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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Celebrate the autumn season at Harvest Heyday, a favorite annual event at the stunning Elizabethan Gardens that invites visitors of all ages to sample the flavors, colors, and fun of the fall in one of the most scenic destinations on the Outer Banks.

Embark on an adventure off the Outer Banks shoreline for this fun annual event that’s held in the heart of the Currituck Mainland. The Currituck Heritage Festival is a veritable celebration of All Things Inner Banks, with a wealth of activities, fun and games for kids, and a famous BBQ competition that will have all attendees ready to dive into this North Carolina staple.

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 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.

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.

Please take note of changes for 2020: Tradition, sparkle, laughter, and goodwill all wrapped up with holiday spirit – that is the gift of the Christmas holiday season.  This year that gift may not come in the form of a parade lined with whimsical floats or a big tree lighting ceremony but it will be a festive time full of activities highlighting and sharing traditions, both old and new. 

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.

The Hatteras Village Waterfowl Festival in the beautiful village of Hatteras, will be back for the third year for 2022! It celebrates the diverse waterfowl resource native to the island. During festival, you will find carvers, artists, vendors and many demonstrations such as a live raptor show, historical bus tours of the village, a bird watching cruise, an interactive duck exhibit and much, much more. Gold Tickets are available and holders gain admission to the amazing "Fin, Feather and Bourbon" social on Friday evening, featuring small plates and local seafood and a Sunday Brunch. Day pass tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children over 5, which includes lunch. Gold Tickets are $50 for the whole weekend. 

For an Outer Banks celebration that revolves around family fun, and encompasses the best of the Outer Banks' spirit, make plans to catch a good glimpse of the Outer Banks St. Patrick's Day Parade. With moderate temperatures and plenty of southern hospitality, this event can kick-off a fantastic week-long vacation or spring break on the Outer Banks.

The stunning butterflies of the Elizabethan Gardens take center stage at this enchanting event that is celebrating its fourth year on the Outer Banks in 2021. Back by popular demand, the Butterfly Festival at the Elizabethan Gardens will be a crowd pleaser for both the young and the young-at-heart, thanks to a colorful array of activities and events that perfectly correspond with some of the gardens’ most notable and vibrant residents.

The stunning butterflies of the Elizabethan Gardens take center stage at this enchanting event that is celebrating its fourth year on the Outer Banks in 2021. Back by popular demand, the Butterfly Festival at the Elizabethan Gardens will be a crowd pleaser for both the young and the young-at-heart, thanks to a colorful array of activities and events that perfectly correspond with some of the gardens’ most notable and vibrant residents.

The stunning butterflies of the Elizabethan Gardens take center stage at this enchanting event that is celebrating its fourth year on the Outer Banks in 2021. Back by popular demand, the Butterfly Festival at the Elizabethan Gardens will be a crowd pleaser for both the young and the young-at-heart, thanks to a colorful array of activities and events that perfectly correspond with some of the gardens’ most notable and vibrant residents.

The stunning butterflies of the Elizabethan Gardens take center stage at this enchanting event that is celebrating its fourth year on the Outer Banks in 2021. Back by popular demand, the Butterfly Festival at the Elizabethan Gardens will be a crowd pleaser for both the young and the young-at-heart, thanks to a colorful array of activities and events that perfectly correspond with some of the gardens’ most notable and vibrant residents.

The stunning butterflies of the Elizabethan Gardens take center stage at this enchanting event that is celebrating its fourth year on the Outer Banks in 2021. Back by popular demand, the Butterfly Festival at the Elizabethan Gardens will be a crowd pleaser for both the young and the young-at-heart, thanks to a colorful array of activities and events that perfectly correspond with some of the gardens’ most notable and vibrant residents.

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.

Now celebrating its fourth year, this family-friendly event is a collection of music, sports, and OBX fun, and features a full roster of activities and entertainment to keep everyone in the party smiling. Special events within the Dare2Care OBX Shred Fest line-up include multiple bands and musicians throughout the day, live demos performed by professional skateboarders and BMX riders, a special appearance by roller derby women, appearances by Special Olympics athletes, and much, much more. In addition, the festivities will have a host of games for patrons of all ages, food, and local art vendors for unique and one-of-a-kind OBX treasures. 

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.

Enjoy one of the most scenic corners of the Outer Banks while joining in the fun of one of the longest running festivals in Manteo by attending the 45th annual Dare Day Festival. This full-day event is held along the downtown waterfront, and features a wide array of activities and attractions that shine a spotlight on the local Manteo culture. Live music will kick off at around 11:00 a.m., with the original Rhondels – a famed soul and beach music band - on the Downtown stage. Throughout the day, there will also be a number of events designed for water and OBX lovers of all ages, including the now famous Hogway Speedway Racing Pigs, the locally beloved “Anything that Floats but a Boat” Race, the Raingutter Regatta, a Kids Zone, and the annual competition for the best cake and pie in Dare County with a coveted blue ribbon prize.

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.

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.

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.