A beautiful barrier island getaway to the Outer Banks of North Carolina is an intriguing option year-round. For those who are looking to switch up their holiday traditions this year, a Christmas vacation this way is even more exciting! With so much to see and do, Christmas in the Outer Banks is easy to customize according to your personal travel style whether you’re in town as a couple or spending the holiday as a traveling family. The following are just a few of the many top reasons to spend Christmas in OBX in 2023.
The Opportunity to Check out the Annual Holiday Bazaar
Hosted at the Ramada Plaza Nags Head Oceanfront in Kill Devil Hills, the annual holiday bazaar is a seasonal event you simply won’t want to miss. This gathering features over 50 vendors displaying everything from apparel and jewelry to handcrafted goods. The holiday bazaar is pet-friendly for those who are traveling with canine companions in tow, and it includes door prizes and live music too. Here, it’s easy to pick up one-of-a-kind Christmas décor while savoring the holiday spirit in abundance.
The Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Garden
If you make your way over to Manteo during a Christmas enjoyed in the Outer Banks, you’ll be right on time to enjoy a stroll through the Winter Lights display at the iconic Elizabethan Gardens. During this time of year, the gardens are transformed into a glittering wonderland of holiday lights that are fun to admire and make for a mesmerizing photo opportunity as well. Warm up indoors after you’ve seen the lights by strolling through the gift shop or settling in by the fireplace.
Yuletide Celebrations in Duck
No matter when you take time to wander through charming Duck Village, you’re in for a treat. At Christmas, you can pair your sightseeing with the annual Yuletide Celebration here as well. Pick up a Great Yuletide Elf Hunt Passport with the little ones in your group and you can check off stops you explore as you make your way through local shops and businesses. Once you’ve seen them all, a passport can be turned in for a fun holiday prize! This event also coincides with the annual Crab Pot Tree lighting in town and there’s often live holiday music at Duck Town Park.
The Illuminating Light Displays
There’s a good chance that you’ve seen the Kill Devil Hills home that belongs to the Poulos Family featured on HGTV. Each year, this family home goes above and beyond when it comes to Christmas lights and décor, much to the thrill of observing locals and visitors alike. While seeing this spectacular holiday light display on television is exciting, there’s nothing like seeing it illuminated in person. It’s well worth a stop when Christmas travels bring you to town.
Christmas Parades Designed to Thrill
Some of the very best and most entertaining Outer Banks Christmas parades are found on Hatteras Island each year. These family-friendly events are a highlight of your holiday stay and it’s not uncommon for the spectacles to be accompanied by hot chocolate and cookies. Afterward, you can visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and climb to the observation deck for a delightful holiday view from above. If you attend the annual Christmas parade in Manteo, you can count on enjoying live music and a variety of colorful and endlessly creative floats.
The Beautiful Winter Beaches
While you’re going to want to bundle up when you head to the Outer Banks at Christmas, this destination keeps you far from the plummeting temperatures and cold found elsewhere in the U.S. at the end of December. That means there are options to include beach outings to your holiday itinerary that come with the added benefit of fewer crowds to contend with. The beaches in Kitty Hawk are great for watching impressive waves roll in during the winter while Kill Devil Hills also has a reputation for tantalizing wave and shorebird watching this time of year. Don’t miss out on a holiday stroll along the pier in Nags Head while the beaches of Corolla are the perfect place to book a winter wild horse watching tour over Christmas alongside a knowledgeable and friendly guide.
Book Your Stay for Christmas in OBX Today
Taking time to enjoy a trip to the Outer Banks is always the right choice and a Christmas trip this way deserves to include amazing accommodations to match. Let the team at Shoreline OBX provide you with beautiful and inviting vacation rental options this December that are sure to elevate your stay to the next level of excellence. Our team will happily handle all the details of your booking while you focus on the holiday fun ahead! Reach out today to learn more about our many exciting and inviting property options available including those that are ideal for a Christmas vacation.
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