Events

Step into an immersive outdoor art experience at Dare Arts' Courtyard this summer with Weather the Storm, a captivating mixed-media installation by artist Lara E. Parks. Blending light, shadow, sound, movement, and fabric, the installation transforms with changing weather and natural light, inviting visitors to return throughout the season to experience it in new ways.

Celebrate the opening during First Friday on Friday, July 3, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., where you can meet the artist and enjoy live music by The Blue Crab Boys in the Courtyard. The installation will remain on display through the fall, offering a unique outdoor art experience in the heart of downtown Manteo. Be sure to walk through and enjoy the art!

The Dowdy Park Summer Market runs from mid-June through mid-August. To maintain a positive experience for vendors and visitors, the market is intentionally capped at approximately 50 vendors per event, with limited date overlap. Market dates and capacity are driven by the local school calendar, as the market has grown to a size that requires the use of the school parking lot for vendor and visitor parking.

The first market day will be Thursday, June 11th, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Shop local and experience the flavors of the Outer Banks at the Dowdy Park Farmers Market in Nags Head. Held every Thursday throughout the summer, this popular community market features fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, artisan products, and more from a variety of local farmers, makers, and small businesses. Whether you're looking for […]

Event Series: Rotating Art Show, “Between Tides,” by Kate Leal is the next 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 May 1 – July 29, 2026.

Step into a world where art changes with every glance. The Perception Project is a captivating solo exhibition by artist, educator, and design strategist Emily Holmes, featuring interactive mixed-media works that explore the fascinating ways perception shifts through movement, light, texture, layering, and visual illusion. Visitors will discover vibrant paintings, stained glass, collage, optical effects, […]

Experience art that changes the way you see the world at The Perception Project, a solo exhibition by artist, educator, and design strategist Emily Holmes at Dare Arts' Vault Gallery in downtown Manteo. Exhibit Dates: July 4 – August 1, 2026, T-F 10 am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 4 pm, Sun 11am - 3 pm

Opening Reception: Friday, July 3,  6:00–8:00 PM
Location: Dare Arts – Vault Gallery, Manteo
Admission: Free

Discover the heart of rural North Carolina through the lens of ten talented photographers in Southern is Feeling: A Visual Telling of Rural NC at Dare Arts' Courtroom Gallery in Manteo. This compelling photography exhibition explores themes of community, heritage, landscape, and identity, capturing the people and places that define rural life across the state. The exhibit invites visitors to experience North Carolina beyond its destinations, revealing the stories, traditions, and emotional connections woven into its small towns and landscapes.

The exhibition opens with a free public reception on Friday, July 3, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. during Manteo's First Friday celebration, where guests can meet the photographers and explore the collection. The exhibit remains on display July 4 through August 29, T-F 10 am - 5 pm, Sat 10 am - 4 pm, Sun 11 am - 3 pm.

Celebrate the beauty of the sea by creating your own Sailor's Valentine at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum! During this free, hands-on craft program, participants will design a keepsake inspired by the intricate shell mosaics that sailors once brought home as treasured gifts for loved ones after long voyages at sea.
This family-friendly activity is designed for elementary school-aged children and older. All supplies are provided, no registration is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Most projects take about 30 minutes to complete.

Step back in time and experience one of the Outer Banks' most fascinating living history demonstrations. Each Thursday during the summer, volunteers at the historic Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station recreate the famous Beach Apparatus Drill, showcasing how members of the U.S. Life-Saving Service rescued shipwreck victims long before helicopters, rescue boats, and modern technology. The demonstration […]

Turtle Talk at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Discover the fascinating world of turtles during this free educational program at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Learn the differences between sea turtles and land turtles, explore the challenges facing endangered sea turtle populations, and find out how conservation efforts are helping protect these gentle giants. Perfect […]

Join refuge volunteers for a customized wildlife-viewing adventure through Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. With room for just six participants, this intimate tour offers excellent opportunities to search for black bears, river otters, bald eagles, alligators, turtles, and even the endangered red wolf. Every tour is different, making each experience unique. When: Thursdays, June 3 […]

Concert on the Green Returns to Duck for Summer 2026

Spend your Thursday evenings enjoying live music under the open sky at the Town of Duck's popular Concert on the Green series. Held on the Town Green, these free concerts feature a variety of local and regional musicians performing everything from classic covers and country favorites to original songs and beach music.

Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, and coolers and settle in for an evening of family-friendly entertainment in one of the Outer Banks' most scenic soundside settings. Concerts take place every Thursday evening from June through August.

When: Thursdays, June 11 – August 27, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Duck Town Green, Duck, NC
Cost: Free

Please note: Performers, dates, times, and locations are subject to change without notice. Check the Town of Duck for the latest event information.