Events

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!

Paddle deep into the heart of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on this guided canoe adventure through scenic blackwater canals. Along the way, participants will learn about the area's natural and cultural history while watching for birds, turtles, alligators, and other wildlife. Canoes, paddles, life jackets, and guides are provided. When: Thursdays, June 3 – […]

The Dowdy Park Summer Market runs from mid-June through mid-August. To maintain a positive experience for vendors and visitors, the market is intentionally capped at approximately 50 vendors per event, with limited date overlap. Market dates and capacity are driven by the local school calendar, as the market has grown to a size that requires the use of the school parking lot for vendor and visitor parking.

The first market day will be Thursday, June 11th, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Shop local and experience the flavors of the Outer Banks at the Dowdy Park Farmers Market in Nags Head. Held every Thursday throughout the summer, this popular community market features fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, artisan products, and more from a variety of local farmers, makers, and small businesses. Whether you're looking for […]

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.

Little ones and their caregivers are invited to join the fun at Family Music Time, a free interactive music program designed especially for toddlers and young children. Led by the talented instructors of Barefoot Music Academy, these engaging classes encourage children to explore music through singing, movement, listening activities, rhythm instruments, and imaginative play. The program provides a wonderful opportunity for families to connect through music while fostering creativity, coordination, and early childhood development.

Held inside the Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall, Family Music Time offers a welcoming environment where young children can learn, laugh, and make music together. Please note: Dates, times, instructors, and program details are subject to change. Check the Town of Duck event calendar for details and the latest information.

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.

Experience art that changes the way you see the world at The Perception Project, a solo exhibition by artist, educator, and design strategist Emily Holmes at Dare Arts' Vault Gallery in downtown Manteo. Exhibit Dates: July 4 – August 1, 2026, T-F 10 am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 4 pm, Sun 11am - 3 pm

Opening Reception: Friday, July 3,  6:00–8:00 PM
Location: Dare Arts – Vault Gallery, Manteo
Admission: Free

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.

Step back in time and experience one of the Outer Banks' most fascinating living history demonstrations. Each Thursday during the summer, volunteers at the historic Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station recreate the famous Beach Apparatus Drill, showcasing how members of the U.S. Life-Saving Service rescued shipwreck victims long before helicopters, rescue boats, and modern technology. The demonstration […]

Turtle Talk at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Discover the fascinating world of turtles during this free educational program at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Learn the differences between sea turtles and land turtles, explore the challenges facing endangered sea turtle populations, and find out how conservation efforts are helping protect these gentle giants. Perfect […]

Join refuge volunteers for a customized wildlife-viewing adventure through Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. With room for just six participants, this intimate tour offers excellent opportunities to search for black bears, river otters, bald eagles, alligators, turtles, and even the endangered red wolf. Every tour is different, making each experience unique. When: Thursdays, June 3 […]