Outer Banks Annual Events - April

This event has become an Outer Banks spring tradition, and there could be no more beautiful setting than The Elizabethan Gardens in full bloom. The event features an egg scavenger hunt, photo ops, a homemade bake sale, an egg roll on the Great Lawn, visits from Sir Walter “Peter” Wabbit, make and take crafts, gift certificates, stuffed animals, bake sales and more. All of the family fun activities make this a favorite for the little bunnies in your house. The Great Lawn features entertaining performances from local music groups, dance troupes and storytellers. Kids with festive hats and bonnets will even get to enter a contest for their finery. This Outer Banks event takes place the Saturday before Easter.

Calling all swashbucklers, buccaneers and everything in between to lace up your finest running shoes and enjoy a great race through some beautiful scenery. You and the members of your crew can walk, jog or run in this half marathon or 5K that’ll take you through the picturesque maritime forest in Nags Head Woods, along the Albemarle Sound and around the Wright Brothers Memorial. And don’t forget, a respectable pirate always looks his or her best, so make sure you’re dressed for the part. Prizes are awarded to the best-dressed and most enthusiastic participants. After the run, you and fellow scallywags can celebrate with the Pirate Jamboree in Nags Head. There is free beer and food for runners and live music to groove to. This Outer Banks event is held in mid-April. Go to www.flyingpiratehalfmarathon.com to register.

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.

Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts is an annual performance series held in the off-season. Each season offers seven concerts with nationally known and renowned acts, and each season includes a performance by the Virginia Symphony. Season passes or individual show tickets are available. All performances are held at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills. 

Every spring the beautiful Sanderling Resort brings together photographers, florists, designers, caterers, musicians and many more wedding vendors in one place. Couples planning an Outer Banks wedding have the opportunity to meet the local vendors and plan the day of their dreams. This sampling of businesses is an excellent opportunity for happy couples to see which vendors will work best for their wedding day, and they might even be inspired with ideas for the ceremony. Attendees will also get to see an array of tablescapes and other setups that they may want to use on their wedding days. It’s like a real-life Pinterest!