This Week

ESA Easterns Surfing Championships

  • Sunday, September 17th - Saturday, September 23rd
Nags Head

Enjoy a rare opportunity to see the best surfers on the East Coast go head to head at this “grand finale” event that is renowned as one of the best surfing competitions on the Eastern Seaboard.

Week of September 25, 2023 - October 1, 2023

Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge

  • Friday, September 29th - Sunday, October 1st
Waves

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.

ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championship

  • Friday, September 29th 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Nags Head

The National Park Service offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore one of the Outer Banks’ most iconic structures from an entirely new perspective. The Bodie Island Lighthouse Full Moon Tours take place during the summertime and early fall, with a 30-minute ascent up the 219 steps to the lighthouse. Along the way, explorers will enjoy unparalleled views from the top of the balcony, which are illuminated by the brightness of the moon. A wholly unique adventure, the Bodie Island Lighthouse Full Moon Tour is a special event that can’t be missed.

Annual Get Pumped For Pink 5k/10k

  • Saturday, September 30th 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Kitty Hawk

Join this special run through a scenic section of the Outer Banks while promoting the awareness of breast cancer. Serving as an official event in the Outer Banks Hospital’s “Get Pinked!” campaign. This fall 5k / 10k run will appeal to runners, joggers, and anyone who wants to boost awareness of a very worthy cause.

Week of October 2, 2023 - October 8, 2023

Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament

  • Wednesday, October 4th - Friday, October 6th
Nags Head

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.

Outer Banks Parade of Homes

  • Thursday, October 5th - Sunday, October 8th 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Southern Shores

Celebrating its 30th year in 2023, the Outer Banks Home Builder Association's Parade of Homes is an exceptional chance for Outer Banks newcomers and long-time residents alike to discover the many new and enchanting homes for sale on this coveted stretch of the North Carolina coastline.

First Friday in Manteo

  • Friday, October 6th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
more dates....
Manteo

Manteo’s vibrant downtown scene is on full display during this monthly event that highlights the area’s businesses, restaurants and galleries that makes this central Outer Banks community so unique. The First Friday in Manteo is held every month on the initial Friday of the month, and is a street festival that will make any new visitor fall in love with this charming coastal community.

Oink N' Oyster Roast

  • Saturday, October 7th 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Kitty Hawk

Saddle Up to a hearty plate of Eastern North Carolina's favorite fare at the annual Oink N' Oyster Roast. Held at the Longboards Island Grill in Kitty Hawk, and sponsored by the First Flight Rotary Club, this annual feast is a delicious way to support a range of non-profit organizations while filling an amorous appetite for local seafood.

Pumpkin Patch Saturdays

  • Saturday, October 7th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
more dates....
Manteo

Celebrate the fall season at one of the prettiest outdoor attractions in the heart of Roanoke Island with this special weekly event that has become a favorite activity for locals and fall visitors alike. Pumpkin Patch Saturdays are a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults to pick up their own Halloween pumpkins while exploring a myriad of activities and attractions found within the Island Farm.

Week of October 9, 2023 - October 15, 2023

Pumpkin Patch Saturdays

  • Saturday, October 14th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
more dates....
Manteo

Celebrate the fall season at one of the prettiest outdoor attractions in the heart of Roanoke Island with this special weekly event that has become a favorite activity for locals and fall visitors alike. Pumpkin Patch Saturdays are a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults to pick up their own Halloween pumpkins while exploring a myriad of activities and attractions found within the Island Farm.

Fall Open House at the CWHF Farm - Corolla Wild Horse Fund

  • Saturday, October 14th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Grandy

Join us on Saturday, October 14, for a fall open house at the farm! Meet the rescued Corolla horses currently in our care. Get up close, hear their stories, learn their history, and talk with the staff responsible for their care and managing the wild horses. At 11 a.m., a special screening of the award-winning documentary “The Secret of Corolla” will be held, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and CWHF staff.

