Outer Banks Annual Events - Festivals

The lovely little Town of Manteo kicks off the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony and other festivities on the first Friday night in December. Hundreds of people gather on Queen Elizabeth Avenue in front of the historic Dare County Courthouse to enjoy performances of holiday music, to sip hot cocoa and to watch the lighting of the waterfront Christmas tree. The event coincides with downtown Manteo's monthly First Friday event, which means that after the lighting you can stick around for live music around town, art exhibits and receptions, a book signing, dining in the restaurants and shopping in the shops. Try to arrive downtown by 5:30 p.m., and keep in mind that traffic will be heavy coming into town and that you may have to park a ways back on a Manteo side street and walk to the downtown area. 

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. The main festival, held at Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, is free and includes music, food and fun. Other events are held at various locations. 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 for ages 21 and older. 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.

Celebrate the bounty of the local waters while feasting on fish, crabs, shrimp and more. This fall festival also features live music and fundraising auctions and raffles, with proceeds benefitting Ocracoke Health Center.

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.