Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule

Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule
This Week
Thursday, July 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 16th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 23rd 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
  • 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 July 13, 2026 - July 19, 2026
Thursday, July 16th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 23rd 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
  • 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, 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 July 20, 2026 - July 26, 2026
Thursday, July 23rd 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 16th 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
  • 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 July 27, 2026 - August 2, 2026
Thursday, July 30th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 16th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 23rd 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 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 16th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 23rd 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 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 16th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 23rd 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 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 16th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 23rd 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 9th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 16th 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Thursday, July 23rd 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
Jul 15

July 15, 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...

The Farmer's Daughter

Founded in 1984 on the coast of the Outer Banks, NC, Farmer’s Daughter still remains a destination for people wanting great quality, outstanding selection of unique clothing, accessories, and gifts at affordable prices. Committed to offering...

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
Carolina Designs Realty

Plan your Outer Banks vacation with Carolina Designs! Browse our inventory of 350+ select Outer Banks vacation rentals located in the towns of Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. Book online anytime, or reach...

Lazy Bones

Located in Duck/ 3 Bedrooms/ 2 Full Bathrooms/ 1 Half Bathroom This bright oceanfront beach home is tucked away on a peaceful cul-de-sac offering extraordinary Ocean and Sound vistas from the giant wrap around decks. With bright roomy rooms and...

  • Duck
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
The Cotton Gin

For those traveling to the Outer Banks, The Cotton Gin is a beloved landmark with its large windmill and picturesque gardens. The Cotton Gin has stood in the same location since 1929, starting as a working cotton gin and growing to a gift store with...

K9104 Why Knot 4 bedroom home at The Cur...

Welcome to Why Knot! If you are looking for a home that offers an impeccable view of the ocean and beyond, then look no further! This stunning soundside four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom retreat with hot tub and pool is ready and waiting for...

  • Corolla
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 5 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...

1820 - The Thirsty Duffer (formerly The ...

BEACH GEAR RENTAL INCLUDED! Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! NEW FOR 2026: New fortified roof, salt water pool pump, expanded cement pool deck (add’l 250 sq feet). This 4...

  • Corolla
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4.5 Bathrooms
Corolla Wild Horse Tours

Corolla Wild Horse Tours knowledgeable guides will ensure you and your family have a great wild horse tour! Along the way the guides will stop and point out interesting sites and local history and details of the Corolla Wild Horses history. Be sure...

Salty Paws

OCEANFRONT Salvo – What better place to bring your pooch than SALTY PAWS, a dog friendly home perched just beyond the ocean dunes. It’s simple to see how this eight-bedroom/six- and two-half-bath home achieves tail-wagging approval from canines...

  • Salvo
  • 8 Bedrooms
  • 7 Bathrooms
Beach Realty and Construction

Over 450 Outer Banks vacation rentals with amenities such as private pools, hot tubs, elevators, keyless entry, 1 - 9 bedrooms, Oceanfront to Soundfront, 4x4 Carova...

THE CUNNINGHAM

Overview Offering a spacious and stylish coastal escape, The Cunningham is an ideal spot for relaxation and fun. Located on Whalehead Drive, you are a short walk to the nearby beach access and a short drive to nearby shops, boutiques...

  • Corolla
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 5.5 Bathrooms
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...

K9070 Duckin' Out at Colony by the Sea

Welcome to Duckin' Out at Colony by the Sea by KEES Vacations! Brand new to KEES for 2026! Enjoy this beautiful 1 bedroom 2 bath oceanside condo in Colony by the Sea. Duckin' Out is a first floor condo that puts you seconds from the sand with no...

  • Kitty Hawk
  • 1 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms