Outer Banks Kid Friendly Events - 2025 Schedule

Outer Banks Kid Friendly Events - 2025 Schedule
This Week
Friday, September 19th - Sunday, September 21st
Nags Head

Jeep lovers are welcome to attend this annual festival that takes advantage of the beautiful fall weather of the Outer Banks, as well as the off-roading opportunities that are abundant along the miles of coastal North Carolina shoreline. The OBX Jeep Invasion is a fun and adventure-filled event that gives Jeep lovers an opportunity to get together and have a blast at one of the East Coat’s favorite destinations for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Week of October 6, 2025 - October 12, 2025
Saturday, October 11th 8:00 AM
Avon

Enjoy a breezy fall outing that starts with a light run or jog and ends with plenty of food, fun, and live music at this annual event that goes to benefit a very worthy local cause, the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation. The HICF 5K is a great outing that’s open to visitors and locals of all ages, and which shows just how fun the Outer Banks can be in the fall when everyone comes together to help out a favorite community organization.

Week of October 13, 2025 - October 19, 2025
Tuesday, October 14th - Sunday, October 19th
Rodanthe

The Outer Banks, and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in particular, is known as one of the best bird watching destinations in the world, and the annual Wings Over Water celebrates this distinction like no other local festival. The weeklong event, which is held each October, features a wide range of educational programs, lectures, and opportunities to meet and greet with fellow birders. During this year's festival, attendees will also have the opportunity to go on guided birding trips, attend art and photography workshops, take a tram or kayak tour of National Wildlife Refuge, visit an ancient maritime forest, and much, much more. A complete schedule can be found online at the organization's website, and attendees should note that some programs do cost a small fee to participate.

Saturday, October 18th 10:19 AM - 6:00 PM
Nags Head
Outer Banks Seafood Festival

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is rapidly becoming one of the highlights of the fall season, with plenty of fresh seafood, storytelling, and activities to keep everyone fully entertained. This all-day event takes place at the waterfront Event Site in Nags Head, and is a family-friendly outing that will make anyone fall in love with this staple of the Outer Banks’ culinary cuisine.

Saturday, October 18th
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 20, 2025 - October 26, 2025
Saturday, October 25th 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Nags Head

The 9th Annual Outer Banks Brewtag is back on October 25th, 2025, at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, NC! This one-of-a-kind event, inspired by Red Bull Flugtag, invites teams and individuals to compete by launching and flying a 1/6 keg barrel the farthest. Admission is free and there will be plenty of craft beer from eight local breweries, delicious food, and live performances from three local bands throughout the day.

Saturday, October 25th
Manteo

Enjoy a day at the Manteo waterfront and see wooden boats displayed in the water and on the grounds of the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum at this special event that pays homage to the region’s deep ties to maritime history and culture.

Week of October 27, 2025 - November 2, 2025
Friday, October 31st - Saturday, November 1st
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 November 3, 2025 - November 9, 2025
Friday, November 7th - Thursday, November 13th
Manteo

Through arts, music, and miles of fun, the Outer Banks celebrates visiting and local veterans alike through this special event that has a wealth of ways to stay entertained while discovering the heart of the islands’ cultural scene. OBX Veterans Week is an annual event which honors veterans and their families through live concerts, cool activities and arts in downtown Manteo, and so much more.

Week of November 10, 2025 - November 16, 2025
Friday, November 7th - Thursday, November 13th
Manteo

Through arts, music, and miles of fun, the Outer Banks celebrates visiting and local veterans alike through this special event that has a wealth of ways to stay entertained while discovering the heart of the islands’ cultural scene. OBX Veterans Week is an annual event which honors veterans and their families through live concerts, cool activities and arts in downtown Manteo, and so much more.

Week of November 24, 2025 - November 30, 2025
Friday, November 28th - Saturday, November 29th
Nags Head

Get a head start on the holiday season with this post-Thanksgiving event that offers a world of fun for visitors of all ages. Held at the flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store in Nags Head, this two-day event features amazing shopping, activities, demos and displays, and - of course - a visit by old St. Nick himself to allow kids to get a jump start on their Christmas lists.  

Friday, November 28th
Ocracoke

Ring in the holidays island-style with this seasonal parade that takes place on the waters that surrounds Ocracoke village. The Ocracoke Parade of Boats is a celebration of life on the water, and this annual procession of ships of all shapes and sizes is sure to make anyone fall in love with the coastal scene and community that calls Ocracoke Island home.