Week of October 16, 2023 - October 22, 2023

The NC VIP Fishing Tournament

  • Monday, October 16th - Wednesday, October 18th
Nags Head

At the NC VIP Fishing Tournament, the VIP stands for Very Important People as well as Visually Impaired Persons, and this tournament is a truly unique fishing event that ensures everyone can join in the fun of fall fishing on the Outer Banks. Held at Jennette’s Pier, which is well known as one of the best spots along the Outer Banks to drop a line, this tournament is the largest service project of its kind in the world, and is a great opportunity for VIPs everywhere to reel in some amazing catches, and some great times.

Wings Over Water

  • Tuesday, October 17th - Sunday, October 22nd
Rodanthe

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.

Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival

  • Thursday, October 19th - Saturday, October 21st
Manteo

Music lovers everywhere have started to flock to the Outer Banks for this “New” tradition that adds a roster of acclaimed bands with one of the prettiest venues along the North Carolina coastline. The Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, and this year’s event is no exception, with a number of regionally and nationally famous bands already signed up to perform in the multi-day event.

Bluegrass Island Festival

  • Thursday, October 19th - Saturday, October 21st
Manteo

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.

Pumpkin Patch Saturdays

  • Saturday, October 21st 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
more dates....
Manteo

Celebrate the fall season at one of the prettiest outdoor attractions in the heart of Roanoke Island with this special weekly event that has become a favorite activity for locals and fall visitors alike. Pumpkin Patch Saturdays are a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults to pick up their own Halloween pumpkins while exploring a myriad of activities and attractions found within the Island Farm.

Ocracoke Working Waterman’s Festival

  • Saturday, October 21st 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
ocracoke

Join the Ocracoke Preservation Society in celebrating Ocracoke heritage with its rich history and continuing tradition of working on the water with this unique festival that is making its grand debut in 2023. Held on the grounds of the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum, this festival will celebrate these traditions with booths and exhibits with the watermen themselves, as well as plenty of food and fun to go around.

Week of October 23, 2023 - October 29, 2023

NCBBA Red Drum Tournament

  • Wednesday, October 25th - Saturday, October 28th
Avon

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.

Blackbeard's Pirate Jamboree

  • Friday, October 27th - Saturday, October 28th
Ocracoke

Come to Ocracoke Island for a Pirate Halloween! The Ocracoke Pirate Jamboree is an annual and multiple-day event that is highlighted by a family-friendly Pirate Encampment by Blackbeard's Pirate Crew on Ocracoke Island, and an ensuing world of fun on the southern Outer Banks.

Roanoke Island Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Show

  • Saturday, October 28th 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Manteo

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.

Outer Banks Brewtag

  • Saturday, October 28th 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Nags Head

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 in 2023 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!

Pumpkin Patch Saturdays

  • Saturday, October 28th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
more dates....
Manteo

Celebrate the fall season at one of the prettiest outdoor attractions in the heart of Roanoke Island with this special weekly event that has become a favorite activity for locals and fall visitors alike. Pumpkin Patch Saturdays are a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults to pick up their own Halloween pumpkins while exploring a myriad of activities and attractions found within the Island Farm.

The Beer Witch Project

  • Saturday, October 28th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Kill Devil Hills

Costumes, ghouls, beer, and a little run through the OBX – if this fits your idea of a cool Halloween celebration, then you’ll want to join in the fun of the “The Beer Witch Project,” which is a one-mile beer run that’s hosted by the Outer Banks Brewing Station in the heart of the central Outer Banks.

OBX Wind

  • Saturday, October 28th - Saturday, November 4th
Avon

Head to Hatteras Island for one of the biggest windsurfing events in the country with the annual OBX-Wind Competition. Held on multiple days during one of the prime local seasons for wind-based watersports, this incredible series of events will entice windsurfers of all skill levels to meet and mingle with their colleagues, have some fun on the water, and enjoy a race or two that is truly challenging, engaging, and which can only be found on the Outer Banks.

Week of October 30, 2023 - November 5, 2023

OBX Wind

  • Saturday, October 28th - Saturday, November 4th
Avon

Head to Hatteras Island for one of the biggest windsurfing events in the country with the annual OBX-Wind Competition. Held on multiple days during one of the prime local seasons for wind-based watersports, this incredible series of events will entice windsurfers of all skill levels to meet and mingle with their colleagues, have some fun on the water, and enjoy a race or two that is truly challenging, engaging, and which can only be found on the Outer Banks.

