April 12-14 in New Bern: One weekend, many events
New to Downtown New Bern are Saturday arts and music events that use Bear Plaza as their venue. Starting in April and continuing through MumFest in October, music and arts events will be held in Bear Plaza. Saturday Sessions, a music event, will be held on the first and third Saturdays. Art-themed events will be held on second and fourth Saturdays. Rare fifth Saturdays will alternate between music and the arts. All events will include arts and story-time activities for children.
“Overdue for a community like ours is to have something like this,” Harakal said. “We should be having regularly scheduled music and arts downtown.”
Event hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays at Bear Plaza, which intersects with Middle Street between South Front and Pollock streets.
Early risers can start at Farmers Market, have lunch and then catch music or arts. Late risers can start at Bear Plaza, have dinner downtown, and then catch a play at New Bern Civic Theatre or enjoy cocktails, beer and wine at Downtown New Bern’s numerous night spots.
Coming from out of town and want to stay for the weekend? Not a problem. New Bern has a wealth of hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts that will suit all tastes. Go to https://visitnewbern.com/where-to-stay-new-bern-nc/ for more information.
Here are the details for some of the weekend activities April 12-14. Additional events and details can be found at https://visitnewbern.com/events-calendar2/
New Bern Summer Blast / Friday
Come out for fun, food and music featuring Band of Oz and North Tower. Tickets are on sale online at www.newbernchamber.com and at downtown locations including Mitchell Hardware on Craven Street, Carolina Creations on Pollock Street (cash or check only), and the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce office. You can also purchase tickets at the gate. Children 12 and under are free with a paid adult.
6 p.m. Friday, April 12
New Bern Farmers Market
421 S. Front St., New Bern
252-637-3111
Email: sroach@newbernchamber.com
On the web: https://www.newbernchamber.com/
Art Walk / Friday
ArtWalk is a fun, casual celebration of art and community in downtown New Bern, held second Fridays of each month. It starts at 5 p.m. and wraps up at 8 p.m. You are invited to stroll along the sidewalks, drop in on shops and galleries, and dine at one of many fine restaurants and lively taverns in Downtown New Bern.
5-8 p.m. Friday, April 12
Downtown New Bern
252-638-2577
Email: info@cravenarts.org
On the web: https://www.cravenarts.org/
Heritage Homes Tour / Friday and Saturday
New Bern, 309 years old and counting, is rich with history and culture, all well-reflected in its older neighborhoods. The New Bern Historical Society presents a rare opportunity for an insider’s tour of these remarkable homes. Enjoy a delightful day as home-owners open their doors to visitors and share the history and the architecture of these unique buildings that make up the fabric of New Bern Heritage. The tour includes 18 exclusive properties, some never before open to the public, in five historic neighborhoods — Downtown, Dryborough, Riverside, Ghent, and DeGraffenried Park. The tour includes a special Garden Party with live music on the Back Porch Stage, costumed historical characters, heritage gardening demonstrations, and more. Tickets are on sale online at https://newbernhistorical.org and at New Bern Historical Society, 511 Broad St., New Bern. Ticket prices $20 advance, $25 days of event, $15 active duty military, students, and Historical Society members, $15 each for groups of 10 or more.
10 a.m. Friday, April 12 through 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13
Historic New Bern, downtown and surrounding neighborhoods
252-638-8558
Email: adminoffice@newbernhistorical.org
On the web: https://newbernhistorical.org/
Juice on the Neuse / Friday and Saturday
Juice on the Neuse is a weekend of wine, craft beer, and spirits. This weekend-long event is expanded this year to include events throughout Greater Downtown New Bern. Stores and restaurants throughout downtown are getting into the spirit of the event by serving beverages of all kinds (including kid-friendly).
“Most of the businesses are going to participate by having shopping and serve some type of beverage,” said Danny Batten, owner of Surf, Wind and Fire.
