Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule

Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule
Week of June 1, 2026 - June 7, 2026
Saturday, June 6th
Manteo

Toast the beginning of the 2026 season for one of the country’s most acclaimed outdoor dramas, The Lost Colony, with this special opening performance at the famed Waterside Theater in the heart of Downtown Manteo. The Lost Colony is the longest-running outdoor drama in America, and is an acclaimed production that tells the story of the first colonists to arrive from England to the “New World,” eventually creating a settlement just steps away from where the performance takes place.

Week of June 29, 2026 - July 5, 2026
Saturday, July 4th 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Manteo

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.

Week of July 13, 2026 - July 19, 2026
Friday, July 17th - Saturday, July 18th
Kill Devil Hills

Now celebrating its 47th year, the Wright Kite Festival is a celebration of aviation that takes place where flight began – the Wright Brothers Memorial. Walk through the sprawling grounds of the museum and gain a little knowledge of the birthplace of aviation and then put this knowledge to the test outside with Kitty Hawk Kites. Large kites will be on display throughout the weekend, joining in the sky with the Wright Memorial!

Week of August 3, 2026 - August 9, 2026
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.

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.  

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.

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
Top 10 Things to do on Hatteras Island

Hatteras Island is an uncrowded, beautiful, and natural coastal destination, but that doesn't mean it's boring! The island offers a wealth of things to do and see. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation or exciting watersports...

Mike Dianna's Grill Room

Welcome to Mike Dianna's Grill Room, home to the finest seafood, USDA prime beef, amazing live entertainment and more! Come have brunch or dinner with us in Corolla on the beautiful Outer Banks. Celebrating over 20 years in the Timbuck II Shopping...

604 | Time Out

Bright, modern décor and an excellent Oceanside location make this recently updated home in Duck home a great vacation choice. "Time Out" offers many features including hardwood floors, tiled baths, gourmet kitchen w/island bar, covered porch, sun...

  • Duck
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe

Enjoy Waterfront Dining at Basnight's Lone Cedar Café where we specialize in fresh and local Outer Banks seafood. If you’re craving the freshest fish, clams, crab, shrimp and oysters from local North Carolina waters, you’ll find...

THE BEACH HOUSE

Overview Graced with over 4,000 square feet of free-flowing living space and situated on the prime oceanfront in Southern Shores, The Beach House ideally captures the playful spirit of the sea. Designer colors, choice upgrades, and...

  • Southern Shores
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
Risky Business Shrimping and Crabbing

If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on activity that the whole family can enjoy together, hop aboard Risky Business for an Outer Banks shrimping and crabbing charter. Our experienced captain and mate will show your group how to pull crab pots...

Blue Yonder SS-41

Where the surf meets the sky, settle into your beach vacation at Blue Yonder, a modern, four-bedroom, pet-friendly, semi-oceanfront home in Southern Shores. Located less than a mile north of Kitty Hawk Pier and just south of the popular town of...

  • Southern Shores
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
Duck Corolla Parasail

Discover the beauty of the Outer Banks with Duck Parasail. Duck Parasail is proud to partner with Corolla Parasail and together, they take pride in being the longest running, family owned and operated parasail company on the Outer Banks. Duck...

4770 - I'm Free

Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! I'm Free, is a stunning oceanside Outer Banks vacation rental located in the heart of Kitty Hawk. This charming OBX rental offers a perfect blend...

  • Kitty Hawk
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
OBX Laser Tag and Arcade

Here’s some high energy entertainment for the kids, and for young adults (or young at heart) who love laser tag. On one side of this large facility is the “moon bounce inflatable room,” where the young ‘uns can go and bounce...

SEA FOREVER

High elevation. Across the street from community playground with toddler lot, basketball goal, soccer field, and swings. Two miles from Wright Memorial Bridge to SEA FOREVER.3 bedrooms (1 with Queen, 1 with Double, 1 with Twins). 2 baths (1 with tub...

  • Southern Shores
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 6
5/23 - 5/30
$1,222  $1,294
$72 off
5/30 - 6/6
$1,362  $1,519
$157 off
6/6 - 6/13
$1,485  $1,664
$179 off
6/13 - 6/20
$1,615  $1,816
$201 off
6/20 - 6/27
$1,672  $1,816
$144 off
7/11 - 7/18
$1,812  $1,961
$149 off
7/18 - 7/25
$1,812  $1,961
$149 off
7/25 - 8/1
$1,808  $1,961
$153 off
8/8 - 8/15
$1,618  $1,700
$82 off
8/15 - 8/22
$1,516  $1,591
$75 off
8/22 - 8/29
$1,349  $1,446
$97 off
8/29 - 9/5
$1,222  $1,294
$72 off
Brew Thru

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go...

Duck Haven

Duck Haven is an amenity-filled, tastefully decorated home located in the ocean-to-sound Tuckahoe neighborhood in Duck on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This comfortable & well-maintained, family-oriented home in a cul-de-sac setting will...

  • Duck
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
6/9 - 6/16
$3,804  $4,104
$300 off
Coastal Home OBX

Distinctive, Authentic, Affordable Coastal Furniture & Design. Beach Living Furniture Line • Largest In-Stock Furniture Warehouse on the OBX • Professional Design Services. Transform your home—visit our showroom in Kill Devil...

SNOW GOOSE

At this semi-oceanfront gem, just one lot from the ocean, enjoy coffee or cocktails on the upper deck while watching dolphins splashing and pelicans diving into the ocean or relax on the lower deck rope swing for two to the sound of crashing...

  • Duck
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
5/31 - 6/7
$2,507  $2,857
$350 off
6/14 - 6/21
$3,095  $3,524
$429 off
6/21 - 6/28
$3,224  $3,524
$300 off
7/5 - 7/12
$3,524  $3,857
$333 off
7/12 - 7/19
$3,524  $3,857
$333 off
8/23 - 8/30
$2,474  $2,691
$217 off
8/30 - 9/6
$2,182  $2,357
$175 off