Saturday, November 29th 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Nags Head

Ignite your holiday spirit with this special annual event that combines the natural beauty of the Outer Banks with twinkling Christmas lights for an unforgettable display and seasonal experience. The Kites With Lights event is hosted by the flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store that’s just across the street from Jockey’s Ridge State Park, and the beautiful landscape of twinkling kites with the iconic massive sand dunes of the park in the background will be a sight that spectators won’t soon forget.

Week of December 1, 2025 - December 7, 2025
Friday, December 5th - Sunday, December 7th
Manteo

Visitors who missed the annual Wings Over Water festival - or who just want a second opportunity to admire the hundreds and thousands of birds that flock to the Outer Banks – won’t want to miss this special weekend where these feathered visitors are once again in the spotlight. The Wings Over Water Encore event is a weekend-long celebration of the many wintering waterfowl that are found at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and beyond, and is a great way for birders to discover the off-season beauty of the OBX.

Week of December 8, 2025 - December 14, 2025
Saturday, December 13th 2:00 PM
Hatteras

Join in the fun of one of the most festive celebrations on Hatteras Island with this annual Christmas parade that has become a decades-long tradition for locals and holiday visitors alike. The Hatteras Island Christmas Parade combines local businesses, fire departments, the US Coast Guard, and non-profit organizations in a joyful and small-town parade that will inspire anyone to get into the holiday spirit.

Week of December 15, 2025 - December 21, 2025
Wednesday, 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
Duck Jazz Festival
Oct 9

October 9, 2025

This year, the Duck Jazz Festival proudly reaches its 16th anniversary, and with it, we unveil our artistic vision:“Duck Grooves: The Sound of Jazz,” is an electrifying celebration of jazz’s dynamic, ever-evolving nature, set...

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...

892 | Jules By The Sea

Jules By The Sea is a spectacular Oceanfront home that will provide the backdrop for many memorable vacations to come. This home has everything you could want for your trip to the Outer Banks. Featuring views of the Ocean & Beach that stretch...

  • Kill Devil Hills
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Brindley Beach Vacations

Brindley Beach Vacations offers premier real estate and property management services on the entire Outer Banks. Representing more than 600 vacation rental homes, Brindley Beach caters to all regions from the south beaches of Hatteras Island, Frisco...

Launch 41

This stunning shorefront home has unobstructed views of the Pamlico Sound and is the ideal spot for enjoying some of the most spectacular waterfront sunsets in the world. Located in the ultimate location for water sports enthusiasts, and perfect for...

  • Waves
  • 5 Bedrooms
Low Tide Bar & Grill

Low Country Seafood from the islands. North, South, East or West, our menu will satisfy any cravings you have while on your beach vacation! Let us do the cooking tonight! Reseservations and Outdoor Seating available. We’ve got something...

5188 - Casa Del Sol 6

Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! New for 2025: New Decks East and West Side of Property. Nothing could be finer than a vacation in Carolina and nothing could be finer than the Oceanfront...

  • Kill Devil Hills
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2.5 Bathrooms
Sundogs

Sundogs is a happening spot open year round in Corolla. Along with good food, they feature a nightlife that includes live music, karaoke and a DJ dance party. They have a full bar and a menu suited to a host of tastes. Starters include nachos, crab...

Sailors Rest

This beautiful beach cottage in Corolla Light welcomes you to a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. The tastefully designed kitchen with large bar and quartz countertops offers the perfect space to create meals and memories. Recently...

  • Corolla
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3.5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Surf or Sound Realty

Surf or Sound Realty invites you to explore our collection of over 600 premier vacation rental homes on Hatteras Island, featuring the largest selection of oceanfront accommodations. Nestled within the breathtaking Cape Hatteras National Seashore...

HAPPY ENCHILADA

Overview If your idea of a vacation is relaxing in a festive oceanfront home located just steps from the sandy shoreline, reserve Happy Enchilada! Featuring stellar ocean views, popular amenities, and cheerful furnishings, this beach...

  • Nags Head
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
Just for the Beach Rentals

Just for the Beach Rentals (not to be confused with the similarly-named "Just for the Beach") offers rentals to accommodate your stay. Equipment includes linens, baby gates, cribs, monitors, seats, joggers, bikes, kayaks, skim boards, surf boards...

DREAM BIG

Overview Three levels of living space on the oceanfront in Duck, you can certainly Dream Big during your next Outer Banks vacation when you stay here. With many amenities to make your beach getaway as relaxing as possible, Dream Big...

  • Duck
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 6 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...

Fun Factory

OCEANSIDE Waves – Island Pines Dr. — FUN FACTORY is not just a beach home; it's a sanctuary for those who crave relaxation and memorable memories where every moment is an opportunity to embrace life to the fullest. Freshly constructed in a...

  • Waves
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms