Events

Friday–Sunday, October 2–4, 2026
Event Begins: Friday at 7 a.m.
Event Ends: Sunday at approximately 2 p.m.
Location: Jennette's Pier, 7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head

Waveski and surf kayak competitors head to Jennette's Pier for the 2026 U.S. Open Waveski Championships. Hosted by the East Coast Waveski Association, the three-day event includes multiple Waveski divisions, a Surf Kayak Open and a Challenger Series designed to give competitors additional time in the water even after elimination from the main competition. FREE to spectators. So, bring a beach chair and cheer them on!

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!

October 1–31, 2026
Location: Participating locations throughout Manteo and Roanoke Island
Best Nights to Visit: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Prime Evening Hours: Approximately 6–8:30 p.m.

October gets spooky on Roanoke Island when Manteo transforms into Halloween Island: Rise of the Moondog.

The month-long charity celebration turns more than a dozen local establishments into individually themed Halloween bars and gathering spots. Guests can make their way around town collecting passport stamps while exploring a lineup of elaborate Halloween themes.

Among this year's themed stops are haunted houses, ghost ships, vampires, zombies, witches, a mad scientist laboratory, a Harry Potter-inspired stop and more.

Many participating businesses operate throughout the week, but Halloween Island organizers say Thursday through Saturday are the best nights to visit because all of the Halloween bars are open. The most active time is generally from about 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Opening Weekend

Thursday, October 1

Halloween Island officially begins for the month of October.
Participating bars and businesses begin their Halloween transformations.

Friday, October 2

Halloween Island coincides with Manteo's monthly First Friday celebration.
Downtown activity is concentrated during the evening.

Saturday, October 3

Halloween Island continues throughout Manteo.
Saturday is one of the primary nights when all participating Halloween bars are expected to be open.

Halloween Island continues through Halloween night, October 31.

Proceeds from the 2026 celebration support the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.

Secotan Market shifts into its fall schedule beginning in October.

The Wanchese producer-only farmers market brings together growers, food producers, makers and artisans from northeastern North Carolina. The people selling the products are the people who grew, raised or crafted them.

Expect market offerings to vary from week to week, including:

Fresh produce
Pasture-raised meat and eggs
Vegetable ferments
Kombucha
Pecans
Mushroom products
Baked goods, pies and cakes
Jams and pickles
Local honey
Herbs, spices and teas
Flowers and potted plants
Natural skin care
Rotating local artisans
Fall Market Schedule

Beginning in October, Secotan Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m.–Noon through Thanksgiving.

Upcoming dates include:

October 3
October 10
October 17
October 24
October 31
November 7
November 14
November 21

There is also a special Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving market on November 25 from 9 a.m.–Noon.

Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. each Saturday
Location: Island Farm, 1140 N. US Highway 64, Manteo
Admission: $11 ages 4 and older | Ages 3 and under FREE

One of the Outer Banks' favorite fall traditions returns to Island Farm for the first four Saturdays in October.

The 15th Annual Pumpkin Patch combines locally grown pumpkins with old-fashioned games, historic demonstrations, crafts, food and hands-on fall fun across the living history farm.

The pumpkins are grown in nearby Chowan County by a descendant of Island Farm.

2026 Pumpkin Patch Dates
Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, October 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, October 17, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Activities Throughout the Day

Admission includes:

Pumpkin Patch
Historic games
Nail-driving contest
Jumbo bubbles
Doll crafting
Candle making
Fresh maze/corn tunnel activities
Open-fire popcorn samples
Fresh apple cider
Blacksmith demonstrations and giveaways
Farm animals
Hands-on experiences around the historic farmstead

Visitors can also shop a makers market featuring local art and crafts.

Food and other items available for purchase include:

Local food vendors
Local honey
Apple cider donuts
Additional artisan goods

All scheduled activities take place throughout the 9 a.m.–3 p.m. event window rather than at individually published times.

October 2–31, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, 6–8 p.m.
Location: Dare Arts Vault Gallery, 300 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
Admission: Free

Dare Arts opens its October Vault Gallery exhibition with OBX: A Dingbatter's Perspective, a mixed-media exhibition by Outer Banks artist Eric Riggs.

