Events

We hope you're ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy an evening of incredible live music at the 2026 Dowdy Park Summer Concert Series. Each Wednesday night, Dowdy Park comes alive with talented regional and local musicians performing under the summer sky in the heart of Nags Head.

Bring a chair or blanket, settle in on the lawn, and enjoy a laid-back coastal evening filled with great music, family, and community.

Lineup
August 19: Lucky 757 Band
August 26: Jeremy & The Generations
September 2: Birddog
Location & Parking

Dowdy Park
3005 S. Croatan Highway
Nags Head, NC
(252) 489-8551

Parking is available in the Nags Head Elementary School lot located next to the park. Guests are strongly encouraged to walk or ride bikes when possible.

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!

Soundside Summer Market Returns to Nags Head for a Fourth Season

Spend your Wednesday mornings shopping local at the Soundside Summer Market Series, returning for its fourth season at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. Held weekly from June 17 through August 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market brings together talented local artists, makers, crafters, and vendors from across the Outer Banks.

Visitors can browse unique handmade goods, enjoy live music, sample local food, and soak up beautiful soundside views while supporting small businesses. Whether you're searching for one-of-a-kind gifts, fresh local products, or simply a fun way to spend a summer morning, the Soundside Summer Market offers something for everyone.

When: Wednesdays, June 17 – August 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Soundside Event Site, Nags Head

Experience the charm and creativity of Hatteras Island at the Tri Villages Market, a beloved weekly community gathering featuring local artists, makers, bakers, farmers, and small businesses. Browse handmade jewelry, artwork, home décor, fresh baked goods, local treats, and unique coastal treasures while supporting the talented entrepreneurs who call the Outer Banks home.

Held at Camp Hatteras Resort in Rodanthe, the market offers a fun and relaxed atmosphere where residents and visitors can shop local, meet vendors, and enjoy a morning on the island.

When: Wednesdays, May 27 – October 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Camp Hatteras Resort, Rodanthe

Market Series returns to the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, bringing together some of the most talented local artists, makers, creators, food vendors, and small businesses the OBX has […]

Experience the magic of butterflies taking flight during the Butterfly Release at The Elizabethan Gardens. Held Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM (April through September), this interactive program allows visitors to watch newly emerged butterflies take their first flight while learning about butterfly life cycles and the plants that attract them to your own garden. Guests can add the experience to their garden admission and enjoy a close-up look at these beautiful pollinators as they are released into the gardens’ butterfly habitat.

Animal lovers are invited to help local pets find their forever homes at Salty Tails of Love Adoption Day, happening April 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM–12:30 PM at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head. Hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites in partnership with the Outer Banks SPCA/Dare County Animal Shelter, this heartwarming community event gives visitors the chance to meet adoptable dogs and cats and support animal rescue efforts on the Outer Banks.

Guests can stop by to adopt a pet, donate needed supplies, or learn more about local animal welfare efforts. Donations for the shelter are encouraged, and purchases of Salty Tails merchandise at Kitty Hawk Kites locations help support the cause—with $1 from each hat or shirt donated to the Outer Banks SPCA.

Whether you’re hoping to welcome a new furry family member or simply want to support a great cause, this family-friendly event offers a meaningful way to give back while enjoying a spring morning on the Outer Banks.

Come to Jockey’s Ridge Crossing to help a furry friend find a fur-ever home on these dates:

April 8th
May 27th
June 24th
July 8th
August 26th

Salty Tails and Kitty Hawk Kites are teaming up to support our local Outer Banks SPCA with the Salty Tails of Love Adoption Day. Each month, join us at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm and drop off goods to donate to the local SPCA or help a furry friend find a forever home at our event, or go into any Kitty Hawk Kites location and purchase Salty Tails merchandise to help support and spread awareness! With each purchase of a Salty Tails hat or shirt, $1.00 will be donated to the Outer Banks SPCA/Dare County Animal Shelter to help support their cause.  

Come to Jockey’s Ridge Crossing to help a furry friend find a fur-ever home on these dates:

May 27th
June 24th
July 8th
August 26th

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. The exhibit remains on display July 4 through August 29, T-F 10 am - 5 pm, Sat 10 am - 4 pm, Sun 11 am - 3 pm.

Celebrate the creativity of the Outer Banks during Outer Banks Squared – The Art Show, a unique month-long exhibit featuring original square-format artwork inspired by the region's iconic landmarks, rich history, coastal landscapes, and native wildlife. From miniature works to large-scale paintings, each piece offers a fresh perspective on the beauty and spirit of the Outer Banks while showcasing the talents of local and regional artists.

Dates: August 1 - 29
Gallery Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (Closed Sundays)

Admission: Free

Looking for a fun way to spend a Wednesday afternoon? Join the team at the Outer Banks Brewing Station for their weekly Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting, held every Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guests will gather on the brewery's mezzanine for a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process, including a guided video tour, an opportunity to see, smell, and learn about the ingredients used to craft their beers, and a live Q&A session. The experience concludes with a guided tasting featuring four 5-ounce samples of the brewery's handcrafted beers. Tours are designed for guests ages 21 and older and are limited to 20 participants. Tickets are $15 per person and include the tasting. Advance registration is recommended.

For reservations and additional information, see the event website.

Start your morning with movement and fresh coastal air at Dynamic Flow on the Green with OBX Fit. This fun and engaging calisthenics-based workout combines mobility, strength, and flexibility exercises designed for all fitness levels—from beginners to seasoned athletes. The natural, practical, and playful class focuses on simple movements that help improve balance, mobility, and overall wellness. Participants are welcome to join in person on the Town Green or online. Thanks to the generous support of Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Books, all classes will also be available on the Town of Duck Facebook page for 30 days after each session. In the event of lightning, the class will be offered via livestream only.

Cost: Free
What to Bring: Water, comfortable workout attire, and a yoga mat or towel if desired.