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Celebrate Independence Day island-style during Ocracoke's beloved three-day Fourth of July celebration. From fireworks over Silver Lake Harbor to a hometown parade, sand sculpture contest, square dancing, and a community beach fire under the stars, this annual tradition offers family-friendly fun and small-town charm for visitors and locals alike. Thursday, July 2 Kick off the […]
Step into an immersive outdoor art experience at Dare Arts' Courtyard this summer with Weather the Storm, a captivating mixed-media installation by artist Lara E. Parks. Blending light, shadow, sound, movement, and fabric, the installation transforms with changing weather and natural light, inviting visitors to return throughout the season to experience it in new ways.
Celebrate the opening during First Friday on Friday, July 3, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., where you can meet the artist and enjoy live music by The Blue Crab Boys in the Courtyard. The installation will remain on display through the fall, offering a unique outdoor art experience in the heart of downtown Manteo. Be sure to walk through and enjoy the art!
Family Fun Times takes place Tuesdays from June 16 through August 11 and Fridays from June 5 through August 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. The program is designed to provide engaging, educational fun while making the most of a summer morning on the Outer Banks.
Dowdy Park
3005 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head
Free Admission
Take a trip around the Alligator River Refuge and learn about the wild lands and wildlife. Bring your binoculars and camera! Drinking water and insect repellent are also recommended. The program will proceed, except in the event of lightning, heavy wind, rain, or impassable road conditions. Dress for the weather! Meet at Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot, Hwy 64 and Milltail Road, approximately 6 miles west of Manns Harbor. Call 252-216-9464 for reservations.
Alligator River Refuge Tram Tour $10 per adult. Children 12 and under are free with one or more paying adults. Reservations required. Tram seating is limited.
Event Series: Rotating Art Show, “Between Tides,” by Kate Leal is the next exhibit in the 2026 Rotating Art Show series. The exhibit will be on display in the first floor conference room of the Town Hall and open from 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from May 1 – July 29, 2026.
Let your child's creativity set sail at Maritime Crafts for Kids at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras! This free weekly program invites children of all ages to create fun, hands-on crafts inspired by the unique coastal environment and rich maritime heritage of the Outer Banks. Best of all, the museum provides all the supplies—just bring your imagination!
Held on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., this family-friendly activity is a great way to enjoy a creative morning while learning about the coast through art and hands-on exploration.
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras
Free Admission | All Ages Welcome
Enjoy a full day of interactive activities, hands-on exhibits, and presentations for all ages. Families can participate in "The Ironclad Countdown" and other children's activities led by educator Kyra Burlingame of The Mariners' Museum and Park. At 1:00 p.m., maritime archaeologist Tane Casserly will present "Ironclad Legacy: Celebrating 50 Years of NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary," highlighting the latest discoveries and ongoing research surrounding one of America's most iconic shipwrecks.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras
Free Admission, All Ages Welcome
Enjoy an evening under the string lights during the First Friday Vendor Market at the historic Pioneer Theater Garden in downtown Manteo. Beginning at 5:00 p.m., the open-air market features local artisan and craft vendors, food trucks, a beer and wine bar, and live local music in a relaxed garden setting. Held every First Friday from March through December, it’s a lively way to shop local, grab a bite, and enjoy music in the heart of Manteo. Attendance is free and open to the public.
Friday, March 6, kicks off the 2026 First Friday season in downtown Manteo. We will have Joe Mapp playing live music on the front porch of the Gallery starting at 6:00 pm.
There will also be live music by The Conch Shells at Poor Richard's, The Bar Cats Duo at NouVines, and DJ Night at Lost Colony Brewery.
The First Friday Manteo Stroll, where restaurants and shops in downtown Manteo stay open late with specials, live music, sales, and events at their locations, will also be happening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Step into a world where art changes with every glance. The Perception Project is a captivating solo exhibition by artist, educator, and design strategist Emily Holmes, featuring interactive mixed-media works that explore the fascinating ways perception shifts through movement, light, texture, layering, and visual illusion. Visitors will discover vibrant paintings, stained glass, collage, optical effects, […]
Discover the heart of rural North Carolina through the lens of ten talented photographers in Southern is Feeling: A Visual Telling of Rural NC at Dare Arts' Courtroom Gallery in Manteo. This compelling photography exhibition explores themes of community, heritage, landscape, and identity, capturing the people and places that define rural life across the state. The exhibit invites visitors to experience North Carolina beyond its destinations, revealing the stories, traditions, and emotional connections woven into its small towns and landscapes.
The exhibition opens with a free public reception on Friday, July 3, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. during Manteo's First Friday celebration, where guests can meet the photographers and explore the collection.
Discover the mysterious side of Ocracoke Island on an evening walking tour filled with local legends, fascinating history, and ghostly tales. Choose between the Down Point Tour, featuring stories near the Ocracoke Lighthouse, or the 'Round Creek Tour, exploring the historic Howard Street area. Each tour is led by knowledgeable local guides who bring the island's rich past—and its lingering spirits—to life.
Tours are offered most Tuesdays and Fridays from May 19 through September 29, beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m. and lasting approximately 90 minutes. Advance online reservations are required, and space is limited.