Outer Banks Events - 2024 Schedule

Couples who have always dreamed about a romantic wedding on the Outer Banks will want to attend this special off-season expo that shines a spotlight on all the different wedding vendors that this scenic coastline has to offer. Sponsored by the Outer Banks Wedding Association, this multiple-day event has become the go-to festival for visitors from all over the country who want to discover how magical it can be to get married on the OBX.

Head to the waterfront along Hatteras village at historic Oden’s Dock for this old-fashioned oyster roast that gives back to the island’s coastal environment. The annual event features a world of fresh goodies for attendees to enjoy, which includes plenty of fresh oysters that are ready for shucking, fresh seafood chowder, cornbread, and other snacks and refreshments. There’s also a bake sale planned so that attendees can indulge their sweet tooth after they have had their fill of the array of local seafood.

The Running of the Leprechauns was the original idea of Mike Kelly and hosted at Kelly's Restaurant & Tavern, every St. Paddy's Day weekend since 2008. This fun, green and grand race Started and Finished on site at Kelly's Restaurant, and this years' 5K & 10K courses are virtually the same as in the past, just altered slightly to start and finish at nearby Satterfield Soccer Complex in Nags Head. All Finishers earned medals and enjoyed Irish Stew and Guinness beer at Mike's restaurant while sharing their running triumphs with their friends.

Join the crew of The Brewing Station – a beloved destination for beer lovers – for this annual, active celebration that will give attendees a jump start on their St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The Annual Outer Banks Beer Mile is becoming a favorite tradition for locals and spring vacationers alike, and is a great chance to get in a little run while enjoying some of the tastiest brews that the OBX has to offer.

For an Outer Banks celebration that revolves around family fun, and encompasses the best of the Outer Banks' spirit, make plans to catch a good glimpse of the Outer Banks St. Patrick's Day Parade. With moderate temperatures and plenty of southern hospitality, this event can kick-off a fantastic week-long vacation or spring break on the Outer Banks.

Come enjoy the spirit of the Easter holiday on the Outer Banks while taking advantage of National Kite Month at this fun and family-friendly event that joyfully combines these two celebrations. The Flying Into Spring And Easter EGGstravaganza festival is a great way to take in the fresh spring air along the coastline, while participating in a myriad of games, displays, and a little kite action at one of the best spots on the East Coast for high flying.

Enjoy a thrilling scene along the towering sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park as giant kites and stunt kite pilots wow the crowd at the engaging and family-friendly Outer Banks Kite Festival. Hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites, this festival features both live demonstrations and interactive activities to ensure that everyone can have a ball enjoying the high flying lifestyle on the Outer Banks.

For a beach bike week that's big on hospitality but also provides ample room to roam, head to the Outer Banks. With miles of new terrain, incredible views, and lots of bike-friendly businesses welcoming two-wheel guests, it's no surprise that the Outer Banks is gaining recognition as one of the East Coast's best destinations for a fun beach bike week.

For a beach bike week that's big on hospitality but also provides ample room to roam, head to the Outer Banks. With miles of new terrain, incredible views, and lots of bike-friendly businesses welcoming two-wheel guests, it's no surprise that the Outer Banks is gaining recognition as one of the East Coast's best destinations for a fun beach bike week.

Head to the beach to catch an incredible live show that’s unlike any other on the Outer Banks with the ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championship. Known as a qualifier for the big USA Surfing’s Prime events and USA Surfing Championships that are held in California in June, this event attracts talented surfers from all across the region and well beyond to the heart of the Outer Banks for a truly spectacular competition.

Put on your best eyepatch and get ready for a fun and engaging race that traces the steps of some of piracy’s most notable characters. The Ocracoke Island Scallywag 5K/10K/half-marathon is an annual running event on Ocracoke Island that attracts fitness fans of all ages and abilities, and which takes the village by storm via a fun and engaging course that’s close to the shoreline.

Automobile enthusiasts can meet and greet with fellow aficionados while exploring some of the most stunning coastlines that North Carolina has to offer at this two-day festival that features a wide array of ways to have fun. The OBX Rod And Custom Festival is a special celebration of vintage and antique cars that will boast a host of family-friendly activities, from local food, to cruise-ins, to displays that will impress car fans of all tastes and ages.

Come and enjoy a scenic run through some of the prettiest terrain that the central Outer Banks has to offer with this race that has been going strong for more than 35 years. The Annual Nags Head Woods 5K Run is a great running event that falls on Mother’s Day Weekend, and which features plenty of reasons to put on your sneakers and hit the road, and the sandy, wooded trails.

Celebrating its 31st year in 2025, the Hatteras Village Offshore Open continues to be one of the most popular fishing tournaments of the year along the southern Outer Banks, and is a fantastic chance to discover how incredible fishing off the Hatteras Island coastline can be. Based in the small town of Hatteras village on the southern edge of the island, this multiple-day tournament attracts anglers from all across the East Coast, and is one of the most anticipated fishing events of the year for folks throughout the Outer Banks, and miles beyond.

The annual Ocracoke Volunteer Firemen's Ball has become a tradition for longtime visitors and locals alike, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun of this special event that celebrates the island’s inherent sense of community.

Get your toes tapping with an island celebration of musicians, storytellers, artisans, local food, and so much more by joining in the community-wide fun of the Ocrafolk Festival. This full weekend event is held in the heart of Ocracoke Village, with multiple performances and activities happening around virtually every corner of Silver Lake Harbor.

