The 75th annual North Carolina Azalea Festival is happening this week and it appears the festival is headed to a full-fledge return following a two-year disruption by the coronavirus pandemic.
Organizers are holding a full slate of events, including the return of the street fair and parade in downtown Wilmington. Here’s what you need to know before you head out to partake in the festivities.
Click here for a full list of events.
DGX Street Fair
The DGX Street Fair will take place Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10. (Specific times are noted below).
Street Fair event times:
- Friday, 4/8 – 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Saturday, 4/9 – 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Sunday, 4/10 – 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
The associated street closures due to the Street Fair are as follows:
- Brunswick Street between North Third Street & North Front Street
- Hanover Street between North Second Street & North Front Street
- North Second Street between Hanover Street & North Front Street
- North and southbound North Front Street between Hanover Street & Brunswick Street
Dollar General Parade
The Dollar General Parade will take place from 9:30 am to 11:30 am Saturday, April 9. The parade will begin at the intersection of Third and Market streets and move along Third Street, ending at Bladen Street.
A map of the parade route can be found here.
Road closures for the Parade are as follows:
- Front Street (Between Orange Street & Castle Street)
- North Front Street (Between North Third Street/ Davis and Walnut streets) **Late closure 9 am to noon.
- Second Street (Between Orange Street & Castle Street)
- Third Street (Between Davis Street, North Front Street, & Castle Street)
- Fourth Street (Between Red Cross Street & Castle Street)
- Harnett Street (Between Fourth Street and North Front Street)
- Bladen Street ( Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Brunswick Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Hanover Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Campbell Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Red Cross Street (Between Fourth Street and Second Street)
- Walnut Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Grace Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Chestnut Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Princess Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street) **Late closure 9 am to noon.
- Market Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Dock Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Orange Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Second Street)
- Ann Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Water Street)
- Nun Street (Between Fifth Avenue and Water Street)
- Church Street ((Between Fifth Avenue and Surry Street)
- Surry Street (Between Church Street and Castle Street)
Parking for the weekend events
- On-Street Meters Free: Friday 5pm – Monday 9am.
- Convention Center $10 flat rate: Wed 4/6 and Thursday 4/7 3p-8p, Fri 4/8 3p-11p
- Market Street/River Place/Second Street Decks $10 flat rate: Fri 4/8 6p-11p
- All City Decks $10 flat rate: Sat 4/9 8a-11p, Sun 4/10 10a-6p
- City parking lots, daily posted rates
WAVE Transit will also offer a shuttle that will depart from Independence Mall Saturday morning.
Tips/Reminders
- Stay hydrated
- No pets are allowed downtown during festivals
- Do not bring any weapons downtown
- Make a plan
- Have a good time!