Upcoming Happenings: Fall 2025

With the winding down of the summer season comes emptier beaches, less traffic, quieter evenings, and ultimately the Outer Banks transition from tourist getaway to hometown. The return of OBX to the locals is marked by a slew of unique festivals and traditions that aren’t catered towards the summer visitors but are instead held for those who call this beach home. From musical performances to seafood festivals, home tours and film screenings, OBX is still buzzing with activities long after summer comes to an end. Events scheduled from August to October celebrate local talents and heritage, keeping the fun going all year round. Skip the off-season slump and mark your calendars, because you won’t want to miss this year’s festival line-up.

—By Hadley Shoaf

33rd Annual Outer Banks Parade of Homes
October 9th–11th

This year marks the 33rd annual Parade of Homes hosted by the Outer Banks Home Builders Association (OBHA). Whether you’re thinking of building your dream home or wanting to check out some of the newest builds in the Outer Banks, this year’s selection of properties is sure to impress your inner architect. This year’s lineup will feature more homes and architectural styles than before. OBHBA director and owner of FullTilt Blinds and Shutters, Johnathan Daniels, says the OBHBA is, “expecting to have more houses than in the past five to six years” featuring “a variety of different styles” including the popular modern coastal aesthetic. The curation of builds spans from Southern Shores to Hatteras Island, and ranges from cozy, bungalow-style homes to 11-bedroom, luxurious getaways. Each featured home has been specially crafted by one of the 450 current members of the OBHA. Now is your chance to not only marvel at the precision and skill of these craftsmen, but to also support our community members in the home industry. Builders will also have door prizes at their respective homes, so don’t miss your opportunity to win an item for your future or current OBX beach home!

The purchase of an OBX Parade of Homes ticket grants online and in-person tours of all of the properties featured in this year’s parade. Tickets can be found online Zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-parade-of-homes or at the participating homes upon arrival.

Duck Jazz Festival
October 9th–11th

From nationally renowned musicians to local talents, the Duck Jazz festival hosts a rich blend of jazz artistry right here in the Outer Banks.

Dr. Kelsey Klotz of the University of Maryland is kicking off the festival on Thursday the 9th with a lecture at the Duck Town Park. Her talk, titled Voices and Virtuosos, will highlight women’s historical role in jazz music, and is a perfect way to get your mind thinking about jazz.

The Community Kick-Off concert will also be held on the Town Green on Saturday the 11th and features the decorated artist Adam Hawley in his first ever Duck Jazz festival appearance. The following Sunday is stacked with a multitude of performers, some of which include The Hot Lanes with Bobby Jasinski, Gerald Veasley, Tito Puente Jr., and Shayna Steele. Returning to the main stage are the Brass Queens, whose all-female band first appeared at the 2023 Duck Jazz festival. For a sneak peak into the future of jazz music and to support the artists in our community, make sure to watch the First Flight High School Honors Jazz bands performance at the amphitheater!

With 2025 being the festival’s 16th year, the Duck Jazz festival has brought community members and artists together for nearly two decades. Come enjoy renowned musicians and community performers alike in our Outer Banks backyard. Keep an eye out around Duck for other jazz themed events and promotions from local business and get in the spirit of jazz! Photos courtesy of Town of Duck.

Outer Banks Seafood Festival
October 18th

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is returning to Nags Head this October! Hosted at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, the festival kicks off at 10am on October the 18th. Shop boutique clothing to kitchen accessories at the several retail vendors stationed inside the event. Featured vendors also include a diverse range of local artisans whose one-of-a-kind products are certainly worth a peruse. Pair the festival’s iconic lineup of seafood with beverages from local OBX breweries. Coastal Beverage, Lost Colony Brewery, Sanctuary Vineyards, and 1718 Brewing of Ocracoke will all be serving locally crafted drinks inside the event. Eat, drink, and shop while a packed schedule of live entertainment performs on the main stage.

Notably, the festival supports our local Outer Banks fishing industry. Organizers of the festival have made it a mission to support our local fishermen, charters, and head boats while providing educational experiences for the greater community. Learn about the Outer Bank’s fishing heritage and practices at one of the several scheduled demonstrations and have the chance to see first-hand the vessels that catch and deliver our favorite world-famous seafood.

Off-site parking is available at the First Flight High School and accessible shuttles will provide transportation to the event site. Mark October 18th on your calendar as a day to experience the culmination of art, history, and community unique to the Outer Banks, while getting your seafood fix of course!

Author: Hadley Shoaf