First Friday is a fun-filled, family-oriented event held the first Friday of each month, in historic downtown Manteo. The sidewalks pulse with live music, magic, artisans, and much more. The Manteo Stroll featuring celebrations, specials, art openings, sales and more inside Manteo galleries, shops and restaurants also happens during First Friday.

Wings Over Water (WOW) is an annual national wildlife refuge fundraising event that has grown from a few activities in 1997, to over 70 birding, paddling, photography, art & natural history programs. The festival takes place in 6 national wildlife refuges over 6 northeast North Carolina counties. It is one of the premier east coast wildlife festivals. Locally, many activities take place on National Park Service property, specifically Cape Hatteras National Seashore, one of the Festival partners. See the event website for a full list of all the programs and activities offered during this festival. There is certain to be something for everyone in the family.

Secotan Market in Wanchese is a producer-only market featuring fresh produce, vegetable ferments, kombucha, pasture-raised meat & eggs, pecans, mushroom products, pastries, pies, cakes, jams, pickles, honey, medicinal products, flowers, herbs, spices, teas, potted plants, natural skin care, rotating artisans and so much more. Our family of producers join each market in person to share food and goods that they have grown or crafted themselves, here in Northeastern North Carolina. We are deeply committed to honesty and sustainability in our practices. Winter Season Markets are every first and third Saturday of the month December - April 5 from 9am -12pm.

The Town of Kill Devil Hills is proud to support our small business community by hosting the First Flight Holiday Markets. There are typically about 50 local vendors that participate in the markets, food trucks, and sometimes live music. Vendors offer a wide variety of goods from sweet & savory treats, woodworking, photography, paintings, jewelry, candles, bath and body items and so much more - you’re sure to find tons of one-of-a kind items for yourself and others!

From November through December, the Dare Arts Vault Gallery will feature photography by Ocracoke artist Robert Chestnut. This series of environmental portraits, named “Ocra-broke” exposes the viewer to the other side of living in paradise: the everyday people who work hard and have fun, an island that closes down during the winter months, and the weathered structures that persist through each tourist season. Along with nature filled scenes, Robert  loves to find forgotten items and help shine a light on them. To convey his ideas he uses photography, oil painting, and printmaking. Ocra-broke will be on display in the Vault Gallery November 1 through December 21, 2024. 

Local high school programs will face off against nationally ranked players as Phenom Hoops will partner with First Flight basketball coach Chad Williams to host the Annual Good Guys vs. Cancer Showcase, at First Flight High School. Good Guys vs Cancer Showcase takes place December 4th-7th, 2024 at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills, NC. Start times vary. See the event website for a full event schedule.

Experience the magic of the holidays at the Annual Corolla Christmas Village! Historic Corolla Village comes alive with twinkling lights, festive music, and the warmth of holiday cheer. Each weekend brings something new—whether it’s visits from Santa, live music filling the crisp evening air, or a delicious treat from the food trucks and The Kind Cup coffee shop. Stroll through the sparkling village and shop unique local finds from Corolla Village merchants. This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate the season, with something for everyone to enjoy. Corolla Christmas Village is every Friday and Saturday evening from 5:00pm-8:00pm, November 29 – December 28.

Wings Over Water (WOW) is an annual national wildlife refuge fundraising event that has grown from a few activities in 1997, to over 70 birding, paddling, photography, art & natural history programs. The festival takes place in 6 national wildlife refuges over 6 northeast North Carolina counties. It is one of the premier east coast wildlife festivals. Locally, many activities take place on National Park Service property, specifically Cape Hatteras National Seashore, one of the Festival partners. See the event website for a full list of all the programs and activities offered during this festival. There is certain to be something for everyone in the family.

Children grades Kindergarten through 7th will enjoy the "Hooked on Books Club" in the Manteo Library Meeting Room. Join Ms. Tammy to receive a copy of the current Book Club book. There will be a Trivia Game about the book and prizes! Come Get Hooked on Books!

From November through December, the Dare Arts Vault Gallery will feature photography by Ocracoke artist Robert Chestnut. This series of environmental portraits, named “Ocra-broke” exposes the viewer to the other side of living in paradise: the everyday people who work hard and have fun, an island that closes down during the winter months, and the weathered structures that persist through each tourist season. Along with nature filled scenes, Robert  loves to find forgotten items and help shine a light on them. To convey his ideas he uses photography, oil painting, and printmaking. Ocra-broke will be on display in the Vault Gallery November 1 through December 21, 2024. 

Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wrights’ first powered flights!  Discover why the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like in the Outer Banks; learn about the events that led to the first powered flight on that cold December day, and the lasting impact their first flight continues to have on the world today.

This FREE program is weather-dependent and may be moved to accommodate wind/rain. Check in at the Visitor Center desk for the most updated information.  This 30 minute program recurs every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from October 6, 2024 until January 2, 2025 at 11 am and 1 pm. Meet on the back patio of the Visitor Center.

Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wrights’ first powered flights!  Discover why the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like in the Outer Banks; learn about the events that led to the first powered flight on that cold December day, and the lasting impact their first flight continues to have on the world today.

This FREE program is weather-dependent and may be moved to accommodate wind/rain. Check in at the Visitor Center desk for the most updated information.  This 30 minute program recurs every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from October 6, 2024 until January 2, 2025 at 11 am and 1 pm. Meet on the back patio of the Visitor Center.