The month-long show combines two sides of Riggs' work: intricate, hand-manipulated printmaking and sculptural pieces inspired by his interest in African art.

Riggs creates his prints using his own equipment before cutting, layering, fusing, gluing and hand-working the pieces. He even constructs his own frames. His sculptures take a different path, incorporating found objects such as bottles, bells, natural materials and other unexpected elements.

Opening Night — Friday, October 2

6–8 p.m.

Opening reception in the Vault Gallery
Meet artist Eric Riggs
View the full exhibition
Reception coincides with Manteo's First Friday celebration
Free and open to the public
Exhibition Dates & Gallery Hours

October 2–31

Regular Dare Arts gallery hours:

Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed

The Great Art Heist returns to Dare Arts in October with a collection of one-of-a-kind artwork from local and regional artists, all supporting Dare Arts and its programs in the Outer Banks community.

The benefit silent art auction officially opens Friday, October 2 at 6 p.m. with a free reception at the Dare Arts Gallery in downtown Manteo. The evening will feature libations, hors d'oeuvres and live piano music by Fleck and will be held in conjunction with Manteo's First Friday festivities.

Guests can browse the artwork, discover pieces created by local and regional artists and place bids either in person at the Dare Arts Gallery or online through the Dare Arts website.

OPENING NIGHT: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

6 p.m.

The Great Art Heist officially opens
Silent auction bidding begins
Opening reception at Dare Arts
Hors d'oeuvres and libations
Live piano music by Fleck
Manteo First Friday festivities happening throughout downtown

The opening reception is free and open to everyone.

AUCTION SCHEDULE

October 2–23

Silent auction bidding remains open
View and bid on artwork in person at the Dare Arts Gallery
Online bidding is also available through Dare Arts

Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m.

Final bids are due
The Great Art Heist auction closes
DARE ARTS GALLERY HOURS

Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed

The Great Art Heist is Dare Arts' annual benefit art auction and its signature fundraising event, helping support the nonprofit organization's work to encourage and expand arts opportunities throughout Dare County.

Location: Dare Arts Gallery, 300 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo, NC 27954

Friday–Sunday, October 2–4, 2026
Event Begins: Friday at 7 a.m.
Event Ends: Sunday at approximately 2 p.m.
Location: Jennette's Pier, 7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head

Waveski and surf kayak competitors head to Jennette's Pier for the 2026 U.S. Open Waveski Championships. Hosted by the East Coast Waveski Association, the three-day event includes multiple Waveski divisions, a Surf Kayak Open and a Challenger Series designed to give competitors additional time in the water even after elimination from the main competition. FREE to spectators. So, bring a beach chair and cheer them on!

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!

October 1–31, 2026
Location: Participating locations throughout Manteo and Roanoke Island
Best Nights to Visit: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Prime Evening Hours: Approximately 6–8:30 p.m.

October gets spooky on Roanoke Island when Manteo transforms into Halloween Island: Rise of the Moondog.

The month-long charity celebration turns more than a dozen local establishments into individually themed Halloween bars and gathering spots. Guests can make their way around town collecting passport stamps while exploring a lineup of elaborate Halloween themes.

Among this year's themed stops are haunted houses, ghost ships, vampires, zombies, witches, a mad scientist laboratory, a Harry Potter-inspired stop and more.

Many participating businesses operate throughout the week, but Halloween Island organizers say Thursday through Saturday are the best nights to visit because all of the Halloween bars are open. The most active time is generally from about 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Opening Weekend

Thursday, October 1

Halloween Island officially begins for the month of October.
Participating bars and businesses begin their Halloween transformations.

Friday, October 2

Halloween Island coincides with Manteo's monthly First Friday celebration.
Downtown activity is concentrated during the evening.

Saturday, October 3

Halloween Island continues throughout Manteo.
Saturday is one of the primary nights when all participating Halloween bars are expected to be open.

Halloween Island continues through Halloween night, October 31.

Proceeds from the 2026 celebration support the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.