Emerald Isle Area Events and Festivals

Swansboro Mullet Festival

The Swansboro Mullet Festival has been going for more than 50 years. It was started as a celebration by the residents of Swansboro after the completion of the bridge across the White Oak River in Swansboro (Trivia: Do you know how travelers got across the White Oak River before the bridge was completed?).

Well, that first Swansboro Mullet Festival was so much fun that they decided to have it every year on the second Saturday in October. So, here we are today. Originally, it was just a big cookout, but now the Mullet Festival is much more than that. Oh sure, you can still get your Mullet cooked 50 different ways: fried, broiled, grilled, smoked, stewed (well, maybe not 50) but in addition you can also see tons of arts and crafts, play games and, of course, the Swansboro Mullet Festival Parade.

Saturday, October 11 10 am - 9 pm
Sunday, October 12 10 am - 5 pm