Outer Banks History Events - 2026 Schedule

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season on the Outer Banks with Christmas in Corolla, a festive celebration that brings holiday cheer, local shopping, and family-friendly activities to the charming surroundings of Historic Corolla. The festivities include the annual Christmas Craft Village at Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park, where visitors can browse handmade crafts, artwork, jewelry, specialty gifts, and unique creations from local artisans. It's a wonderful opportunity to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts while supporting local artists and businesses.

Step inside Ocracoke's rich history during the OPS Historic Homes Tour, a special event presented by the Ocracoke Preservation Society that offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore some of the island's most treasured historic homes. Set within Ocracoke's nationally recognized Historic District, this unique tour celebrates the island's distinctive architecture, maritime heritage, and generations of families who have shaped the community.

Head to the Island Farm in Manteo where history, local culture, and the holiday spirit will combine for a fun and multiple-day event that showcases the holiday traditions of the earliest days on the Outer Banks.

Experience the charm of the holiday season in historic downtown Manteo with the annual Holiday Tour of Homes, a beloved Outer Banks tradition presented by the Manteo Preservation Trust. This festive event offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore beautifully decorated homes and historic properties while discovering the architectural character, rich history, and welcoming atmosphere of Roanoke Island.

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.

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.

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.

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.