Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule

Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule
This Week
Friday, May 8th 11:00 AM
Ocracoke

Visitors can pay tribute to the fallen heroes of Ocracoke’s past at this special and inspired ceremony that pays homage to the heroes who lost their lives off the island’s coast. Orchestrated by the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, the Ocracoke community, the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary 16-04, the National Park Service, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the annual British Cemetery Ceremony is a historic and landmark event that honors Ocracoke’s tumultuous past.

Friday, May 8th 11:00 AM
Buxton

In mid-May, representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Navy, British Royal Navy, and National Park Service come together at the British Cemeteries on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island to honor the 63 foreign sailors who perished while protecting our coast.

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
Ocracoke Harbor

The Ocracoke Harbor is easily the busiest quarter mile stretch of Ocracoke Island. Consisting of a small, lagoon-like section of saltwater, and lined by a semi-circle of docks, restaurants, shops, marinas and motels, visitors will find that any and...

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...

THE OBX RX

If salt air and fresh breezes are what the doctor ordered, then this is the home for you! When you come to the Outer Banks for a beach vacation, if you want to see, hear and smell the ocean from your beach home, and this home delivers! Located at...

  • Kitty Hawk
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
5/8 - 5/15
$1,883  $2,376
$493 off
6/5 - 6/12
$3,987  $4,438
$451 off
7/17 - 7/24
$5,177  $5,423
$246 off
7/31 - 8/7
$5,001  $5,423
$422 off
8/14 - 8/21
$3,773  $3,945
$172 off
8/21 - 8/28
$3,493  $3,699
$206 off
8/28 - 9/4
$2,976  $3,163
$187 off
9/4 - 9/11
$2,792  $2,815
$23 off
Jimmy's Seafood Buffet

Home of the Crab Leg & Lobster Buffet for 26! years! Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet is a great stop for an all you can eat affordable dinner extravaganza. The buffet offers over 100 different items. It even serves Jumbo Alaskan crab legs and Jumbo...

K0703 A Beach Escape at Admirals View II...

Welcome to A Beach Escape at Admirals View III by KEES Vacations! New for 2026: A Beach Escape just got even better, now upgraded to a spacious King En Suite and Full Bedroom with extra Twin bed! Should you swim in the oceanfront pool and then lay...

  • Kill Devil Hills
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
TRiO Restaurant & Market

Wine, beer and cheese lovers will love TRiO, an exciting retail and tasting destination in Kitty Hawk. Both a gourmet retail wine, beer and cheese shop as well as a bistro with a wine bar and tap house, TRiO offers the best of the worlds of...

A Shore Thing

2026 Upgrades will include new paint inside and outside, new patio furnishings, new deck, new floor and all new efficiency windows installed. Upgrades for 2025 supplied interior and exterior painting, new outdoor furnishings, new kitchen backsplash...

  • Corolla
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
The Mystic Jewel

Walk into this shop and you’ll be delighted by all the glittering and sparkling from the way the mirrors and lighting show off jewelry from over 100 different designers and local artisans. Artfully-designed cases line the walls, filled with...

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

Once in a Blue Moon do you find a beach home so comfortable for several families with six bedrooms, six baths, two living areas and a sitting room, only ten yards from the beach access, with gorgeous ocean views from two floors, complete with a...

  • Southern Shores
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 12
5/10 - 5/17
$2,598  $3,301
$703 off
5/17 - 5/24
$2,618  $3,301
$683 off
5/24 - 5/31
$3,386  $4,087
$701 off
6/28 - 7/5
$6,892  $7,594
$702 off
8/16 - 8/23
$5,700  $5,985
$285 off
8/23 - 8/30
$4,825  $5,145
$320 off
8/30 - 9/6
$4,194  $4,442
$248 off
Brindley Beach Vacations

Brindley Beach Vacations offers premier Real Estate and Property Management services across the entire Outer Banks. Representing more than 450 vacation rental homes, we proudly serve every region—from the southern beaches of Hatteras Island...

Lucky Fin

Lucky Fin is now pet-friendly and has a HOT TUB!   Lucky Fin is a beautifully designed open-concept home combining contemporary elegance with a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for your Outer Banks getaway. Conveniently located just three...

  • Corolla
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 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...

COOL AZUL

This charming oceanside home will bring you back year after year to spend quality time with the family, renew your spirit and enjoy all that the beautiful Outer Banks have to offer.Level 1:4 bedrooms (1 with Queen, TV/DVD player; shared full...

  • Southern Shores
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
5/15 - 5/22
$2,002  $2,273
$271 off
5/29 - 6/5
$2,875  $3,284
$409 off
8/14 - 8/21
$3,083  $3,363
$280 off
8/21 - 8/28
$2,713  $3,081
$368 off
8/28 - 9/4
$2,450  $2,762
$312 off
9/4 - 9/11
$2,345  $2,559
$214 off
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...

Seas the Moment 372

Welcome to Seas the Moment, your dream oceanside retreat in the heart of Kill Devil Hills! This stunning 4-bedroom coastal sanctuary offers everything your family needs for an unforgettable Outer Banks getaway. Dive year-round into the indoor pool...

  • Kill Devil Hills
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
5/9 - 5/16
$1,879  $2,229
$350 off
5/16 - 5/23
$2,198  $2,548
$350 off
5/23 - 5/30
$2,514  $2,864
$350 off
9/5 - 9/12
$1,943  $2,293
$350 off
9/12 - 9/19
$1,910  $2,260
$350 off
9/19 - 9/26
$1,920  $2,270
$350 off
9/26 - 10/3
$1,691  $2,041
$350 off
10/3 - 10/10
$1,714  $2,064
$350 off
10/10 - 10/17
$1,710  $2,060
$350 off
10/17 - 10/24
$1,691  $2,041
$350 off
10/24 - 10/31
$1,693  $2,043
$350 off