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  • Butterfly House Release

    Butterfly House Release
    Elizabethan Gardens 1411 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC, United States

    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.

    $16
  • Turtle Talk

    Turtle Talk
    Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 14500 NC Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC, United States

    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 […]

  • Ocracoke Independence Day Celebrations 2026

    Ocracoke Island NC, United States

    Celebrate Independence Day island-style during Ocracoke's beloved three-day Fourth of July celebration. From fireworks over Silver Lake Harbor to a hometown parade, sand sculpture contest, square dancing, and a community beach fire under the stars, this annual tradition offers family-friendly fun and small-town charm for visitors and locals alike. Thursday, July 2 Kick off the […]

  • Alligator River Van Tour

    Alligator River Van Tour
    Creef Cut Wildlife Trail Creef Cut Trail, Manns Harbor, N C

    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 […]

    $20 – $30
  • Duck Concert on the Green

    Duck Concert on the Green
    Duck Town Park 1200 Duck Road, Duck, NC, United States

    Concert on the Green Returns to Duck for Summer 2026

    Spend your Thursday evenings enjoying live music under the open sky at the Town of Duck's popular Concert on the Green series. Held on the Town Green, these free concerts feature a variety of local and regional musicians performing everything from classic covers and country favorites to original songs and beach music.

    Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, and coolers and settle in for an evening of family-friendly entertainment in one of the Outer Banks' most scenic soundside settings. Concerts take place every Thursday evening from June through August.

    When: Thursdays, June 11 – August 27, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Where: Duck Town Green, Duck, NC
    Cost: Free

    Please note: Performers, dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice. Check the Town of Duck for the latest event information.

  • 4 for the 4th: Four Mile Run & 1776 Family Fun Run

    Kinnakeet Shores 41184 Kinakeet Blvd., Avon, NC

    4 for the 4th: Four Mile Run & 1776 Family Fun Run

    Celebrate America's 250th birthday with a patriotic morning of fitness, community, and fun at the annual 4 for the 4th Four Mile Run and 1776 Family Fun Run in Avon on Friday, July 3.

    This special America 250 edition begins with a patriotic opening ceremony featuring local vocalist Leslie Buck performing the National Anthem, God Bless America, and her original rendition of God Bless Hatteras. The Avon Volunteer Fire Department will present the colors, and Dare County officials will help kick off the race festivities.

    Participants can challenge themselves with the four-mile run or enjoy the family-friendly 1,776-foot Fun Run, designed for runners and walkers of all ages. Following the races, participants are invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments, including fruit, breakfast sandwiches, and protein bars.

    The event also shines a spotlight on local nonprofits, including the Hatteras CERT Team, Hatteras Island Meals, and Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. This year's race will also collect donations for Mighty Milly, a six-year-old Buxton warrior currently battling B-cell leukemia.

    Whether you're running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, this patriotic community event is a great way to kick off Independence Day weekend while supporting important local causes.

    When: Friday, July 3, 2026
    Where: Kinnakeet Shores, Avon
    Events: Four Mile Run & 1776 Family Fun Run

    Register at BarrierIslandGroup.com.

    $15 – $45
  • Ocracoke Ghost Tours

    Ocracoke Ghost Tours
    The Village Craftsman 170 Howard Street, Ocracoke

    Discover the mysterious side of Ocracoke Island on an evening walking tour filled with local legends, fascinating history, and ghostly tales. Choose between the Down Point Tour, featuring stories near the Ocracoke Lighthouse, or the 'Round Creek Tour, exploring the historic Howard Street area. Each tour is led by knowledgeable local guides who bring the island's rich past—and its lingering spirits—to life.

    Tours are offered most Tuesdays and Fridays from May 19 through September 29, beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m. and lasting approximately 90 minutes. Advance online reservations are required, and space is limited.

    $10 – $20
  • Pea Island Bird Walk

    Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 14500 NC Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC, United States

    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. 

  • Killer Dunes 2-Mile Run & Color Fun Run

    Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Dr, Nags Head, NC, United States

    Kick off your Independence Day weekend with one of the Outer Banks' most unique and challenging races. The annual Killer Dunes 2-Mile Run invites participants to run, walk, or simply conquer the towering sands of Jockey's Ridge, the tallest natural sand dune system on the East Coast. The course may be just two miles long, […]

    $35 – $60
  • Ocracoke Independence Day Celebrations 2026

    Ocracoke Island NC, United States

    Celebrate Independence Day island-style during Ocracoke's beloved three-day Fourth of July celebration. From fireworks over Silver Lake Harbor to a hometown parade, sand sculpture contest, square dancing, and a community beach fire under the stars, this annual tradition offers family-friendly fun and small-town charm for visitors and locals alike. Thursday, July 2 Kick off the […]

  • Family Fun Times

    Family Fun Times
    Dowdy Park 3005 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, United States

    Family Fun Times takes place Tuesdays from June 16 through August 11 and Fridays from June 5 through August 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. The program is designed to provide engaging, educational fun while making the most of a summer morning on the Outer Banks.

    Dowdy Park
    3005 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

    Free Admission