Trunk or Treat

  • Tuesday, October 31st 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Avon

Discover just how spirited that Hatteras Island and the southern Outer Banks can be during the fall holidays with this special event that will delight local and vacationing kids and their families alike. Trunk or Treat is becoming a favorite annual Halloween celebration, and is a great opportunity for kids to load up on candy in a safe, central, and wonderfully convenient location.

Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament

  • Wednesday, November 1st - Friday, November 3rd
Hatteras

Renowned as one of the oldest fishing tournaments on the East Coast, the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament is also one of the biggest Hatteras island tournaments of the years, with hundreds of anglers flocking to the southern Outer Banks for exceptional fall fishing that can't be found anywhere else. With big prizes and plenty of opportunities to have fun off the beach, this tournament has become a generations-old tradition for local and visiting anglers alike. 

First Friday in Manteo

  • Friday, November 3rd 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
more dates....
Manteo

Manteo’s vibrant downtown scene is on full display during this monthly event that highlights the area’s businesses, restaurants and galleries that makes this central Outer Banks community so unique. The First Friday in Manteo is held every month on the initial Friday of the month, and is a street festival that will make any new visitor fall in love with this charming coastal community.

Festival Latino de Ocracoke

  • Friday, November 3rd - Saturday, November 4th
Ocracoke

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.

OBX Veterans Week

  • Friday, November 3rd - Sunday, November 12th
Manteo

Through arts, music, and miles of fun, the Outer Banks celebrates visiting and local veterans alike through this special event that has a wealth of ways to stay entertained while discovering the heart of the islands’ cultural scene. OBX Veterans Week is an annual event which honors veterans and their families through live concerts, cool activities and arts in downtown Manteo, and so much more.

Alligator River Guided Open-Air Tram Tour

  • Saturday, November 4th 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
more dates....
Manns Harbor

Thrill to front-row views of black bears, deer, and even alligators from the safety of a vehicle with a special Alligator River Guided Open-Air Tram Tour. Held weekly in the summer months, these unique tours present a wild opportunity to check out the local wildlife while learning all about what makes this region wholly unique.

Flying Falcon Road Race

  • Sunday, November 5th 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Southern Shores

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.

Week of November 6, 2023 - November 12, 2023

OBX Veterans Week

  • Friday, November 3rd - Sunday, November 12th
Manteo

Through arts, music, and miles of fun, the Outer Banks celebrates visiting and local veterans alike through this special event that has a wealth of ways to stay entertained while discovering the heart of the islands’ cultural scene. OBX Veterans Week is an annual event which honors veterans and their families through live concerts, cool activities and arts in downtown Manteo, and so much more.

Week of November 13, 2023 - November 19, 2023

The Wall That Heals Exhibit

  • Thursday, November 16th - Sunday, November 19th
Nags Head

One of the most famous traveling exhibits in the country is paying a visit to the Outer Banks in this special event that honors the veterans of the Vietnam War. On Veterans Day in November of 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) unveiled a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was designed to travel to communities throughout the country.

Chicamacomico Thanksgiving Week Festivities

  • Sunday, November 19th - Saturday, November 25th
Rodanthe

Head to one of the Outer Banks' most unique and historic sites during Thanksgiving week for an array of educational and fun events that will appeal to the whole family. The Chicamacomico Thanksgiving Week Festivities event is an annual collection of distinctive activities that include a pig pickin’, a visit from Santa, and much, much more.

Week of November 20, 2023 - November 26, 2023

Chicamacomico Thanksgiving Week Festivities

  • Sunday, November 19th - Saturday, November 25th
Rodanthe

Head to one of the Outer Banks' most unique and historic sites during Thanksgiving week for an array of educational and fun events that will appeal to the whole family. The Chicamacomico Thanksgiving Week Festivities event is an annual collection of distinctive activities that include a pig pickin’, a visit from Santa, and much, much more.

Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile

  • Wednesday, November 22nd 11:00 AM
Kill Devil Hills

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.

