Azalea Festival Home Tour

Saturday and Sunday, April 5 & 6 (12PM-5PM)
presented as part of the 2025 Azalea Festival

Think of your Azalea Festival Home Tour ticket as a key, unlocking and welcoming you inside homes you’ve long admired and some stunning hidden gems! Step inside to explore our community’s past, from the quaint to the grand. As you stroll through Wilmington’s charming Oleander neighborhood, originally dubbed “The Suburb Beautiful,” surprise awaits: the complement of new and old, the charming interplay of architectural styles. Expect the unexpected and delight in pristinely preserved architectural treasures as well as uniquely repurposed and upcycled elements. Get inspired and get excited. The only home tour special enough to be part of the legendary Azalea Festival is coming soon!

Proceeds from the Azalea Festival Home Tour support the Historic Wilmington Foundation and its efforts to preserve and protect the irreplaceable historic resources of the Lower Cape Fear region.

Oleander “The Suburb Beautiful” Retrospective
& Home Tour Kick Off

On Thursday, April 3rd, we will be exploring Oleander “The Suburb Beautiful” at Azalea Station (1502 Castl Street)! This exclusive event is available to all Azalea Festival Home Tour ticket holders.

Azalea Station is a unique coffee/cocktail/event space in the Cargo District situated next to Cargo West’s extensive food court. What a wonderful setting for our Azalea Festival Home Tour kick off—make the most of your home tour experience by joining us for this enlightening evening! A historic happy hour from 6:00-6:30pm will set the stage for an immersive retrospective of the district from 6:30-7:30pm. HWF Executive Director Bill Stolz will share the Oleander neighborhood’s history and illuminate how it ties into the greater story of our city and region.

Cash bar available—we look forward to raising a glass to preservation with you! Food options abound in the Cargo District. Be sure to check out the offerings in our silent auction.

If you have purchased your ticket online, you may pick it up at the event. If you’d like to purchase your ticket in-person, you may do so at the event!

Presenting Sponsors:

CORNING CREDIT UNION MORTGAGE and PATRIOT ROOFING & EXTERIORS

2025 Annual Sponsors

Brigitte Simone, Intracoastal Realty

1025 N. Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
910.617.7743

Sylvia & Keith Kochler

 

Azalea Festival Home Tour Sponsors

Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall

630 Carolina Bay Drive
910.355.2885

Port City Daily

1410 Commonwealth Drive, Suite 102A
Wilmington, NC 28403
910.772.6300

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

2516 Independence Blvd., Suite 102
Wilmington, NC 28412
910o799-5331

WWAY TV 3

1224 Magnolia Village Way
Leland, NC 28451
(910) 762-8581

FAQs

What neighborhood will be featured during the 2025 Azalea Home Festival Tour?

This year, we are thrilled to announce we will highlight the Oleander Neighborhood, first marketed as “The Suburb Beautiful.” 
 
Situated between Oleander Drive and Wrightsville Avenue, this neighborhood was first developed by Tidewater Power Company 1914–1916 along the trolley line that connected Market Street and Lumina Pavilion at Wrightsville Beach. “The Suburb Beautiful” was praised in local newspapers for its modern utility and street improvements. 
 
We’re excited to share its history and architectural diversity with tour attendees, as this is the first time homes in Oleander have been featured.

I purchased my ticket(s) online. Where do I get my printed ticket(s)?

Pick up your printed ticket before you begin your tour! Simply keep your confirmation email handy; you may print out a copy, or pull the email up on your mobile device. Before beginning your tour, pick up your printed ticket at the HWF’s Sales & Info booth, located at St John’s Episcopal Church (1219 Forest Hills Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403) 
 
When you present the registration email, a representative from Historic Wilmington Foundation will provide you with a paper ticket, complete with a map and guide to the tour homes. 
 
If you’d like to pick up your ticket prior to the tour, you may do so at the Historic Wilmington Foundation’s office (511 Queen Street). HWF’s offices are open Monday through Friday from 10AM-4PM.

I purchased my ticket(s) online. Where do I get my printed ticket(s)?

