The Rogallo Kite Festival is a free and family-orientated event that features multiple days of kite flying to honor Francis Rogallo, NASA scientist and inventor of the flexible wing. His initial inventions started the sport of hang gliding, and his designs have carried over into the stunt kites, power kites and hang gliders that are flown today. To celebrate this innovator, visitors will be treated to a full day of kite-flying fun in one of the best destinations on the East Coast for high flyers, Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

Peruse a colorful array of vibrant artworks and crafts while enjoying the postcard-perfect setting on the grounds of the Whalehead Club by attending the 22nd Annual Under the Oaks Art Festival. This popular festival brings together a collection of talented artists and artisans who will share their wares in a pretty outdoor setting that will make shoppers want to linger and enjoy the views over the Currituck Sound.

Join the Outer Banks Brewing Station in a fun Independence Day weekend run that presents plenty of reason to celebrate. This adult 21 and over celebration starts with a refreshing brew before an easy-going, mile-long jog, walk or run around the heart of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills.

Take a step back in time to the Outer Banks of the mid-1800s, and celebrate Independence Day in a historical fashion, with a visit to The Island Farm. Located in the heart of Manteo, The Island Farm is a unique attraction that takes visitors on a tour of what life was like for island residents more than 150 years ago. Featuring a wealth of historic homes with period artifacts, live farm animals, and costumed interpreters who explain what life was like for these original locals, The Island Farm is both an educational and utterly fascinating attraction for visitors of all ages.

Take part in an annual Independence Day celebration that captures the local spirit of Duck and the Outer Banks with this fun and fantastic parade that caps off with plenty of good times by the waterfront.

The Town of Manteo will host an incredible display of fireworks over the water on 4^th of July that will make any Independence Day celebration truly memorable. Launched over the Roanoke Sound and Shallowbag Bay, visitors can find a spot along the downtown docks or a seat at the famed Roanoke Island Festival Park to catch an incredible show with a stunning backdrop.

Visitors can keep the Independence Day celebration going strong with this special fireworks display in the heart of the central Outer Banks that’s sponsored by the Town of Kill Devil Hills, and which is held at the scenic Avalon Pier.

Celebrate your Independence Day with a bang at the Avon Pier and Avon Beach Klub on Hatteras Island. The 4^th of July celebration will feature a collection of events which includes corresponding radio shows on the island's local station, Radio Hatteras FM 101.5 and 99.9, and an incredible front row view of the fireworks display from the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.

Head to the tiny coastal village of Ocracoke for a big Independence Day celebration that includes fireworks, a parade, and plenty of family fun. The highlight of the Ocracoke Independence Day Celebration is the annual amazing fireworks display over the Silver Lake Harbor after the sun goes down. Visitors will find plenty of seating all around the harborfront docks, and can bring along beach chairs, towels, blankets, and everything they need to enjoy the show.

Head to the heart of Nags head for this special 4^th of July fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean that will leave all beach-goers breathless. The Town Of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular will be held on the evening of Independence Day, and is sure to be a show-stopping aspect of any Outer Banks vacation.

Celebrating its 11^th year in 2024, the Hatteras Village Golf Cart Parade is quickly becoming a favorite Independence Day celebration for Hatteras Island visitors and locals alike. Launched in 2013 as a fundraiser for the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation with less than a dozen golf cart participants, today the event features more than 50 or 60  golf carts of all styles, decked out in purely fun and patriotic themes.

Now celebrating its 46th year, the Wright Kite Festival is a celebration of aviation that takes place where flight began – the Wright Brothers Memorial. Walk through the sprawling grounds of the museum and gain a little knowledge of the birthplace of aviation and then put this knowledge to the test outside with Kitty Hawk Kites. Large kites will be on display throughout the weekend, joining in the sky with the Wright Memorial!

Surfing For Autism is an Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness event that uses the beauty of the Outer Banks to provide children with an amazing experience and an opportunity to ride the waves.

Join in the fun of one of the summer’s most highly anticipated fishing tournaments while supporting a wonderful local cause by signing up for the Carolina Boat Builders Tournament. Held during the end of July – which is a prime time of year for exceptional fishing – this tournament which celebrates its 21st year in 2024 combines multiple days of angling action with some exceptional events that highlight the best of the Outer Banks.

Spectators and active watersports fans alike are welcome to head out to the beach near Jennette’s Pier to catch a spectacular on-the-water show by some of the best skimboarders on the East Coast.

Celebrate summer with Kitty Hawk Kites and support the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition at the annual OBX Watermelon Festival. This beloved local celebration that’s held at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head features a wealth of activities for visitors of all ages, and is the perfect way to toast the peak of the summer season on the Outer Banks.

