From dog (and beer) days to chili weather, here are 27 Wilmington-area food events for October

October is bringing more than cooler weather to the Wilmington area. There are also so, so many events featuring the good eats and great beers you can find in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. Look for dog-friendly get-togethers, oyster roasts, chili cook-offs, chef-focused gatherings, and (of course) more Oktoberfest.

Oct. 1: The German biergarten Prost that opened earlier this year at 115 S. Front St. in downtown Wilmington has been celebrating Oktoberfest in time with Munich’s official calendar. They’re wrapping up two weeks' worth of fun with an official celebration that begins with a performance from the Harbour Towne Fest Band at 1:30. Look for cold beer, German food and a strong possibility of traditional attire.

Oct. 5-7: Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar is finishing their free Fresh & Raw Tour Together with Truist with three local performances on consecutive evenings at the restaurant locations in Wilmington, Leland and Carolina Beach. Money raised at the shows will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Oct. 6: N.C. Cooperative Extension is hosting a Spotlight on Local Foods discussion about community food systems and how you can support them. It’s free and takes place 10-11 a.m. at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington.

Oct. 7: Savor Southern Kitchen at 3704 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington is hosting the Dirty Birdy Biscuit Bash beginning at 3 p.m. But reservations are required for this eating contest. Entry fee is $10, but prizes and bragging rights. Details: 910-769-8112.

Oct. 7: It’s a two-fer celebration at the Brunswick Beer Xchange at 113 Village Road N.E. in Leland. They are raising a stein for Oktoberfest and their second anniversary. Look for games, food, fun and a selection of beers beginning at 3 p.m.

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Oct. 7: Shaka Taco in Hampstead and Ironclad Golf are joining in the Oktoberfest fun with the inaugural Shaktoberfest. It's 2-9 p.m. at 2368 Country Club Drive in Hampstead with games, music, German food and beer.

Oct. 8: The Green House Restaurant and Red Beard Farms are joining forces for an event that will include a 6-course dinner featuring locally grown produce, as well as tours, live music and an open bar. The event takes place 2-6 p.m. at 5258 Horse Branch Road in Willard and tickets are $150 per person, or $250 for two.

Oct. 11: There's a wine dinner on the schedule at PinPoint restaurant, 114 Market Street in downtown Wilmington. It features five Timeplace Wine Co. wines and five courses beginning at 7:30 sharp. Tickets are $99.

Oct. 12: Brunswick Beer and Cider in Leland is hosting a Beer, Bourbon & Cigars event on the patio at 6:30 p.m. for those wanting to learn more about pairings with cigars. Tickets are $60 and will include two cigars, bourbon flights, beer flights and appetizers.

Oct. 14: The Wilmington West Rotary Club brings back its popular Oysters in October event. The Halloween-themed oyster roast takes place 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the gardens at Burgwin-Wright House, 224 Market St. Tickets are $75, and include steamed oysters, shrimp, fish bites and sides, and two drink tickets. A cash bar will also be available. For tickets, contact Bob Gazak at rgazak@gmail.com or 919-744-9996.

Oct. 14: Fun for people and dogs can be found at the Pop Up for Pups at Wilmington’s Riverlights community. Look for food trucks, restaurant specials, as well as 30 local vendors (including dog-themed ones), live music, adoptable dogs, a dog costume contest, and doggy swimming pools. It’s 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 109 Pier Master Point.

Oct. 14: It’s the third annual Veg-Out Festival, which focuses on green living and healthy eating. Look for vendors, cooking demonstrations, vegan and vegetarian food vendors and more at this free event. It takes place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 10 Cowan St. In Wilmington.

