On this page you will find the annual community events on the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks Annual Events by Category or Month
Outer Banks Community
Say farewell to the old year and ring in the new alongside local businesses, neighbors and visitors at downtown Manteo’s New Year’s celebration. New Year in the New World transforms Manteo’s downtown and waterfront into a street fair celebration. A stage is set in Magnolia Marketplace, and you can dance to the tunes from live musicians and D.J.s. Play the various carnival games and activities. Warm chilled fingers by the bonfire. Lots of local restaurant vendors and food trucks will be located throughout the town to keep you fueled with delicious food and drink. Turn towards the water after the sun sets to watch the largest fireworks display in North Carolina. There’s an early ball drop for children, but the festivities continue until midnight for those who want to celebrate the New Year with the community.
Say farewell to the old year and ring in the new alongside local businesses, neighbors and visitors at downtown Manteo’s New Year’s celebration. New Year in the New World transforms Manteo’s downtown and waterfront into a street fair celebration. A stage is set in Magnolia Marketplace, and you can dance to the tunes from live musicians and D.J.s. Play the various carnival games and activities....read more
Say farewell to the old year and ring in the new alongside local businesses, neighbors...read more
Outer Banks Community
6800 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, Milepost 16, Nags Hed
Come one, come all to OBX Pridefest. This weekend-long annual event, held in September, is an awesome time to celebrate with the LGBTQ community. Starting on Friday and going through Sunday, you can check out a booze cruise, live music, touring productions and comedy shows, a drag brunch, nightly club dancing and the main festival, the Outer Banks Gay Pride Festival. Held at Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, the main festival is free and includes music, food and fun. You might want to attend one or two events, or you can purchase a pass that’ll get you into every event over the weekend. Different restaurants helping to sponsor the event also have vendors at outdoor daytime events and specials throughout the weekend. All daytime events are family friendly; nighttime events are not. Bring your family, friends, a fun-loving attitude and tons of pride – this is one Outer Banks event unlike any other. Contact the event's website for questions and information.
Come one, come all to OBX Pridefest. This weekend-long annual event, held in September, is an awesome time to celebrate with the LGBTQ community. Starting on Friday and going through Sunday, you can check out a booze cruise, live music, touring productions and comedy shows, a drag brunch, nightly club dancing and the main festival, the Outer Banks Gay Pride Festival. Held at...read more
Come one, come all to OBX Pridefest. This weekend-long annual event, held in...read more
Outer Banks Community
Soundside Event Site, 6800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head
The OBX Shred Fest embraces music, skateboarding and community. This family-friendly event features live performances from Outer Banks music groups and professional bands on its two stage, and there will be demos done by skateboarders, BMX riders, roller derby skaters and more. Watch them shred it – either on the guitar or on the skate ramps – while also enjoying the food and beverage vendors, checking out the raffles, art sale and other festivities. The best part of this event is that it benefits Dare2Care OBX, which raises awareness for veterans and individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Their main mission is to promote music opportunities for people with special needs by providing free, year-round music lessons. This Outer Banks annual event is held at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head.
The OBX Shred Fest embraces music, skateboarding and community. This family-friendly event features live performances from Outer Banks music groups and professional bands on its two stage, and there will be demos done by skateboarders, BMX riders, roller derby skaters and more. Watch them shred it – either on the guitar or on the skate ramps – while also enjoying the food and beverage vendors,...read more
The OBX Shred Fest embraces music, skateboarding and community. This family-friendly event features live performances...read more
Outer Banks Community
Ocracoke Preservation Society and, Berkley Barn, Ocracoke
Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored by Ocracoke Preservation Society. Local vendors provide fresh figs, fig preserves, local cookbooks and other fig-tastic items. Learn about Ocracoke’s fig history and culture and bring the kids for old-fashioned crafts and games. The showpiece of the Fig Festival is the Fig Cake Bake-Off on Saturday, but look for events all weekend long.
Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored by Ocracoke Preservation Society. Local vendors provide fresh figs, fig preserves, local cookbooks and other fig-tastic items. Learn about Ocracoke’s fig history and culture and bring the kids for old-fashioned crafts and games. The showpiece of the Fig Festival is the Fig Cake Bake-Off on Saturday, but look for events all weekend...read more
Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored...read more
Outer Banks Community
Berkley Barn, 58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke Island and around the region. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild, which was formed in 2018 to preserve this art form and piece of Ocracoke Island history. It's a one-day event and usually features a barbecue dinner and bake sale.
Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke Island and around the region. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild, which was formed in 2018 to preserve this art form and piece of Ocracoke Island history. It's a one-day event and usually features a barbecue dinner and bake sale.read more
Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke...read more
Outer Banks Community
Various Ocracoke Locations, Ocracoke
Sell, buy, browse – the Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale invites you to do it all. Maybe you have items that you never use or no longer need. Perhaps you’re in the market for a few knick knacks. Or you could just be looking to earn some cash. Shop an incredible assortment of items and score great bargains at this community yard sale. The Ocracoke Variety Store and the Little Visitors Center distribute maps of yard-sale locations. This Outer Banks annual event occurs in April and again in September.
