YachtVenture 2026: A Night Out Supporting Wilmington Kids

An evening on the water, good company, and a chance to give back to Wilmington’s youngest learners. YachtVenture brings local businesses, neighbors, and community supporters together for a night out with a shared purpose: helping children learn through play.

YachtVenture is The Children's Museum of Wilmington's signature fundraiser, and the 16th annual event is Saturday, October 24, at Bradley Creek Yacht Club. It is a grown-ups' night out that happens to fund a year of hands-on learning for kids across our community.

Here is what the evening includes, how to join in, and where the money goes. Tickets, sponsorships, and the silent auction all live on the YachtVenture website.

Quick Answer: What Is YachtVenture?

YachtVenture is a waterfront fundraising event benefiting The Children's Museum of Wilmington.

The essentials for 2026’s event:

• The 16th annual YachtVenture is Saturday, October 24, from 6pm to 9:30pm

• It takes place at Bradley Creek Yacht Club in Wilmington

• Guests have the opportunity to tour some of the area's grandest yachts

• The evening includes handcrafted cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, coastal-inspired dining, and dancing

• Silent and live auctions and raffles run alongside the party, with items like VIP experiences, wellness packages, jewelry, and sunset cruises

• Tickets are $200 per person

• It is an adults-only event, and every guest must be 21 or older with a valid ID

Every dollar raised supports the museum and its mission to inspire learning through play.

An Evening on the Water

The setting does a lot of the work here. Guests step aboard yachts they would not otherwise see, with Bradley Creek and the evening light doing what coastal Carolina does best, then come back ashore for signature cocktails, local cuisine, and a dance floor.

Patti Erkes, the museum's Director of Development, put it this way: "YachtVenture is such a special night for us because it really captures what makes Wilmington unique: our beautiful coast, our incredible community, and our love of bringing people together."

It is a great night out on its own terms. It is an even better one knowing what it funds, so come ready to support play and engage with your fellow community members. The kids are the reason for the whole evening.

Planning Your Night

A few details from the YachtVenture team will help the evening go smoothly:

• What to wear: coastal cocktail attire, with jackets recommended for men. Leave the spiked heels at home, since shoes come off before boarding the yachts.

• Getting there: parking is limited on site, with nearby options a short walk away. Rideshare or a designated driver is a smart call.

• What to bring: just your ID and your party spirit. Dinner and drinks are covered, so leave outside food and beverages at home.

• Tickets: entry is paperless with a QR code. Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred through the Director of Development.

Questions about tickets or sponsorships can go to Patti Erkes at 910-254-3534, ext. 104, or perkes@playwilmington.org.

Where the Money Goes

Admission and memberships do not cover everything a nonprofit museum needs. The museum puts it simply: all of its exhibits, daily programming, and special events are possible thanks to donors. Fundraisers like YachtVenture help fund the Museum for general operating expenses, the parts of the museum families never see itemized.

• Exhibit upkeep across four floors and three historic buildings, which get a lot of enthusiastic use

• Daily educational programs included with admission, from STEAM activities to story times

• Access programs like Museums for All, which offers $3 admission for families using an EBT card

• Resources for children with varying sensory, developmental, or physical needs

• Camps, field trips, and community outreach across southeastern North Carolina

Families using an EBT card can visit for $3 per person through Museums for All, as listed on our hours and admission page. It is a national program, and through Museums for All, families receiving SNAP benefits can visit more than 1,600 museums across the United States for free or reduced admission.

Why a Children's Museum Throws a Grown-Up Party

It might seem funny that a museum built for ages 0 to 10 hosts a 21-and-up night on the water. But a children's museum depends on the adults around it. Parents, grandparents, neighbors, and local businesses are the ones who keep the exhibits running, the programs included with admission, and the doors open to every family.

YachtVenture gives that community a reason to gather in one place, connect with neighbors who care about the same things, and celebrate the coast they share. When the evening wraps up, the impact moves downtown: in the water table, the art room, the toddler wing, and the staff that greet families every day.

Can't Make It on the 24th?

There are a few other ways to be part of the night, even from your couch:

• Bid in the silent auction from anywhere, since bidding is open online

• Enter the raffles, including “A Taste of the Coast” to win luxurious prizes and experiences

• Sponsor the event, which puts your business in front of a room full of neighbors who care about local kids

• Make a direct gift to the museum any time of year

If the date does not work, a gift of any size supports the same programs. And YachtVenture is just one of the museum's community fundraisers; you can see what is coming up next on our fundraiser calendar.

A Community That Shows Up for Its Kids

The best part of a night like this is the people. Wilmington neighbors, local businesses, and museum families all in one place, raising a glass to a museum where children learn by doing. For sixteen years, that room has helped keep hands-on play within reach for families across our community. We would love to see you there.