Pick up your printed ticket before you begin your tour! Simply keep your confirmation email handy; you may print out a copy, or pull the email up on your mobile device. Before beginning your tour, pick up your printed ticket at the HWF’s Sales & Info booth, located at St John’s Episcopal Church (1219 Forest Hills Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403) 
 
When you present the registration email, a representative from Historic Wilmington Foundation will provide you with a paper ticket, complete with a map and guide to the tour homes. 
 
If you’d like to pick up your ticket prior to the tour, you may do so at the Historic Wilmington Foundation’s office (511 Queen Street). HWF’s offices are open Monday through Friday from 10AM-4PM.

I don't see the home addresses or map on the website. Where can I find the map?

For the security of our homeowners whose houses are featured on the tour, we do not provide the addresses of the homes in advance of the tour. This year, tour attendees may explore the Oleander Subdivision. The tour map is available on your printed ticket(s). The route is approximately a mile in length.

I don't like to buy tickets online. Where can I purchase them in person?

Printed tickets are sold at the following locations: 
  • HISTORIC WILMINGTON FOUNDATION: Come visit our headquarters (511 Queen Street) to purchase your ticket! We’re open Mondays through Fridays from 10AM-4PM.
  • LEGACY ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE: Stop by Legacy Architectural Salvage (1831-B Dawson Street) during business hours to get your Home Tour ticket! Legacy is located in the back warehouse portion of Stevens Ace Hardware, and the shop is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9AM-2PM, and on Thursdays from 9AM-5PM.
  • NORTH CAROLINA AZALEA FESTIVAL OFFICE: Grab your tickets for the Home Tour (and perhaps other Azalea Festival happenings!) at the NC Azalea Festival office, located at 5725 Oleander Drive, Suite B7.

Can I purchase my tickets in person on the day of the event?

Yes, you may! Stop by HWF’s Sales & Info booth, located at St John’s Episcopal Church (1219 Forest Hills Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403). You may buy your ticket with cash, credit card, or check!

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Free parking will be available at St John’s Episcopal Church (1219 Forest Hills Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403). On Sunday, the church kindly asks there be no parking until after 11:30am. The neighborhood also has free on-street parking.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

Please have your ticket with you at all homes on the tour. 
 
Kids under the age of 12 can attend for free!  Children will need to stay with you.  You will not be able to bring strollers or car seats inside the tour homes. You will be able to leave strollers and car seats at the front door.

What may I bring into the event?

Pack lightly, as you will be walking from house to house while in the neighborhood. 
 
Please do not bring food or drink into the tour homes; also, do not bring pets with you on the tour.

If I'm bringing my child/children, do they need a ticket?

Tickets must be purchased for children ages 12 or over. Younger children may attend for free! 
 
Children will need to stay with you.  You will not be able to bring strollers or car seats inside the tour homes. You will be able to leave strollers and car seats at the front door

Are dog's allowed on the tour?

No. Please do not bring pets with you on the tour. Dogs will not be allowed in the homes, even if carried. 
 
If you require the assistance of a service animal, we kindly ask that you contact our office in advance at (910) 762-2511 to receive a list of homes that can accommodate your needs. Please note that as these are private residences, some homeowners may have specific restrictions regarding animals. We appreciate your understanding.

What’s the refund policy?

HWF relies on ticket sales to support the mission of preserving and protecting Wilmington’s historic, irreplaceable resources. As such, we have a no-refund policy for the Azalea Festival Home Tour.

Where can I find more information about the Azalea Festival?

For general festival information, visit the Official Festival Website. 

When can I take the tour? Do I have to start somewhere in particular?

Your ticket, your time, your tour! Each Azalea Festival Home Tour ticket is good for the full weekend. Tour-goers can attend either or both days, and may start or end at any point along the route.

Is the Azalea Festival Home Tour accessible for those with limited mobility?

The Azalea Festival Home Tour is over one mile in length, depending on your route. Due to the historic nature of the featured homes, all require tour goers to traverse stairs. We advise those with mobility concerns to call our office with any additional questions: (910) 762-2511.

How can I contact the organizer with questions?

Please call HWF at 910.762.2511, or email hometour@historicwilmington.org.