Outer Banks Annual Events - October

Wait ... kegs can fly?! Who knew? Kitty Hawk Kites knows because they sponsor this fun (and funny) festival every October. Various groups around the Outer Banks create "flying" machines out of 1/6 kegs (empty ones) and whatever contraption they can come up with that might – emphasis on the word might – fly off a platform. It's a ton of fun to watch. When you combine that with a craft beer garden, local food vendors, live music, a kids' zone and more, you're in line for a pretty fun experience. For more information or questions, visit the event's website. 

Celebrate Currituck’s down-home, country culture with barbecue and a rodeo. The Currituck Heritage Bulls & BBQ is an annual fall event that brings excitement and family friendly fun to Currituck residents and visitors of all ages – no native ties required. The People’s Choice BBQ and Kansas City BBQ Competition are the cornerstones of this event. Local restaurants and barbecue experts battle it out for title of the best barbecue, and attendees sample the creations, ranging from tangy to sweet and smoky to succulent. After everyone has voted for their favorite barbecue, the competition concludes with an awards ceremony. Following the barbecue competition, the attention turns from pigs to cows as the festival’s evening rodeo opens, presenting the talents of professional bull riders. Other activities during the event include corn hole tournaments, children’s games and browsing the wares from local vendors, including food and funky crafts, products and more. It’s a delicious, engaging but low-key event that shines a little extra love on this interior area of the Outer Banks.

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!

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.

Every Saturday in October finds kids and families at Island Farm on Roanoke Island riding in the ox-drawn wagon to the pumpkin patch to find their special one. After picking out the perfect pumpkin, children can make a corn husk doll, dip candles, stuff a scarecrow, play with 19th-century toys and games, check out the farm animals and more. You might even have the chance to go on a wagon hayride. Roam around on the farm for a bit, just enjoying the beautiful atmosphere around you. Feel the subtle nip of mid-fall in the air even though the sunshine is still warm. This family-friendly event is a great way to jump into autumn.

Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts is an annual performance series held in the off-season. Each season offers seven concerts with nationally known and renowned acts, and each season includes a performance by the Virginia Symphony. Season passes or individual show tickets are available. All performances are held at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills. 

Each year on the final Friday and Saturday of October, boat enthusiasts, builders, artists and craftsmen alike convene at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum to show off the talents and admire each others’ handicraft. The museum’s annual Wooden Boat Show is a chance for boat builders and woodworkers to put their best skills on display with their wooden boats. See new constructions, restored projects and original creations. Head to Manteo’s waterfront to see the contenders lined along the lighthouse dock and situated in the Creef Boathouse and Park. Judges and spectators determine select their favorite boats, and awards are presented at an awards dinner on Saturday. Advanced registration for the show is required.