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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.
The 14th Annual Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival returns in 2025 with three full days of top-tier bluegrass music and community spirit. Held October 16-18, the gates open each day at 11:00 AM, and performances run into the evening. Headlining acts include Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Malpass Brothers, The Steeldrivers, PAM Tillis, Ricky Skaggs, Steep Canyon Rangers, and many more. The festival also offers a VIP experience with reserved seating, backstage lounges, early entry, a daily lunch buffet (featuring local seafood, BBQ, fried chicken, and more), and access to meet the artists. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to bluegrass, this festival offers something for everyone—from stunning performances to good food and camaraderie in a beautiful Outer Banks setting. See the event website for a full schedule and to purchase tickets. Ticket prices start at $101.12. Children 10 & under are FREE with a paid adult.
The 3rd Annual Corolla Cup runs from October 16–18, 2025 at the Corolla Light Ocean Front Complex in Corolla, NC.t’s a three-day fundraiser supporting Water’s Edge Village School’s technology and furniture needs, organized in partnership with CECA and EPIC. Highlights include a social 18-hole golf outing at The Currituck Club on October 16 (tee times begin around 1:00 PM), Highlights include a social 18-hole golf outing at The Currituck Club on October 16 (tee times begins around 1:00 PM). Tickets range from $25 to $40, with options including event admission, T-shirts, and meals.
Grab your chairs, blankets, and popcorn containers for a Free Movie Night at Dowdy Park on Friday, October 17, 2025, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM! In partnership with Outer Banks Health, the town will host an outdoor screening of Guardians of the Galaxy under the stars. The movie begins at sunset, and attendees can enjoy free popcorn—just remember to bring your own container. It’s the perfect way to kick back with family and friends for an evening of fun, laughter, and community at one of Nags Head’s favorite gathering spots.
The Another Round 25K is an endurance running event hosted by Outer Banks Sporting Events, scheduled for October 18, 2025, at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head. Participants are challenged to run one 5K loop every hour, for a total of five loops (25K total) between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Runners can compete individually or form two-person teams (alternating loops), and must complete each 5K within a 55-minute cutoff to continue. The course includes a mix of terrain with a small dune crossing and loop start/finish. All loops are chip timed, and awards are based on cumulative time. Participants receive a shirt, a finisher medal, snacks, and drinks. A portion of the race proceeds benefits Friends of Jockey’s Ridge to support dune preservation.
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.
Secotan Market in Wanchese is a producer-only market featuring fresh produce, vegetable ferments, kombucha, pasture-raised meat & eggs, pecans, mushroom products, pastries, pies, cakes, jams, pickles, honey, medicinal products, flowers, herbs, spices, teas, potted plants, natural skin care, rotating artisans and so much more. Our family of producers join each market in person to share food and goods that they have grown or crafted themselves, here in Northeastern North Carolina. We are deeply committed to honesty and sustainability in our practices. Winter Season Markets are every first and third Saturday of the month December - April 5 from 9am -12pm.
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!