Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? Here's your change. Park Ranger(s) will bring the poles, you bring the bait! Reservations required to participate. However, this activity is free and open to the public.

Please call (252) 475-9603 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program date.

Giant Jellies, by artist Carol Willett, are sculptures on display in Dare Arts Center. This display will be in the outdoor courtyard from September 6 through mid-November. 

There is something exquisite about the simplicity of jellies. Their color, shape and size are mesmerizing. This trio of Giant Jellies were created to spark curiosity about these magical creatures. The bells were sculpted over exercise balls, then drilled, sanded, painted and sealed. The colorful tentacles are made from deconstructed bath sponges and recycled beads. The reefs and their creatures are built out of expanding foam and wet sand, plus polymer clay and up-cycled plastic bottles. Electrical conduit, bicycle wheels and plywood make up the armatures.

Come shop the Tri Villages Market, Highway 12, on the soundside and inside the conference center rain or Shine. The market takes place every Wednesday June 12 - September 25 from 9 am - 1 pm. Enjoy food and goods from local artisans.

In September, the Dare Arts Vault Gallery will feature Taylor Williams’ latest collection of oil paintings titled, Hideaway. Hideaway highlights the serene moments of coastal North Carolina and beyond. Taylor's use of soothing, low contrast colors accentuates feelings of tranquility. Her work goes beyond merely capturing the visual beauty of the coast, offering glimpses into the sense of sanctuary that these landscapes provide. It's not just about what you see, but about how you feel—a reminder that amidst the chaos of the world, there are places of quiet refuge waiting to be discovered.

Hideaway will be on display in the Vault Gallery September 6-28, 2024.

In September, Dare Arts Courtroom Gallery will feature photography by Theresa Scott. The Road Through “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:” A Veterans History Project is a documentary series that encapsulates the struggles of serving in the military before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was repealed. Scott draws on skills as a photographer and a Marine who served under DADT. She invited service members to collaborate on amplifying their voices. Through transcribed interviews and photography, Scott supports participants in unpacking their struggles under policies like DADT and the unique path toward healing. In this exhibit, Scott offers insight into the lives of LGBTQIA+ service members that served before and after the repel of DADT, and she reveals the impact of such discriminatory policies on families and communities today. 

This exhibit will be on display in the Courtroom Gallery from September 6-28, 2024.

Toddlers ages 2-3 years old will enjoy Storytime with Ms. Tammy in the Manteo Library Meeting Room. It's never too early to get hooked on books! All August dates have been canceled. Story time will resume in September after Labor Day.

Come to the Chicamacomico Historic Site and tour the 1907 Midgett House on the Life Saving Station grounds. A Chicamacomico docent will lead the tour. During the tour you will learn how the life-savers and their families lived long ago. This family friendly tour last about an hour and free and open to the public. Enjoy the rich history of the Outer Banks!

Come enjoy a 30 minute presentation about the Bodie Island Lighthouse that has been lighting the way for over 150 years. Learn details about this lighthouse and its history. This program is free and family friendly.

Children ages 3 - 5 years old will enjoy Storytime with Ms. Tammy in the Manteo Library Meeting Room. Come Get Hooked on Books! All August dates have been canceled. Story time will resume in September after Labor Day.

Come to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Center Pavillon for a children's program about the sea turtles of the Outer Banks. Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for children of all ages. This program lasts 30 minutes and is free to the public.