Events

Important Marathon Update Dear Participants, We’re deeply sorry to share that the OBX Marathon Weekend (Fun Run, 5k, 8k, Half Marathon, Marathon, and Expo) November 8–9 2025 has been canceled due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Outer Banks Marathon Weekend features many different options for events to race in. Not only is there the Towne Bank Marathon, but also the Half Marathon and the Surf Pediatrics Surf & Soar...

A holiday tradition not to be missed! Stroll along illuminated garden walks and discover the joy of the season with holiday lights that transform the ten-acre gardens into an enchanted wonderland. The radiant glow, holiday décor, and a crackling open-air fire, add to the festive atmosphere. Seasonal plants and holiday gifts will be available in the Gift Shop and Nursery. Tours are from 6:00 - 9:00 pm on select nights...

Lace up your running shoes for this 5k and Youth Fun Run on Thanksgiving Day at The Whalehead Club in Historic Corolla Park. This is a family and community event in the spirit and fellowship of the holiday open to runners, walkers, stroller/jogger and wheel chair participants. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, canned goods/non-perishable food items will be collected for The Sonder Project in support of our ​local Food Bank.

Duck Turkey Trot 5K  - Start your Thanksgiving day off with a fantastic 5k run through Duck!

Join us for 12 Bars of Christmas, a festive pop-up bonanza featuring 12 of your favorite local bars and restaurants transformed into winter wonderlands for holiday cheer. From Black Friday through New Year’s Eve, explore themed venues across Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo. Enjoy specialty drinks, seasonal menus, family-friendly activities and unique events at each spot. Take part in our Passport Challenge—collect stamps at all 12...

Kites with Lights is a fantastic light show at Jockey’s Ridge State Park! Spread the holiday cheer with Kitty Hawk Kites and a kite light show on Jockey’s Ridge! Be sure to make it out on Saturday, November 29th from 4 – 7 PM for a light display like no other. Kites with Lights, at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, features large 19-to-30-foot kites decked out in the spirit of the...

Celebrate New Year's Eve family-style on the waterfront in downtown Manteo starting at 6:00 p.m. on December 31st! Live music, kid's zone with great games and activities, fabulous fun giveaways,  and a colorful fireworks display illuminating Manteo's beautiful waterfront will bring cheer to the new year. Yummy food options include local fare provided by downtown restaurants in addition to accompanying local food trucks.  Colorful shaved ice will surely catch the...

An oyster roast for the coast! Join the North Carolina Coastal Federation for a laid-back oyster roast at Oden’s Dock in Hatteras Village from 1-4 p.m. The event will feature fresh oysters, clam chowder, cornbread, and other refreshments. Be sure to save room for homemade dessert from the bake sale. You can also enjoy live music and a silent auction with many unique, regional items.

Scenic run through Sanctuary Vineyards! Start your day with your Sweetheart, or maybe find one on the course, then start your scenic trail run/walk through the vineyard, under the trees, by the sound and back to the winery for the post-race wine, cheese and chocolate tasting party including Sanctuary souvenir swag. Welcome non-wine specialists (and younger ages)!

Join us for 3 days of regional food, drink and fun on the Outer Banks! Each year the Outer Banks Restaurant Association welcomes visitors and locals to the annual OBX Taste of The Beach to connect, share, and enjoy wine and food experiences. The Outer Banks Taste of The Beach Weekend is a fantastic way to sample the fare of many local restaurants in one fun-filled, food-centric weekend! Come indulge...

Suit up in your green gear and try your luck at the Running of the Leprechauns. This fun and festive 5K and 10K race event has kicked off the Outer Banks Sporting Events annual line-up since 2017. Find your pot of gold at the end of the race at the after party with music and awards. Each finisher receives a finisher's medal and an event shirt. Awards are given for...

For foodies, families, and anyone who appreciates a hearty bowl of comfort food, this isn't just a lunch—it’s a showdown. Whether you are a long-time lover of Outer Banks cuisine or a first-time visitor looking to taste the local flavor, this event offers a unique opportunity to sample the best chowder creations from the area's top chefs.

The Kelly’s Annual St. Patrick’s Parade and Celebration starts at 1 pm. The parade route runs from Bladen St. (MP 11.5) north to Driftwood St. on Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Road). What began as a way to break up the winter doldrums and to invigorate the community in preparation for the summer season, the parade has grown to include over one-hundred entrants and is watched by over eight thousand attendees...

Dan Kelly of Fortunate Youth brings his first-ever solo Anthem Tour to the Outer Banks for an unforgettable afternoon inside the beautifully restored Pioneer Theater in downtown Manteo. This special storytelling-style show features an incredible lineup of guests, including Cas Haley, Kevin Kinsella, John Landry, and Ike Kanakanui, creating a rare acoustic-reggae experience in one of the most intimate venues on the East Coast. Set inside the Pioneer’s warm, resonant...

The largest egg scavenger hunt on the beach with thousands of eggs! Egg spoon races, hat contest, musical acts, dancers, special visit from Sir  Walter “Peter” Wabbit, make and take crafts, egg roll race, find special prize eggs to win: prizes, gift certificates, stuffed animals and more! Please bring your own Easter Basket for collecting eggs and prizes. Pre-reserved Timed-Entry Admission Required. All tickets sold online.

Fun Easter egg hunt event presented by kitty Hawk Kites! Join us across the street from the dunes outside Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head on Saturday to take your picture with the Easter Bunny, and let your kids join in the fun during our annual Jockey’s Ridge Crossing Easter Egg Hunt! We will be hosting small-scale Easter Egg Hunts on Saturday, April 4th starting at 10:30 AM. You can...

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.