Outer Banks Lessons & Educational Events - 2026 Schedule

Outer Banks Lessons & Educational 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 May 25, 2026 - May 31, 2026
Friday, May 29th - Sunday, May 31st
Rodanthe

Every year, a wave of new equipment arrives on the scene that takes the sport of kiteboarding to the next level, and watersports fans who want to see everything that’s cool and brand new can get a sneak peek via the Kiteboarding Kickoff Weekend. Held at the Kiteboarding Resort in Rodanthe, this unique event gives boarders an opportunity to try out the newest brands, styles and gear on the global kiteboarding scene, as well as enter competitions and enjoy specialty clinics to hone their skills.

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
Thursday, July 2nd - Saturday, July 4th
Ocracoke

Head to the tiny coastal village of Ocracoke for a big Independence Day celebration that includes fireworks, a parade, and plenty of family fun. The highlight of the Ocracoke Independence Day Celebration is the annual amazing fireworks display over the Silver Lake Harbor after the sun goes down. Visitors will find plenty of seating all around the harborfront docks, and can bring along beach chairs, towels, blankets, and everything they need to enjoy the show.

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 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 12, 2026 - October 18, 2026
Tuesday, October 13th - Sunday, October 18th
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.

Week of November 30, 2026 - December 6, 2026
Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th
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 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
The 7 Best Beach Chairs 2026

You’ve made the drive, gathered the family, packed the cooler with lunches and drinks, and you’re heading out onto the sand on a bright Summer day. You unfold your beach chair and SNAP, it breaks, or bends, or the rotting fabric rips. It...

Henry's Restaurant

Henry's Restaurant offers down home, simple food done Outer Banks style. Henry's Restaurant has been serving the Outer Banks of North Carolina since the summer of 1989. They are pleased to be considered one of the most popular restaurants in Dare...

Shoulda' Been Here Yesterday

Located in Corolla / 5 Bedrooms / 3 Full Bathrooms / 1 Half BathroomWelcome to the ideal vacation home!  Shoulda' Been Here Yesterday is located in the cozy private community of Crown Point. This refreshed 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom beach home offers...

  • Corolla
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
5/8 - 5/15
$1,665  $1,849
$184 off
5/22 - 5/29
$1,963  $2,199
$236 off
5/27 - 6/3
$1,665  $1,849
$184 off
7/10 - 7/17
$4,045  $4,649
$604 off
8/7 - 8/14
$4,045  $4,649
$604 off
8/29 - 9/5
$3,302  $3,775
$473 off
9/1 - 9/8
$3,004  $3,424
$420 off
9/5 - 9/12
$2,112  $2,375
$263 off
9/11 - 9/18
$2,409  $2,724
$315 off
9/12 - 9/19
$2,112  $2,375
$263 off
9/19 - 9/26
$1,665  $1,849
$184 off
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...

648 | Sunny Side Up

Experience the best of the Outer Banks at this beautiful home located in Old Nags Head Place. This home has been designed for comfort, fun, and has all the extras to make your vacation special including outstanding design, lovely decor, and nothing...

  • Nags Head
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 5.5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
Resort Realty

For more than 39 years, Resort Realty has been providing unforgettable Outer Banks vacations. From Corolla to Hatteras Island, Resort Realty offers nearly 600 Outer Banks vacation homes that range from cozy 1-bedroom condos to exquisite 20-bedroom...

7659 - Sound Garden

 Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! Sound Garden offers a delightful retreat, complete with breathtaking sound views, for your next Outer Banks vacation. This cozy home features...

  • Avon
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3.5 Bathrooms
Pirates Island at Corolla Light Town Center

Check out Corolla's newest 5-star attraction! Pirate-Themed 18-Hole Minature Golf Course and Arcade with waterfalls, a pirate ship, caves, skulls, and more! So much fun for the whole family! Come...

Duck R Way

This oceanside home features 5 bedrooms and 3 and a half baths with plenty of room for a large family. On the upper level you'll find the open great room with flat screen TV, access to the sun deck, dining area with table which seats 10 guests, a...

  • Duck
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 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...

Lazy Dog A-40

Nestled within the serene Avon Shores subdivision, Lazy Dog rests at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, offering a harmonious blend of relaxation and excitement.Upon entering the mid-level, guests are welcomed by an airy open-concept living area...

  • Avon
  • 3 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...

Sunset Hideaway

This is a Blue Standard Bedding Property. Learn more about our hospitality bedding program here.Time for a vacation getaway with a great beach, quiet neighborhood, and convenient access to fishing, sunrises and sunsets? “Sunset Hideaway”  is...

  • Nags Head
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
The Northern Outer Banks

Discover Historic Corolla Park With its wide open green spaces and scenic views, Historic Corolla Park is the heart of Corolla in Northeastern North Carolina. It's a great place to take in a seasonal event or simply take a walk, and is home to three...

5817 - Bunch of Fun

BEACH GEAR RENTAL INCLUDED! Always Included, complimentary linens and made beds! NEW FOR 2026:  Central HVAC, washer & dryer, and new bedspreads throughout. Welcome to Bunch of Fun, an...

  • Nags Head
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms