On this page you will find the annual music events on the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks Annual Events by Category or Month
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
1200 Duck Road, Duck Town Park
Join the Town of Duck as it celebrates this nation’s birth with a parade, live music and more. Visitors and locals from all over the Outer Banks come to Duck to check out and enjoy the parade and other festivities. The parade includes floats, decorated cars, dog walkers and people showcasing their talents to delight the crowd. After the parade, head over to Duck Town Park to watch the awards ceremony for members of the parade, listen to live music and indulge in some refreshments. Named by ABC News as one of the country’s Top 10 best small-town celebrations, this Outer Banks event brings members of the community together for a day of patriotic fun.
Join the Town of Duck as it celebrates this nation’s birth with a parade, live music and more. Visitors and locals from all over the Outer Banks come to Duck to check out and enjoy the parade and other festivities. The parade includes floats, decorated cars, dog walkers and people showcasing their talents to delight the crowd. After the parade, head over to...read more
Join the Town of Duck as it celebrates this nation’s birth with a...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
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.
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...read more
The community of Manteo comes together every year to celebrate this nation’s birth...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
1 Festival Park Drive, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
For four days in October, 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. 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 October, 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 October, the waterfront area of Manteo is alive with...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
Dare Days celebrates its 48th year in 2023. The festival, always held in downtown Manteo on the first Saturday of June, is a mix of live music, craft and food vendors, dance and activities for all ages. The morning starts with a Blessing of the Day and ends with a big-name music group with people dancing in the streets. In between you can also watch — or join in — competitions for the best homemade jellies, breads, preserves, pickles, cakes and cookies. There are two stages set up, one at the old Courthouse and the other at the Maritime Museum, with various musical groups appearing all day. This is free family fun that will keep you entertained and happily involved in Roanoke Island's waterfront scene.
Dare Days celebrates its 48th year in 2023. The festival, always held in downtown Manteo on the first Saturday of June, is a mix of live music, craft and food vendors, dance and activities for all ages. The morning starts with a Blessing of the Day and ends with a big-name music group with people dancing in the streets. In between you can also watch...read more
Dare Days celebrates its 48th year in 2023. The festival, always held in downtown Manteo...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
1200 Duck Road, Duck Town Park, Duck
Attention jazz lovers! Grab a chair and your family, friends or dog and come to Duck Town Park for a day devoted solely to jazz. One of the most anticipated music events of the year is the Duck Jazz Festival, held in October over Columbus Day weekend. Every year talented artists from all over the country come together to wow concertgoers with their pianos, trumpets, saxophones, voices and more. You might even want to pack a picnic and make a day event of it, but don’t forget that vendors from local restaurants will be present. Bring your own chair, settle in and prepare to be entertained. Best of all, this event is free!
Attention jazz lovers! Grab a chair and your family, friends or dog and come to Duck Town Park for a day devoted solely to jazz. One of the most anticipated music events of the year is the Duck Jazz Festival, held in October over Columbus Day weekend. Every year talented artists from all over the country come together to wow concertgoers with their...read more
Attention jazz lovers! Grab a chair and your family, friends or dog and...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
First Friday is a family-oriented festival held in downtown Manteo on the first Friday of every month from April through December. From 6 to 8 p.m. downtown Manteo’s sidewalks come alive with a wide variety of musical performances and festive activities for all ages. Individual shops and restaurants frequently do their own celebratory activity such as live music, special sales, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Dare County Arts Council always hosts an opening reception for exhibits in its gallery, and Downtown Books frequently hosts a book signing. It’s a great time to explore all that downtown Manteo has to offer.
First Friday is a family-oriented festival held in downtown Manteo on the first Friday of every month from April through December. From 6 to 8 p.m. downtown Manteo’s sidewalks come alive with a wide variety of musical performances and festive activities for all ages. Individual shops and restaurants frequently do their own celebratory activity such as live music, special sales, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Dare County...read more
First Friday is a family-oriented festival held in downtown Manteo on the first Friday of...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
600 S. Croatan Highway, Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kill Devil Hills
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.
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...read more
The annual Festival of Trees is an ideal way to spread holiday cheer...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
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 Music: Concerts & Musicals
6800 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, Milepost 16, Nags Hed
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.
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...read more
Come one, come all to OBX Pridefest. This weekend-long annual event, held in...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
Soundside Event Site, 6800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head
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.
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,...read more
The OBX Shred Fest embraces music, skateboarding and community. This family-friendly event features live performances...read more
Outer Banks Music: Concerts & Musicals
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 Music: Concerts & Musicals
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