Outer Banks Food, Beer & Wine Events - 2026 Schedule

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.

For a beach bike week that's big on hospitality but also provides ample room to roam, head to the Outer Banks. With miles of new terrain, incredible views, and lots of bike-friendly businesses welcoming two-wheel guests, it's no surprise that the Outer Banks is gaining recognition as one of the East Coast's best destinations for a fun beach bike week.

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.

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.

At the annual Artrageous Art Extravaganza, everyone can enjoy a little hands-on creativity with lots of interactive displays, live demos, and fun artistic activities for the young and the young at heart. This full day affair which combines art, music, and the friendly spirit of the Outer Banks, is an annual tradition that began in 1989, and which has become a favorite event for visitors of all ages.

The annual Ocracoke Volunteer Firemen's Ball has become a tradition for longtime visitors and locals alike, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun of this special event that celebrates the island’s inherent sense of community.

Head to the cool and relaxed Outer Banks 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.

Head to the cool and relaxed Outer Banks 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.

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.

Peruse a colorful array of vibrant artworks and crafts while enjoying the postcard-perfect setting on the grounds of the Whalehead Club by attending the Annual Under the Oaks Art Festival. This popular festival brings together a collection of talented artists and artisans who will share their wares in a pretty outdoor setting that will make shoppers want to linger and enjoy the views over the Currituck Sound.

Join the Outer Banks Brewing Station in a fun Independence Day weekend run that presents plenty of reason to celebrate. This adult 21 and over celebration starts with a refreshing brew before an easy-going, mile-long jog, walk or run around the heart of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills.

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.

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.

Take a step back in time to the Outer Banks of the mid-1800s, and celebrate Independence Day in a historical fashion, with a visit to The Island Farm. Located in the heart of Manteo, The Island Farm is a unique attraction that takes visitors on a tour of what life was like for island residents more than 150 years ago. Featuring a wealth of historic homes with period artifacts, live farm animals, and costumed interpreters who explain what life was like for these original locals, The Island Farm is both an educational and utterly fascinating attraction for visitors of all ages.

Celebrating its 13th year in 2026, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Ocracoke Health Center is hosting its fourth fundraising Seafood Festival in 2025, which was revitalized and returned to the island after Hurricane Dorian hit Ocracoke Island in 2019. Featuring live music, a live auction and silent auction, and plenty of fresh seafood, the late summer festival is a great way for Ocracoke newcomers and visitors to discover what the great flavors of this island are all about.

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.

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 made 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.

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.

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.