Come to National Night Out at Dowdy Park on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 from 5-7 pm. Each year to promote police-community partnerships and engage with the public, the Nags Head Police Department celebrates National Night Out. This event helps bring the community together and provides an opportunity to bring law enforcement and neighbors together in a positive way

Bring the family to enjoy a bounce house, emergency vehicle displays, a seatbelt simulator, various vendors and kids activities. The police department will also be providing food for the event. This is a FREE public event.

Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? Here's your change. Park Ranger(s) will bring the poles, you bring the bait! Reservations required to participate. However, this activity is free and open to the public.

Please call (252) 475-9603 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program date.

Come to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Center Pavillon for a children's program about the sea turtles of the Outer Banks. Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for children of all ages. This program lasts 30 minutes and is free to the public.

Whether you are a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to experience Currituck Regional Airport, Race on the Runway will deliver. Runners and walkers welcome! Race on the Runway offers: 

The 1-Mile “Taxi Trot” Fun Run ($20)
The Flight Deck 5k ($30)
and The Tarmac 10k ($40)

See the event website for registration details and course maps. Showers will be available for racers at the Cooperative Extension, if you would like to rinse off.

Enjoy the free Planes and Plows Festival following the race which will host multiple vendors, games, food trucks, plane rides and more. 

Come to the Oink and Oyster Roast is the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend (October 5, 2024), the Oink & Oyster Roast hosts hundreds of attendees – both locals and visitors – each year. Enjoy all you can eat smoked pork and roasted oysters. Tickets are $10 - $50 before the event and $55 at the door. The event will take place at the Jolly Roger restaurant.

Come and enjoy the beauty of the sunset on the Sound this summer while being serenaded by amazing songwriters who will share not just their songs, but their stories. Bring the family to enjoy a lovely evening of music at the North Marina Pavilion, Sassafras Lane, Southern Shores NC. The summer concert series is timed to coincide with sunset. This event is free to the public.

Parking is available at the North Marina, but we encourage you to walk and/or bike, if possible. The Pavilion offers covered seating but please feel free to bring a lawn chair, blanket, and picnic. For more information, email coordinator@sscaobx.org.
Schedule:
August 4 | 5:30-8:30pm | Bryan Campbell
September 1 | 5-8pm | Phil Watson
October 6 | 4-7pm | Chris Toolan and Maslin Seal

Join a staff member at Jockey's Ridge State Park Soundside Access for a paddle on the Roanoke Sound. Learn about the sound and estuary portions of Jockey's Ridge State Park. No kayak experience necessary. Children under the age of 13 must paddle with an adult 18 years or older. Registration required.

Come meet with a Ranger for a guided tour of the 1874 Boat House and 1892 Cook House. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Life Saving Stations on the Outer Banks through captivating stories about this iconic station. Located 3.5 miles north of Avon on the sound side. Please note there are no restrooms available and the presentation and tour last 45 minutes.

Come to the Chicamacomico Historic Site to hear Mel Poole, former National Park Superintendent, retired from Catoctin Mountain Park, talk about shipwrecks and daring rescues of the on the Outer Banks. This hour long program is family friendly and free to the public.

Get into the autumn spirit at this one-hour pumpkin centerpiece workshop on Saturday, October 12, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. You and your friends will create beautiful centerpieces for your tables, kitchens, or other living spaces during this fun fall activity. Your real pumpkins will be filled with flowers, moss, and other items from the Gardens. This will be a hands-on, messy program for all ages! Tickets can be purchased online $15.00 for non-members or $13.50 for members. All activity supplies are provided by the Elizabethan Gardens. 

The beloved Duck Jazz Festival returns for its 15th Anniversary, promising two days of captivating live performances at the scenic Duck Town Park. This free event celebrates the enduring power of jazz – its timeless notes that have transcended generations and cultures.The 2024 event will begin with a Concert on the Green style event, Saturday, October 12, 2023 from 4 – 6 p.m. Return to the park on Sunday, October 13, 2024, to enjoy a full day of music during this free, non-ticketed festival showcasing national, regional and local jazz musicians on two stages. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. with live music starting at 11:00 a.m. and food and soft drinks available for purchase from Duck eateries.

Come enjoy a 30 minute presentation about the Bodie Island Lighthouse that has been lighting the way for over 150 years. Learn details about this lighthouse and its history. This program is free and family friendly.

Turn It On & Crank It Up is a parking lot party to help raise money for new lighting and sound equipment at The Theater of Dare. This year, the fundraiser will help buy brand-new, professional quality lighting and sound equipment for The Theater of Dare productions.

For just $25, you'll get admission, food from the Ten O'Six food truck, and music from popular Outer Banks rockers The Ramble!
You can also shop for Holiday gifts at our vendor market, get your fortune told by our very own Madame Kaprowski, and participate in our Halloween costume contest for a chance to win a pair of season tickets for our big, big 35th Season coming up in 2025! 

