Upcoming Happenings: Fall 2026
Many locals consider fall the Outer Banks’ best season, offering fewer crowds, cooler weather, warm waters, festivals, and outdoor adventures.
OCTOBER
1 Halloween Island
Recurring every Thursday, Friday, Saturday until October 31st. Downtown Manteo. halloweenisland.com
2–Dec. 4 First Friday Vendor Market
Local artisan & Craft Vendor Tents, Food Trucks, Beer & Wine Bar in the Garden, Live Local Music, Open-Air Market. Pioneer Theater. outerbanks.org/event/first-friday-vendor-market/8811/
2 Manteo First Friday
Dare County Arts Council. First Friday is a fun-filled, family-oriented event held the first Friday of each month, March through November. The sidewalks pulse with live music, magic, artisans, food, drinks and much more! darearts.org/firstfriday
2-4 U.S. Open Waveski Championships
Jennette’s Pier. Join for an action packed weekend of waveski and surf kayak competition, great surf, and an incredible community of paddlers. eastcoastwaveski.org/event-details/2026-u-s-open-waveski-championships
3-4 Which Craft Surf Gathering
Byrd Street. Ride Weird Boards. Cheer on your friends. Support a good cause! whichcraftsurf.com/
3 Shuck For The Ridge
Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Enjoy delicious oysters from local favorite Cousins’ Oysters while listening to live music by Birddog, all in the unique setting of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. friendsofjockeysridge.org/shuck-for-the-ridge/
3, 10, 17, 24 Island Farm Pumpkin Patch
Saturdays
Celebrate the arrival of fall at Island Farm! 9:00 – 3:00 p.m.
8-10 Outer Banks Parade of Homes
Southern Shores. As a tour visitor, you will have access to the masterful builders information and are encouraged to reach out and discuss your homebuilding plans and dreams!
10-11 Duck Jazz Festival
Duck Town Park. Enjoy a full day of music during this free, non-ticketed festival showcasing national, regional and local jazz musicians on two stages. ducknc.gov/recreation-special-events/duck-jazz-festival/
10 Another Round 25K
Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Complete five 5k loops over 5 hours, starting
one new 5k loop at the top of every hour! obxse.enmotive.com/events/outer-banks-sporting-events/page/another-round-25k
10 Mountains To Coast Ride
Finishes in Hatteras. 7-Day, fully supported bicycle tour traveling along scenic back roads that showcase rural North Carolina all the way to Hatteras, North Carolina.
event.ncsports.org/cyclenc_mountainstocoast_ride/
10-11 USA Surfing Prime Series
Jennette’s Pier. The USA Surfing Prime Series is an invitation only series showcasing the next generation of U18 surf talent.
usasurfing.org/events/current
13-Dec. 8 Fall Golf League
Turf’s Up. 2 person team scramble or match play format.
13-18 Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival
Explore the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, featuring 60+ birding, paddling, photography, art, and natural history programs supporting regional wildlife refuges. wingsoverwater.org
14-17 Bluegrass Island Music Festival
Roanoke Island Festival Park. Experience world-class bluegrass music against the stunning waterfront backdrop of Roanoke Island Festival Park at one of the Outer Banks’ most popular annual events. bluegrassisland.com
14-16 Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament
Nags Head Surf Fishing Club. Cast a line at the Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament, where skilled and amateur anglers compete along the beach while enjoying two days of fishing, food and community fun. nagsheadsurffishingclub.org
17 Outer Banks Seafood Festival
The Soundside Event Site. Celebrate the Outer Banks’ coastal heritage at the Outer Banks Seafood Festival with fresh local seafood, live music, local vendors, family-friendly activities and opportunities to meet the watermen behind the region’s fishing traditions. outerbanksseafoodfestival.org
17 OBX Book Fest
Thomas A. Baum Senior Center. Author talks, book signings, and meet-and-greets with local and regional writers across multiple genres. www.facebook.com/p/OBX-Book-Festival-Books-at-the-Banks-100094437281100/
21-24 NCBBA Red Drum Tournament
Hatteras. Fish around the clock during this multi-day Hatteras Island surf fishing tournament, featuring educational seminars, casting clinics and competitive fishing before wrapping up with an awards ceremony in Buxton. ncbba.org/red-drum-tournament-2/
22 Ladies Golf Clinic
Turf’s Up. Improve your golf game with Turf’s Up OBX and PGA Instructor Dan O’Boyle during a series of clinics designed to help golfers of all skill levels build confidence, address weaknesses and sharpen their skills.
23-24 Halloween International Film Festival
Festival Park Manteo. Explore the haunted history of the Outer Banks at Roanoke Island Festival Park, where tales of shipwrecks, the Lost Colony and the region’s mysterious past come to life in a historic setting. filmfreeway.com/HalloweenFilmFestival
24 Outer Banks Brewtag
The Soundside Event Site. Celebrate flight, beer and Outer Banks fun at the 10th Annual OBX Brewtag, where competitors launch empty keg barrels for distance while raising funds for the Rogallo Foundation. obxbrewtag.com
25 Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes
Aviation Park. A free, family-friendly tradition bringing hundreds of costumed participants and spectators to Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills. outerbanks.org/event/outer-banks-halloween-parade-of-costumes/1973/
28-30 A Night of 1587 Pumpkins & Pumpkin Carving
Elizabeth Gardens. Celebrate Halloween where 1,587 glowing jack-o’-lanterns light up the Gardens alongside trick-or-treating, contests, a bonfire and plenty of spooky family fun.
