July has been super awesome and August is right around the corner! With summer coming to a close, the Outer Banks is full of events you need to attend. Whether you’re a local resident or just here on vacation, check out what’s going on all over the OBX in this month’s edition of The OBC!
10:00 AM @ Jockey’s Ridge Crossing – Nags Head
This fun family tradition helps benefit The Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition! Enjoy music, games, food, and of course, juicy watermelon provided by Food Lion! Admission to this event is free, but games and watermelon fun vary in price.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM @ Cape Hatteras Secondary School – Buxton
View work from over 50 local artists, photographers, artisans and more at the Hatteras Island Arts + Crafts show! This 2 day show features artists from all over the Outer Banks and the region of North Carolina and Virginia. You can enter a raffle to benefit local art students. Food is available at this event as well.
@ Jennette’s Pier – Nags Head
Join in and volunteer for a great cause. Surfing For Autism supports families and individuals with autism by raising money and having a fun day in the surf for a little sea therapy. For more information and to sign up as a volunteer, visit the Surfing For Autism Website.
8:00 AM @ 104 Fernando St. – Manteo
Open to all kids ages 4-17, this fun fishing tournament is free! Bait is provided, but bring your own rod and reel. Fishing is permitted from all downtown Manteo docks and an awards cookout will follow at 11:45. Salt water fishing license required for kids age 16 and up.
@ Jennette’s Pier – Nags Head
Watch some of the most talented, young surfers at the Rip Curl Grom Search! This event is free to watch, and for those who are interested in competing, you can register on Rip Curl’s website.
7:30 PM @ The Waterside Theatre – Manteo
Celebrate the 429th birthday of the first English child born in the new world! The Lost Colony presents its annual tradition of using a real baby during the August 18th show. For Virginia Dare Night, the prop baby typically used is replaced with a real baby. Many local citizens have had the honor of being part of this tradition.
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM @ Duck Woods Country Club
Sample food, meet coordinators, and more to make your special day on the OBX perfect. The OBX Wedding Fest is a great summer wedding expo to get everything in order for your wedding day. Admission to this event is only $10. For more information and ticket purchase, visit the Outer Banks Wedding Association Website.
@ Jennette’s Pier – Nags Head
Sponsored by Wave Riding Vehicles, the OBX WRV Pro surf contests brings talent of World Surf League surfers right here to the Outer Banks! This contest is free to watch and is sure to please. For more information, visit the WRV Pro website.
May is on it’s way out and everyone knows, Memorial Day is the unofficial first day of summer! Whether you’re visiting the Outer Banks in June or you’re a full time resident, you really need to check out the events happening all over the Outer Banks!
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Downtown Manteo
Enjoy live music, artisans, and more at the family friendly event! This event is free to all!
11:00 AM | Downtown Manteo
Crafts, games, music, and food galore; welcome to Dare Day! This 43rd annual festival is a Dare County staple. This event is free.
39450 NC Hwy 12 | Avon
This 2 day family friendly festival celebrates all things fun, healthy, and stand up paddle boarding! There will be races and a BBQ on Sunday! For more information and registration for races, visit the Paddle Palooza Facebook page.
REAL Watersports | Waves
The Wind Voyager Triple-S is recognized as the crown jewel of kiteboarding competition. You’ll see talented athletes show off their skills and talents in kiteboarding! Competitors will face-off for $50,000 in prize money and there are plenty of events and live music for all to partake in! For more information, visit the Triple-S website.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ the Soundside Event Site | Nags Head
Come out to the first ever Food Truck Showdown on the Outer Banks! Filled with yummy food, great music, and of course great beer, this event is sure to be a great time! Admission and parking to this event is free.
7:00 AM – 1:00 PM @ Jennette’s Pier | Nags Head
The 9th annual Family Fishing Tournament at Jennette’s Pier gives contestants a chance to catch different fish like bluefish, flounder, and speckled trout! Those who catch the longest fish in each category will receive a trophy and additional prizes. You can signup online or the morning of the event.
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM @ Dowdy Park | Nags Head
Purchase great local produce, homemade baked goods, crafts, and more at the Dowdy Park Farmers Market! This event will take place the second Thursday of each month until October so come out and support the locals!
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM @ Soundside Event Site | Nags Head
The Soundside FunFair is a great way to kickoff your summer! Full of carnival rides, yummy food, and so much more, this great family friendly event is perfect for everyone! Entrance to the FunFair is free, but ticket’s for rides are $1 each. A book of 50 tickets is $45 and an all you can ride wrist band is $25 if purchased on the night of the event. Rides require anywhere from 2 to 6 tickets.
10:00 AM @ Kitty Hawk Kites | Nags Head
See large kite displays and learn how to fly different kites at the Rogallo Kite Festival! This event is free to the public and perfect for families and kids of all ages!
9:00 AM @ Kitty Hawk Kites Manteo Location | Manteo
This event is perfect for the avid SUP boarder and those who just want to watch! Competitors can pre-register online for $25 and day of registration will be $35. For more information, visit Kitty Hawk Kites website here.
