Beach)
    • October 30: Oak Island Live & Local
    • October 30: Trunk or Treat (Ocean Isle Beach)
    • October 31: NC Festival by the Sea (Holden Beach)




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