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The 12 Bars of Christmas return for their third year, bringing 33 days of festive food, drinks, and holiday events across Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo. Visit all 12 decorated bars, pick up a passport to support local charities, and collect stamps for a keepsake ornament and a chance to win prizes. This family-friendly holiday celebration runs from November 28 through New Year’s, sponsored in part by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
Help the Rotary Clubs of the Outer Banks, along with the Outer Banks Christmas Shop, raise money for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation this holiday season. Ticket includes a glass of wine, food, discounts throughout the store, raffle and silent auction. Santa and the Grinch will be available for photos!
The Elizabethan Gardens’ beloved WinterLights celebration returns November 21–December 30, 2025, transforming ten acres of gardens into a glittering holiday wonderland. Visitors can stroll illuminated garden paths from 6–9 p.m. on select evenings, enjoying thousands of sparkling lights, festive décor, and the warmth of an open-air fire. Seasonal plants and unique gifts will be available in the Gift Shop and Nursery, with live entertainment featured on select nights. Timed-entry tickets are sold online only, and the event is weather-dependent. Overflow parking and shuttle service will be available on select weekends. Whether you’re planning a magical family outing or a festive holiday party, WinterLights offers a joyful way to celebrate the season in the heart of the Outer Banks.
Adults: $22; Youth (ages 2 to 17): $14; Child (under 2): FREE; Dog: $6
Curious Currents By Emily Holmes is the next exhibit in the Rotating Art Show. A free opening reception for the exhibit will take place on Saturday, November 1 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Come see the exhibit and talk to the artist about her work.
The exhibit will be on display Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. October 31, 2025- January 21, 2026 in the first floor conference room of the Town Hall.
From November 8 to December 20, 2025, the Vault Gallery will feature a collection of first-edition, framed original photographs by Baxter Miller. The exhibit, Inheritance, examines the liminality of sacred places. Ethereal vignettes of ancestral grounds anchor the photography exhibition by Baxter Miller, a descendant of a Hatteras Island family who arrived in the 1700s. Printed and framed oversized on Hahnemühle watercolor rag, the work stands in stark contrast to traditional depictions of landscape.
The 12 Bars of Christmas return for their third year, bringing 33 days of festive food, drinks, and holiday events across Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo. Visit all 12 decorated bars, pick up a passport to support local charities, and collect stamps for a keepsake ornament and a chance to win prizes. This family-friendly holiday celebration runs from November 28 through New Year’s, sponsored in part by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
The Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Downtown Manteo. The event is part of the First Friday Celebration and features holiday music, hot cocoa, and Santa lighting the tree in front of the historic old courthouse on Queen Elizabeth Avenue. This is FREE and open to the public!
First Friday is a fun-filled, family-oriented event held the first Friday of each month, March through November from 6pm to 8pm, in historic downtown Manteo. The sidewalks pulse with live music, magic, artisans, food, drinks and much more. The Manteo Stroll featuring celebrations, specials, music all over town, art, and more inside other Manteo galleries, shops and restaurants also happens during First Friday. First Friday celebrations are a great time to explore downtown Manteo.
The Elizabethan Gardens’ beloved WinterLights celebration returns November 21–December 30, 2025, transforming ten acres of gardens into a glittering holiday wonderland. Visitors can stroll illuminated garden paths from 6–9 p.m. on select evenings, enjoying thousands of sparkling lights, festive décor, and the warmth of an open-air fire. Seasonal plants and unique gifts will be available in the Gift Shop and Nursery, with live entertainment featured on select nights. Timed-entry tickets are sold online only, and the event is weather-dependent. Overflow parking and shuttle service will be available on select weekends. Whether you’re planning a magical family outing or a festive holiday party, WinterLights offers a joyful way to celebrate the season in the heart of the Outer Banks.
Adults: $22; Youth (ages 2 to 17): $14; Child (under 2): FREE; Dog: $6
From November 8 to December 20, 2025, the Vault Gallery will feature a collection of first-edition, framed original photographs by Baxter Miller. The exhibit, Inheritance, examines the liminality of sacred places. Ethereal vignettes of ancestral grounds anchor the photography exhibition by Baxter Miller, a descendant of a Hatteras Island family who arrived in the 1700s. Printed and framed oversized on Hahnemühle watercolor rag, the work stands in stark contrast to traditional depictions of landscape.
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:30 am come watch the annual Christmas parade! The parade route winds its way through the streets of downtown, beginning at Manteo High School and ending on the other side of the new College of the Albemarle campus. Fabulous floats full of holiday cheer and wonderful community spirit are always something to see every year! See the event link for a map of the route. The parade route begins at Manteo High School and proceeds through downtown Manteo. This is a FREE event!
The 12 Bars of Christmas return for their third year, bringing 33 days of festive food, drinks, and holiday events across Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo. Visit all 12 decorated bars, pick up a passport to support local charities, and collect stamps for a keepsake ornament and a chance to win prizes. This family-friendly holiday celebration runs from November 28 through New Year’s, sponsored in part by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.