Ask almost anyone who lives on the Outer Banks what their favorite time of the year is, and there’s a good chance the answer will be fall. The heat of the summer has backed off a bit, the ocean water temperature stays pleasant through Columbus Day and there is lots to do.
September through November has become fall festival season, with something for everyone. Great music, food festivals, a marathon… and, of course, great weather.
Here are a few of our favorite events.
Photo by Jennette's Pier
ESA Surfing Championship
The Eastern Surfing Association is one of the largest amateur surfing associations anywhere. With memberships from Maine to Florida, Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head seems to be the perfect meeting point to decide who are the best amateur East Coast surfers.
The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival
A seemingly infinite variety of wines to sample, local micro brews out in force and a beautiful setting—it really doesn’t get much better than this. And Friday night is the vintner’s dinner where select Outer Banks chefs combine forces to create a culinary masterpiece.
Duck Jazz Festival
The Duck Jazz Festival is sort of the granddaddy of the Outer Banks music festivals. The music is always amazing, the setting on the Duck Town Green absolutely beautiful. If there is one event to check out this fall on the Outer Banks, this may be it. Saturday night a lot of the musicians stop by local venues to jam. It’s pretty special.
Sept. 13–14
Day at the Docks
Hatteras Village
Sept. 14–15
Outer Banks Triathlon
Old Swimming Hole, Manteo
Sept. 15–21
ESA Eastern Surfing Championship
Jennette's Pier, Nags Head
Sept. 21–23
Pridefest
Nags Head
Sept. 14–20
Cape Hatteras Wave Classic
Cape Hatteras
Sept. 19–21
Dare County Arts Council, Manteo
Sept. 21
CrabDaddy Wine/Beer Festival
Sanctuary Vineyards
Jarvisburg on the Currituck Mainland
Sept. 21
1st Annual Sumospeed Beach Bash Sponsored by Fortune Auto
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Sept. 28
Dare County Motorcycle Toy Run
Sept. 27–28
The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival
The Lost Colony, Manteo
Sept. 28
Frankie Valli Tribute Show
First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills
Oct. 1
Jim Mulford Red Drum Tournament
Jennette's Pier, Nags Head
Oct. 3–5
Halloween International Film Festival
Kill Devil Hills
Oct. 4
First Friday on Roanoke Island
Manteo
Oct. 4–6
Oink N’ Oyster Roast
Longboards Restaurant, Kitty Hawk
Oct. 4–12
Outer Banks Fall Restaurant Week
Oct. 10
Island Art Show
Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center, Rodanthe
Oct. 10–13
Outer Banks Parade of Homes
Oct. 12
Pop Go the Classics
First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills
Photo by Town of Duck
Oct. 12–13
Duck Jazz Festival
Town of Duck
Oct. 15–20 (Main Session)
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival
Oct. 19–20
Mustang Rock & Roast
Timbuck II Shopping Ctr, Corolla
Oct. 19
Outer Banks Seafood Festival
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Oct. 21
NC Symphony Winds
All Saints Church, Southern Shores
Oct. 21–23
The NC VIP Fishing Tournament
Jennette's Pier, Nags Head
Oct. 26
5th Annual OBX Brewtag
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Oct. 26
Harvest HayDay
Island Farm, Roanoke island
Oct. 27
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum Boat Show
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, Manteo
Nov. 1–11
OBX Veteran's Week
Downtown Manteo
Nov. 2
1st Annual Cape Hatteras Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration
Fessenden Center, Buxton
Photo by Katie Bellamy
Nov. 8–10
Outer Banks Marathon
Kitty Hawk to Manteo
Nov. 23
Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute
First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills
Nov. 27
Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile
Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kill Devil Hills
Nov. 28
Advice 5K Turkey Trot
Duck
Nov. 28
Surfin' Turkey 5K
Hatteras Village
Nov. 29–30
Heritage Cooking and Food Preservation
Island Farm, Manteo
Nov. 29–30
Hangin' with Santa & Kites with Lights
Kitty Hawk Kites, Nags Head
Nov. 30
Big Curri-Shuck
Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg
Nov. 30–Jan. 19
WinterLights
Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Island
Dec. 6–8 (Encore Session)
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival
Kip Tabb