elizabethangardens.org/night-of-1587-pumpkins/
30 Little Linksters
Turf’s Up Introduce young golfers to the game with Little Linksters, a fun, game-based program for ages 3–6 led by PGA Certified Instructor Dan O’Boyle with all equipment provided. turfsupobx.com/turf-s-up-events
31 Manteo Wooden Boat Show
Town of Manteo. Celebrate maritime heritage featuring beautifully handcrafted and restored wooden boats alongside awards
recognizing exceptional craftsmanship. manteonc.gov
NOVEMBER
1 Roanoke Island Oyster Shellabration & BBQ
Safe Harbor Marine & Tiki Bar. Enjoy oysters, barbecue and regional flavors at the inaugural Shellabration and BBQ in Wanchese, featuring fresh local seafood, live music and a special Pow Wow presentation by Indigenous cast members of The Lost Colony.
thelostcolony.org/events/tlc-shellabration-bbq/
6 Outer Banks Marathon & Half Marathon
Outer Banks Sporting Events Kitty Hawk. Take on the scenic and fast OBX TowneBank Marathon, Half Marathon or shorter race events, then celebrate your finish with live music, Southern barbecue, a beer garden and family-friendly fun. obxse.com/outer-banks-marathon
6 House on Haunted Hill
Theatre of Dare. Experience mystery, dark humor and supernatural twists in The House on Haunted Hill, a stage adaptation of the Vincent Price classic following five guests challenged to survive the night in a supposedly haunted house.
theatreofdareobx.com/house-on-haunted-hill
6-7 OBX Truck Fest
The Soundside Event Site. Legal cruising (all week), Awards, DJ, Vendors, Food Trucks, Raffles, Club Games, Family Friendly.
obxtruckfest.bigcartel.com
6-14 Outer Banks Veterans Week
Dare County Arts Council. Honor those who served during OBX Veterans Week, a weeklong celebration featuring special events, concerts and ceremonies for Veterans, active-duty military members and their families across the Outer Banks. darearts.org/veterans
13 Up For Strays
Pirates Cove Pavillion. Laugh for a cause at Stand-Up for Strays, featuring comedian Aaron Weber along with dinner, drinks and a silent auction benefiting the Outer Banks SPCA.
outerbanks.org/event/stand-up-for-strays/8143/
14 Grassfed Blue Grass Music Festival
The Soundside Event Site. Celebrate bluegrass and community at the Grassfed Bluegrass Festival, featuring world-class live music, incredible food and local vendors at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. grassfedbluegrass.com/
14-15 Sanderling’s Artist Weekend
The Sanderling Resort. A creative coastal getaway featuring hands-on workshops with guest artists. thesanderling.com/artists-weekend/
20-Dec. 29 Winterlights
Elizabethan Gardens. Experience the magic of WinterLights,
where ten acres of gardens transform into an illuminated holiday wonderland filled with festive décor, glowing pathways, an open-air fire and seasonal entertainment. elizabethangardens.org/winterlights/
22, 29, Dec.13 Soundside Holiday Market
The Soundside Event Site. Get into the holiday spirit at the Soundside Holiday Market, featuring 70+ Outer Banks makers and artisans, festive character photos, food trucks, Christmas music and a cozy campfire.
outerbanks.org/event/soundside-holiday-market/8156/
24-25 Garden to Hearth
Island Farm. Step back into the 1850s and experience Roanoke Island’s winter traditions with hearth cooking, food preservation, candle making, traditional crafts, ox-drawn wagon rides and seasonal local produce. obcinc.org/event/garden-to-hearth-island-farm/2026-11-25/
25 Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile
Outer Banks Brewing Station. Celebrate Thanksgiving with a spirited 21+ beer mile featuring a backyard party, costume contest, chip-timed racing and prizes for the fastest finishers. theobxrunningcompany.com/outer-banks-thanksgiving-holiday-beer-run.html
28 Kites With Lights
Kitty Hawk Kites-Nags Head. Celebrate the season at Kites with Lights, where giant illuminated kites soar over Jockey’s Ridge alongside the lighting of the park’s Solar Christmas Tree and plenty of holiday cheer. kittyhawk.com/events/kites-with-lights/
DECEMBER
4-5 Christmas Past
Island Farm. Step back in time for a candlelit holiday celebration featuring 19th-century traditions, visits with St. Nicholas, a cozy bonfire, historic demonstrations, traditional crafts and complimentary tintype portraits. obcinc.org/event/christmas-past-island-farm/2026-12-04/
4-6 Wings Over Water Encore–Birding Session
Outer Banks. Experience an encore weekend of the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, featuring a variety of wildlife-focused programs and outdoor experiences from December 4–6.
wingsoverwater.org/
5 Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour
Manteo Preservation Trust. Celebrate the season Roanoke Island-style during Manteo Preservation Trust’s 18th Holiday Tour, showcasing the historic architecture and cultural heritage of Manteo alongside a festive weekend of holiday traditions. manteopreservationtrust.com
11 Good Shot Judy’s “A Crooner’s Christmas”
Pioneer Theater. Celebrate the season with Good Shot Judy as timeless Christmas classics come to life through high-energy swing, vintage vocals and the nostalgic sounds of the golden age of holiday music. thepioneertheater.com/event/good-shot-judys-a-crooners-christmas/the-pioneer-theater
17 Wright Brothers Day–123rd Anniversary
Wright Brothers National Memorial. Celebrate the 123rd anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ historic first flight with a commemorative ceremony at Wright Brothers National Memorial followed by a special luncheon. firstflight.org/wright-brothersday
19 Harmony & Holidays Christmas Concert
Festival Park Manteo. Celebrate the holidays with The Bank of Harmony and The Sugarplums during a festive evening of award-winning Christmas music, complete with hearty hors d’oeuvres and plenty of seasonal cheer. harmonyandholidays.com
Author: CoastalLife
