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.

Surfers, filmmakers, movie buffs, nature fans, and curious visitors alike can all come together for an incredible film festival that celebrates all things aquatic. Presented by Cucalorus and the Dare County Arts Council, this three-day celebration of coastal North Carolina marine culture is sure to impress movie fans of all varieties, with an array of local and regional films that highlight life by the coastal waters.

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.

Be captivated by the John Brown Groove Shop Band, firmly rooted in the heart of funk and rhythm and blues.  The repertoire of this 13-piece group includes music of the '70's and '80's from bands like Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Gap Band and more.

Enjoy a special opportunity to see Hatteras Island after hours from a bird’s eye perspective with the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Full Moon Climb. This one-night-only tour leads a small group of lighthouse visitors to the very top of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to enjoy unparalleled views of the island that extend from Avon to Buxton and beyond, and which includes miles of Atlantic Ocean.

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 that’s now in its second year 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.

Take advantage of the spectacular fall fishing while enjoying an opportunity to reel in a few prizes at this annual tournament where the red drum steals the scene. The Jim Mulford Red Drum Tournament focuses on red drum catches, and is an engaging tournament that launches from one of the Outer Banks’ favorite destinations for anglers and sightseers alike, Jennette’s Fishing Pier.  

Music lovers everywhere have started to flock to the Outer Banks in the fall 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 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.

Discover a wealth of local talents from the southern Outer Banks region at the Island Art Show. Held at the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center in the town of Rodanthe, this indoor / outdoor event that is held rain or shine features more than 20 artists on display who represent a wide variety of mediums. Visitors will find a collection of handmade and artful cutting boards, T-shirts, phone cases, puzzles, jewelry, recycled artworks, specialty crafted hula hoops, magnets, textiles, photography, and so much more.

Discover a veritable treasure trove of homes that are scattered along 60 miles of pristine barrier island coastline with this special annual event that attracts thousands of visitors from all across the region who want to see what’s new and amazing on the Outer Banks home front. The Outer Banks Parade of Homes is a four-day event that visitors can explore at their leisure to discover new structures, new builders, or just to be inspired for their own coastal residence by the sea.

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.

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.

Put your angling and paddling skills to the test with this unique Outer Banks fishing tournament that puts the rapidly growing sport of kayaking fishing in the spotlight. Kitty Hawk Surf Co. will be donating all proceeds of the 2018 Outer Banks Kayak Fishing Tournament to Hurricane Relief for those affected by Hurricane Florence in Eastern North Carolina.

Enjoy a breezy fall outing that starts with a light run or jog and ends with plenty of food, fun, and live music at this annual event that goes to benefit a very worthy local cause, the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation. The HICF Positively Pink 5K is a great outing that’s open to visitors and locals of all ages, and which shows just how fun the Outer Banks can be in the fall when everyone comes together to help out a favorite community organization.

Visitors can get a taste of the glitzy country music scene of Branson, Missouri without ever leaving the islands of the Outer Banks via this special one-day-only performance that features familiar faces, great music, and plenty of laughs. The Stars of the Grand Ole Opry show features the all-star cast of the Ozark Jubilee, and will include a host of familiar Opry tunes and fun that will have everyone’s toes tapping.

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 being 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.

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.

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.

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.

Get your Halloween off to a deliciously spooky start with this unique film festival that’s celebrating its 3rd year on the Outer Banks. The Halloween International Film Festival is a multi-day event that features a wide array of independent movies from all over the region and the world, and which caps off each series of films with a wealth of spooky activities that will get everyone into the seasonal spirit.

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.

Enjoy an evening of history, mystery, and a few spooky surprises along the way at this Halloween-themed event that takes place at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, and which will be a wonderfully scary and engaging event for “kids” of all ages.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 23rd year attracts visitors and locals alike who want to run, walk or “trot” before diving into their afternoon Thanksgiving feast.

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.

Start your Thanksgiving Day with a little action before you start digging into the turkey feast with this annual run that features a family-friendly course, and plenty of ways to explore the local Outer Banks communities. The Outer Banks Running Club OBX Gobbler 5K & Fun Run is an engaging and scenic trek through the Village of Nags Head which is open to runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages, and which is sure to be a great kick-off to Turkey Day for everyone in the crew.

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.

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.

No need to spend all of Thanksgiving Day in the kitchen if you are staying on Ocracoke Island – the Ocracoke Oyster Company has your southern feast waiting and ready to eat. Now celebrating its 6^th year in 2018, the annual Thanksgiving Buffet has become a favorite event for local islanders and visitors alike, and is a great Thanksgiving Day spread that includes all the classic dishes, as well as a few coastally inspired options to enjoy the full flavor of the southern Outer Banks.

Back by popular demand, the Town of Duck invites visitors and locals alike to help them ring in the holiday season with this weekend-long celebration of all things festive. Local shops and merchants will keep their doors open late for holiday shoppers, and local restaurants will sponsor a Tapas crawl, in addition to an array of activities that are designed to ring in the season with style.  

Discover the beauty and heritage of Manteo while enjoying a dose of holiday spirit with the 14th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes, which is hosted by the Manteo Preservation Trust. During this seasonal tour, visitors will be treated to an inside look of some of this town’s most charming and historically relevant homes while sampling light refreshments and exploring the heart of 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.

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.

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.

Discover how creative the talented chefs of the Outer Banks region and beyond can be with this fundraising event that puts a unique and timely spin on the traditional cook-off challenge. During the Beach Food Pantry Holiday Chefs Challenge, area chefs will compete head-to-head to whip up truly delicious dishes with canned foods that are traditionally found in stock at the local Beach Food Pantry. With lots of new tastes to discover, and a worthy cause at the heart of the event, this wintertime celebration is a great way to give back while enjoying a truly distinctive and tempting meal.

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.

Toast the holiday season with lots of down-home flavor and big piles of seafood with this annual event that has attracted locals and visitors with great tastes for more than a decade. The Working Watermen's Oyster Roast, Shrimp Steam and Seafood Stew Fundraiser is held in between Christmas and New Year’s, and is a perfect opportunity for off-season visitors to experience all the delicious coastal fare this small community is known for.

Ring in the New Year in the spot where the New World began at this fun and family-friendly celebration that takes place in the heart of Downtown Manteo. The New Year in The New World is a perfect destination for a family-oriented New Year’s Eve that visitors won’t soon forget, and it features a wealth of activities, attractions, and other fun to start 2019 off with a bang.

Wrestling teams from all over the local Outer Banks coastline and well beyond will head to the beach for this annual championship that is popular with area high schools, sporting enthusiasts, and spectators alike. The Battle At The Beach - High School Invitational Wrestling Tournament has become a highly anticipated tournament that takes place in the heart of the central Outer Banks, and which features a number of local teams to get fans cheering and ready for some great match-ups.

Couples who have always dreamed about a romantic wedding on the Outer Banks will want to attend this special off-season expo that shines a spotlight on all the different wedding vendors that this scenic coastline has to offer. Sponsored by the Outer Banks Wedding Association, this two-day event has become the go-to festival for visitors from all over the country who want to discover how magical it can be to get married on the OBX.