March came in like a lion…and is going out like a lion! With all the Nor’Easters we’ve had, we’re ready for the warmth and sunshine that April is sure to bring! Along with great weather on the OBX, April brings great events too. Check out the best Outer Banks events and what’s going on throughout April right here!
10 AM – 5 PM @ The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
Learn about German U-Boats off the North Carolina Coast, different shipwrecks, diving experiences, underwater photography, and more! Professional divers and underwater archaeologists will educate you at this free and informative symposium! For more info call 252-986-0720, email mary.riddle@ncdr.gov, or visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum website.
Recurring Daily
Calling all runners! This famous OBX race is perfect for you! The First Flight 5K and Flying Pirate Half Marathon is a great event for all to participate and attend. The First Flight 5K takes place on April 14th at the Wright Brothers Memorial at 7:30 AM. The Flying Pirate Half Marathon starts at 7 AM on April 15th at 5300 Woods Road and ends at the end of Nags Head woods! For more information and registration, visit the OBX Sporting Events Website.
Recurring Daily
The biggest windsurfing event in America is held right here on the OBX! Enjoy watching or taking part in windsurfing competitions and clinics all around Hatteras Island! From long distance to freestyle, there is an event for everyone. Participation prizes will be awarded as well! For more information and updates, visit the OBX Wind website!
Recurring Daily
Bikers and bike enthusiasts, this is the week for you to come visit the Outer Banks! With different events all over the OBX, there’s so much for you to do! Over 100 vendors, live music, pig pickins, and more are all happening during this exciting week! For more information, visit the Outer Banks Harley Davidson website.
1050 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke NC
Explore Ocracoke and run for a good cause! Participants can choose between a 5K, 10K, and Fun Run that occur on Saturday, April 28th and half marathon that takes place that Sunday. All finishers will receive a medal and runners in the 5K and 10K will receive a t-shirt. Join in on the 2nd Annual Lt. Maynard’s (famous for his defeat of Black Beard 300 years ago) Challenge and run on both days! All proceeds benefit Ocracoke Community Radio, Ocracoke School Athletic Boosters Club, and the Ocracoke Community Park. For more information, visit the Run Ocracoke website.
February is coming to a close and March (and spring) will be here before we know it! With the weather beginning to warm up, there are so many events popping up all over the Outer Banks. Check out everything there is to do and see on the Outer Banks in this months’ edition of the OBC!
5:00 PM – 9:00 @ The Sanderling Resort
Calling all brides! The Outer Banks Vendors Meet and Greet is your opportunity to meet with talented photographers, videographers, event coordinators, and more for your big day! Everything you need to plan the perfect wedding on the OBX is all in one place. You don’t need to be a Sanderling bride to attend this can’t miss event. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information, visit the Sanderling website.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM @ The Outer Banks Brewing Station
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Leprechaun themed beer mile at The Brewing Station! This race is chip timed with a backyard party after! The run is 21 and over only and prizes will be awarded to the overall fastest female and male. Wear your St. Patrick’s Day best and get ready to run! Run is limited to 100 participants and price is $30 per person. To register, visit the OBX running company website!
From Bladen St. + Virgina Dare Trail intersection to Driftwood St. @ 1 PM
Enjoy an Outer Banks tradition! The 28th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is full of fun, friends, and most importantly, candy! The parade route starts at the intersection of Bladen St. and Virginia Dare Trail and ends at Driftwood Street. The parade will start at 1 PM so find parking along the route and get a good seat early!
Recurring Daily @ Participating Restaurants
4 full days of food and fun, the Outer Banks Taste of The Beach weekend allows you to try different food and drink from multiple local restaurants! From wine dinners to tapas, this weekend is full of it all! Over 60 events are offered at over 30 different venues. Event pricing can range from $10 to $105. For a list of all events and vendors, visit the Taste of The beach website.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM @ The Family Recreation Park in Kill Devil Hills
A day of family fun, come out to the Dare County Parks and Recreation Easter EGGstavaganza! From 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, kids can take part in face painting, egg spoon races, ring toss, and so much more. Even better, this event is FREE to the public!
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM @ The Whalehead Club
Run, bike, and run on the Outer Banks! This duathlon is welcome to all ages and skill levels and the registration fee is $70. The run course will take you through the historic villages of Corolla and the bike portion is a 28 mile bike ride through Northern Corolla including by the Currituck Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club. Each participant will receive a finisher award and a post race party will follow! For registration, click here.
8:00 PM @ The Waterside Theater in Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Learn more about one of America’s longest running mysteries. Join ghost hunters that have discovered paranormal activity on the site of The Lost Colony. See where ghost appearances have occured and learn more about the story of The Lost Colony of 1587. Adult tickets are $20, children ages 6-10 are $15, and children under 5 are free. For more information, visit the Lost Colony website.
