Outer Banks Annual Events - Arts & Craft

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 check out the downtown Manteo waterfront, where you’ll be entertained by musicians, a patriotic parade and all-American contests. After those festivities, head over to Roanoke Island Festival Park, where there's a patriotic concert starting at 8 p.m. Of course, no Fourth of July event is complete without fireworks. The Town of Manteo's fireworks display is launched from Roanoke Island Festival Park at dusk. If you want to take a different approach to the fireworks display, paddle or boat into the sound for a secluded view.

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.

First Friday is a family-oriented festival held in downtown Manteo on the first Friday of every month from April through December. From 6 to 8 p.m. downtown Manteo’s sidewalks come alive with a wide variety of musical performances and festive activities for all ages. Individual shops and restaurants frequently do their own celebratory activity such as live music, special sales, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Dare County Arts Council always hosts an opening reception for exhibits in its gallery, and Downtown Books frequently hosts a book signing. It’s a great time to explore all that downtown Manteo has to offer.

The annual Festival of Trees is an ideal way to spread holiday cheer while benefiting the nonprofit Outer Banks Hotline. It includes several days of events, including a bazaar, live music, children's activities and more. At the gala on Saturday night you can browse through all of the business-sponsored and decorated trees while you enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres and coffee and live holiday tunes filling the air. The holiday bazaar and the Bid and Buy It Now Auction are the most anticipated parts of this Outer Banks annual event. Place your bids at the silent auction then check out the new and gently used assortment of decorations, accessories and clothes at the holiday bazaar. All of the proceeds from the event benefit Outer Banks Hotline, so you’re shopping for a worthy cause.

Dare County Arts Council's two-day festival on downtown Manteo’s waterfront features artists from all over the country. While some are new to the festival each year, many are returning. You can find exhibitions of all sorts of media ranging from watercolors, drawings, acrylics, photography, jewelry and pottery. While the festival is a juried show, you still have the opportunity to buy directly from the artists. You might find an amazing photograph that you want hanging in your house or a beautifully handcrafted bracelet that will make the perfect present. Admission to this highly anticipated Outer Banks annual event is free, and it’s a family-friendly event. It's held on a Wednesday and Thursday in mid-August.

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.

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.

Spend a beautiful spring morning at Roanoke Island Festival Park enjoying an Outer Banks event made just for the little kids. KidsFest is geared toward ages 5 and younger, giving them a day of play and exposing them to the Outer Banks community. An array of exhibitors and vendors from all over Dare County convene to provide arts and crafts, face painting, bubbles, vehicle exhibitions, performances from local dance companies and icy treats to keep kids cool on a warm day. This event welcomes children, their parents, grandparents and any other family and friends who want to partake in the fun. Hosted by the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County, this event is held on a Friday morning in May from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and there is no admission fee. 

Rock the Cape is an arts and music festival that brings musicians, artists and art enthusiasts to Hatteras Island. Live music, an art show, art exhibits, live art demonstrations and crafts and activities for children are part of the fun. The whole family can enjoy this event.This festival benefits the Dare County Arts Council and helps enrich the art community at the Outer Banks.