Outer Banks Music & Dancing Events - 2026 Schedule

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.

The Roanoke Island Historical Association is launching a brand-new culinary celebration in 2026 with the debut of the Roanoke Island Oyster Shellabration and BBQ, a waterfront event that brings together fresh local seafood, Eastern North Carolina barbecue, live entertainment, and Outer Banks culture in the heart of Wanchese. Hosted at the Safe Harbor Marina and Tiki Bar, the festival promises a relaxed afternoon filled with food, music, and coastal charm.

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.

The OBX Truck Fest is rolling back into the Outer Banks for another exciting weekend celebrating lifted trucks, off-road culture, live entertainment, and coastal fun. Bringing together truck enthusiasts from across the region, the popular event showcases an impressive lineup of customized vehicles ranging from classic pickups and show trucks to massive lifted builds and off-road machines, all set against the laid-back beach atmosphere of the OBX.

Celebrate the vibrant Latino community on Ocracoke Island which has been growing and thriving in the past 20 years with this special festival that features a wealth of tempting foods, arts and crafts, music, activities for kids, and much more. Held at the Ocracoke School during the day and the Ocracoke Community Center at night, this festival deliciously combines education and effortless fun to present a day that visitors of all tastes will adore.

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.

Discover how creative the talented chefs of the Outer Banks region and beyond can be with this fundraising event that puts a unique and timely spin on the traditional cook-off challenge. During the Beach Food Pantry Holiday Chefs Challenge, area chefs will compete head-to-head to whip up truly delicious dishes with canned foods that are traditionally found in stock at the local Beach Food Pantry. With lots of new tastes to discover, and a worthy cause at the heart of the event, this wintertime celebration is a great way to give back while enjoying a truly distinctive and tempting meal.

Enjoy a full day of live music, coastal scenery, and community spirit at the GrassFed Bluegrass Music Festival, held at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. This outdoor music festival brings together talented bluegrass musicians, local vendors, and music lovers for a celebration of great entertainment in a beautiful waterfront setting along the Roanoke Sound.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

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.

Celebrate the magic of the Christmas season at the annual Currituck Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, a beloved community tradition that brings families, friends, and visitors together for an evening of festive entertainment and holiday cheer. Held at Currituck Community Park and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Currituck County Center in Barco, this free event offers a wonderful way to welcome the holidays with seasonal activities, colorful decorations, and small-town charm.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Christmas past with Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tours, a beloved holiday tradition in Historic Corolla. Held at the beautifully restored Whalehead mansion overlooking the Currituck Sound, these special guided tours offer visitors a glimpse into the holiday customs and traditions of the 1920s, when Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise, enjoyed their magnificent coastal retreat.

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.

This family-friendly event is a collection of music, sports, and OBX fun, and features a full roster of activities and entertainment to keep everyone in the party smiling. Special events within the Dare2Care OBX Shred Fest line-up include multiple bands and musicians throughout the day, live demos performed by professional skateboarders and BMX riders, a special appearance by roller derby women, appearances by Special Olympics athletes, and much, much more. In addition, the festivities will have a host of games for patrons of all ages, food, and local art vendors for unique and one-of-a-kind OBX treasures. 

Experience live music in one of the Outer Banks' most spectacular natural settings at Concert on the Dunes, a special outdoor celebration held at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head. Set against the backdrop of the tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast, this family-friendly event brings together music, community, and the natural beauty of the Outer Banks for an unforgettable evening.

Get your toes tapping with an island celebration of musicians, storytellers, artisans, local food, and so much more by joining in the community-wide fun of the Ocrafolk Festival. This full weekend event is held in the heart of Ocracoke Village, with multiple performances and activities happening around virtually every corner of Silver Lake Harbor.

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.

Celebrate your Independence Day with a bang at the Avon Pier and Avon Beach Klub on Hatteras Island. The 4th of July celebration will feature a collection of events which includes corresponding radio shows on the island's local station, Radio Hatteras FM 101.5 and 99.9, and an incredible front row view of the fireworks display from the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.

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.