On this page you will find the annual festivals on the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks Annual Events by Category or Month
Outer Banks Festivals
Berkley Manor, 58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
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.
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...read more
The Ocrafolk Festival is one of the most beloved Outer Banks annual events and traditions....read more
Outer Banks Festivals
1 Festival Park Drive, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
For four days in May, the waterfront area of Manteo is alive with the sound of banjos, fiddles, guitars and phenomenal bluegrass singers. Music enthusiasts won’t want to miss this event where the tunes of the mountains pay a visit to the coast as regional bands and solo musicians showcase their talent. Depending on your affinity for bluegrass, you may choose to spend all four days at the festival or swing by now and then. The festival offers many of the bands you’ve come to know and love with a mixture of new and exciting bands who are sure to become your new favorites. This year’s lineup features The SteelDrivers, Blue Highway, Mountain Faith Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and many others. Visit www.bluegrassisland.com for the entire line-up and tickets. There will be plenty of onsite food options from many local restaurants, plus you can shop among many talented arts and crafts vendors. Roanoke Island Festival Park’s outdoor waterfront amphitheater is the perfect setting for this wildly popular Outer Banks annual event where you can feel a pleasant breeze from the water hit your face as you listen to the best in bluegrass!
For four days in May, the waterfront area of Manteo is alive with the sound of banjos, fiddles, guitars and phenomenal bluegrass singers. Music enthusiasts won’t want to miss this event where the tunes of the mountains pay a visit to the coast as regional bands and solo musicians showcase their talent. Depending on your affinity for bluegrass, you may choose to spend...read more
For four days in May, the waterfront area of Manteo is alive with...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
1 Festival Park Drive, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
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.
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,...read more
Spend a beautiful spring morning at Roanoke Island Festival Park enjoying an Outer Banks event...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
3933 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 11, Jockey's Ridge Crossing, Nags Head
Every year families of buccaneers and scallywags journey to Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head for several days of pirate fun. The Outer Banks Pirate Festival usually takes place in mid-August, so your young mateys can embrace their inner pirates right before going back to school. For three days a group of local pirates bring alive their games, traditions, lore and mischief. Get your face painted, learn the rules of the pirate code, explore the history of pirates on the Outer Banks and attend Scallywag School to prepare yourselves for the treasure hunt. Finish your day the right way by having dinner with the pirates. The hearty grub and camaraderie will keep your pirate spirit alive until the next year’s festival.
Every year families of buccaneers and scallywags journey to Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head for several days of pirate fun. The Outer Banks Pirate Festival usually takes place in mid-August, so your young mateys can embrace their inner pirates right before going back to school. For three days a group of local pirates bring alive their games, traditions, lore and mischief. Get...read more
Every year families of buccaneers and scallywags journey to Kitty Hawk Kites in...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
3933 S. Croatan Highway, Jockey's Ridge Crossing, Nags Head
Where can you enjoy games, friends, music and watermelon all in one place? Try the Outer Banks Watermelon Festival. For several years, locals and visitors have gathered to enjoy summer with this delicious seasonal melon. You can enjoy watermelon-themed games like watermelon bowling, watermelon relays, seed-spitting contests and more. Stir up some friendly competition in a game of corn hole or test your flexibility by trying to beat the limbo stick. This event is held at the Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head and welcomes watermelon lovers of all ages. The festival is free to attend, but you have to purchase tickets if you want to play some games. The best part is that all proceeds go to the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition, so you’ll be helping out something meaningful while having a blast. This event will be held on August 1 in 2018.
Where can you enjoy games, friends, music and watermelon all in one place? Try the Outer Banks Watermelon Festival. For several years, locals and visitors have gathered to enjoy summer with this delicious seasonal melon. You can enjoy watermelon-themed games like watermelon bowling, watermelon relays, seed-spitting contests and more. Stir up some friendly competition in a game of corn hole or test your...read more
Where can you enjoy games, friends, music and watermelon all in one place?...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
40920 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
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.
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...read more
Rock the Cape is an arts and music festival that brings musicians, artists...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
6800 S. Croatan Highway, Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Every June the carnival comes to town! Join in the fun of rides, fair food and midway games at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. This event is extra special fun for families because it benefits the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County, an organization that advocates for kids from birth through adolescents. This event is held mid-June. 2018 dates are June 14 to 20 from 5 to 11 p.m. each night.
