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!

Step into a world where art changes with every glance. The Perception Project is a captivating solo exhibition by artist, educator, and design strategist Emily Holmes, featuring interactive mixed-media works […]

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.

Give back to the beautiful shores of the Outer Banks at the Surfrider Foundation Spring Beach Cleanup on April 19, 2026, from 4:00–5:00 PM in Nags Head. Hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation Outer Banks Chapter, this community event invites locals and visitors alike to help keep OBX beaches and waterways clean.

Volunteers will meet at the Soundside Road public access near Jockey's Ridge State Park to check in and receive gloves and cleanup bags before spreading out along the shoreline to collect litter. Participants are also encouraged to log what they find using the Marine Debris Tracker app, helping support ongoing environmental research and conservation efforts.

This free, family-friendly event welcomes volunteers of all ages (pets included—just keep them leashed). It’s a simple but meaningful way to enjoy the outdoors while helping protect the fragile coastal ecosystems that make the Outer Banks so special.

Additional Dates:

April 19th at 4:00 PM
July 5th at 5:00 PM
September 20th at 4:00 PM

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!

Discover the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make the Outer Banks such a unique coastal environment during Nature on the Boardwalk, a free guided nature program presented by the Town of Duck.

Led by a knowledgeable naturalist, this interactive morning walk takes participants along the Duck Boardwalk to explore local wildlife, native vegetation, marsh habitats, and the natural history of the Currituck Sound. Each program offers opportunities to observe birds, learn about coastal ecology, and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds Duck.

Perfect for nature enthusiasts, families, visitors, and residents alike, this educational program provides a fun and engaging way to connect with the environment while enjoying a scenic stroll along the waterfront.

2026 Dates & Times
Mondays, June 1 – August 24, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

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.

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.

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!

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

Escape the busy beaches and explore the quiet marshes, creeks, and islands of Pamlico Sound on this guided canoe tour through Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. This peaceful paddle offers […]