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Fall 2025 Installation: Souvenir by artist Todd Hale will be on display in The Courtyard Fall of 2025. The mixed media installation will open at 6:00 pm on Friday, September 5 and remain on display through mid-November. More information on this installation below.
In 2025, Whalehead in Historic Corolla celebrates a century of elegance, history, and community. To honor its 100th anniversary, a special series of ticketed events will take place every Wednesday throughout October 2025, inviting guests to step back in time and experience Whalehead’s charm. The celebrations include intimate behind-the-scenes tours, refined high tea with croquet on the lawn, and enchanting pianist performances echoing through the historic halls. The festivities culminate on October 29th with a grand finale event. Enjoy the fall as we commemorate 100 years of Whalehead’s enduring legacy and the stories it continues to inspire. Guests are encouraged to dress for the era (not required), being mindful of the potential chilly weather. No spiked stilettos for the integrity of the cork floor. See the event website for a full schedule and list of upcoming events.
Todd Hale; Mixed Media is the next exhibit in the Rotating Art Show. The exhibit will be on display Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. August 1 – October 29 in the first floor conference room of the Town Hall. A free opening reception for the exhibit will take place on Thursday, August 6 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Come see the exhibit and talk to the artist about his work.
On First Friday, October 3, Halloween Island kicks off with 13 Nefarious Nights of 13 Halloween Bars, each uniquely themed with its own unique Halloween name and theme. Pick up a HALLOWEEN ISLAND PASSPORT at any of the 13 Halloween Bars and creep your way through Manteo for an exclusive Passport Completion Reward!
Along the way, check out the zombie-themed food & drink menus at GORTEGA’Z, a Zombie Apocalypse Bar by Ortega'z Southwestern Grill!
Halloween Island runs every Thursday through Saturday throughout the month of October, and is brought to you by The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau along with support from our many other local sponsors. Bus services are available through Outer Banks Adventures, the Official Transportation Partner of HALLOWEEN ISLAND!
In October our Vault Gallery will feature paintings by Willow Rea Temple. The month-long exhibit, "Little Worlds and Ephemeral Life", is a nod to the bittersweet notes of nostalgia. This series of paintings was inspired by vintage photos of local life with many photo references being sourced from the Outer Banks History Center and others found in friends and family photo albums.
Willow uses a variety of mediums and bold colors to weave new tales into past life, making each image a timeless reminder of the brevity of youth. As you look at each character depicted, imagine all the different “little worlds” they live in. Many of our life experiences are unique, but most of them are shared, connecting us all to each other.
There will be an opening reception on Friday, October 3 from 6pm to 8pm, where visitors can meet Willow and view her work. The opening reception is during downtown Manteo's First Friday festivities, and is free and open to the public.
Little Worlds and Ephemeral Life will be on display in the Vault Gallery October 3 - November 1, 2025.
Dare Arts cordially invites you to participate in The Great Art Heist. Bidding will begin at 6:00pm on Friday, October 3 in Dare Arts’ Courtroom Gallery and online on the button below.
The Great Art Heist will showcase pieces by local and regional visual artists plus experiences by performing artists. This special event will serve as Dare Arts' annual fundraiser.
Registration to bid will be open in October on the button below. Advance registration is encouraged, so that you can get straight to bidding once the auction is open. Please note that even if you visit The Great Art Heist in-person, you still have to bid online.
If you can't make it to opening night, plan a private viewing of The Great Art Heist with a group of friends during the month. To schedule a private viewing, please email Dare Arts Executive Director Jessica Sands at DareArtsInfo@gmail.com.
The auction will be open for bidding until 8:00pm on Thursday, October 23.
On Wednesday, October 15, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers are invited to join artist Lesa Cook for a "Create Your Own Scratchboard" class at the Cowell Cancer Center in Nags Head.
During this class, students will create a black and white tonal image using black pastel pencil, brush, eraser, and scratching stylus. They will use tonal drawing in combination with scratching/erasing for detail. Each student should be able to leave class with a completed or nearly completed scratchboard piece. No experience required. This workshop is for everyone.
*Please note that all students must bring a photograph to class to create their scratchboard. The photo can be of anything, student's choice
Cost: Thanks to a Community Benefit Grant from Outer Banks Health, this workshop is free for cancer survivors, patients and their caregivers, and all supplies are included.
Although class is free, pre-registration is required so that the instructor can plan ahead for supplies. You can register online at DareArts.org/workshops or by calling Dare Arts at 252 473 5558.
Class is limited to 15 students.
Nature on the Boardwalk is back! Enjoy a stroll along the Town of Duck’s soundside boardwalk to check out wildlife and local plants with an educator from the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. This is an evening fall walk, geared toward ages 9 and up. The walks start at the boardwalk entrance behind the playground (1200 Duck Rd) and into the maritime forest. Then, back onto the boardwalk for about a mile of total walking.
Although FREE, space is limited to 20 people. Please call 252.255.1234 or email events@ducknc.gov with the names of everyone in your party (and ages of any children) to register for a date.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025- 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Join fellow anglers from OCTOBER 15-17, 2025 for the Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament, a beloved community tradition that brings together both seasoned pros and enthusiastic amateurs to cast their lines along the beautiful beaches of Nags Head. Hosted by the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club, this multi-day event blends friendly competition with coastal camaraderie. Participants enjoy lunch on both fishing days, as well as evening social events featuring hearty food buffets and cold beer, a perfect way to swap stories and celebrate the day’s catches. Whether you’re fishing, spectating, or just soaking up the seaside spirit, it’s a highlight of the Outer Banks fall season.
The Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival takes place October 14–19, 2025, across six national wildlife refuges in northeastern North Carolina. This celebrated event offers more than 60 programs designed to connect people with the natural beauty and wildlife of the Outer Banks and surrounding areas. Activities include birding trips, paddling excursions, photography workshops, and guided nature walks, all led by expert naturalists and local guides. The festival promotes conservation and education through the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society and attracts nature enthusiasts from across the country. This year’s keynote speaker is Brian Patteson, who will present “Pelagic Seabirds off Cape Hatteras,” sharing striking images and insights from his many offshore birding adventures. An additional Wings Over Water Encore event will be held December 5–7, 2025, for participants who want to experience more of the region’s winter wildlife.
See the event schedule at https://wingsoverwater.org/event-schedule/ for a list of daily events and cost(s). Events take place at multiple locations.
Fall 2025 Installation: Souvenir by artist Todd Hale will be on display in The Courtyard Fall of 2025. The mixed media installation will open at 6:00 pm on Friday, September 5 and remain on display through mid-November. More information on this installation below.
Returning for its fourth season in 2025, the Old Trent Market is coming once again every Thursday with artists and vendors from all over the Outer Banks region. Continuing well into the fall months, the Old Trent Market features a distinctive collection of gifts, artworks, apparel, local crafts and goodies, and much more. It begins May 15 and runs until October 30 every Thursday from 9 am - 2 pm.