Outer Banks Annual Events - Child & Family Friendly

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.

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 Springer's Point and final cannon salute. 

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 the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, British Royal Navy and Canadian Royal Navy for a transnational memorial made possible by the collective work of many nations. Each ceremony involves a reading of the crew list, the playing of bagpipes and a 21-gun salute. This Ocracoke annual event is open to all who wish to pay their respects at this honorable display of local culture and history.

Celebrate Currituck’s down-home, country culture with barbecue and a rodeo. The Currituck Heritage Bulls & BBQ is an annual fall event that brings excitement and family friendly fun to Currituck residents and visitors of all ages – no native ties required. The People’s Choice BBQ and Kansas City BBQ Competition are the cornerstones of this event. Local restaurants and barbecue experts battle it out for title of the best barbecue, and attendees sample the creations, ranging from tangy to sweet and smoky to succulent. After everyone has voted for their favorite barbecue, the competition concludes with an awards ceremony. Following the barbecue competition, the attention turns from pigs to cows as the festival’s evening rodeo opens, presenting the talents of professional bull riders. Other activities during the event include corn hole tournaments, children’s games and browsing the wares from local vendors, including food and funky crafts, products and more. It’s a delicious, engaging but low-key event that shines a little extra love on this interior area of the Outer Banks.

Swap out your witch’s broomstick for running shoes for this Halloween activity. The Dare to Scare 5K and Sweet Treat Fun Run is an annual event held on the last Saturday of October. The 5K course takes runners from the Roanoke Island’s Coastal Studies Institute to the Dare County Center on the scenic trail full of woodland and marsh views. Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female runners. The Sweet Treat Fun Run follows the 5K and is open to both walkers and runners. Costumes are strongly encouraged, so you can channel your outer Nike as well as inner one for this event. The Dare to Scare 5K and Sweet Treat Fun Run is organized by OBX GoFar, and you can register for either race on their website.