Nags Head Kid Friendly Events - 2026 Schedule

For an Outer Banks celebration that revolves around family fun, and encompasses the best of the Outer Banks' spirit, make plans to catch a good glimpse of the Outer Banks St. Patrick's Day Parade. With moderate temperatures and plenty of southern hospitality, this event can kick-off a fantastic week-long vacation or spring break on the Outer Banks.

Come enjoy the spirit of the Easter holiday on the Outer Banks while taking advantage of National Kite Month at this fun and family-friendly event that joyfully combines these two celebrations. The Flying Into Spring And Easter EGGstravaganza festival is a great way to take in the fresh spring air along the coastline, while participating in a myriad of games, displays, and a little kite action at one of the best spots on the East Coast for high flying.

The Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Show is landing on the Outer Banks, and visitors are welcome to take flight on a new adventure and join in the fun. Renowned as the longest-running hang gliding competition in the world, the Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Show is a multiple day event that combines a wealth of activities for professional hang gliders and spectators alike. The incredible air show is the cornerstone of the event, and visitors can head to the sky-high dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park to check out the action. Throughout the day, an incredible display of colorful gliders will fly overhead, and lots of fun will be had at ground level as well thanks to a host of activities for competitors and everyday sightseers alike.

Share a love of fishing with the youngest members in your vacationing party with this special fishing tournament that’s designed with youth anglers in mind. The Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Tournament is an annual fishing tournament that takes place on the famous Jennette’s Pier, as well as Avalon pier, Outer Banks Fishing Pier, and Nags Head Fishing Pier. It is open to all anglers ages 16 and under. The age groups for competitors are 4-9 years old and 10-16 years old, and trophies as well as rod and reel combos are awarded to the largest fish caught by a girl and boy angler for the day. Participants in the “catch and release” tournament can enjoy a full morning of fishing before going to a celebratory and awards lunch close to the pier.

The Rogallo Kite Festival is a free and family-orientated event that features multiple days of kite flying to honor Francis Rogallo, NASA scientist and inventor of the flexible wing. His initial inventions started the sport of hang gliding, and his designs have carried over into the stunt kites, power kites and hang gliders that are flown today. To celebrate this innovator, visitors will be treated to a full day of kite-flying fun in one of the best destinations on the East Coast for high flyers, Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

Celebrate summer with Kitty Hawk Kites and support the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition at the annual OBX Watermelon Festival. This beloved local celebration that’s held at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head features a wealth of activities for visitors of all ages, and is the perfect way to toast the peak of the summer season on the Outer Banks.

Enjoy a thrilling scene along the towering sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park as giant kites and stunt kite pilots wow the crowd at the engaging and family-friendly Outer Banks Kite Festival. Hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites, this festival features both live demonstrations and interactive activities to ensure that everyone can have a ball enjoying the high flying lifestyle on the Outer Banks.