Every June the carnival comes to town! Join in the fun of rides, fair food and midway games at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. This event is extra special fun for families because it benefits the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County, an organization that advocates for kids from birth through adolescents. This event is held mid-June. 2018 dates are June 14...read more
Every June the carnival comes to town! Join in the fun of rides, fair food...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
Enjoy an upscale summer art festival in Corolla with the annual Under the Oaks Art Festival. More than 50 artists present their work to include a fine mix of photography, paintings, ceramics, woodwork and jewelry. You can participate in the art auction, and kids can partake in children’s activities while basking in the shade of the live oaks. Vendors from local restaurants provide food that you can munch on while viewing all the artwork. This event is held in mid- to late June (June 19 and 20 in 2018).
Enjoy an upscale summer art festival in Corolla with the annual Under the Oaks Art Festival. More than 50 artists present their work to include a fine mix of photography, paintings, ceramics, woodwork and jewelry. You can participate in the art auction, and kids can partake in children’s activities while basking in the shade of the live oaks. Vendors from local restaurants provide...read more
Enjoy an upscale summer art festival in Corolla with the annual Under the...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
Ocracoke Island offers 16 miles of undeveloped beachfront, numerous preserved natural areas and a charming village with lodging, camping, restaurants, nightlife, shops and recreational activities, making it a very popular vacation spot. Add in the island's numerous annual events, from the Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival in April to the Ocracoke Working Watermen Association's Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil in December, and it's easy to see why people return to this island again and again. Ocracoke Township Tourism Development Authority has the information you need for a complete vacation getaway, including detailed information on the island's annual events.
Ocracoke Island offers 16 miles of undeveloped beachfront, numerous preserved natural areas and a charming village with lodging, camping, restaurants, nightlife, shops and recreational activities, making it a very popular vacation spot. Add in the island's numerous annual events, from the Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival in April to the Ocracoke Working Watermen Association's Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil in December, and it's easy to see why...read more
Ocracoke Island offers 16 miles of undeveloped beachfront, numerous preserved natural areas and a charming...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
Up for a sophisticated evening activity? Check out Whalehead Wednesdays Wine and Beer Festivals happening from June through the end of September. Every Wednesday evening during the summer months you can sample a variety of wines and beer along with fruit and cheese while you watch the sun set over the Currituck Sound. Different solo artists and bands provide live music every week, so you’ll get a taste of local talent in addition to the wine and beer. Wine is provided by Sanctuary Vineyards, Whalehead Gallery, Vineyards on the Scuppernong and Corolla Wine, Cigar and Gourmet. There'll also be a beer tasting, featuring samples from the Weeping Radish Brewery and Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company. This Outer Banks event is family friendly with activities that children can enjoy too. Admission includes a tasting glass, and nondrinkers are admitted free.
Up for a sophisticated evening activity? Check out Whalehead Wednesdays Wine and Beer Festivals happening from June through the end of September. Every Wednesday evening during the summer months you can sample a variety of wines and beer along with fruit and cheese while you watch the sun set over the Currituck Sound. Different solo artists and bands provide live music every week, so you’ll get...read more
Up for a sophisticated evening activity? Check out Whalehead Wednesdays Wine and Beer Festivals happening...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo
The Elizabethan Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Walk outside along the whimsical path lit by Christmas lights and cheery holiday characters, and you’ll pull your coat a little tighter around you because there’s no way you’re going inside yet. This is your chance to revel in the beauty of the holiday season. The gardens are embellished with thousands of twinkling lights, topiaries, displays and more. Decorations in the gardens range from traditional to alternative, and they all work together to create a magical experience. In the center of all the decorations you’ll find a crackling open-air fire on the Great Lawn, perfect for warming your hands and maybe roasting a marshmallow. Special events are held throughout the duration of WinterLights, with offerings such as Dinner with Santa and Thank You Notes to Santa. In late November and early December, WinterLights is held Tuesday through Saturday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. In January it's held on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. See the website for more information.
The Elizabethan Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Walk outside along the whimsical path lit by Christmas lights and cheery holiday characters, and you’ll pull your coat a little tighter around you because there’s no way you’re going inside yet. This is your chance to revel in the beauty of the holiday season. The gardens are embellished with thousands...read more
The Elizabethan Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Walk...read more
Outer Banks Festivals
1000 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 8, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills
At this annual festival you'll learn about flight where the Wright brothers first took theirs. At the Wright Brothers National Memorial, you’ll learn to fly a stunt or power kite and watch the experts display their skills. This Outer Banks event is held in mid-July at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills.
At this annual festival you'll learn about flight where the Wright brothers first took theirs. At the Wright Brothers National Memorial, you’ll learn to fly a stunt or power kite and watch the experts display their skills. This Outer Banks event is held in mid-July at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills.
At this annual festival you'll learn about flight where the Wright brothers first...read more