Events

Be part of a once-in-a-lifetime celebration as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776! On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the free Dare A250 “Liberty, Legacy and Lift-Off” Faire will bring history to life across two iconic locations—historic downtown Manteo and Roanoke Island Festival Park—for a full day of unforgettable, family-friendly festivities. Rooted in a place known as the “Land of Beginnings,”...

Sip, savor & support The Lost Colony! The Annual Grand Tasting takes place in the SoundStage Theatre, surrounded by the beautiful views of Roanoke Sound. Ten of the Outer Banks’ favorite restaurants and best chefs will be serving their specialties, complementing the body and aromas of the wines poured and craft beers featured. Admission includes wine tasting, craft beers, local fare by ten restaurants, silent auction, regional art show and...

Arrr you ready for the Flying Pirate Weekend Jamboree?! Bring out your inner pirate for this fun-filled pirate themed marathon through the beautiful landscapes of Coastal North Carolina! The 13.1 mile course starts at the First Flight Middle school and ends at the Wright Brothers Memorial. Participate in your best pirate-themed costume and win! Judges will be Mile Marker Sponsors and Bike Marshals who will be on the lookout for...

Enjoy a rare opportunity to see the best surfers on the East Coast compete in the Mid-Atlantic Surfing Regionals. The action goes down at the beach next to Jennette's Pier, where the waves provide the perfect playground for the country's top surfers to compete. Cheer on the surfers over multiple days of competition in a fun coastal environment. Spread out a beach towel, pull up a chair in the sand,...

Held against the beautiful backdrop of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Rod and Custom Festival is a family-friendly event for automotive enthusiasts featuring Cruise-ins, Displays & Vendors, Special Events, Historic Sites, Food & Fun! Extra money raised through the sponsor program will be donated to local charities.

Kids Fest is a FREE and fun-filled day where children, ages five and under, can enjoy arts and crafts, bubbles, characters, music, large vehicles, and much more!

Join the First Flight Rotary Club for the 40th Annual Nags Head Woods 5K Charity Race on Saturday of Mother's Day Weekend.

Dare County Arts Council presents the Artrageous Kids Art Festival at Dowdy Park in Nags Head from 10am-2pm. Artrageous is a free, family-friendly event that includes art activities, live music, dance performances, an artisan market, and food vendors. This annual community event brings families together to paint, sculpt, dance, sing and be creative. Proceeds from Artrageous benefit DCAC cultural arts programming and the Artrageous Youth Scholarship Fund, which awards one...

The Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week - Fresh from the shedders to your plate! When it comes down to the real flavors of the Outer Banks, we think this cult classic best captures the taste of our locals water. And did we mention how fresh these crabs are? Straight from the shedders in the backyard to tables at the participating restaurants and seafood markets. From the classic sandwich to creative...

The Hang Gliding Spectacular is the longest-running hang gliding competition in the world! We are excited to celebrate the 54th consecutive year of this event and have many fun activities planned. Join professional hang gliders, fans, and families for this Kitty Hawk Flight School tradition. The Hang Gliding Spectacular is the longest-running hang gliding competition in the world! Kitty Hawk Kites invites pilots from all over the country to come...

Kitty Hawk Kites and friends will be displaying amazing 30 – 100 ft kites on top of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Join us and fly a kite of your own, take part in FREE walk-up stunt kite lessons, kite coloring for kids of all ages, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular kites as they fly in the sky.

The Outer Banks welcomes the annual Sumospeed Beach Bash at the Soundside Events Site. Come out for car shows, music, raffles, local vendors and food trucks.

The 2026 Town of Duck 4th of July parade and community celebration for America 250 is set for July 3rd, 2026.  

Celebrate the 4th of July in Corolla with free live music and a spectacular fireworks show on the northern Outer Banks!

Celebrate America's 250th anniversary! Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the Farm’s grassy lawn, and continue celebrations of the nation’s birth with musket-fire, traditional games, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and much more. A living history farm, Island Farm is a tangible glimpse into coastal history, and the realities of life on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800’s. Admission to the site is $11,...

Enjoy a day of fun on Roanoke Island with live music, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks show. The downtown Manteo waterfront provides a picturesque setting for the fireworks display, which can be viewed from Roanoke Island Festival Park

Kill Devil Hills’ Avalon Pier for a night of live music and fireworks. This family-friendly event is free and offers a prime spot to watch the fireworks over the ocean.

Celebrate the 4th of July on the Outer Banks with a breathtaking fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean. The Nags Head Fishing Pier offers the perfect vantage point for families and friends to gather for The Town Of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular!

Outer Banks Parade of Homes features stunning homes and the finest in coastal living on the Outer Banks. From charming coastal retreats to sprawling oceanfront estates, each property represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and innovation. Explore distinctive properties from Corolla to Powells Point, Manteo to Avon, discover fresh ideas for your own project, and meet the builders, designers, and craftspeople who bring them to life. This year, be sure to...

The Town of Duck presents the Duck Jazz Festival at the Duck Town Park on Columbus Day weekend. Enjoy live music from national, regional and local jazz musicians with performances over two days on two stages at this free festival. Extend your Outer Banks stay to enjoy jazz-themed events and promotions taking place throughout Duck businesses and beyond. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from various town restaurants....

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival was established in 1997 to connect the public with wildlife and wildland experiences in regional national wildlife refuges. Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival is hosted across six refuges in northeastern North Carolina. The festival features about 60 programs, including birding, paddling, photography, and natural history, making it one of the premier East Coast wildlife festivals. It also supports refuge conservation and education through the Coastal...

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival was established in 1997 to connect the public with wildlife and wildland experiences in regional national wildlife refuges. Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival is hosted across six refuges in northeastern North Carolina. The festival features about 60 programs, including birding, paddling, photography, and natural history, making it one of the premier East Coast wildlife festivals. It also supports refuge conservation and education through the Coastal...

Music lovers from all over the world flock to the Outer Banks for this tradition that adds a roster of acclaimed bands with one of the most beautiful venues anywhere. The Bluegrass Island Music Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, and this year's event is no exception, with a number of regionally and internationally famous bands set to take the stage. If your dream...

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival features delicious food and tasty beverages from the best local restaurants and breweries.

Creep it real this Halloween! Make plans to join us for Trunk or Treat in the Town of Duck! Dress in your best costume and come enjoy a safe and festive atmosphere. This FREE event will take place from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Town Hall where we will have games set up on the lawn, exciting giveaways from local businesses, live entertainment. Don’t forget to bring your chairs and blankets...

A celebration of flight and beer, OBX Brewtag contestants will be competing to see who can launch and fly an empty 1/6 keg barrel the furthest. Want to compete? The sky’s the limit as to how creative your homemade flying contraption can be! Individuals and teams are welcome. Admission to the event is FREE for everyone! A rather crafty selection of local and regional beer and food will be available...

In 1587, English colonists came to Roanoke Island. Night of 1587 Pumpkins is an event at which we attempt to light 1,587 jack-o’-lanterns. The evening will consist of trick-or-treating, contests, and, of course, pumpkins! Everyone is encouraged to come in costume to enjoy the festivities. Our community helps us carve the pumpkins! You are invited to come to the Gardens to carve a free jack-o’-lantern on October 28th and/or 29th,...

The Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA) is proud to announce the second annual Shellabration and BBQ event will take place November 1, 2026, from 1pm-4pm at the Safe Harbor Marina and Tiki Bar. This event is sponsored, in part, by a grant from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. This year’s event will feature an expanded lineup of North Carolina oyster farmers and additional local barbecue vendors, while keeping the ticket...