Don’t miss the wine and craft beer festival, held under a tent overlooking the Neuse River. In its sixth year, the event features dozens of U.S. and international wines and craft beers.
7 p.m. Friday, April 12 through 5 p.m. Saturday, April 13.
Downtown stores and restaurants, and Galley Store & Marina, 300 E. Front St., New Bern
252-633-4648
http://www.juiceontheneuse.com/
Spring Garden Lovers’ Weekend / Friday through Sunday
Tryon Palace gardens will be open for free in conjunction with the New Bern Historical Society’s 2019 Heritage Homes Tour. Enjoy a variety of spring blooming plants, including tulips, irises, and more, throughout the 16 acres of gardens of Tryon Palace during Garden Lovers’ Weekend.
Gardens will be free and open to the public Friday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, April 14, from noon to 6 p.m. Interior tours require the purchase of a ticket. Discounted admission with presentation of a 2019 Heritage Homes Tour ticket. Tryon Palace garden shop will also be open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to Sunday, April 14, ending at 6 p.m.
Tryon Palace,
Intersection of George and Pollock streets
252-639-3500
Email: info@tryonpalace.org
On the web: https://www.tryonpalace.org/
Great Glow Run / Saturday
The Great Glow Run is a Nighttime 5K Race that draws runners of all ages and abilities to this fun, eye-catching spectacle. It is a fundraiser for Easter Seals. Participants dress in their favorite glow gear — headbands, necklaces, LED clothing, body paint and more. Runners and walkers shine bright while creating lasting memories with family and friends. Runners navigate the glowing course with the help of LED lights, while illuminated volunteers guide the way. This family-friendly event features the kick off of a Kids Fun Run just before it gets dark.
6:30-10 p.m. Saturday, April 13
Union Point Park
210 E. Front Street
252-902-9712
Email: info@runtheeast.com
On the web: http://www.easterseals.com/NCVA/get-involved/events/the-great-glow-run.html
North Carolina Film Festival / Saturday
The official North Carolina Film Festival is coming to New Bern this year! Eno River Media and Craven Community College have teamed up to give you a day of national and international films. Featuring industry professionals from across the country and here in NC.
10 am to 4 pm, Saturday, April 13
Craven Community College
800 College Court
252-638-7200
On the web: https://visitnewbern.com/event/north-carolina-film-festival/?instance_id=2327
Farmers Market / Saturday
New Bern Farmers Market has more than 75 vendors mostly under one roof and spilling outside. It’s open Saturdays year-round from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., and Tuesdays from April through December from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
New Bern Farmers Market
421 S. Front St.
252-633-0043
On the web: http://newbernfarmersmarket.org/
11th Annual East Carolina Pottery Festival / Saturday
The 11th Annual East Carolina Pottery Festival will be held Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the North Carolina History Center, corner of South Front and Middle streets, in downtown New Bern. More than 50 local potters will gather at the North Carolina History Center to exhibit and sell their pottery and demonstrate various throwing and building techniques. Many well-known potters from Wilmington to Elizabeth City, and Beaufort to Asheville will display their unique talents in clay and share their original pieces. Admission is free.
9:00-5 p.m. Saturday, April 13
North Carolina History Center
South Front Street between Middle Street and Metcalf Avenue
252-638-2577
Email: info@tryonpalace.org
On the web: On the web: https://www.tryonpalace.org/
Spring Heritage Plant Sale / Saturday
Want to take home some of that spring blooming splendor? The Spring Heritage Plant Sale, during Garden Lovers’ Weekend, will also be held Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, on the Daves House Lawn just inside the Palace main gate at George and Pollock streets. This annual plant sale offers a selection of plants grown locally and in the Palace’s nursery yard, as well as a wide variety of annuals, heirloom vegetables, perennials, herbs and other spring favorites.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13
The Spring Heritage Plant Sale
Tryon Palace, intersection of George and Pollock streets
252-639-3500
Email: info@tryonpalace.org
On the web: On the web: https://www.tryonpalace.org/