Outer Banks Annual Events - Festivals

Jockey’s Ridge is all aglow in the month following Thanksgiving. The opening weekend for Jockey’s Ridge State Park Holiday Lights coincides with Kitty Hawk Kites’s annual event, Kites with Lights, on the beloved sand dune and adds even more sparkles to the sky. Outer Banks businesses, organizations and residents congregate in the park’s parking lot for a tailgate-style light display. Come admire the lights and decorations while spreading season’s greetings to your neighbors. Warm fingers and bellies with a cup of hot chocolate from the hot cocoa booth. This event will be held during the evenings starting the first Saturday after Thanksgiving until the last Saturday in December.

This event is happily anticipated by locals and visitors alike. Rock, funk and blues (and some music in between) blast out from the double main stage at Mike Dianna's Grill Room for this two-day event. The bands start the event in the mornings and make sure it lasts into the wee hours of the night. And while you’re listening to the music, be sure you check out the artisan market there — it’s a great place to find artwork, jewelry, clothes and other goodies. Food has been added as a major draw for 2018 – an oyster roast on Saturday and a BBQ Cook Off on Sunday. The best part about this Outer Banks event is that it benefits the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, so you’re having a fine time while helping a major cause. Beer, wine and food are sold on site. The event is held in mid-October. For more information, get in touch with the event via their website.

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.

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.

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.