Outer Banks Events - 2023 Schedule

Not for the faint of heart, the Blackbeard's Revenge 100 is a relatively new event that first launched in 2019, and which will test the strongest athletes from the Outer Banks area and miles beyond. Covering a lengthy coastal course that extends for 100 miles, this scenic but tough race will push athletes to the limit as they head from the northernmost beaches of the OBX all the way down to the southern tip of Hatteras Island.

Enjoy a wide open but perfectly comfortable tour of the expansive Alligator River National Wildlife refuge with this special weekly event that will engage nature lovers of all varieties. The Open-air Tram Tour takes visitors on a breezy trip through the heart of the refuge, and presents a wonderful opportunity to learn all about the wild residents who call this large parcel of barely-inland terrain home

For a beach bike week that's big on hospitality but also provides ample room to roam, head to the Outer Banks. With miles of new terrain, incredible views, and lots of bike-friendly businesses welcoming two-wheel guests, it's no surprise that the Outer Banks is gaining recognition as one of the East Coast's best destinations for a fun beach bike week.

Put on your best eyepatch and get ready for a fun and engaging race that traces the steps of some of piracy’s most notable characters. The Ocracoke Island Scallywag 5K/10K/half-marathon is an annual running event on Ocracoke Island that attracts fitness fans of all ages and abilities, and which takes the village by storm via a fun and engaging course that’s close to the shoreline.

Automobile enthusiasts can meet and greet with fellow aficionados while exploring some of the most stunning coastlines that North Carolina has to offer at this two-day festival that features a wide array of ways to have fun. The OBX Rod And Custom Festival is a special celebration of vintage and antique cars that will boast a host of family-friendly activities, from local food, to cruise-ins, to displays that will impress car fans of all tastes and ages.

Enjoy a wide open but perfectly comfortable tour of the expansive Alligator River National Wildlife refuge with this special weekly event that will engage nature lovers of all varieties. The Open-air Tram Tour takes visitors on a breezy trip through the heart of the refuge, and presents a wonderful opportunity to learn all about the wild residents who call this large parcel of barely-inland terrain home

The Annual Wooden Boat Show isn’t just for master craftsmen and adults, as kids will find a wealth of activities designed with them in mind at the corresponding Wooden Boat Kids event. Held throughout the two-day festival at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, this event allows kids to join in the fun through an array of hands-on activities, demonstrations, arts and crafts, competitions, and more.

Come and enjoy a scenic run through some of the prettiest terrain that the central Outer Banks has to offer with this race that has been going strong for more than 35 years. The Annual Nags Head Woods 5K Run is a great running event that falls on Mother’s Day Weekend, and which features plenty of reasons to put on your sneakers and hit the road, and the sandy, wooded trails.

The annual Ocracoke Volunteer Firemen's Ball has become a tradition for longtime Memorial Day visitors and locals alike, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun of this special event that celebrates the island’s inherent sense of community.

Get your toes tapping with an island celebration of musicians, storytellers, artisans, local food, and so much more by joining in the community-wide fun of the Ocrafolk Festival. This full weekend event is held in the heart of Ocracoke Village, with multiple performances and activities happening around virtually every corner of Silver Lake Harbor.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.