Annual ADVICE 5K Turkey Trot

  • Thursday, November 23rd 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Duck

Start a Thanksgiving holiday by participating in one of the Northern Outer Banks’ favorite traditions – the Annual ADVICE 5K Turkey Trot. This event which is now in its 27th year in 2023 attracts visitors and locals alike who want to run, walk or “trot” before diving into their afternoon Thanksgiving feast.

Surfin' Turkey 5k and Puppy Drum Run

  • Thursday, November 23rd 8:00 AM
Hatteras

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.

Hangin' With Santa

  • Friday, November 24th - Saturday, November 25th
Nags Head

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.

 

Hatteras Island Arts and Craft Guild Holiday Show

  • Friday, November 24th - Saturday, November 25th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Buxton

Get into the holiday spirit while perusing a far-reaching range of arts and crafts that are delightfully one-of-a-kind with this seasonal event that always attracts locals and visiting shoppers alike. The Hatteras Island Arts and Craft Guild Holiday Show showcases a wide variety of talented regional artists and craftsmen, and is a favorite destination for holiday shoppers of all tastes who love to find those perfect coastal gifts and treasures.

Ocracoke Parade of Boats

  • Friday, November 24th
Ocracoke

Ring in the holidays island-style with this seasonal parade that takes place on the waters that surrounds Ocracoke village. The Ocracoke Parade of Boats is a celebration of life on the water, and this annual procession of ships of all shapes and sizes is sure to make anyone fall in love with the coastal scene and community that calls Ocracoke Island home.

Kites With Lights

  • Saturday, November 25th 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Nags Head

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.

Week of November 27, 2023 - December 3, 2023

First Friday in Manteo

  • Friday, December 1st 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
more dates....
Manteo

Manteo’s vibrant downtown scene is on full display during this monthly event that highlights the area’s businesses, restaurants and galleries that makes this central Outer Banks community so unique. The First Friday in Manteo is held every month on the initial Friday of the month, and is a street festival that will make any new visitor fall in love with this charming coastal community.

Christmas on the North End

  • Friday, December 1st 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Manteo

Head to the Island Farm in Manteo where history, local culture, and the holiday spirit will combine for a fun and multiple-day event that showcases the holiday traditions of the earliest days on the Outer Banks.

Alligator River Guided Open-Air Tram Tour

  • Saturday, December 2nd 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
more dates....
Manns Harbor

Thrill to front-row views of black bears, deer, and even alligators from the safety of a vehicle with a special Alligator River Guided Open-Air Tram Tour. Held weekly in the summer months, these unique tours present a wild opportunity to check out the local wildlife while learning all about what makes this region wholly unique.

Week of December 4, 2023 - December 10, 2023

Wings Over Water Encore

  • Friday, December 8th - Sunday, December 10th
Manteo

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.

Hatteras Island Christmas Parade

  • Saturday, December 9th 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Hatteras

Join in the fun of one of the most festive celebrations on Hatteras Island with this annual Christmas parade that has become a decades-long tradition for locals and holiday visitors alike. The Hatteras Island Christmas Parade combines local businesses, fire departments, the US Coast Guard, and non-profit organizations in a joyful and small-town parade that will inspire anyone to get into the holiday spirit.

Week of December 11, 2023 - December 17, 2023

Shuck Hatteras Oyster Festival

  • Friday, December 15th
Rodanthe

Celebrating its second year in 2023, Shuck Hatteras is Hatteras Island’s newest food-centric festival, and this unique wintertime event is a fun community celebration that is brimming with music, entertainment, and plenty of oysters to go around.

Celebration of Wright Brothers First Flight

  • Sunday, December 17th
Kill Devil Hills

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.

Week of March 18, 2024 - March 24, 2024

Blackbeard's Revenge 100

  • Saturday, March 23rd - Sunday, March 24th
Corolla

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.

Week of April 22, 2024 - April 28, 2024

Scallywag 5K/10K/half-marathon

  • Saturday, April 27th - Sunday, April 28th
Ocracoke

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.

Week of April 29, 2024 - May 5, 2024

Wooden Boat Kids

  • Saturday, May 4th 10:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Beaufort

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.