There is nothing quite like fall on the Outer Banks. The days are still warm but not as hot as summer; the ocean temperature is pleasant; the peak season crowds are largely gone, but there are still enough visitors to keep businesses open.
And the event calendar explodes with things to do.
There is something for everyone—surfing and wind sport competitions, film festivals, fishing tournaments and food festivals.
Summer is the time when families from everywhere visit the Outer Banks, but fall is the time locals and neighbors get to truly enjoy life on a sandbar.
Photo by Logan Marshall
Surfalorus Film Festival
Sept. 20–22
If it’s a film about surfing produced by anyone between Wilmington, N.C. and Norfolk, Va.—and places farther away as well—there’s a good chance it will be screened at Surfalorous.
Sponsored by the Dare County Arts Council, the three-day film festival includes an amazing array of surf movies from five-minute shorts to feature length films. The quality is consistently good and sometimes excellent.
Of particular note this year, be sure to check out Manteo High School senior Logan Marshall’s feature length film Outer. Its Outer Banks premier in July got deservedly excellent reviews.
Movies are screened at various locations. All movies are free.
Photo by George Wood
First Annual Mustang Rock & Roast
Oct. 13–14
The Mustang Music Festival is back, and we couldn’t be happier.
Until 2016 Mike Dianna’s Mustang Music Festival in Corolla was one of the most anticipated music festivals of the year. And then Hurricane Matthew came along and put the kibosh on everything in 2016 and 2017. But now it’s back.
Expect the best local and regional bands on stage, as well as some national acts, often just before they’re about to go to the next level.
This year’s event will prove to be the best yet—great music and an oyster roast all included.
Photo by Brooke Mayo Photography
Big Curri-Shuck
Nov. 24
The concept is simple—eat as many fresh steamed oysters as possible and sample some wine from Sanctuary Vineyards where the event is held. Maybe sip some local beers, try eastern North Carolina barbecue and some steamed crab. Mix all of that up with some good country music, and the Big Curri-Shuck becomes the perfect way to wrap up a Thanksgiving weekend.
What makes the Big Curri-Shuck even nicer is the special attention paid to making the event fun for kids, with a hayride around the vineyards and farm and other activities geared toward the younger set.
This is a ticketed event, and it sells out every year. Get your tickets early.
Photo by John Buford
WinterLights
Nov. 25–Jan. 20
The Elizabethan Gardens is beautiful at any time of the year, but during the holiday season when the paths, trees, plants and statuary are adorned with lights it becomes magical.
The Grand Illumination is the kickoff for the event that includes music from local high school bands and choruses, a Christmas movie and other events.
As family friendly events go, this is about as good as it gets. Any event that has a roaring fire pit in the middle of everything with marshmallows ready for the roasting gets a big thumbs up.
Surfalorus Film Festival
Dare County Arts Council, Manteo
Sept. 20–22
252-473-5558
Pridefest
Nags Head
Sept. 21–23
John Brown Groove Shop
First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills
Sept. 22
Crabdaddy Wine/Beer Festival
Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg
Sept. 22
252-491-2387
Dare County Motorcycle Toy Run
Sept. 22
Outer Banks Jeep Jam
6800 South Croatan Hwy., Nags Head
Sept. 27–29
The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival
The Lost Colony, Manteo
Sept. 28–29
252-473-6000
Jim Mulford Red Drum Tournament
Jennette's Pier, Nags Head
Sept. 29
2018 Invitational Fine Art Photography Show
Glenn Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery, Nags Head
Oct. 2–27
Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 4–7
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Oct. 3–6
Island Art Show
Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center, Rodanthe
Oct. 4
Outer Banks Parade of Homes
Oct. 4–7
First Friday on Roanoke Island
Oct. 5
Manteo
Oink N’ Oyster Roast
Longboards Restaurant, Kitty Hawk
Oct. 6
Duck Jazz Festival
Town of Duck
Oct. 6–7
Stars of the Grand Ole Opry
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
Oct. 9
Love Is a Rose-Linda Ronstadt Tribute
First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills
Oct. 13
Oystoberfest
Southern Shores Crossing
Oct. 13
252-480-0023
Mustang Rock & Roast
Timbuck II Shopping Center, Corolla
Oct. 13–14
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival
Dates vary Oct. 16–Dec. 9
The Jones Sisters Band
107 Budleigh St., Manteo
Oct. 19
Fall Restaurant Week
Outer Banks
Oct. 19–27
Outer Banks Seafood Festival
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Oct. 20
The NC VIP Fishing Tournament
Jennette's Pier, Nags Head
Oct. 22–24
Halloween International Film Festival
Kill Devil Hills
Oct. 25–27, 2018
Brewtag
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Oct. 27
252-441-6800
Harvest HayDay
Island Farm, Roanoke Island
Oct. 27
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum Boat Show
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, Manteo
Oct. 27–28
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum Haunted House
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, Manteo
Oct. 31
First Friday on Roanoke Island
Manteo
Nov. 2
Collision of Rhythm
First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills
Nov. 3
OBX Veteran's Week
Downtown Manteo
Nov. 10–11
252-473-5558
Outer Banks Marathon & Southern Fried Half Marathon
Kitty Hawk and Nags Head
Nov. 10–11
Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile
Outer Banks Brewing Station
Kill Devil Hills
Nov. 21
ADVICE 5K Turkey Trot
Duck
Nov. 22
Surfin' Turkey 5K
Hatteras Village
Nov. 22
OBX Gobbler 5K
Village of Nags Head
Nov. 22
Heritage Cooking and Food Preservation
Island Farm, Manteo
Nov. 23–24
Hangin' with Santa
Kitty Hawk Kites, Nags Head
Nov. 23–24
252-441-6800
Kites with Lights
Jockey's Ridge State Park, Nags Head
Nov. 23–24
252-441-6800
Big Curri-Shuck
Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg
Nov. 24
252-491-2387
Grand Illumination
Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Island
Nov. 23
WinterLights
Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Island
Dates vary between Nov. 25–Jan. 20
