Barrier Island Group (B.I.G,) is pleased to announce their first Hatteras Island event - “4 for the 4th.” - a 4-mile run/walk to kick off the 4th July weekend. The event will take place on July 3rd in order to cooperate with County EMS service. This change will ensure the safety of all our participants and lessen the burden on County services for the 4th.

The run/walk will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd at 7:00 am at the beautiful Kinnakeet Shores development in Avon. This event (which is sure to become a new holiday tradition) is a family-friendly 4 mile run or walk through the neighborhood with tree lined streets and beautiful lakeside vistas.  There will also be an “1776” (foot) fun run for children too young for the 4 mile event. Registration required.

This is an all American family and community event in the spirit of American Independence! This event occurs on Thursday, July 4th, 2024. The Freedom 5k/1 Mile begins at 7:30 AM. The Little Sparkler 1/4 Mile Fun Run starts at 8:10 AM. Runner meet at 102 Town Hall Drive, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. See the event website for details. Registration is required. Maximum capacity is 500.

Join the Town of Manteo for the Fourth of July Celebrations! The streets downtown are full of children and their families, neighbors and visitors alike joining in the festivities celebrating Independence Day. Festivities begin at 3:00 PM and with fireworks! The event kicks off with the singing of the National Anthem. Enjoy a free summer concert, kid's games and activities, decorated bike contest and parade (trike, scooter, and wagons welcome too), apple pie contest, food, and summer treats are more than enough reason to come on out and spend time with family, friends, and neighbors.  All those coming out to the festivities are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets or whatever seating scenario you find most comfy for a great afternoon and evening of music and yes – it all ends with FIREWORKS over the sound!  

Celebrating its 11th year in 2024, the Hatteras Village Golf Cart Parade is quickly becoming a favorite Independence Day celebration for Hatteras Island visitors and locals alike. Launched in 2013 as a fundraiser for the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation with less than a dozen golf cart participants, today the event features more than 50 or 60  golf carts of all styles, decked out in purely fun and patriotic themes. The parade begins at Teach’s Lair Marina on N.C. Highway 12, and cruises through the heart of Hatteras village towards Eagle Pass Road. There is also a free, village cookout at the Village Center to coincide with the annual parade so visitors can come out, get a burger or hot dog, and watch the parade from the cookout’s central location

Celebrate your Independence Day with a bang at the Avon Pier and Avon Beach Klub on Hatteras Island. The 4th of July celebration will feature a collection of events which includes corresponding radio shows on the island's local station, Radio Hatteras FM 101.5 and 99.9, and an incredible front row view of the fireworks display from the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.

Visitors can keep the Independence Day celebration going strong with this special fireworks display in the heart of the central Outer Banks that’s sponsored by the Town of Kill Devil Hills, and which is held at the scenic Avalon Pier. The Avalon Pier is located at milepost 7, and while visitors won’t be able to watch the show from the pier itself, the wide and surrounding beaches are ideal for pulling up a chair and enjoying the show. The public is welcome to bring a chair, blanket, or beach towel and find a spot, and should note that parking may be limited, so an early arrival may be key.

Come to the 2nd Annual Smokin' Grass Bluegrass & BBQ Festival at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo NC. The festival will take place on Saturday, July 6th 2023. Doors open at 2 pm - 11:30 pm. This event offers a stellar line-up, amazing BBQ, music, and more.

General Admission cost $48.49 and is good for all day of the festival. 

VIP Backstage Pass & Reserved Seating cost is $159.01. VIP Admission includes VIP onsite parking, reserved covered seating onstage, private restroom backstage, VIP room with snacks, sodas, tea, water, festival t-shirt, and a souvenir glass. Tickets can be purchased online at the event website.

The 12th Annual Rock The Cape will celebrate the visual and performing arts on Hatteras Island June 6-7. This free, family-friendly event includes an art show, concert and gallery tour. On Thursday, June 6, Rock The Cape art show and concert will be held from 2pm to 7pm on the lawn at Kitty Hawk Kites' Waves Village at milepost 40 in Rodanthe. The free concert will take attendees on a musical genre tour. Come back on Friday, June 7 for Arts on the Island, an all day self-guided tour of local galleries on Hatteras Island. Enjoy demonstrations, classes, sales, raffles, live music, and more at participating galleries.

