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.

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.

Jockey’s Ridge Crossing will be hosting the Annual Sunset Festival this year running from June 10th to August 9th. Make it a fun trip to Jockeys Ridge Crossing to experience their nightly events, shopping, sweet treats and walk up the sand dunes to experience the serene sunsets. The Outer Banks has one of best places to view the evening Sunset on Jockeys Ridge Sand Dunes.  Stop by the Kitty Hawk Kites Store to pickup a kite to fly while watching the sunset. Life on a Sandbar has a little bit of everything, including sand art projects, cool hair wraps/braids and beautiful jewelry. Try some of the best homemade ice cream on the Outer Banks at Scoops and some amazing fudge at the Fudgery. Kitty Hawk Surf Co. has great new items from Salty Crew, Vans, Hurley and more. to some of the best deals for Hobie Kayaks. Stop by Natural Life for some great good vibes product and take your photo in front the new mural!

Jockey’s Ridge Crossing will be hosting the Annual Sunset Festival this year running from June 10th to August 9th. Make it a fun trip to Jockeys Ridge Crossing to experience their nightly events, shopping, sweet treats and walk up the sand dunes to experience the serene sunsets. The Outer Banks has one of best places to view the evening Sunset on Jockeys Ridge Sand Dunes.  Stop by the Kitty Hawk Kites Store to pickup a kite to fly while watching the sunset. Life on a Sandbar has a little bit of everything, including sand art projects, cool hair wraps/braids and beautiful jewelry. Try some of the best homemade ice cream on the Outer Banks at Scoops and some amazing fudge at the Fudgery. Kitty Hawk Surf Co. has great new items from Salty Crew, Vans, Hurley and more. to some of the best deals for Hobie Kayaks. Stop by Natural Life for some great good vibes product and take your photo in front the new mural!

Take a break from the sunny Outer Banks beaches and indulge in a morning of fun and free activities that kids of all ages will adore at this weekly summertime event that launches from the Kitty Hawk Kites store in the heart of Duck. Kids Days is held every Tuesday in the summer months, and is a great chance for kids to explore all the fun things there is to do both on and off the sand, through a wide array of arts and crafts, games, and other activities that will leave everyone smiling.

Let the youngest members in the vacationing party have a ball while enjoying a morning or afternoon break off the beach with this fun-filled day that’s designed just for them. The Kitty Hawk Kites Kids Days in Nags Head features a wealth of activities to keep young explorers entertained, and is a great opportunity to discover all the many ways to have fun on the Outer Banks – both on and off the sand.

Let the youngest members in the vacationing party have a ball while enjoying a morning or afternoon break off the beach with this fun-filled day that’s designed just for them. The Kitty Hawk Kites Kids Days in Waves features a wealth of activities to keep young explorers entertained, and is a great opportunity to discover all the many ways to have fun on the Outer Banks – both on and off the sand.

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.

Jockey’s Ridge Crossing will be hosting the Annual Sunset Festival this year running from June 10th to August 9th. Make it a fun trip to Jockeys Ridge Crossing to experience their nightly events, shopping, sweet treats and walk up the sand dunes to experience the serene sunsets. The Outer Banks has one of best places to view the evening Sunset on Jockeys Ridge Sand Dunes.  Stop by the Kitty Hawk Kites Store to pickup a kite to fly while watching the sunset. Life on a Sandbar has a little bit of everything, including sand art projects, cool hair wraps/braids and beautiful jewelry. Try some of the best homemade ice cream on the Outer Banks at Scoops and some amazing fudge at the Fudgery. Kitty Hawk Surf Co. has great new items from Salty Crew, Vans, Hurley and more. to some of the best deals for Hobie Kayaks. Stop by Natural Life for some great good vibes product and take your photo in front the new mural!

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.

Join in a community effort to keep the beaches looking clean and pristine for weeks and even months to come with this seasonal Beach Clean-up that is open to visitors and locals alike. Held in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, this town-wide clean up allows visitors to contribute to the local environment all while meeting some great folks and having a lot of fun along the way.

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, 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.

Join in a community effort to keep the beaches looking clean and pristine for weeks and even months to come with this seasonal Beach Clean-up that is open to visitors and locals alike. Held in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, this town-wide clean up allows visitors to contribute to the local environment all while meeting some great folks and having a lot of fun along the way.

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.