Get weekly events and local deals sent directly to your inbox every week. https://lifestyleobx.com

  • 4 for the 4th: Four Mile Run & 1776 Family Fun Run

    Kinnakeet Shores 41184 Kinakeet Blvd., Avon, NC

    4 for the 4th: Four Mile Run & 1776 Family Fun Run

    Celebrate America's 250th birthday with a patriotic morning of fitness, community, and fun at the annual 4 for the 4th Four Mile Run and 1776 Family Fun Run in Avon on Friday, July 3.

    This special America 250 edition begins with a patriotic opening ceremony featuring local vocalist Leslie Buck performing the National Anthem, God Bless America, and her original rendition of God Bless Hatteras. The Avon Volunteer Fire Department will present the colors, and Dare County officials will help kick off the race festivities.

    Participants can challenge themselves with the four-mile run or enjoy the family-friendly 1,776-foot Fun Run, designed for runners and walkers of all ages. Following the races, participants are invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments, including fruit, breakfast sandwiches, and protein bars.

    The event also shines a spotlight on local nonprofits, including the Hatteras CERT Team, Hatteras Island Meals, and Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. This year's race will also collect donations for Mighty Milly, a six-year-old Buxton warrior currently battling B-cell leukemia.

    Whether you're running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, this patriotic community event is a great way to kick off Independence Day weekend while supporting important local causes.

    When: Friday, July 3, 2026
    Where: Kinnakeet Shores, Avon
    Events: Four Mile Run & 1776 Family Fun Run

    Register at BarrierIslandGroup.com.

    $15 – $45
  • Ocracoke Ghost Tours

    Ocracoke Ghost Tours
    The Village Craftsman 170 Howard Street, Ocracoke

    Discover the mysterious side of Ocracoke Island on an evening walking tour filled with local legends, fascinating history, and ghostly tales. Choose between the Down Point Tour, featuring stories near the Ocracoke Lighthouse, or the 'Round Creek Tour, exploring the historic Howard Street area. Each tour is led by knowledgeable local guides who bring the island's rich past—and its lingering spirits—to life.

    Tours are offered most Tuesdays and Fridays from May 19 through September 29, beginning promptly at 7:30 p.m. and lasting approximately 90 minutes. Advance online reservations are required, and space is limited.

    $10 – $20
  • Pea Island Bird Walk

    Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 14500 NC Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC, United States

    Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to nearly 400 species of birds that reside here or migrate through. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you'll enjoy this casual stroll beside North Pond. Field guides, binoculars, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended. Some field guides and binoculars will be available for loan. Pea Island Bird Walks are held year-round except during the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival in October and December. Meet at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, located on NC Highway 12 approximately 4 miles south of Oregon Inlet and 9 miles north of Rodanthe. The Pea Island Bird Walk is FREE. 

  • Killer Dunes 2-Mile Run & Color Fun Run

    Jockey's Ridge State Park 300 W Carolista Dr, Nags Head, NC, United States

    Kick off your Independence Day weekend with one of the Outer Banks' most unique and challenging races. The annual Killer Dunes 2-Mile Run invites participants to run, walk, or simply conquer the towering sands of Jockey's Ridge, the tallest natural sand dune system on the East Coast. The course may be just two miles long, […]

    $35 – $60
  • Ocracoke Independence Day Celebrations 2026

    Ocracoke Island NC, United States

    Celebrate Independence Day island-style during Ocracoke's beloved three-day Fourth of July celebration. From fireworks over Silver Lake Harbor to a hometown parade, sand sculpture contest, square dancing, and a community beach fire under the stars, this annual tradition offers family-friendly fun and small-town charm for visitors and locals alike. Thursday, July 2 Kick off the […]

  • Weather the Storm: Dare Arts Summer 2026 Courtyard Installation

    Dare Arts Center 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave, Manteo, United States

    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!

  • Family Fun Times

    Family Fun Times
    Dowdy Park 3005 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, United States

    Family Fun Times takes place Tuesdays from June 16 through August 11 and Fridays from June 5 through August 14, from 9:00–10:30 a.m. The program is designed to provide engaging, educational fun while making the most of a summer morning on the Outer Banks.

    Dowdy Park
    3005 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

    Free Admission

  • Alligator River Refuge Tram Tour

    Creef Cut Wildlife Trail Creef Cut Trail, Manns Harbor, N C

    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.

    $10
  • Rotating Art Show: Between Tides by Kate Leal

    Duck Town Hall 1200 Duck Rd, Duck, United States

    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.

  • Maritime Crafts for Kids

    Maritime Crafts for Kids
    Graveyard of The Atlantic Museum 59200 Museum Dr, Hatteras, NC, United States

    Let your child's creativity set sail at Maritime Crafts for Kids at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras! This free weekly program invites children of all ages to create fun, hands-on crafts inspired by the unique coastal environment and rich maritime heritage of the Outer Banks. Best of all, the museum provides all the supplies—just bring your imagination!

    Held on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., this family-friendly activity is a great way to enjoy a creative morning while learning about the coast through art and hands-on exploration.

    Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
    59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras
    Free Admission | All Ages Welcome

  • From Ironclad to Marine Sanctuary: The Legacy of the USS Monitor

    Graveyard of The Atlantic Museum 59200 Museum Dr, Hatteras, NC, United States

    Enjoy a full day of interactive activities, hands-on exhibits, and presentations for all ages. Families can participate in "The Ironclad Countdown" and other children's activities led by educator Kyra Burlingame of The Mariners' Museum and Park. At 1:00 p.m., maritime archaeologist Tane Casserly will present "Ironclad Legacy: Celebrating 50 Years of NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary," highlighting the latest discoveries and ongoing research surrounding one of America's most iconic shipwrecks.

    Wednesday, July 1, 2026
    11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
    59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras
    Free Admission, All Ages Welcome

  • First Friday Vendor Market at Pioneer Theater Garden

    The Pioneer Theater 113 Budleigh Street, Manteo, United States

    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.