Events

Shop local and experience the flavors of the Outer Banks at the Dowdy Park Farmers Market in Nags Head. Held every Thursday throughout the summer, this popular community market features fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, artisan products, and more from a variety of local farmers, makers, and small businesses. Whether you're looking for […]

Little ones and their caregivers are invited to join the fun at Family Music Time, a free interactive music program designed especially for toddlers and young children. Led by the talented instructors of Barefoot Music Academy, these engaging classes encourage children to explore music through singing, movement, listening activities, rhythm instruments, and imaginative play. The program provides a wonderful opportunity for families to connect through music while fostering creativity, coordination, and early childhood development.

Held inside the Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall, Family Music Time offers a welcoming environment where young children can learn, laugh, and make music together. Please note: Dates, times, instructors, and program details are subject to change. Check the Town of Duck event calendar for details and the latest information.

Why choose between story time and creative play when you can enjoy both? The Town of Duck's Story Time and Chalk the Walk combines engaging children's stories with a colorful outdoor art activity, making it a perfect summer morning for young readers and budding artists.

The event begins on the steps of the Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall, where local partners from Island Bookstore and Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books share entertaining stories for children and families. After story time, participants head over to Duck Town Hall to create colorful sidewalk masterpieces during Chalk the Walk. Sidewalk chalk is provided—just bring your imagination! Be sure to bring water and dress for warm weather. Please note: Dates, times, locations, and program details are subject to change. Check the Town of Duck event calendar for the latest information.

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.

Arrr you ready for some pirate fun? The OBX Pirate Festival sails back into Nags Head for two days of swashbuckling adventures, living history, cannon fire, games, entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to mingle with visiting pirates!

With the Outer Banks’ legendary ties to Blackbeard and pirate history, this family-friendly festival brings the stories of the Carolina coast to life. Throughout the day, visitors can meet costumed pirates, enjoy Blackbeard-inspired storytelling and living-history demonstrations, catch acoustic performances, browse the shops, grab a treat and snap some memorable pirate photos.

Young buccaneers can sign up for Scallywag School, a 30-minute interactive experience where aspiring pirates learn what it takes to join the crew. Lessons may include talking like a pirate, sword drills, musket drills, shipboard line handling and the history of Blackbeard.

Scallywag School is limited to 20 participants per session, and advance registration is required. Online registration is currently listed at $22 per participant.

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.

Celebrate the creativity of the Outer Banks during Outer Banks Squared – The Art Show, a unique month-long exhibit featuring original square-format artwork inspired by the region's iconic landmarks, rich history, coastal landscapes, and native wildlife. From miniature works to large-scale paintings, each piece offers a fresh perspective on the beauty and spirit of the Outer Banks while showcasing the talents of local and regional artists.

Dates: August 1 - 29
Gallery Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (Closed Sundays)

Admission: Free

Celebrate the beauty of the sea by creating your own Sailor's Valentine at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum! During this free, hands-on craft program, participants will design a keepsake inspired by the intricate shell mosaics that sailors once brought home as treasured gifts for loved ones after long voyages at sea.
This family-friendly activity is designed for elementary school-aged children and older. All supplies are provided, no registration is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Most projects take about 30 minutes to complete.

Step back in time and experience one of the Outer Banks' most fascinating living history demonstrations. Each Thursday during the summer, volunteers at the historic Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station recreate the famous Beach Apparatus Drill, showcasing how members of the U.S. Life-Saving Service rescued shipwreck victims long before helicopters, rescue boats, and modern technology. The demonstration […]

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.

Start your Friday morning with a scenic run or walk through the beautiful Kinnakeet Shores community in Avon. The Run Hatteras Summer 5K & 1-Mile Race Series offers a flat, fast course through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, making it perfect for runners chasing a personal best and families looking for an active vacation adventure. New for 2026, participants can choose between the traditional 5K or a shorter 1-Mile out-and-back course.

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.