Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule

Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule
This Week
Thursday, July 30th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 6th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 13th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 20th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 27th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Rodanthe

Visitors can take a step back in time and learn how the heroes of the original US Life-Saving Service performed their daring rescues and everyday duties through this special live demonstration that’s held on the grounds of the oceanside Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.

Week of August 3, 2026 - August 9, 2026
Thursday, August 6th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 30th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 13th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 20th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 27th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Rodanthe

Visitors can take a step back in time and learn how the heroes of the original US Life-Saving Service performed their daring rescues and everyday duties through this special live demonstration that’s held on the grounds of the oceanside Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.

Friday, August 7th - Saturday, August 8th
Ocracoke

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.

Week of August 10, 2026 - August 16, 2026
Thursday, August 13th - Friday, August 14th
Nags Head

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.

Thursday, August 13th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 30th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 6th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 20th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 27th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Rodanthe

Visitors can take a step back in time and learn how the heroes of the original US Life-Saving Service performed their daring rescues and everyday duties through this special live demonstration that’s held on the grounds of the oceanside Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.

Sunday, August 16th
Rodanthe

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.

Week of August 17, 2026 - August 23, 2026
Wednesday, August 19th
Kill Devil Hills

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.  

Thursday, August 20th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 30th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 6th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 13th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 27th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Rodanthe

Visitors can take a step back in time and learn how the heroes of the original US Life-Saving Service performed their daring rescues and everyday duties through this special live demonstration that’s held on the grounds of the oceanside Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.

Week of August 24, 2026 - August 30, 2026
Thursday, August 27th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 30th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 6th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 13th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, August 20th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Rodanthe

Visitors can take a step back in time and learn how the heroes of the original US Life-Saving Service performed their daring rescues and everyday duties through this special live demonstration that’s held on the grounds of the oceanside Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.

Week of October 5, 2026 - October 11, 2026
Saturday, October 10th
ocracoke

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.

Week of October 26, 2026 - November 1, 2026
Friday, October 30th - Saturday, October 31st
Ocracoke

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.

Week of December 14, 2026 - December 20, 2026
Thursday, December 17th
Kill Devil Hills

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.

Week of April 26, 2027 - May 2, 2027
Friday, April 30th - Saturday, May 1st
Kill Devil Hills

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.

Outer Banks Map
Carova Corolla Duck Southern Shores Kitty Hawk Kill Devil Hills Manteo Nags Head Wanchese Rodanthe Waves Salvo Avon Buxton Frisco Hatteras Ocracoke
Lighthouse 5K Series
Aug 4

August 4, 2026

(+ more dates)

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead...

Miller's Waterfront Restaurant

MILLER’S OFFERS ONE OF THE FEW TRULY WATERFRONT DINING EXPERIENCES ON THE OUTER BANKS. Enjoy casual dining in our downstairs family-friendly seafood restaurant, or our signature drinks and grill menu in our upstairs deck bar while watching...

5733 - Mama's Dream

Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! Welcome to Mama’s Dream where you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful ocean views, bright open spaces, and easy access to the best of Nags Head...

  • Nags Head
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
Captain Johnny's Dolphin Tours

Join Captain Stuart Wescott aboard The Captain Johnny boat for a Guaranteed Dolphin Watch cruise in protected waters off the Outer Banks, NC. This two hour cruise is ideal for all ages. Enjoy breathtaking views as you listen to a...

Bella Vista

OCEANVIEW Rodanthe - Cross of Honor Way - BELLA VISTA translates to striking view, and this impressive Mirlo Beach home, lives up to its name. Located in the ideal spot for birdwatching, fishing, and outdoor adventures, this home directly borders...

  • Rodanthe
  • 10 Bedrooms
  • 8.5 Bathrooms
Donutz on a Stick

Stay, Play and Eat- Donuts, Ice Cream & Coffee Treats! Located on the Duck Boardwalk, behind Dockside Seafood, this breakfast & Dessert-Shop features treats you've never tasted before! Try the hot, made to order, donutz...

Captain Beck's

OCEANFRONT Rodanthe - Laura Lane - Sister Home: This is one of two nearly identical homes sitting beside each other – rent one or both for your group. Or if this home is already rented for your week, take a look at its sister home Horatio's...

  • Rodanthe
  • 8 Bedrooms
  • 6.5 Bathrooms
Wild Horse Adventure Tours

Wild Horse Adventure Tours has been voted the #1 tour company in the USA by TripAdvisor. Feel the ocean breeze and taste the salty beach air as you cruise the Outer Banks beaches in our exclusive OPEN AIR, 13-passenger Hummers with one of...

Sol Solution 254-A

Sol Solution is a well-maintained cottage located on Highway 12, also known as the beach road, in Kitty Hawk. Enjoy stunning sunrise views from the front porch as you sip your morning cup of coffee. The giant windows in the living room offer amazing...

  • Kitty Hawk
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
Kitty Hawk Kites

Looking to fly a kite on the beach or atop the spectacular dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park? Kitty Hawk Kites offers the largest selection of kites, wind art, flags, games, and toys on the Outer Banks, with experts on staff to get you flying...

C113 - Totally Sound

MP 16. Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! Come and enjoy Totally Sound! This Landings at Sugar Creek condo located in Nags Head has everything you need to make your Outer Banks...

  • Nags Head
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3.5 Bathrooms
Resort Realty Property Management

Celebrating 39 years of service in Outer Banks vacation rental property management, Resort Realty is a company that operates locally with in-house feet on the ground; meaning impeccable care for your home with constant communication from our staff...

5243 - Going to Carolina

BEACH GEAR RENTAL INCLUDED! Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! Experience the ultimate beach getaway at Going to Carolina. This oceanfront Kill Devil Hills vacation rental is...

  • Kill Devil Hills
  • 10 Bedrooms
  • 11.5 Bathrooms
Firehouse Boil Delivery

DIY Seafood Boil Don’t Just Make Dinner, Make An Experience! We Deliver on the Outer Banks! Same Day Delivery! Make lasting memories by doing something new with friends and family. Why wait in line at a grocery store or restaurant? Our Low...

Rat Race Retreat 464-D

Escape the rat race of real life at the Rat Race Retreat, a beautifully decorated OBX rental home at milepost 13.5 in Nags Head. With 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, there is room for the whole family!Welcome each morning with coffee on the spacious...

  • Nags Head
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms