Events

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

Dates: Wednesday–Saturday, October 14–17, 2026, 11 am - 10 pm
Location: Roanoke Island Festival Park
Address: 1 Festival Park, Manteo, NC 27954
Admission: Paid tickets required for the main festival; ticket options and availability are listed online.

Spend an unforgettable fall weekend enjoying bluegrass on the Manteo waterfront. The Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival brings nationally acclaimed musicians to Roanoke Island for a celebration of traditional bluegrass, contemporary acoustic music and outstanding instrumental performances.

Free parking and shuttle service are included with general tickets and passes. Visit the official website for daily performance schedules, ticket options and arrival information.

Event website and lineup: https://www.bluegrassisland.com/2026festival

Movies on the Green Brings Family Favorites to Duck

Grab a blanket, pack some snacks, and enjoy a free movie under the stars at Movies on the Green. This beloved summer tradition transforms the Town Green into an outdoor theater, offering family-friendly films in a beautiful soundside setting.

Movie nights begin at sunset (8:45 - 10:15 pm) and are free to attend. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, and coolers for a memorable evening of outdoor entertainment. See the event website for specific movie titles.

Dates: Tuesday–Sunday, October 13–18, 2026
Times: Vary by registered program
Location: Multiple wildlife refuges and outdoor locations across northeastern North Carolina
Festival headquarters: National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center, 100 Conservation Way, Manteo, NC 27954
Admission: Program fees vary; registration is available online.

Discover the wild side of the Outer Banks during Wings Over Water, a wildlife festival offering approximately 60 programs in birding, paddling, photography and natural history. Guided experiences introduce participants to the birds, habitats and landscapes of the region’s national wildlife refuges and surrounding natural areas.

A highlight is the keynote presentation by author and bird researcher Scott Weidensaul, “The Return of the Oystercatcher: Saving Birds to Save the Planet,” on Saturday, October 17, from 6–8 p.m. at the Pioneer Theater, 109 Budleigh Street, Manteo, NC 27954.

Each excursion has its own meeting location, schedule and participation requirements. Check the individual program listing before traveling; the headquarters address is not the departure point for every activity.

Admission: Fees vary by activity; many guided programs are $25 per person. Advance registration required. Various times daily, see individual program schedules.

Event website: https://wingsoverwater.org/
Program schedule: https://wingsoverwater.org/event-schedule/
Meeting locations: https://wingsoverwater.org/directions/

Dates: Saturday–Saturday, October 17–24, 2026
Times: Daily activities depend on wind and weather conditions
Location: OceanAir Sports and the sound directly behind the shop
Address: 39450 NC Highway 12, Avon, NC 27915
Registration: Advance online registration required for racers; no onsite registration.

Experience Hatteras Island’s windsurfing community during OBX-WIND, a week of competition and camaraderie based at OceanAir Sports in Avon. Planned activities include long-distance racing, slalom and light-wind racing, with organizers choosing each day’s on-water events according to the forecast.

The tentative schedule begins with participant check-in October 17–18, followed by the first possible race day on Monday, October 19. An awards party is scheduled at OceanAir Sports on Friday, October 23, from 7–10 p.m.

Because racing depends on suitable conditions, visitors should check the official event hub for updates before making a special trip. Competitors must register online and complete check-in before racing.

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!