Take a stroll along any shaded street in Ocracoke village and you’ll naturally notice the town’s love of all-things fig. Fig trees are everywhere in this coastal town, and during this annual celebration, visitors and locals alike can celebrate the fig through a myriad of  music, dancing, history, activities, and of course, plenty of fig goodies.

Get ready for a pirate invasion on the Outer Banks, courtesy of the two-day Outer Banks Pirate Festival. This festival that will be held next to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in the central Outer Banks town of Nags Head promises plenty of swashbuckling good times and activities, and will be a memorable event for young and old salty visitors alike.

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

Head to the waterfront docks of Manteo to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.

Come celebrate one of the most important events in Life-Saving local history with this special day at the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site in the heart of Rodanthe. The rescue of the Mirlo was one of the most legendary rescues that was ever conducted by the US Life-Saving Service, and during this special day, visitors will dive deeper into this story courtesy of a wealth of activities that will fascinate visitors of all ages.

First proclaimed on August 19, 1939, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, National Aviation Day is a celebration of Orville Wright’s birth date, and is a fun-filled event at the Wright Brothers National Memorial that visitors of all ages will enjoy.

Spectators are welcome to hit the sand and watch some of the top surfers in the region and the world compete in this late summer competition that promises to be one of the best live shows on the beach.

Triathletes train for months to achieve their dream. Come to the Outer Banks Triathlon and experience the enthusiam, inspiration and skill! 

Why do they do it? Some to win, some for their best personal time and for some it's a personal goal on their bucket list. Individual athletes and relay teams exhibit various ranges of skill and expertise. The enthusiasm of the athletes is inspirational for everyone at the site whether a volunteer, a spectator or staff. Encouraging and cheering the athletes' onward is a crucial part of the day. It is 2 days of inspiration, excitement, relationships and achievements.

Come celebrate the history and culture of Hatteras Island’s working watermen at this annual event in the heart of Hatteras Village that has become a tradition for fall visitors and locals alike. Day at the Dock takes place along the waterfront that’s adjacent to the village marinas, and is a delightful combination of fresh seafood and good eats, live demonstrations, working commercial fishing boats, live music, kids activities, and more, and is a true and authentic sample of what life on Hatteras Island is all about.

Head to the cool and relaxed Outer Banks in late September to join in the fun of one of the region’s most distinctive and popular area festivals. Pridefest is a three-day gay pride festival that is full of activities, food, music, and ample beach time, and which is open to all LGBTQ folks and their supporters and friends.

Put your biking, swimming and running skills to the ultimate test during this event that takes advantage of the brilliant fall weather along the coastline, as well as the gorgeous scenery of the Outer Banks. Outer Banks TRI is a multi-faceted race to the finish line that includes Olympic, Sprint, & Half Triathlon Distances, as well as relay teams and individual spots, to create a customized course that will challenge athletes of all skill levels.

Enjoy a thrilling scene along the towering sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park as giant kites and stunt kite pilots wow the crowd at the engaging and family-friendly Outer Banks Kite Festival. Hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites, this festival features both live demonstrations and interactive activities to ensure that everyone can have a ball enjoying the high flying lifestyle on the Outer Banks.

Bring your rods and reels and discover how incredible the fishing on the Outer Banks can be when the temps cool and the fall season rolls around by signing up for the Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge. This popular fishing tournament takes place all across the islands, and allows anglers to pick a favorite spot, cast a line, and hopefully reel in a few big catches, as well as a few hefty cash prizes, along the way.

October is renowned as prime time for fishing on the Outer Banks, and Nags Head anglers don’t have to venture too far to enjoy a surf fishing tournament that is wonderfully close to home. The Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament is open to skilled and amateur anglers alike, and takes place all along the sunny Nags Head beaches, with plenty of room to cast a line in the hopes of reeling in some big catches, and some big prizes.

Head to Roanoke Island in the scenic month of May to enjoy some of the best music of the year at the popular Bluegrass Island Festival. This annual festival has rapidly blossomed into one of the most anticipated music events along the Outer Banks, and attendees will be treated to a wealth of acclaimed bands, from legendary national acts, to homegrown bluegrass performers who will have everyone’s toes tapping.

The group which hosts the tournament, Capitol City Four Wheelers, is based out of Virginia and is always looking for new members who love and promote safe 4WD accessible driving. For an October surf fishing tournament that revolves around driving along the incredible beaches of Hatteras Island, the Capitol City Surf Fishing Tournament is certainly one to watch.

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is rapidly becoming one of the highlights of the fall season, with plenty of fresh seafood, storytelling, and activities to keep everyone fully entertained. This all-day event takes place at the waterfront Event Site in Nags Head, and is a family-friendly outing that will make anyone fall in love with this staple of the Outer Banks’ culinary cuisine.

