On this page you will find the annual local culture and history events on the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks Annual Events by Category or Month
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
Manteo Preservation Trust is a group dedicated to bringing awareness to the public of the cultural, architectural and historic heritage of Roanoke Island. Every year its central fundraiser is the Holiday Tour, during which homes and other structures on the island are beautifully decorated and open to tour. The tour route is easily walkable, and a local bike shop donates bikes for those who might want to go from place to place on wheels. The tour begins at 108 Budleigh on Budleigh Street. This is a ticketed event, and the price is $25. People come from far afield for this popular event that's always held the first Saturday in December.
Manteo Preservation Trust is a group dedicated to bringing awareness to the public of the cultural, architectural and historic heritage of Roanoke Island. Every year its central fundraiser is the Holiday Tour, during which homes and other structures on the island are beautifully decorated and open to tour. The tour route is easily walkable, and a local bike shop donates bikes for those who might...read more
Manteo Preservation Trust is a group dedicated to bringing awareness to the public of the...read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
104 Fernando Street, Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, Manteo
Manteo Rotary's Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament There are now four categories that participants compete in: red drum, bluefish, sheepshead and speckled trout. Prizes and awards are presented in adult, women’s and youth divisions for the heaviest fish from each category. It’s a great way to spend time with your family and friends while also enjoying the sport you love. And no fishing tournament is complete without entertainment. The day ends with a pig picking, live music and a silent auction. Proceeds from this Outer Banks annual event go to scholarships for young members of the Outer Banks community, so you’re fishing for a worthy cause.
Manteo Rotary's Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament There are now four categories that participants compete in: red drum, bluefish, sheepshead and speckled trout. Prizes and awards are presented in adult, women’s and youth divisions for the heaviest fish from each category. It’s a great way to spend time with your family and friends while also enjoying the sport you love. And no fishing tournament...read more
Manteo Rotary's Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament There are now four categories that participants...read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
300 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
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.
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...read more
The lovely little Town of Manteo kicks off the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony...read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
Ocracoke Preservation Society and, Berkley Barn, Ocracoke
Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored by Ocracoke Preservation Society. Local vendors provide fresh figs, fig preserves, local cookbooks and other fig-tastic items. Learn about Ocracoke’s fig history and culture and bring the kids for old-fashioned crafts and games. The showpiece of the Fig Festival is the Fig Cake Bake-Off on Saturday, but look for events all weekend long.
Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored by Ocracoke Preservation Society. Local vendors provide fresh figs, fig preserves, local cookbooks and other fig-tastic items. Learn about Ocracoke’s fig history and culture and bring the kids for old-fashioned crafts and games. The showpiece of the Fig Festival is the Fig Cake Bake-Off on Saturday, but look for events all weekend...read more
Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored...read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
Berkley Barn, 58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke Island and around the region. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild, which was formed in 2018 to preserve this art form and piece of Ocracoke Island history. It's a one-day event and usually features a barbecue dinner and bake sale.
Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke Island and around the region. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild, which was formed in 2018 to preserve this art form and piece of Ocracoke Island history. It's a one-day event and usually features a barbecue dinner and bake sale.read more
Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke...read more
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.
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.
read more
Celebrate the bounty of the local waters while feasting on fish, crabs, shrimp and more....read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
Ocracoke Fishhouse, 416 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke
If you’re on Ocracoke Island in late November or December, you won’t want to miss the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association Oyster Roasts at The Fishhouse. These community meals celebrate seafood and the people who make enjoying it possible. For the afternoon, the Community Square turns into a fish-fest where makeshift tables offer gathering grounds for shucking oysters and rubbing elbows with your neighbors. There is also fish stew to slurp and cold beverages to sip. Come enjoy the taste of Ocracoke’s heritage, community and fresh-catch seafood at these Outer Banks annual events, which occur the weekends after Thanksgiving and Christmas.
If you’re on Ocracoke Island in late November or December, you won’t want to miss the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association Oyster Roasts at The Fishhouse. These community meals celebrate seafood and the people who make enjoying it possible. For the afternoon, the Community Square turns into a fish-fest where makeshift tables offer gathering grounds for shucking oysters and rubbing elbows with your neighbors. There is...read more
If you’re on Ocracoke Island in late November or December, you won’t want to miss...read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
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 Local Culture & History
6800 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 15.5, Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Do you ever wonder about the abundant amounts of seafood caught and consumed on the Outer Banks? Well, wonder no more. The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is an event that will educate, entertain and feed you. What more could you want? The local bounty of the sea and the tradition of fishing that puts it on our tables are celebrated at this festival in Nags Head. Learn about the fish that are indigenous as well as the importance between the seafood industry and the Outer Banks community. You’ll leave with a full belly and brain. This Outer Banks Event will be held on October 20 in 2018 and includes live music, beer and wine, kids' activities and more.
Do you ever wonder about the abundant amounts of seafood caught and consumed on the Outer Banks? Well, wonder no more. The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is an event that will educate, entertain and feed you. What more could you want? The local bounty of the sea and the tradition of fishing that puts it on our tables are celebrated at this festival...read more
Do you ever wonder about the abundant amounts of seafood caught and consumed...read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
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 Local Culture & History
Celebrate waterfowl's intrinsic role within the local culture and time-honored traditions on Hatteras Island and beyond. This winter event draws birders, artisans, ornithologists and anyone with a general interest in the area’s feathered figures to Hatteras Village for a weekend of birding demos, nature tours, arts-and-crafts displays and vendors, good food and drink and even better company. The Fin, Feather and Bourbon social kicks off...read more
Outer Banks Local Culture & History
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
Valid only Saturday-Tuesday