Oct. 14: This isn’t about food, really, but where it’s made. The Residents of Old Wilmington are hosting a tour of nine historic homes, and their kitchens, for the popular Back Door Kitchen Tour. Tickets are $40 and it takes place 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oct. 15: It’s time for the second brewery fundraiser for A Pawsitive Mission, which was started from the need for pet parents to have access to emergency veterinary funding. This time, Pawtober Fest takes place 1-4 p.m. at Mad Mole Brewing, 6309 Boathouse Road, Wilmington. Look for a silent auction, raffles, live music and a doggie kissing booth. Details here.

Oct. 18: A dinner with some talented chefs takes over Bluewater Waterfront Grill. The Top Chef Dinner + Cocktails event will feature two alums from the Top Chef series, Katsuji Tanabe and Lamar Moore, and recent James Beard award winner Ricky Moore. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., there is a cocktail experience and collaborative 5-course menu. Tickets are $50 and should be reserved in advance.

Oct. 20: The March of Dimes and Hotel Ballast in downtown Wilmington are partnering for the Signature Chefs Auction at 301 North Water St. It begins at 6 p.m. and you can find more information here.

Oct. 20: You can celebrate local potters and weavers, and eat some chili, at Bluegrass, Bowls & Baskets at the Leland Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way. Masonboro Sound is playing and Leland’s police and fire departments are having a chili cook-off, and participants can vote for their favorite by bringing in a non-perishable food item to donate.

Oct. 21-22: The N.C. Oyster Festival returns to 8 E. Second St, Ocean Isle Beach with a celebration of all things oyster, celebrate everything Oyster as we transform OIB Town Center Park into a walking district offering a variety of foods, crafts, contests and musical performances.

Oct. 21: The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce is hosting Bands, Brews and BBQ from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the riverwalk in Belville, 580 River Road S.E. This annual event features award-winning ‘cue, local craft beers and music on the water. It also includes a cook-off for professionals and amateurs. Details here.

Oct. 21: Another version of Oktoberfest takes place noon-6 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Brewery, 6201 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. Oysterberfest features live music, specials on local steamed and raw oysters, pretzels, brats and free admission with the option to buy food and drink vouchers.

Oct. 21: Topsail Animal Hospital and Bayside Service Dogs are partnering for the first Howl-o-Ween Pups, Pints and Pumpkins event at Leaf & Barrel Provision Co. at 5215 U.S. 17 S. in Hampstead. Look for a pet costume contest, beers, a food truck, live music and treats.

Oct. 21: The Burgaw Autumn Fest includes food trucks, live music, pumpkin decorating. But there's more, too. The Fat Daddy's Boo-Berry Knot Eating Contest will be at 11 a.m. and you can watch the finalists in the Own Your Own cookoff. The festival is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Courthouse Square, 100 S. Wright St.

Oct. 24: The annual Chef's Feast fundraiser for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. It takes place at the New Hanover County Arboretum and will feature two local James Beard nominated chefs. You can find out more about ticket information here.

Oct. 24: The next wine dinner takes place at Blue Surf Arboretum West, 414 Arboretum Drive in Wilmington featuring the wines of the Italian piedmont. Tickets are available through the restaurant.

Oct. 27-28: Lighthouse Beer & Wine is once again hosting two ot the most popular local beer events. First, it's the Voracious & Rare Beer and Wine Festival 6-9 p.m. Friday at Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park. Then, it's the Carousel Center Beer and Wine Festival in the same place noon-5 p.m. Tickets start at $30.

Oct 28: After a two-year hiatus, the Ministering Circle is bringing back their popular sale. The 2023 Red Apron Fall Sale includes baked good, pickles, frozen foods and unique raffles that all raise money for local nursing scholarships. The event is 10-11:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 5102 Oleander Drive in Wilmington.

Oct. 28: What may be the area’s last Oktoberfest event of the season is also the best, according to organizers at Southport Tap and Cellar, 827 N. Howe St. Look for food trucks, another performance from Harbour Towne Fest Band, and constests for stein holding, keg holding, brat eating, and Mr. & Mrs. Oktoberfest. It's 1-5 p.m.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Restaurant and food events in Wilmington, NC, in October 2023