The Outer Banks, and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in particular, is known as one of the best bird watching destinations in the world, and the annual Wings Over Water celebrates this distinction like no other local festival. The weeklong event, which is held each October, features a wide range of educational programs, lectures, and opportunities to meet and greet with fellow birders. During this year's festival, attendees will also have the opportunity to go on guided birding trips, attend art and photography workshops, take a tram or kayak tour of National Wildlife Refuge, visit an ancient maritime forest, and much, much more. A complete schedule can be found online at the organization's website, and attendees should note that some programs do cost a small fee to participate.

Registration is currently open for the Annual North Carolina Beach Buggy Association’s (NCBBA) Red Drum Tournament. The tournament features more than $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

The tournament offers miles of naturally isolated fishing grounds along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, allowing anglers to maintain social distance while enjoying the exceptional fall fishing conditions of the Outer Banks. Anglers fish from ORV Ramp 23 to Ramp 38, and possiblly Ramps 43 and 44 if judge availability permits. Anglers may fish where they please within the tournament boundaries, as there are no station assignments during the 60 hours of wide-open fishing. This year’s banquet and awards ceremony may be subject to restrictions by state or local authorities in regard to group gatherings, depending on the state of the Coronavirus pandemic.

A celebration of flight and beer, OBX Brewtag is modeled after the whimsical and entertaining Red Bull Flutag, translated to “flying day” in German. With OBX Brewtag, the general premise is the same, although rather than human-powered flying machines, Brewtag contestants will be competing to see who can launch and fly an empty 1/6 keg barrel the furthest.

Admission to the OBX Brewtag is free for everyone, and the sky is the limit as to how creative your homemade flying contraption can be! Individuals and teams are welcome.

Admission to the event is FREE to the general public. A rather crafty selection of local and regional beer and food will be available for purchase that day. This family-friendly event will also feature plenty of activities for the kiddos!

Enjoy a day at the Manteo waterfront and see wooden boats displayed in the water and on the grounds of the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum at this special event that pays homage to the region’s deep ties to maritime history and culture.

Get a head start to your fall fun with this lightly competitive road race that is open to active visitors of all ages. Hosted by the Kitty Hawk Elementary School, the Flying Falcon Road Race is a great way for residents and vacationers to get into the local spirit while cruising through some of the more scenic sections of the central Outer Banks.

Celebrate the vibrant Latino community on Ocracoke Island which has been growing and thriving in the past 20 years with this special festival that features a wealth of tempting foods, arts and crafts, music, activities for kids, and much more. Held at the Ocracoke School during the day and the Ocracoke Community Center at night, this festival deliciously combines education and effortless fun to present a day that visitors of all tastes will adore.

Get your Thanksgiving off to a fun and active start with this event that combines a little fitness with a world of exceptional brews. The Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile is a great Wednesday precursor to the Thanksgiving Day feast, and it entails a drink-and-run course that beer lovers and runners alike will enjoy to the fullest.

Get your Turkey Day celebration off to a fun and fast-paced start with this annual event that is quickly becoming a highlight of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Surfin' Turkey 5k and Puppy Drum Run is presented by the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund (HIYEF), and is a great opportunity to support a favorite local cause while enjoying miles of fun in the heart of Hatteras village.

Get a head start on the holiday season with this post-Thanksgiving event that offers a world of fun for visitors of all ages. Held at the flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store in Nags Head, this two-day event features amazing shopping, activities, demos and displays, and - of course - a visit by old St. Nick himself to allow kids to get a jump start on their Christmas lists.

Ignite your holiday spirit with this special annual event that combines the natural beauty of the Outer Banks with twinkling Christmas lights for an unforgettable display and seasonal experience. The Kites With Lights event is hosted by the flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store that’s just across the street from Jockey’s Ridge State Park, and the beautiful landscape of twinkling kites with the iconic massive sand dunes of the park in the background will be a sight that spectators won’t soon forget.

Visitors who missed the annual Wings Over Water festival - or who just want a second opportunity to admire the hundreds and thousands of birds that flock to the Outer Banks – won’t want to miss this special weekend where these feathered visitors are once again in the spotlight. The Wings Over Water Encore event is a weekend-long celebration of the many wintering waterfowl that are found at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and beyond, and is a great way for birders to discover the off-season beauty of the OBX.

Enjoy an uplifting experience at the exact location where aviation was born at the annual Celebration of the Wright Brothers First Flight at the impossible-to-miss Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. This day-long celebration honors the birthplace of flight, with a commemoration that coincides with the precise time that the first successful launch took place, and a wealth of activities throughout the day that will delight aviation fans of all ages.