10:00 AM @ Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head
Kites, Easter egg hunts, and an appearance from the Easter Bunny, this FREE event will get you in the Easter spirit! Fly Into Spring with Kitty Hawk Kites! Enjoy the kite festival on Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Easter Egg hunts will be happening all throughout Jockey’s Ridge! For more information, visit the Kitty Hawk Kites website!
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM @ The Elizabethan Gardens
The largest egg hunt on the beach! Have fun at the Easter Eggstravaganza hosted by The Elizabethan Gardens! Members of The Gardens get in free, non-members pay standard admission. One child under 5 is admitted free with each paying non-member. Activities include egg spoon races, hat contest, musical acts, dancers, and more! Bring your own Easter basket for collecting eggs and prizes! This event begins at 10:00 AM. For more information, visit The Elizabethan Gardens website.
Cheers to a new year! It’s 2018 and with the new year comes new Outer Banks events. While we’re well into the off-season now, there’s still plenty to do on the beach! Check out everything happening on the Outer Banks in this months edition of The Outer Banks Calendar.
Recurring Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM // North Carolina Aquarium, Manteo
‘Tis the season for giving! Help out the furry friends at the Outer Banks SPCA and donate to the Santa Paws Pet Supply Drive. This is the last week for donations and they’re direly needed. Donate a bag of dry pet food weighing at least 7 pounds and receive free admission to the Aquarium that day! Anyone that donates any pet food item, toy, or cleaning product will have a chance to win a painting created by the river otters at the Aquarium! For more information and a list of most needed items, visit the Outer Banks SPCA website.
Fridays & Saturdays 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM // The Elizabethan Gardens – Manteo
This month is the last month to check out all of the sights and magic that WinterLights has to offer! With beautiful flowers and illuminated plants and trees, WinterLights is an event that you need to see. Open this month only on Fridays and Saturdays, admission for adults is $11, youth ages 6-17 are $9, and children 5 and under are $6. For more information, call The Elizabethan Gardens at (252) 473-3234 or visit The Elizabethan Gardens website.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM // Rooster’s Southern Kitchen, Kill Devil Hills
Sample bourbon and snack on tapas-style appetizers for a good cause! For a $25 donation, guests will sample 6 different types of bourbon. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. The Outer Banks Relief Foundation helps assist people and families that struggle financially due to a debilitating disease or illness. To secure your space, visit Rooster’s Southern Kitchen with cash or local check of $25 per person payable to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. For more information about the Outer Banks Relief Foundation, visit their website.
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM // North Carolina Aquarium – Manteo
Reduce, reuse, and recycle with the North Carolina Aquarium. Drop off clean, dry plastic film and bags to the Aquarium to help save the environment and keep our beaches and oceans clean! Collections will be happening the second Tuesday of every month so start off 2018 with a helping hand and drop off all the plastic bags you have!
Recurring Daily @ 10:00 AM // First Flight Middle School & High School, 100 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills
Planning your Outer Banks dream wedding? The Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo is the place to be. During Wedding Weekend, see over 200 wedding professionals and the opportunity to tour the most wanted wedding venues! Also get discounts at local restaurants and shops, plus, enter the Dream Wedding Giveaway! General admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $45. For more information, visit the Outer Banks Wedding Association website.
November is just around the corner! More fall Outer Banks events are happening up and down the beach. While you’re here enjoying autumn on the Banks, check out some great local events! (Plus, fun events are just one more reason to start planning your next Outer Banks vacation!)
Recurring daily @ participating restaurants
Enjoy 3-course meals at some of the best restaurants on the Outer Banks! Restaurants like Rooster’s Southern Kitchen, Owens’, and many more are offering meals at either $20 or $35 for you to savor. This event is recurring daily and ends with Oystoberfest! For more event information and tickets, visit the Outer Banks Restaurant Week website.
Recurring daily @ Jennette’s Pier
Watch up and coming USA Junior Olympic surfers compete and train! This event is free and occurs daily!
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM @ Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk
A shrimp lovers paradise! Come to the Outer Banks Shrimp Cook-Off and sample shrimp dishes prepared by local chefs. Guests can sample all shrimp dishes and vote for their favorite! Tickets are $25 and benefit the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research. Visit the event site here for more information.
The Outer Banks Marathon is upon us! This 26.2-mile run is a Boston Marathon qualifier. TowneBank is sponsoring this running event plus shorter runs like the Southern Fried Half Marathon, Southern 6, Take the Challenge!, 8k, 5k, and fun runs! For more information, visit the Marathon site here.
6:00 AM – 12:00 PM @ Avon Fishing Pier
The PBR Classic Fishing Tournament at Avon Pier is a red drum and blue-fish based event! The tournament will benefit the American Legion. The entry fee for the tournament is $90 ($60 for annual pier pass holders). For more information and tournament registration, visit the website here.
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM @ Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg
All you can eat steamed oysters?! Yes, please! The Big Curri-Shuck has all you can eat steamed oysters and steamed crabs and BBQ while it lasts. Local wine and beer sampling will be happening as well. Plus, live local music! To purchase tickets, visit the Sanctuary Vineyards website.
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