Annual Outer Banks Events

Including Your Favorite Outer Banks Events

Each year brings an array of Outer Banks events to these beaches. Some of them are just so good that they return the following year, then the next and so on. These annual Outer Banks events range from those just starting to make a name for themselves to others that people mark their calendars for a year in advance. With the abundance of Outer Banks events that are always going on, you can probably guess several annual spectacles are often included in the mix. Winter or summer, rain or shine, it isn't hard to find nearby annual Outer Banks events. You may want to go to a music festival, arts and crafts fair, fun run, triathlon or marathon, fundraiser or family friendly festival, and this is your trusty compilation of what's happening when and where. As a whole annual Outer Banks events offer something for people of all ages and interests. Go to art shows or athletic competitions, foodie fun to music festivals, holiday festivities or cultural celebrations – there’s something for everyone here.

Annual Outer Banks Events are Everywhere

Every town prides itself on its annual events, and they're all presented with the utmost care and planning. Just attending one or two of them might have you second guessing if you're really on the Outer Banks or somehow got whisked away to the artsy Chelsea district in Manhattan. Ok, maybe that's a stretch, but we are pretty proud of them. We have our share of galas with attendees in formal attire; there are Outer Banks events where you end up covered in sand, wet and proud of your athletic accomplishment; we have refined jazz festivals, day-long rock/folk events and days full of Outer Banks beach music. These events are bursting with culture that is local to this area, and you’re invited to come be a part of them. Check out our listings below to see which annual Outer Banks events capture your interest.

Annual Outer Banks Events by Category or Month

 

4th of July Celebration in Ocracoke

Outer Banks Annual Event
Island-wide, Ocracoke
(252) 928-6711

Ocracoke Village celebrates Independence Day with a family-oriented, fun-filled annual event offering many activities for all ages. July Fourth kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony at the school circle followed by the annual Sand Sculpture Contest. Other activities include lighthouse tours, a vintage car show, live music and the annual Classic Old-Time Parade in which visitors and locals build floats, decorate bikes and...read more

Ocracoke Village celebrates Independence Day with a family-oriented, fun-filled annual event offering...read more

4th of July in Duck

Outer Banks Annual Event
1200 Duck Road, Duck Town Park
(252) 255-1234

Join the Town of Duck as it celebrates this nation’s birth with a parade, live music and more. Visitors and locals from all over the Outer Banks come to Duck to check out and enjoy the parade and other festivities. The parade includes floats, decorated cars, dog walkers and people showcasing their talents to delight the crowd. After the parade, head over to...read more

Join the Town of Duck as it celebrates this nation’s birth with a...read more

4th of July in Manteo

Outer Banks Annual Event
Downtown Manteo, Manteo
(252) 473-2133

The community of Manteo comes together every year to celebrate this nation’s birth with day-long festivities, and you’re invited to this family-friendly event. You can begin your day with a trip to Island Farm to experience an 1850s-style Independence Day. Interact with the farm’s animals, listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, play games and eat some watermelon. In the afternoon...read more

The community of Manteo comes together every year to celebrate this nation’s birth...read more

Advice 5K Turkey Trot

Outer Banks Annual Event
1711 Duck Road, Scarborough Lane Shoppes, Duck
(252) 255-1050

For the past 23 years runners and walkers of all ages and abilities have started their Thanksgiving Day off with the annual Advice 5K Turkey Trot in Duck. Run, jog or walk your way through the 5K route as you’re cheered on by groups of enthusiastic volunteers and supporters. It’s one way you’ll definitely work up an appetite for dinner and help out the OBX...read more

For the past 23 years runners and walkers of all ages and abilities have started...read more

Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament

Outer Banks Annual Event
2000 Sailfish Drive, Pirate's Cove Marina, Manteo
(252) 305-3610

Ladies, gather your fishing poles and your finest crew members. In early August it's time to fish for a cure at the Alice Kelly Memorial Billfish Tournament. This Outer Banks annual event, whose home base is Pirate's Cove Marina, invites teams of women to come out for a weekend of fishing and good times. Participants start the event with registration of competitors and teams and...read more

