Programs & Events

Behind the Hatch: The Ultimate Customized Experience!

Battleship staff will work with an individual or group to design a customized exploration of the Battleship based on interests. Tours may include behind-the-scenes areas. Possible focus includes engineering, gunnery, fire control systems, communications, ship design, damage control, and logistics. Behind the Hatch requires going up and down shipboard ladders and is not recommended for participants with mobility issues. Age 18 and older.

Minimum group size is 10 participants; maximum group size is 40 participants. This program is offered Monday – Friday, October – April, depending upon volunteer availability.

To make a reservation or to receive more information, please contact Shelly Robinson or call 910-399-9101 between 9 am – 3 pm, Monday – Friday.

This program requires Battleship group rate admission. 

Meet the MARDET

This program is designed for Marine Corps personnel. Held inside the Marine compartment, a retired Marine gives an insightful illustrated presentation on the Battleship and her Marines. The program includes an array of period artifacts and weapons followed by a self-guided tour of the Battleship. This program is dependent upon volunteer availability.

Minimum group size is 15 participants; maximum group size is 25 participants. This program is available Monday – Friday, October – April.

To make a reservation or to receive more information, please contact Shelly Robinson or call 910-399-9101 between 9 am – 3 pm, Monday – Friday.

This program requires Battleship group rate admission. 

Guest HAM Operator Program

The Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club welcomes licensed HAM operators to the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA to transmit via Voice, Digital or Morse Code from Radio Central. Contact the club to make arrangements at least 10 days in advance of your visit.

Free with regular Battleship admission.

NCQSO Party

The NC QSO Party is a statewide ham radio event. Operators try to make contact with all 100 North Carolina counties within a 9-hour period.  It is a friendly contest as every contact contains points, and those hams with the most points in certain categories win in that category. The Battleship is NI4BK, and HAM operators may contact the ship via Voice, Digital, and Morse Code. NI4BK is a “Bonus” point station that is highly prized by contestants, and NORTH CAROLINA’s presence is posted throughout the day on a “spotting cluster” for the world to see. The Battleship is NI4BK, and we look forward to hearing from YOU!

9 am – 4 pm, free with regular Battleship admission.

Museum Ships Weekend

Operating aboard Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, the Azalea Coast Radio Club participates in the annual Museum Ships Weekend. Sponsored by the Battleship NEW JERSEY Radio Club, HAM operators on 102 museum ships worldwide take part in the event. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is NI4BK and HAM operators may contact the ship via Voice, Digital, and Morse Code. 

9 am – 4 pm, free with regular Battleship admission.

North Carolina State Parks on the Air

The North Carolina State Parks on the Air is an annual event that attempts to “activate” all 107 North Carolina state parks over the course of a weekend. The event is an outgrowth of the international Parks On The Air phenomenon that is so popular within amateur radio. To “activate” a park means to set up an amateur radio station in the park and make at least 10 radio contacts with that station. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is a highly sought after “park” by HAM operators worldwide.

Free with regular Battleship admission.

Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance

Operating aboard Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, the Azalea Coast Radio Club hosts a worldwide HAM radio operator event commemorating the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. The Battleship is NI4BK, and HAM operators may contact the ship via Voice, Digital, and Morse Code. NI4BK looks forward to hearing from YOU! Radio operators making contact will receive a special postcard verifying the contact.

9 am – 4 pm, free with regular Battleship admission.

Memorial Day Observance Ceremony

Remember those who gave their lives in service by honoring veterans at the Battleship’s traditional Memorial Day Observance featuring a military guest speaker, an all-service Color guard, a 21-gun salute by a Marine Corps Honor Guard, a military band, taps, and a memorial wreath cast into the waters. 

5 pm – 6 pm, FREE

Azalea Festival Fireworks

Enjoy a unique view of the N.C. Azalea Festival fireworks from the Battleship! Bring your own chairs and blankets. The event will be canceled if the fireworks are called off. A limited number of tickets will be available. Participants are welcome to tour the Battleship prior to the fireworks show.

Doors open at 6 pm. Fireworks go off at 9 pm. $15 per person; children 5 & under are free. 

July 4th Fireworks 

Watch the City of Wilmington’s spectacular 4th of July fireworks display from the deck of the Battleship North Carolina. Members of the Friends of the Battleship North Carolina have exclusive access to the ship for the fireworks show.

6 pm, FREE — (You must be a Friends of the Battleship member to attend this event).  Get your tickets now (tickets are limited to membership level). Not a member? Join now!

Gear Shifters

Calling all Girl Scouts! The Gear Shifter program utilizes LEGO bricks, gears, and other technical elements and motors to build models related to the Battleship’s engineering and computer technologies. Hands-on model building promotes learning and teamwork while meeting scout badge requirements. This program is presented by COSMIC LEARNING CENTER. This program includes Battleship admission for all Girl Scouts who register online. All adults attending must pay regular Battleship admission.

Enjoy Battleship 101 the same day! Volunteers will be stationed throughout the Ship to answer your questions.

10 am – 3 pm, $41 (plus tax) per participant.