Sell, buy, browse – the Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale invites you to do it all. Maybe you have items that you never use or no longer need. Perhaps you’re in the market for a few knick knacks. Or you could just be looking to earn some cash. Shop an incredible assortment of items and score great bargains at this community yard sale. The Ocracoke Variety...read more
Sell, buy, browse – the Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale invites you to do it all....read more
Outer Banks Community
Forget decking the halls – Ocracokers prefer decking the hulls. Get into the holiday spirit the island way with the Ocracoke Parade of Boats. This annual event welcomes aquatic vessels of all shapes and sizes to Silver Lake where they show off their holiday finery. Fishing boats, yachts, sailboats, skiffs, kayaks, Jet skis and more form a procession along the banks of the harbor at Silver Lake, and eager spectators gather along the docks at the waterfront to watch the boats float by. The Ocracoke Parade of Boats is a celebration of both the holiday season and the island’s maritime heritage. This annual event usually happens on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Forget decking the halls – Ocracokers prefer decking the hulls. Get into the holiday spirit the island way with the Ocracoke Parade of Boats. This annual event welcomes aquatic vessels of all shapes and sizes to Silver Lake where they show off their holiday finery. Fishing boats, yachts, sailboats, skiffs, kayaks, Jet skis and more form a procession along the banks of the harbor at...read more
Forget decking the halls – Ocracokers prefer decking the hulls. Get into the holiday spirit...read more
Celebrate the bounty of the local waters while feasting on fish, crabs, shrimp and more. This fall festival also features live music and fundraising auctions and raffles, with proceeds benefitting Ocracoke Health Center.
Celebrate the bounty of the local waters while feasting on fish, crabs, shrimp and more. This fall festival also features live music and fundraising auctions and raffles, with proceeds benefitting Ocracoke Health Center.
read more
Celebrate the bounty of the local waters while feasting on fish, crabs, shrimp and more....read more
Outer Banks Community
Ocracoke Community Square, Ocracoke
If you’re on Ocracoke Island in December, you won’t want to miss the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil. One of the most popular winter events, this community meal celebrates seafood and the people who make enjoying it possible. For the afternoon, the Community Square turns into a fish-fest where makeshift tables offer gathering grounds for shucking oysters, peeling and eating shrimp and rubbing elbows with your neighbors. There is also fish stew to slurp and cold beverages to sip. Come enjoy the taste of Ocracoke’s heritage, community and fresh-catch seafood at this Outer Banks annual event, which occurs during the last weekend in December.
If you’re on Ocracoke Island in December, you won’t want to miss the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil. One of the most popular winter events, this community meal celebrates seafood and the people who make enjoying it possible. For the afternoon, the Community Square turns into a fish-fest where makeshift tables offer gathering grounds for shucking oysters, peeling and eating shrimp...read more
If you’re on Ocracoke Island in December, you won’t want to miss the Ocracoke Working...read more
Outer Banks Community
Berkley Manor, 58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
The Ocrafolk Festival is one of the most beloved Outer Banks annual events and traditions. On the first weekend in June, storytellers, musicians and artists bring themselves and their trades to Ocracoke Island for a three-day festival. You can shop directly from artisans and crafters, watch art demonstrations, listen to established and up-and-coming musicians and be absorbed by thrilling tales about Ocracoke Island and North Carolina. Ocrafolk Festival’s music is live and features regional and national bands and solo musicians. As you’re walking around the village during the festival, you can always hear banjos, fiddles, guitars or voices filling the air. Proceeds from Ocrafolk Festival ticket sales support critical student and community programs.
The Ocrafolk Festival is one of the most beloved Outer Banks annual events and traditions. On the first weekend in June, storytellers, musicians and artists bring themselves and their trades to Ocracoke Island for a three-day festival. You can shop directly from artisans and crafters, watch art demonstrations, listen to established and up-and-coming musicians and be absorbed by thrilling tales about Ocracoke Island and North...read more
The Ocrafolk Festival is one of the most beloved Outer Banks annual events and traditions....read more
Outer Banks Community
3833 N. Croatan Highway, Longboards Island Grill, Kitty Hawk
There are few better ways to celebrate the start of oyster season than with an oyster roast and North Carolina barbecue. For more than 16 years, First Flight Rotary Club has sponsored the Oink and Oyster Roast as a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations in Dare County. This event is open to everyone with a love of oysters and a hearty appetite. The First Flight marching band provides live music that will have your feet tapping as you’re shucking oysters. Come on out to Longboard’s restaurant in Kitty Hawk for a day of oysters, barbecue, friends and community fun. This event is usually held the second weekend in October.
There are few better ways to celebrate the start of oyster season than with an oyster roast and North Carolina barbecue. For more than 16 years, First Flight Rotary Club has sponsored the Oink and Oyster Roast as a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations in Dare County. This event is open to everyone with a love of oysters and a hearty appetite. The First...read more
There are few better ways to celebrate the start of oyster season than...read more
Outer Banks Community
1 Festival Park Drive, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
For four days in May, the waterfront area of Manteo is alive with the sound of banjos, fiddles, guitars and phenomenal bluegrass singers. Music enthusiasts won’t want to miss this event where the tunes of the mountains pay a visit to the coast as regional bands and solo musicians showcase their talent. Depending on your affinity for bluegrass, you may choose to spend all four days at the festival or swing by now and then. The festival offers many of the bands you’ve come to know and love with a mixture of new and exciting bands who are sure to become your new favorites. This year’s lineup features The SteelDrivers, Blue Highway, Mountain Faith Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and many others. Visit www.bluegrassisland.com for the entire line-up and tickets. There will be plenty of onsite food options from many local restaurants, plus you can shop among many talented arts and crafts vendors. Roanoke Island Festival Park’s outdoor waterfront amphitheater is the perfect setting for this wildly popular Outer Banks annual event where you can feel a pleasant breeze from the water hit your face as you listen to the best in bluegrass!
For four days in May, the waterfront area of Manteo is alive with the sound of banjos, fiddles, guitars and phenomenal bluegrass singers. Music enthusiasts won’t want to miss this event where the tunes of the mountains pay a visit to the coast as regional bands and solo musicians showcase their talent. Depending on your affinity for bluegrass, you may choose to spend...read more
For four days in May, the waterfront area of Manteo is alive with...read more