Outer Banks Annual Events - Holiday

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.

Is it true that old buildings really are spookier? Find out for yourself at Creepy in Corolla. This annual event is organized each year by Whalehead and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The two attractions, Currituck beach businesses and residents come together to create a family friendly Halloween experience in Historic Corolla. Children sporting their Halloween attire begin the night at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, which is decorated for the event. Climb the haunted lighthouse as darkness falls over Corolla, and see if the lighthouse keepers of yesteryear are giving out tricks or treats. From there, make your way towards Whalehead Park among the rows of Trunk or Treaters, provided by local businesses and townspeople. Upon arriving at Whalehead, enter if you dare to find even more treats inside of the Halloween-ready house. This annual event is on Halloween night from 6 to 8 p.m., and is festive fun for Halloween lovers of young, old and anywhere in between.

Meet at the Town Green on the first Saturday in December for an afternoon of caroling, live holiday music, hot cocoa and a visit from the jolly ol' elf himself. The Town of Duck kicks off its celebration of the holiday season with live music, carolers, the lighting of the town’s Crab Pot Tree and delicious treats. Santa delights spectators as he shows up in the fire engine. Businesses extend their hours for the celebration so you’ll have plenty of time to drift around the shops and participate in the Great Elf Hunt. The Outer Banks SPCA and Food for Thought also accept donations at this event. Rally up your family and friends and come out to Duck for a wholesome day of holiday cheer.

When it comes to getting into the Halloween spirit, few ways beat a scary movie marathon. In the days leading up to All Hallow’s Eve at the Outer Banks, film industry profession, cinephiles and horror-genre fans gather to do just that. The annual Halloween International Film Festival is a three day event that brings a variety of independent film submissions, filmmakers and a hefty dose of horror to the Outer Banks. Independent films are submitted throughout the year, and this event presents a viewing of the top candidates at the R/C Theatres Movies 10 in Kill Devil Hills. In addition to the screenings, the festival also includes question and answer sessions with the filmmakers and casts, meet and greets, photo opportunities and more. The Halloween International Film Festival is a fun networking experience for both industry professions and fans, and it aims to enhance the film industry on the Outer Banks.

True to the spirit of Hatteras Island and the close-knit community, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum hosts an annual holiday bash to celebrate the season and the local island community’s endless resilience. The Holiday at the Museum offers attractive activities for visitors of all ages. Children can work on their letters to Santa and create holiday crafts to take home. Local vendors and artisans sell handcrafted holiday decor, and adults looking for decorating inspiration or for gift ideas will love browsing the selection. Live music from local musicians – ranging from choral groups to bands – fill the air with the sounds of Christmas. There are plenty of delightful spectacles to feast your eyes on including the Winter Wonderland train display and the elaborately decorated Christmas trees. Speaking of feasting, come hungry for home-style Hatteras cooking – characters like ham biscuits, hot soup and cookies may appear on the refreshments table. This event is free to the public, and visitors are asked to bring a donation for the local food bank. Visit the museum’s website to learn more about each year’s event.

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.

Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, so start celebrating immediately by visiting Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Santa Claus will be there on Friday and Saturday, excited to meet all of the children coming to visit. On Saturday evening, after a meaningful conversation with the jolly ol' elf, head over to Jockey’s Ridge to see the giant delta kites decorated with Christmas lights and flown over the dunes. As the sun starts setting, the lights on the kites will sparkle and fill the night sky. Sip on hot apple cider and munch on cookies as you enjoy this Christmas spectacle.

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. 

Bring in the New Year a different way by joining locals and visitors for a 5K along the Beach Road. The start gun goes off at about 10:45 p.m., and you can run, walk or bike your way into the New Year. Just show up at Tortugas' Lie on the Beach Road in Nags Head at 10:45 a.m.; no registration or entry fee is required.

Give thanks for the enthusiastic and supportive local running community that’s made possible by the Outer Banks Running Club. The Outer Banks Running Club’s main fundraiser, the OBX Gobble 5K and Fun Run, is an annual Thanksgiving event that the entire family is invited to enjoy. The courses take participants through Nags Head, making it hard not to feel thankful for the environment’s natural beauty. This family friendly event is open to all runners, joggers and walkers. Runners who want to include younger participants with them are encouraged to bring baby strollers, jogging strollers and wagons. Runners who aren’t enticed by the length of the 5K can opt for the Fun Run, which has a 9/10 mile course. All who finish the race receive a finisher’s award. This annual event is held on Thanksgiving morning with the 5K first, followed by the Fun Run. Go to the Outer Banks Running Club’s website to register in advance.

St. Patrick’s Day is a fine holiday, bringing people together to celebrate all things Irish. A huge parade takes place in Nags Head on the Beach Road on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick's Day (some say it's the biggest in North Carolina). So don your green and head out for a day of community fun. People on stilts or riding unicycles, waving flags or walking festively dressed dogs meander through the procession of floats, delighting onlookers and other participants in the parade. Adults love the green beer and parties; kids love the showers of candy and the fun of the parade floats. The parade runs from Bladen Street to Driftwood Street and always starts at 1 p.m.

Give thanks for fleet feet and craft beers by simultaneously enjoying both. The Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile Run is the Outer Banks Brewing Station’s way of welcoming Thanksgiving featuring a bounty of beer and accompanying good spirits. This beer mile is hosted by the OBX Running Company, so participants’ experiences also include chip timing, event swag and possibly prize. Runs are ¼ mile paired with 10-ounce drinks for the length of one mile total. Upon finishing the race, the runners gather at the Brewing Station’s backyard for a party of mixing, mingling and more delicious craft brews. Participants are encouraged to wear their holiday best, and costumes will be judged for the most creative following the race. This annual event usually occurs on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.