Outer Banks Lessons & Educational Events - 2026 Schedule

Outer Banks Lessons & Educational Events - 2026 Schedule
Week of March 2, 2026 - March 8, 2026
Friday, March 6th - Saturday, March 7th
Hatteras

Celebrating its sixth year in 2026, the Hatteras Village Waterfowl Festival (HVWF) is returning to Hatteras Island in March. The festival will kick off Friday evening with the delicious Fin, Feather, and Bourbon event. Small plates featuring seafood and waterfowl will be accompanied by select bourbons, wines, and beer. 

Week of April 27, 2026 - May 3, 2026
Friday, May 1st - Saturday, May 2nd
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.

Week of May 4, 2026 - May 10, 2026
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
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
Haulover Day Use Area (Canadian Hole)

Canadian Hole may be an unfamiliar term to the typical, laid-back Hatteras Islander vacationer, but to windsurfers around the world, the phrase invokes thoughts of an exact, postcard-perfect locale on the Outer Banks, where windsurfing and water...

Black Pelican

Black Pelican oceanfront restaurant is one of the Outer Banks’ premier restaurants serving lunch and dinner daily. Black Pelican is where you can enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches and some of the barrier island’s...

Seaside Memories

Make your “Seaside Memories” at this lovely family home located in beautiful Old Nags Head Place. A destination fit for every member of your family with an elevator that offers mobility ease for everyone. The fenced private pool, hot tub and...

  • Nags Head
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 14
Fishing Unlimited Boating Center

Owned by Garry Oliver, the proprietor of the Outer Banks Fishing Pier, this small wooden aqua blue-colored store on the Nags Head-Manteo causeway has been serving the needs of fishermen for decades. A full line of tackle is available for all types...

A Peace of Quiet

New for 2024: New Queen bed mattress, new mattresses on twin beds, upgraded bunk beds.Aptly named, “A Peace of Quiet” finds you in an idyllic setting surrounded by mature scrub oak trees on the quiet street of Sea Tern. Enjoy your own private...

  • Duck
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 10
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...

DRIFT AWAY

Great location in the desirable Ocean Crest Community of Duck! New to the rental market in 2025, Drift Away is a spacious 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath home located just south of Duck Village only 1 mile away from the quaint town center filled with great...

  • Duck
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3.5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 8
Awful Arthur's Oyster Bar

Welcome to the home of the happy oyster where for over 40 years the oyster has been our world. The Outer Banks only authentic oyster bar is the place to enjoy sensational fare from the sea washed down with your favorite brew or cocktail. We serve by...

Seasounds 110-D

Welcome to Seasounds, an oceanside home near the beach in the charming community of Sea Tern, just north of Duck Village. Three separate seating areas, one on the main level, one in the loft, and one on the lower level allow guests to ample space to...

  • Duck
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3 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...

Whale Kept Secret

Located in Rodanthe | 6 Bedrooms | 6 Full Bathrooms | 2 Half BathroomsWelcome to Whale Kept Secret, your hidden sanctuary on Hatteras Island, where ocean breezes, countless horizons, and the art of true escape come together. Unwind and relax with...

  • Rodanthe
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
Outer Banks Blue

Since 2005, Outer Banks Blue has delivered exceptional vacations for OBX visitors. Our family-owned and locally managed rental company focuses on service and promises “a relaxing experience with a local touch.” Turn your dream vacation...

The Sandy Peach

One of the highest points of view in Duck!Sound views and partial ocean views greet you at The Sandy Peach, located in quiet Snow Geese Dunes. This property is situated on a quiet street with many year-round residents, so the beach is not as...

  • Duck
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 11
Coastal Smoothie Cafe

At Coastal Smoothie Cafe, we have created a menu and atmosphere that is designed to be as unique as the northern shores of the Outer Banks. Our creations utilize fresh local produce when possible. There is nothing better than local NC strawberries...

Katmandu NP-03

Katmandu is located near the beach (approximately 465 feet) with direct access, so you can hear the surf all day! You can't beat relaxing and sunbathing at your private pool and hot tub. Enjoy pleasant sea breezes, socializing with family and...

  • Duck
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 3.5 Bathrooms