Enjoy a FREE family friendly movie on the Duck Town Park Green.When the sun goes down the silver screen comes to life! Bring the family, lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, and picnics for a free family movie night under the stars.

Schedule:
October 11- Back to the Future
October 19- Hook

The 2024 Outer Banks Seafood Festival has become one of the highlights of the fall season, with plenty of fresh seafood, storytelling, vendors, music, and activities to keep everyone in the family entertained. This all-day event takes place at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, and is a family-friendly outing that will make anyone fall in love with the Outer Banks and its culinary cuisine.

General Admission for anyone 13 and over is $20. Children 12 & under are FREE. General admission tickets include $10 in Beverage/Merchandise Bucks good for the purchase of beverages and festival merchandise. Additional “beverage bucks” may be purchased at the event. See the event website for a full event schedule and to purchase tickets.

Join a park Ranger for an exciting dune hike. This guided hike will take you through maritime evergreen forest and out to the tallest living sand dunes on the east coast. Learn about the unique ecosystem of Jockeys Ridge and recreational opportunities our park has to offer. Observe plants and learn about the wildlife at Jockey’s Ridge. This hike will take approximately 30 minutes and will meet at the Visitor’s Center Pavilion. Please wear appropriate shoes, sunscreen, and bring water!

Music lovers from all over the world flock to the Outer Banks for this tradition that adds a roster of acclaimed bands with one of the most beautiful venues anywhere. The Bluegrass Island Music Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, and this year's event is no exception, with a number of regionally and internationally famous bands set to take the stage.

The festival is held at the stunning Roanoke Island Festival Park, which overlooks miles of pristine sound waters. The Festival Kick-Off Line-up includes: Ettore Buzzini, The Wildwoods, Backline, & The Goodwin Brothers. The gates open at noon with the first band starting at 3 pm, and the last band beginning at 8 pm.There will be a bluegrass jam session at 10 pm. A daily event schedule is available at the event website. Tickets can be purchased online at the event website. 

Join Morris Farm on October 20 at 3:30 pm for an unforgettable evening of rock and roll as they pay tribute to the legendary band, Journey. Resurrection: A Journey Tribute is a high-energy, live performance that captures the essence of Journey's music and takes you on a nostalgic "journey" through their greatest hits. See the event website for details and to reserve a spot.

Bring your friends and family to celebrate the arrival of fall at Island Farm! On Saturdays in October, Island Farm will host its 13th annual Pumpkin Patch event. There will be no shortage of memories made while finding the perfect pumpkin in the patch to participating in fall games, making dolls and candles. In addition to the farm’s activities, there will be breakfast biscuits, as well as a variety of local art vendors and locally-grown produce for purchase on site. This event will take place on October 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 9 am until 3 pm Admission for visitors ages four and older is $10. Children 0-3 years old are admitted for free.

Join Ranger Austin's skeleton crew and cool ghouls for a fun and festive hour at Jockey's Ridge State Park. Learn about what goes bump in the park after dark. This spook-tacular program will include a presentation on nocturnal critters, fun games, and creepy nature crafts. We will make Halloween-themed art using natural materials like pine cones and leaves! Treats bags will be provided at this program for ages 5 to 10. This event is FREE, but space is limited, and registration is required. To sign up, click the Register button on the event website or email austin.paul@ncparks.gov. Space is limited.

Meet on the porch at the Chicamacomico Historic Site and Museum and take a walk back to the 1874 Station which housed Surfboat 1046. Hear the amazing story of how that very boat was used in the WWI rescue of the crew of the torpedoed British Oil Tanker Mirlo by the surfmen of Chicamacomico Life Saving Station. This hour long presentation is a family friendly program, free to the public.

Come to the Chicamacomico Historic Site and tour the 1907 Midgett House on the Life Saving Station grounds. A Chicamacomico docent will lead the tour. During the tour you will learn how the life-savers and their families lived long ago. This family friendly tour last about an hour and free and open to the public. Enjoy the rich history of the Outer Banks!

Join a park Ranger for an exciting dune hike. This guided hike will take you on a one mile loop hike along the Soundside Nature Trail.  Learn more about the environment found at the base of the dunes, including the Roanoke Sound and the unique ecosystem at Jockeys Ridge. Observe plants and learn about the wildlife at Jockey’s Ridge. This hike will take approximately 45 minutes and will meet at the Visitor’s Center Pavilion. Please wear appropriate shoes, sunscreen, and bring water! This is free and open to the public.

Join wildlife guides for a trip around the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge and learn about the plants and animals. Bring your binoculars and camera! Drinking water and insect repellent are also recommended. The program will not occur when there is lightning, heavy wind, heavy rain, or impassable road conditions. Dress for the weather!

The Alligator River Tram Tour is $10 per adult. Children 12 and under free with one or more paying adults. Reservation required, as tram seating is limited.

Meet at Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot, Hwy 64 and Milltail Road, app. 6 miles west of Manns Harbor. Call 252-216-9464 for reservations.