Events

“Golden Hour” by Robyn Scott is the first 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 January 30-April 23, 2026. Golden Hour is a love letter to the Carolina coast, where the light hits Mother Earth with a gentle glow leading into the peaceful night sky. This collection is meant to celebrate the warm hug offered by our beautiful ocean as we drive up and down the coastal roads, exploring the many beaches and seaside shops. Many of the works feature scenes from Corolla, in particular, some of my favorite hidden soundside spots and stretches of the beach in the offseason.

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.

“Golden Hour” by Robyn Scott is the first 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 January 30-April 23, 2026. Golden Hour is a love letter to the Carolina coast, where the light hits Mother Earth with a gentle glow leading into the peaceful night sky. This collection is meant to celebrate the warm hug offered by our beautiful ocean as we drive up and down the coastal roads, exploring the many beaches and seaside shops. Many of the works feature scenes from Corolla, in particular, some of my favorite hidden soundside spots and stretches of the beach in the offseason.

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.

The OBX Rod & Custom Festival returns to the Outer Banks May 1–2, 2026, bringing together car enthusiasts for a weekend celebration of classic cars, hot rods, and custom vehicles. Held primarily at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, the festival features cruise-ins, static car displays, special showcases, vendors, food, and family-friendly activities set against the scenic coastal backdrop of the OBX. Visitors can explore an impressive lineup of vintage restorations and modern custom builds while enjoying local attractions and historic sites throughout the area. Proceeds from the event help support several local charities and community programs, making it both a showcase of automotive craftsmanship and a celebration of community spirit. See the event website for a full schedule of daily events around the OBX.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to nearly 400 species of birds that reside here or migrate through. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you'll enjoy this casual stroll beside North Pond. Field guides, binoculars, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended. Some field guides and binoculars will be available for loan. Pea Island Bird Walks are held year-round except during the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival in October and December. Meet at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, located on NC Highway 12 approximately 4 miles south of Oregon Inlet and 9 miles north of Rodanthe. The Pea Island Bird Walk is FREE. 

Dare Arts in Manteo will showcase South of Heaven, a photography exhibit by Aaron Canipe, on display in the Vault Gallery from May 1 through May 30. The collection features Canipe’s original photographs created between 2015 and 2019, primarily in North Carolina, and explores themes of faith, belief, and the mysterious atmosphere of the Southern gothic landscape. The exhibit blends dark humor and introspective storytelling while raising thought-provoking questions about culture and identity in the South. An opening reception will be held Friday, May 1, from 6–8 p.m. during Downtown Manteo’s First Friday celebration, where visitors can meet the artist and enjoy the exhibit. Admission is free and open to the public.

The OBX Rod & Custom Festival returns to the Outer Banks May 1–2, 2026, bringing together car enthusiasts for a weekend celebration of classic cars, hot rods, and custom vehicles. Held primarily at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, the festival features cruise-ins, static car displays, special showcases, vendors, food, and family-friendly activities set against the scenic coastal backdrop of the OBX. Visitors can explore an impressive lineup of vintage restorations and modern custom builds while enjoying local attractions and historic sites throughout the area. Proceeds from the event help support several local charities and community programs, making it both a showcase of automotive craftsmanship and a celebration of community spirit. See the event website for a full schedule of daily events around the OBX.

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.