Share a love of fishing with the youngest members in your vacationing party with this special fishing tournament that’s designed with youth anglers in mind. The Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Tournament is an annual fishing tournament that takes place on the famous Jennette’s Pier, as well as Avalon pier, Outer Banks Fishing Pier, and Nags Head Fishing Pier. It is open to all anglers ages 16 and under. The age groups for competitors are 4-9 years old and 10-16 years old, and trophies as well as rod and reel combos are awarded to the largest fish caught by a girl and boy angler for the day. Participants in the “catch and release” tournament can enjoy a full morning of fishing before going to a celebratory and awards lunch close to the pier.

Peruse a colorful array of vibrant artworks and crafts while enjoying the postcard-perfect setting on the grounds of the Whalehead Club by attending the Annual Under the Oaks Art Festival. This popular festival brings together a collection of talented artists and artisans who will share their wares in a pretty outdoor setting that will make shoppers want to linger and enjoy the views over the Currituck Sound.

Join the Outer Banks Brewing Station in a fun Independence Day weekend run that presents plenty of reason to celebrate. This adult 21 and over celebration starts with a refreshing brew before an easy-going, mile-long jog, walk or run around the heart of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills.

Head to the tiny coastal village of Ocracoke for a big Independence Day celebration that includes fireworks, a parade, and plenty of family fun. The highlight of the Ocracoke Independence Day Celebration is the annual amazing fireworks display over the Silver Lake Harbor after the sun goes down. Visitors will find plenty of seating all around the harborfront docks, and can bring along beach chairs, towels, blankets, and everything they need to enjoy the show.

Take part in an annual Independence Day celebration that captures the local spirit of Duck and the Outer Banks with this fun and fantastic parade that caps off with plenty of good times by the waterfront.

The Town of Manteo will host an incredible display of fireworks over the water on 4^th of July that will make any Independence Day celebration truly memorable. Launched over the Roanoke Sound and Shallowbag Bay, visitors can find a spot along the downtown docks or a seat at the famed Roanoke Island Festival Park to catch an incredible show with a stunning backdrop.

Celebrate your Independence Day with a bang at the Avon Pier and Avon Beach Klub on Hatteras Island. The 4^th of July celebration will feature a collection of events which includes corresponding radio shows on the island's local station, Radio Hatteras FM 101.5 and 99.9, and an incredible front row view of the fireworks display from the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.

Head to the heart of Nags head for this special 4^th of July fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean that will leave all beach-goers breathless. The Town Of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular will be held on the evening of Independence Day, and is sure to be a show-stopping aspect of any Outer Banks vacation.

Surfing For Autism is an Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness event that uses the beauty of the Outer Banks to provide children with an amazing experience and an opportunity to ride the waves.

Take a stroll along any shaded street in Ocracoke village and you’ll naturally notice the town’s love of all-things fig. Fig trees are everywhere in this coastal town, and during this annual celebration, visitors and locals alike can celebrate the fig through a myriad of  music, dancing, history, activities, and of course, plenty of fig goodies.

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

Head to the waterfront docks of Manteo to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

Head to the waterfront docks of Manteo to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.

Now celebrating its 47th year, the Wright Kite Festival is a celebration of aviation that takes place where flight began – the Wright Brothers Memorial. Walk through the sprawling grounds of the museum and gain a little knowledge of the birthplace of aviation and then put this knowledge to the test outside with Kitty Hawk Kites. Large kites will be on display throughout the weekend, joining in the sky with the Wright Memorial!

Jeep lovers are welcome to attend this annual festival that takes advantage of the beautiful fall weather of the Outer Banks, as well as the off-roading opportunities that are abundant along the miles of coastal North Carolina shoreline. The OBX Jeep Invasion is a fun and adventure-filled event that gives Jeep lovers an opportunity to get together and have a blast at one of the East Coat’s favorite destinations for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Bring your rods and reels and discover how incredible the fishing on the Outer Banks can be when the temps cool and the fall season rolls around by signing up for the Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge. This popular fishing tournament takes place all across the islands, and allows anglers to pick a favorite spot, cast a line, and hopefully reel in a few big catches, as well as a few hefty cash prizes, along the way.

Head to Roanoke Island in the scenic month of May to enjoy some of the best music of the year at the popular Bluegrass Island Festival. This annual festival has rapidly blossomed into one of the most anticipated music events along the Outer Banks, and attendees will be treated to a wealth of acclaimed bands, from legendary national acts, to homegrown bluegrass performers who will have everyone’s toes tapping.

The group which hosts the tournament, Capitol City Four Wheelers, is based out of Virginia and is always looking for new members who love and promote safe 4WD accessible driving. For an October surf fishing tournament that revolves around driving along the incredible beaches of Hatteras Island, the Capitol City Surf Fishing Tournament is certainly one to watch.

Registration is currently open for the Annual North Carolina Beach Buggy Association’s (NCBBA) Red Drum Tournament. The tournament features more than $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

The tournament offers miles of naturally isolated fishing grounds along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, allowing anglers to maintain social distance while enjoying the exceptional fall fishing conditions of the Outer Banks. Anglers fish from ORV Ramp 23 to Ramp 38, and possiblly Ramps 43 and 44 if judge availability permits. Anglers may fish where they please within the tournament boundaries, as there are no station assignments during the 60 hours of wide-open fishing. This year’s banquet and awards ceremony may be subject to restrictions by state or local authorities in regard to group gatherings, depending on the state of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Renowned as one of the oldest fishing tournaments on the East Coast, the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament is also one of the biggest Hatteras island tournaments of the years, with hundreds of anglers flocking to the southern Outer Banks for exceptional fall fishing that can't be found anywhere else. With big prizes and plenty of opportunities to have fun off the beach, this tournament has become a generations-old tradition for local and visiting anglers alike.