5 Favorite Things To Do On The OBX In December -

December is upon us! The holiday season brings a sense of community, warmth, and fun to the Outer Banks. There are so many fun activities to do with your family during this season from Christmas ornament shopping to eating all of the fresh steamed oysters you can imagine! See what some of our favorite December activities are on the Outer Banks!

1 // Attend The Manteo Tree Lighting + Parade

Going to the tree lighting in downtown Manteo is part of a long standing Outer Banks tradition! Watch the massive evergreen tree in the heart of downtown Manteo become illuminated against the night sky. Enjoy entertainment from amazing and talented local musicians, dancers, and more! Plus, the event is free to everyone! Then, on Saturday, watch the Manteo Christmas parade that goes through downtown Manteo with dozens of fun floats and lots of candy! For more information, visit the Town of Manteo website!

2 // Visit The Christmas House + WinterLights

It’s that time of year where everyone gets super excited to see the Poulos family Christmas House! The home, located just outside of the entrance to Nags Head Woods in Kill Devil Hills features a stunning display of lights that won the Today Show Lights Contest and was featured on HGTV! The Christmas House is located at 622 Ocean Acres Drive in Kill Devil Hills, NC. The house is free to roam and see all the lights. However, the family does take donations (the dazzling light display costs around $3,500 each month that it’s turned on!)

If you want to see even more holiday magic, you can see the WinterLights display at The Elizabethan Gardens. You can see the gardens in a different light (literally). Full of Christmas music and beautifully lit plants, this is an activity you definitely want to partake in. For ticket prices and dates, visit the Elizabethan Garden website.

3 // Get A Local Christmas Ornament

The Christmas Shop + General Store on Roanoke Island in Manteo has been in service since 1967. This classic staple features Christmas ornaments and holiday decor galore. A trip to the Christmas Shop is definitely a memorable one and fun to do with your friends and family! The Christmas Shop is located at 621 US-64 in Manteo, NC.

4 // Shopping Local

The holidays is a great time to shop local! Checking out local markets that feature local artists and boutiques that have some of the best clothing on the Outer Banks, shopping local is the best way to spend December days on the OBX!

5 // Pig Out On Oysters

Winter means oyster season on the OBX! Local restaurants like Coastal Provisions and Awful Arthur’s have great oyster bars! You can also host your own at your house or at one of our wonderful vacation rentals!