Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend with the Running of the Leprechauns, a festive race hosted by Outer Banks Sporting Events in Nags Head. This fun, Irish-themed event features both 5K and 10K races, inviting runners and walkers to sport their green and enjoy a spirited morning along the Outer Banks.

After the race, participants can celebrate at the post-race party, complete with Irish stew, beer, music, and awards, making it as much a social celebration as a running event. All finishers receive a race T-shirt and commemorative medal, and prizes are awarded to top finishers in each distance.

The event has become a popular St. Patrick’s Day tradition on the Outer Banks, bringing together locals and visitors for a lively mix of fitness, costumes, and Irish-inspired fun. See the event website to register and view a full schedule.

Winter Markets are back with cozy, community-focused gatherings held under the pavilion from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on January 10, February 14, March 14, and April 11. These intimate markets feature local food vendors only, offering seasonal goods, warm treats, and delicious bites in a relaxed winter setting. Bundle up and enjoy shopping local while soaking in the cozy vibes.

OBX Taste of the Beach returns March 13–15, 2026, bringing a weekend of delicious culinary experiences to restaurants across the Outer Banks. Hosted by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association, this popular annual festival celebrates the region’s vibrant food scene with special chef-driven dinners, wine tastings, cooking classes, tapas crawls, seafood events, and lively tastings hosted at local eateries. Guests can explore unique menus and creative pairings while meeting the chefs and restaurateurs behind their favorite dishes. From intimate dining experiences to fun competitions like the Chowder Cook-Off, Taste of the Beach offers a flavorful way to sample the best of the Outer Banks and celebrate the community’s passion for great food and drink. Tickets vary in pricing, starting at $25. See the event website for details.

Practicing Persistence: Pocosin Arts Residents Exhibit at Dare Arts in Manteo showcases the work of three emerging artists currently in residence at Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft. The exhibit features handcrafted works in mediums such as ceramics, wood, and metal, highlighting each artist’s exploration of form, texture, and evolving craft techniques. Visitors can experience the creativity and craftsmanship of these rising artists while celebrating the continued tradition of handmade art. The exhibition will be on display in the Vault Gallery March 7–28, with a free opening reception March 6 from 6–8 p.m. during First Friday in downtown Manteo.

OBX Taste of the Beach returns March 13–15, 2026, bringing a weekend of delicious culinary experiences to restaurants across the Outer Banks. Hosted by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association, this popular annual festival celebrates the region’s vibrant food scene with special chef-driven dinners, wine tastings, cooking classes, tapas crawls, seafood events, and lively tastings hosted at local eateries. Guests can explore unique menus and creative pairings while meeting the chefs and restaurateurs behind their favorite dishes. From intimate dining experiences to fun competitions like the Chowder Cook-Off, Taste of the Beach offers a flavorful way to sample the best of the Outer Banks and celebrate the community’s passion for great food and drink. Tickets vary in pricing, starting at $25. See the event website for details.

Enjoy an intimate evening of live music at the indoor theater at Roanoke Island Festival Park during this special spring concert series featuring nationally touring roots and bluegrass artists. Each show offers a relaxed, up-close concert experience with only 250 tickets available per performance.

Guests can arrive early to enjoy the atmosphere—lobby and concessions open at 6:00 PM, theater doors open at 6:30 PM, and shows begin at 7:00 PM. Beer, wine, and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Concert Schedule

March 15: Scythian

March 28: Appalachian Road Show

April 28: The Brothers Comatose

May 9: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Time: 7:00 PM (Doors at 6:30 PM)
Location: Roanoke Island Festival Park Indoor Theater, Manteo
Tickets: $55 (advance purchase required)

This limited-seating series is a great opportunity to experience high-energy Celtic rock, Americana, and bluegrass in one of the Outer Banks’ most unique performance venues.

“Golden Hour” by Robyn Scott is the first exhibit in the 2026 Rotating Art Show series. The exhibit will be on display in the first floor conference room of the Town Hall and open from 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from January 30-April 23, 2026. Golden Hour is a love letter to the Carolina coast, where the light hits Mother Earth with a gentle glow leading into the peaceful night sky. This collection is meant to celebrate the warm hug offered by our beautiful ocean as we drive up and down the coastal roads, exploring the many beaches and seaside shops. Many of the works feature scenes from Corolla, in particular, some of my favorite hidden soundside spots and stretches of the beach in the offseason.

This 2-hour Zoom seminar offers new and less-experienced boaters a guided virtual tour of the Outer Banks waterways from a boater’s perspective. Using OpenCPN navigation software and Google Earth, participants will “fly over” the OBX from north to south, exploring sounds, rivers, channels, marinas, and key points of interest including important navigation hazards.

The seminar covers practical questions such as where to launch, fuel up, dock, swim, shop, eat, sightsee, and fish, helping boaters gain confidence and familiarity before heading out on the water. 

Register online at event website.

“Golden Hour” by Robyn Scott is the first exhibit in the 2026 Rotating Art Show series. The exhibit will be on display in the first floor conference room of the Town Hall and open from 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from January 30-April 23, 2026. Golden Hour is a love letter to the Carolina coast, where the light hits Mother Earth with a gentle glow leading into the peaceful night sky. This collection is meant to celebrate the warm hug offered by our beautiful ocean as we drive up and down the coastal roads, exploring the many beaches and seaside shops. Many of the works feature scenes from Corolla, in particular, some of my favorite hidden soundside spots and stretches of the beach in the offseason.

Practicing Persistence: Pocosin Arts Residents Exhibit at Dare Arts in Manteo showcases the work of three emerging artists currently in residence at Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft. The exhibit features handcrafted works in mediums such as ceramics, wood, and metal, highlighting each artist’s exploration of form, texture, and evolving craft techniques. Visitors can experience the creativity and craftsmanship of these rising artists while celebrating the continued tradition of handmade art. The exhibition will be on display in the Vault Gallery March 7–28, with a free opening reception March 6 from 6–8 p.m. during First Friday in downtown Manteo.