Manteo Events - 2026 Schedule

Experience Halloween like never before with Halloween Island, a month-long celebration that transforms historic downtown Manteo into a festive destination filled with spooky attractions, creative costumes, seasonal entertainment, and plenty of Halloween spirit. Set against the backdrop of Roanoke Island, home to the mysterious Lost Colony, this unique Outer Banks event combines local history, small-town charm, and Halloween fun for visitors of all ages.

Head to Roanoke Island in the scenic month of October to enjoy some of the best music of the year at the popular Bluegrass Island Festival. This annual festival has rapidly blossomed into one of the most anticipated music events along the Outer Banks, and attendees will be treated to a wealth of acclaimed bands, from legendary national acts, to homegrown bluegrass performers who will have everyone’s toes tapping.

Celebrate the arrival of fall at Island Farm! On the first four Saturdays in October, Island Farm will host its 15th Annual Pumpkin Patch event, happening October 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th from 9 A.M. until 3 P.M. Admission for visitors ages four and older is $11. Children zero to three years old are admitted for free.

Experience Halloween like never before with Halloween Island, a month-long celebration that transforms historic downtown Manteo into a festive destination filled with spooky attractions, creative costumes, seasonal entertainment, and plenty of Halloween spirit. Set against the backdrop of Roanoke Island, home to the mysterious Lost Colony, this unique Outer Banks event combines local history, small-town charm, and Halloween fun for visitors of all ages.

Celebrate the arrival of fall at Island Farm! On the first four Saturdays in October, Island Farm will host its 15th Annual Pumpkin Patch event, happening October 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th from 9 A.M. until 3 P.M. Admission for visitors ages four and older is $11. Children zero to three years old are admitted for free.

Experience Halloween like never before with Halloween Island, a month-long celebration that transforms historic downtown Manteo into a festive destination filled with spooky attractions, creative costumes, seasonal entertainment, and plenty of Halloween spirit. Set against the backdrop of Roanoke Island, home to the mysterious Lost Colony, this unique Outer Banks event combines local history, small-town charm, and Halloween fun for visitors of all ages.

Experience a magical autumn evening on Roanoke Island at A Night of 1587 Pumpkins, a seasonal celebration that combines Halloween fun, local history, and the beauty of the Outer Banks. Held at The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, this festive event invites visitors to explore the gardens after dark, when glowing jack-o'-lanterns and creative pumpkin displays transform the landscape into an enchanting fall wonderland.

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.

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.

Manteo’s vibrant downtown scene is on full display during this monthly event that highlights the area’s businesses, restaurants and galleries that makes this central Outer Banks community so unique. The First Friday in Manteo is held every month on the initial Friday of the month, and is a street festival that will make any new visitor fall in love with this charming coastal community.

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.

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.

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.

Manteo’s vibrant downtown scene is on full display during this monthly event that highlights the area’s businesses, restaurants and galleries that makes this central Outer Banks community so unique. The First Friday in Manteo is held every month on the initial Friday of the month, and is a street festival that will make any new visitor fall in love with this charming coastal community.

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season at the annual Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting, a beloved Outer Banks tradition that brings residents and visitors together for an evening of festive entertainment, family-friendly activities, and small-town Christmas charm. Held along the scenic downtown Manteo waterfront, this free community celebration marks the official start of the holiday season in one of the Outer Banks' most picturesque historic towns.

Get your Outer Banks holiday off to a glittering start with this annual parade that is sure to delight visitors and locals alike. The Manteo Christmas Parade is a time-honored tradition that attracts both participants and spectators from all across the Outer Banks, and which is sure to entice anyone to get into the holiday spirit.

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.

Ring in the New Year with a festive waterfront celebration at the annual Meet Me in Manteo New Year's Eve Celebration, a popular Outer Banks tradition that brings residents and visitors together for an evening of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and holiday cheer. Held in the heart of historic downtown Manteo, this free community event offers a memorable way to welcome the new year while enjoying the charm and beauty of Roanoke Island.

Couples who have always dreamed about a romantic wedding on the Outer Banks will want to attend this special off-season expo that shines a spotlight on all the different wedding vendors that this scenic coastline has to offer. Sponsored by the Outer Banks Wedding Association, this multiple-day event has become the go-to festival for visitors from all over the country who want to discover how magical it can be to get married on the OBX.

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.

Join in the fun of one of the summer’s most highly anticipated fishing tournaments while supporting a wonderful local cause by signing up for the Carolina Boat Builders Tournament. Held during the end of July – which is a prime time of year for exceptional fishing – this tournament which celebrates its 22nd year in 2025 combines multiple days of angling action with some exceptional events that highlight the best of the Outer Banks.

The town of Manteo has a rich history that’s connected to sailing and life on the water, and competitive sailors and spectators alike can celebrate this heritage with the Annual One-Design Regatta.

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

Triathletes train for months to achieve their dream. Come to the Outer Banks Triathlon and experience the enthusiam, inspiration and skill!  Why do they do it? Some to win, some for their best personal time and for some it's a personal goal on their bucket list. Individual athletes and relay teams exhibit various ranges of skill and expertise. The enthusiasm of the athletes is inspirational for everyone at the site whether a volunteer, a spectator or staff. Encouraging and cheering the athletes' onward is a crucial part of the day. It is 2 days of inspiration, excitement, relationships and achievements.