Events

Join in for FREE fun at Waves Village Watersports Resort from Friday, May 29th, through Sunday, May 31st, to kick off our 2026 Kiteboarding season! Kiteboarding Kickoff Weekend is your chance to connect with the kiteboarding community, demo the latest gear from top brands like Cabrinha, Eleveight, and Mystic, and enjoy one of the best kiteboarding spots on the East Coast! See the event website for a detailed schedule of events.

New to roller skating or curious about roller derby? The Kill Devil Derby Brigade hosts New Skater Night on the first Tuesday of every month, offering a fun, welcoming introduction to skating basics in a non-contact setting. Sessions run from 6–8 p.m. at Aviation Skate Park in Kill Devil Hills. Full safety gear is required, and loaner gear may be available. No experience needed, just a positive, resilient attitude and a willingness to learn.

Experience the magic of butterflies taking flight during the Butterfly Release at The Elizabethan Gardens. Held Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM (April through September), this interactive program allows visitors to watch newly emerged butterflies take their first flight while learning about butterfly life cycles and the plants that attract them to your own garden. Guests can add the experience to their garden admission and enjoy a close-up look at these beautiful pollinators as they are released into the gardens’ butterfly habitat.

Experience the magic of butterflies taking flight during the Butterfly Release at The Elizabethan Gardens. Held Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM (April through September), this interactive program allows visitors to watch newly emerged butterflies take their first flight while learning about butterfly life cycles and the plants that attract them to your own garden. Guests can add the experience to their garden admission and enjoy a close-up look at these beautiful pollinators as they are released into the gardens’ butterfly habitat.

Dare Nights at The Lost Colony

The Roanoke Island Historical Association will host Dare Nights for the 89th season of The Lost Colony on June 4 and 5, 2026 at Waterside Theatre in Manteo. Sponsored by Midgett Insurance, this special community tradition offers free admission for residents of Dare, Tyrrell, Currituck, and Hyde counties with proof of ID when they bring non-perishable food donations to support local food pantries. The June 4 performance benefits the Roanoke Island Food Pantry, while the June 5 performance supports the Beach Food Pantry. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to drop off donation items and receive tickets, and seats may also be reserved in advance through The Lost Colony box office.

Celebrate 26 years of music, storytelling, and island tradition at the Ocrafolk Festival, taking place June 5–7, 2026 at the Ocracoke Community Square on Ocracoke Island. This beloved three-day festival brings together musicians, storytellers, artisans, and performers from Ocracoke, Eastern North Carolina, and beyond for a weekend filled with live entertainment, workshops, square dancing, kids activities, local art, and coastal culture. Hosted by Ocracoke Alive, the immersive island event celebrates the unique spirit of Ocracoke while supporting arts and cultural programming for local children and the island community.

View the schedule here for daily events and times, as well as a list of performers: https://ocrafolkfestival2026.sched.com/

Enjoy an evening under the string lights during the First Friday Vendor Market at the historic Pioneer Theater Garden in downtown Manteo. Beginning at 5:00 p.m., the open-air market features local artisan and craft vendors, food trucks, a beer and wine bar, and live local music in a relaxed garden setting. Held every First Friday from March through December, it’s a lively way to shop local, grab a bite, and enjoy music in the heart of Manteo. Attendance is free and open to the public.

Friday, March 6, kicks off the 2026 First Friday season in downtown Manteo. We will have Joe Mapp playing live music on the front porch of the Gallery starting at 6:00 pm.

There will also be live music by The Conch Shells at Poor Richard's, The Bar Cats Duo at NouVines, and DJ Night at Lost Colony Brewery.

The First Friday Manteo Stroll, where restaurants and shops in downtown Manteo stay open late with specials, live music, sales, and events at their locations, will also be happening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. 

Dare Nights at The Lost Colony

The Roanoke Island Historical Association will host Dare Nights for the 89th season of The Lost Colony on June 4 and 5, 2026 at Waterside Theatre in Manteo. Sponsored by Midgett Insurance, this special community tradition offers free admission for residents of Dare, Tyrrell, Currituck, and Hyde counties with proof of ID when they bring non-perishable food donations to support local food pantries. The June 4 performance benefits the Roanoke Island Food Pantry, while the June 5 performance supports the Beach Food Pantry. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to drop off donation items and receive tickets, and seats may also be reserved in advance through The Lost Colony box office.

Celebrate 26 years of music, storytelling, and island tradition at the Ocrafolk Festival, taking place June 5–7, 2026 at the Ocracoke Community Square on Ocracoke Island. This beloved three-day festival brings together musicians, storytellers, artisans, and performers from Ocracoke, Eastern North Carolina, and beyond for a weekend filled with live entertainment, workshops, square dancing, kids activities, local art, and coastal culture. Hosted by Ocracoke Alive, the immersive island event celebrates the unique spirit of Ocracoke while supporting arts and cultural programming for local children and the island community.

View the schedule here for daily events and times, as well as a list of performers: https://ocrafolkfestival2026.sched.com/

Take a trip around the Alligator River Refuge and learn about the wild lands and wildlife. Bring your binoculars and camera! Drinking water and insect repellent are also recommended. The program will proceed, except in the event of lightning, heavy wind, rain, or impassable road conditions. Dress for the weather! Meet at Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot, Hwy 64 and Milltail Road, approximately 6 miles west of Manns Harbor. Call 252-216-9464 for reservations.

Alligator River Refuge Tram Tour $10 per adult. Children 12 and under are free with one or more paying adults. Reservations required. Tram seating is limited.