Outer Banks Festivals Events - 2026 Schedule

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.

Enjoy a full day of live music, coastal scenery, and community spirit at the GrassFed Bluegrass Music Festival, held at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. This outdoor music festival brings together talented bluegrass musicians, local vendors, and music lovers for a celebration of great entertainment in a beautiful waterfront setting along the Roanoke Sound.

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.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

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.

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season at the annual Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting, a beloved Outer Banks tradition that brings residents and visitors together for an evening of festive entertainment, family-friendly activities, and small-town Christmas charm. Held along the scenic downtown Manteo waterfront, this free community celebration marks the official start of the holiday season in one of the Outer Banks' most picturesque historic towns.

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.

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season at the annual Duck Yuletide Celebration, a festive Outer Banks tradition that brings residents and visitors together for an afternoon of holiday entertainment, family-friendly activities, and small-town charm. Held at Duck Town Park, this free community event welcomes guests of all ages to enjoy the sights, sounds, and traditions of Christmas in the heart of Duck.

Get your Outer Banks holiday off to a glittering start with this annual parade that is sure to delight visitors and locals alike. The Manteo Christmas Parade is a time-honored tradition that attracts both participants and spectators from all across the Outer Banks, and which is sure to entice anyone to get into the holiday spirit.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

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.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

Ring in the New Year with a festive waterfront celebration at the annual Meet Me in Manteo New Year's Eve Celebration, a popular Outer Banks tradition that brings residents and visitors together for an evening of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and holiday cheer. Held in the heart of historic downtown Manteo, this free community event offers a memorable way to welcome the new year while enjoying the charm and beauty of Roanoke Island.

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 multiple-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.

Head to the waterfront along Hatteras village at historic Oden’s Dock for this old-fashioned oyster roast that gives back to the island’s coastal environment. The annual event features a world of fresh goodies for attendees to enjoy, which includes plenty of fresh oysters that are ready for shucking, fresh seafood chowder, cornbread, and other snacks and refreshments. There’s also a bake sale planned so that attendees can indulge their sweet tooth after they have had their fill of the array of local seafood.

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.

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.

The Coastal Gardening Festival celebrates gardening on the Outer Banks, bringing together plant enthusiasts, home gardeners, and residents interested in creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes in the region's unique coastal environment.The event offers an opportunity to explore gardening ideas, learn about plants suited to the Outer Banks, and connect with others who share an interest in horticulture. From native plants and flowering perennials to landscaping techniques that accommodate sandy soils, salt spray, and coastal winds, the festival highlights the opportunities and challenges of gardening along North Carolina's coast.

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.

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.

Celebrating its 14th year in 2027, the Hatteras Village Golf Cart Parade is quickly becoming a favorite Independence Day celebration for Hatteras Island visitors and locals alike. Launched in 2013 as a fundraiser for the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation with less than a dozen golf cart participants, today the event features more than 50 or 60  golf carts of all styles, decked out in purely fun and patriotic themes.

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 OBX Jeep Mutiny brings Jeep enthusiasts from across the country to the Outer Banks for a high-energy weekend filled with custom vehicles, beach-town fun, and coastal adventure. The popular event has become a favorite gathering for Jeep owners and fans who come to the OBX to show off their rides, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the Outer Banks community.