2026 North Carolina Azalea Festival to bring road closures to downtown Wilmington
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Road closures and traffic changes are planned in downtown Wilmington this weekend as the North Carolina Azalea Festival Parade and Street Fair return, according to Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
The parade is scheduled for Saturday morning, with road closures beginning at 9 a.m. The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with streets reopening after the parade concludes.
Organizers say Princess Street will close at 9 a.m. on parade day, while North Front Street will serve as the primary access point into downtown during the event. North Front Street will be barricaded at Red Cross Street, with detours routed along Second Street and Water Street.
Second Street and Front Street will remain connected at Red Cross Street, allowing continued access to parking garages on Second Street. The Market Street parking deck will remain accessible via Market Street, with vehicles exiting onto Second Street.
South Front Street will also be closed during the parade, with limited access to downtown until the event ends.
For businesses requiring deliveries, access will be permitted Saturday and Sunday from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. via Princess Street. City staff will assist with moving barricades during those hours to allow vehicles in and out.
Organizers are encouraging residents, employees and visitors to review traffic maps in advance, plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time due to increased congestion throughout the weekend.