David Hunter is a master at etchings. On July 5th, 6th, and 8th, 2024, you'll get to see Hunter demonstrate the intriguing art of etchings live and in person at Seaside Gallery. Gain a new appreciation for art. Engage with the artist. See first hand, Hunter's own techniques and style for mastering etchings. No pause or replay. You're in on the action first hand with the artist during his live art demonstration.

In celebration of the July 4th Live Event, David created a spectacular new etching that pays tribute to the rich culture and heritage of the Outer Banks. 

On Tuesday, July 9, from 12pm - 2pm, Keeper James Charlet will be signing and personalizing copies of his book, Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks: Dramatic Rescues and Fantastic Wrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. It has been a national best seller and popular at local book signing events held at the Island Convenience Store in Rodanthe. 

Join the staff from NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island for a beach clean up at Gulf Stream Beach access in Nags Head from 8:00am to 9:00am! Supplies will be provided.

8:00am-9:00am
Gulf Stream Beach Access, Nags Head
Supplies will be provided!

Summer Reading Event at the Manteo Library. Big, Loud Drums! Tampa Taiko Drums with Sensei Ron Collins at Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 2-3 pm. This free, fun event is for all ages!

Summer Reading Program event at the Kill Devil Hills Library, Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The "Around the World" LEGO Building Contest is open to 3rd - 12th graders. Each participant will have 1 hour to build a Lego design that is about anything in the world. The design must be completed entirely at the library. The library staff will vote and prizes will be awarded. Join Ms. Donna for this fun and free event.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park will be offering a FREE Fly Fishing Workshop this summer for youth ages 12 - 16!  Join Park Volunteer Dave Davis and staff for a fun and informative day learning about the art of fly fishing. This introductory course will include an overview of the sport’s history, equipment, targeted species, habitat, bait, and reading of the water. Participants will also be introduced to basic fly tying. An afternoon session of casting will take place along the park’s sound side shoreline.  All equipment will be provided.  This is a FREE program and is made possible by Friends of Jockey’s Ridge. Registration is required in advance.  Please contact Ranger Austin Paul for details and to sign up at austin.paul@ncparks.gov .

Come to the Archaeology Jamboree at Hatteras Library on Thursday, July 18th from 12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.! Hatteras Library will be rocking an Archaeology Jamboree with Serena Diaz from Ft Raleigh National Park. Come identify and create your own artifact.
For more awesome Summer Reading Program events visit: DareNC.gov/SummerReading

Grab a chair and bring your family and friends. There will be a silent auction, food, and more! (4WD vehicle required) Admission is free and includes a chance to win a 3 night Carova Beach vacation rental.

Where: 2169 Ocean Pearl Rd, Corolla - 4WD Required

When: July 19, 2024 - 3 to 6pm Rain or Shine

Why: All proceeds benefit the local Fire Department

The Dare County Parks & Recreation Department is excited to host this inaugural Family Fun in the Park Block Party! This is a FREE event you won’t want to miss!

Cookout: Enjoy grilled hotdogs and hamburgers!*
Games: Fun activities for all ages including a water slide!
Scavenger Hunts: Adventure and prizes await!
Work Vehicle Displays: Get up close with emergency services vehicles!

*While the food is free, donations will be graciously accepted to the Tim White Memorial Fund or the F.C. Minton Fund. These funds provide local children with the opportunity to attend recreational programs, free of charge.

Enjoy a walk on the hallowed grounds where Wilbur and Orville took their historic first flight in 1903, then come join us for some fun flight of your own. Large 30 – 100 foot kites will be flying high on display. We invite you to come fly kites of your own, take FREE stunt and power kite flying lessons, and bring the kiddos on over to our kite-making station. Admission to the park is $10 for ages 16+, but participation in the kite festival is totally FREE! The Wright Brothers National Memorial grounds are open daily from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Mark your calendars for the Christmas in July Craft Show at Currituck High School on Saturday, July 20th from 9AM - 2PM. Enjoy a day filled with awesome local craft vendors! It's never too early to start your Christmas shopping! This event is FREE to the public.