Ladies, gather your fishing poles and your finest crew members. In early August it's time...read more

Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' First Flight

Outer Banks Annual Event
1000 North Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 473-2111

One of the Outer Banks’s biggest claims to fame is the 12 seconds in 1903 that revolutionized the world. The Wright Brothers’ first flight in Kill Devil Hills broke barriers in technology and paved the way for aviation developments. Join the First Flight Society for their annual celebration of Orville and Wilbur Wrights’ achievements on the anniversary of the first flight. Admission to the Wright...read more

One of the Outer Banks’s biggest claims to fame is the 12 seconds in 1903...read more

Beer Witch Project

Outer Banks Annual Event
600 South Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-2739

Halloween isn’t just for the kids. The Beer Witch Project at the Outer Banks Brewing Station invites those ages 21 and up to join them for a Halloween-themed beer mile run. Drink, run, drink, run, drink, run, drink, run your way to the finish line. From there you’re invited to enjoy the infamous after-party following the race in the Brewing Station’s backyard, where you’ll inevitably...read more

Halloween isn’t just for the kids. The Beer Witch Project at the Outer Banks Brewing...read more

Blackbeard's Half-Marathon and Scallywag 5K/10K on Ocracoke

Outer Banks Annual Event

Ocracoke's fun-filled race weekend, held the last weekend of April, draws runners of all skill levels for a half-marathon, 10K and 5K. If you're looking to set a PR, the courses are flat (there's hardly even a hill on this island) and therefore very fast. The 10K and 5K are held on Saturday morning, beginning at Gaffer's Sports Pub and winding through the village. The...read more

Ocracoke's fun-filled race weekend, held the last weekend of April, draws runners of all skill...read more

Blackbeard's Pirate Jamboree

Outer Banks Annual Event
(252) 928-6711

Come to Ocracoke to commemorate more than 300 years since Blackbeard's historic last battle. Held annually in October, this three-day event is highlighted by an all-day, family-friendly, true-to-life Pirate Encampment by Blackbeard’s Pirate Crew. Wear your costumes and enjoy the entertainment with interactive living history exhibits, music, a shopping marketplace and lots of other pirate activities. The event culminates with the last battle reenactment at...read more

Come to Ocracoke to commemorate more than 300 years since Blackbeard's historic last battle. Held...read more

Brewtag

Outer Banks Annual Event
6800 S. Croatan Highway, Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
(877) 359-8447

Wait ... kegs can fly?! Who knew? Kitty Hawk Kites knows because they sponsor this fun (and funny) festival every October. Various groups around the Outer Banks create "flying" machines out of 1/6 kegs (empty ones) and whatever contraption they can come up with that might – emphasis on the word might – fly off a platform. It's a ton of fun to watch. When...read more

Wait ... kegs can fly?! Who knew? Kitty Hawk Kites knows because they sponsor this...read more

British Cemetery Ceremony

Outer Banks Annual Event
British Cemetery, British Cemetery Road, Ocracoke

On May 11, 1942, the H.M.T. Bedfordshire sank off of Ocracoke Island’s coast. Four of the sailors found their final resting place at the British Cemetery. Each Friday in April, an annual ceremony and reception remembers those sailors and celebrates the small plot of land that’s come to be known as “forever England.” This annual event brings together people from the Ocracoke community, representatives from...read more

On May 11, 1942, the H.M.T. Bedfordshire sank off of Ocracoke Island’s coast. Four of...read more

Carolina Boat Builders Tournament

Outer Banks Annual Event
2000 Sailfish Drive, Pirate's Cove Pavilion, Manteo
(252) 216-6914

This two out of three day fishing tournament is a low-key Outer Banks event of fishing and socializing. After the initial day of cocktails, a captains’ meeting and mingling, teams head out from Pirate's Cove to compete for the best offshore catches. Fishing starts in the morning and continues well into the afternoon. This tournament concludes with an awards banquet and silent auction....read more

This two out of three day fishing tournament is a low-key Outer Banks...read more