VusicOBX with Hawthorne Heights Presents:
OBX Is For Lovers Music Festival 2024
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Doors: 2pm/Show begins: 3pm
$49.95 to $279 (children 8 and under attend free)
Bands: HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS, THURSDAY, ARMOR FOR SLEEP, THIS WILD LIFE, FRONTSIDE and FOUNDIT

Mark your calendars for an awesome local shindig at the Cape Hatteras Outer Banks KOA campground! Swing by the Road to Shake Hatteras Pop-Up Bazaar on Monday, July 22nd from 1 PM - 6 PM, right across the street on the soundside property. Get pumped for a day filled with awesome local art, local food & drinks, beats by DJ Papa Squat, a 50/50 raffle, dunk tank, and more. It's going to be an epic time! This event is FREE to the public.

Living Proof: Artistic Visions of Hope & Healing will be on display in The Courtroom Gallery July 5-27, 2024. This exhibit is sponsored by Visionary Artists Group, an organization of local artists, who are cancer survivors and/or caregivers. Their goal is to give all those whose lives have been impacted by cancer an opportunity to share their experiences through creative expression. 

Nothing Is Ordinary; Everything Is Beautiful will be on display in the Vault Gallery July 5-27, 2024. There will be an opening reception on Friday, July 5 from 6pm to 8pm, where visitors can meet Tammy and view her work. This exhibit will feature original, small oil paintings by Tammy Goodrich. The paintings in this exhibition will capture ordinary, yet beautiful, moments in our natural surroundings. Full of lush color and vibrant light, the paintings will resonate with anyone that enjoys still life and local landscape.

Brace yourselves for an awe-inspiring spectacle as some of the most talented skimboarders from the East Coast perform their incredible skills along the shoreline adjacent to Jennette’s Pier. Proudly presented by Skim USA, a dedicated organization with over three decades of experience in nurturing the sport of skimboarding among young athletes, the Outer Banks Skim Jam promises an unforgettable experience. Prepare to be mesmerized by the exceptional skills of top-notch skimboarders from the East Coast as they showcase their talents in a thrilling spectacle. OBX Skim Jam always delivers a fun weekend of skimming and family fun! NOTE: This is a 3-day free spectator event!

Start your morning off right! Come to Dowdy Park every Tuesday morning at 7:30 am for FREE yoga. Visit the event website for additional details and for a list of this year's 2024 Yoga Instructors.

Get out of the summer heat and celebrate Christmas in July at Theatre of Dare!

Instead of performing Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told -- plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season!

The Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge will host a series of beach cleanups along the beaches of the refuge throughout the summer, and volunteers from the community are invited to attend! Those who would like to participate are asked to meet at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center—which is located at 14500 N.C. Highway 12 in Rodanthe, N.C.

These beach cleanups will be held as scheduled weather permitting, and participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes and work gloves. For more information, please contact the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center at 252-987-2394. 

Celebrate summer at the 18th Annual OBX Watermelon Festival on Thursday, August 1st from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Kitty Hawk Kites, Jockey's Ridge Crossing, in Nags Head. This event is FREE to the public. Enjoy the following activities.
Event T-Shirt Tie Dye Station (provided by Food Lion)
Watermelon station
Watermelon-themed competitions
Watermelon Flip Cup
Watermelon Bowling
Watermelon Eating Contest
Arts and Crafts Watermelon Wind Socks
Splash Blast
Face Painting (provided by The Lost Colony)
Rock Wall
Food Trucks

Take a stroll along the shaded street in Ocracoke village and you’ll naturally notice the town’s love of all-things fig. Fig trees are everywhere in this coastal town, and during this annual celebration, visitors and locals alike can celebrate the fig through a myriad of music, dancing, history, activities, and of course, plenty of fig goodies.

This two-day event features a wealth of activities that take place at the Ocracoke Preservation Museum, or the nearby Community Square in the heart of the village. Visitors can enjoy a Traditional Ocracoke Square Dance with caller Philip Howard and music by Molasses Creek on the initial night, and then dance the night away with local music. On Saturday, enjoy a Fig Cake Bake-Off, plenty of fig cake samples, a “fig marketplace” with plenty of arts, crafts and baked goods, and lots of games and family-oriented activities for visitors of all ages. With historical programs along the way that explain the significance of the fig in this small coastal village, visitors can enjoy a wealth of educational activities, good times, fun and games, and lots and lots of fig fare at this delicious festival that puts the humble fig in the spotlight. This event is free and open to the public. See the event website for a schedule of events.