Events

From Sept. 2–4, Artists will take to the outdoors across the Outer Banks during Dare Arts’ Fresh — A Plein Air Event, celebrating the tradition of painting en plein air — or “in the open air.” Participating artists will create works inspired by Outer Banks landscapes, waterways, and coastal scenery.

The finished pieces will be featured in a September exhibit at the Dare Arts Gallery. A free public opening reception will be held during First Friday on Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m., offering visitors a chance to see the freshly created artwork and meet participating artists.

Location: Dare Arts, 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo
Event dates: Sept. 2–4
Public opening reception: Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
Exhibit: Sept. 5–25, Tues-Fri (10am - 5pm), Sat (10 am - 4 pm), Sun (10 am - 3 pm)
Opening reception admission: Free

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!

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.

Dates: Thursday, September 17 – Saturday, September 19, 2026
Main Event: Friday & Saturday, September 18–19
Location: The Soundside Event Site, 6800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC; additional activities take place throughout the Outer Banks.

Description:
The 6th Annual OBX Jeep Mutiny brings Jeep enthusiasts together for a weekend of coastal adventure, competitions, live entertainment and community fun. The event includes beach crawls, an Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge guided trail ride, Vendor Village, Blackbeard’s Run, off-road demonstrations, Show & Shine and sound competitions, live music, raffles and more.

The weekend begins Thursday evening with a pirate-themed kickoff party and costume contest at Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar in Kill Devil Hills. The main event site at The Soundside opens at 10:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Saturday concludes with the Sunset Lighthouse-to-Lighthouse Toy Run & Ride beginning at Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Event Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 17: Kickoff Party, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18: Main event site, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; after-party 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19: Main event site, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Lighthouse-to-Lighthouse Toy Run begins at 5:00 p.m.

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. 

From Sept. 2–4, Artists will take to the outdoors across the Outer Banks during Dare Arts’ Fresh — A Plein Air Event, celebrating the tradition of painting en plein air — or “in the open air.” Participating artists will create works inspired by Outer Banks landscapes, waterways, and coastal scenery.

The finished pieces will be featured in a September exhibit at the Dare Arts Gallery. A free public opening reception will be held during First Friday on Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m., offering visitors a chance to see the freshly created artwork and meet participating artists.

Location: Dare Arts, 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo
Event dates: Sept. 2–4
Public opening reception: Friday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
Exhibit: Sept. 5–25, Tues-Fri (10am - 5pm), Sat (10 am - 4 pm), Sun (10 am - 3 pm)
Opening reception admission: Free

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!

Dates: Friday & Saturday, September 18–19, 2026
Location: Hatteras Village Waterfront and other Hatteras Village locations

Description:
Day at the Docks celebrates the working watermen, maritime heritage and community spirit of Hatteras Island. The festival began following Hurricane Isabel in 2003 as a celebration of the “Spirit of Hatteras” and continues with seafood, working boats, demonstrations, competitions, live entertainment, educational exhibits, vendors and children’s activities.

Friday's events include a Hurricane Preparedness Forum and the ticketed Seafood Under the Stars dinner. Saturday brings the main waterfront festival with boat tours, local seafood, the Seafood Throw Down cooking competition, live music, children’s activities, vendors, the Fishy 5K and Dock Dash, youth fishing tournament, Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Chowder Cook-Off and the traditional Blessing of the Fleet.

Times:
Friday, Sept. 18: Hurricane Preparedness Forum begins at 1:00 p.m.; Seafood Under the Stars dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19: Fishy 5K activities begin in the morning 7:30 a.m. Main waterfront festival approximately 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with additional activities surrounding the festival.

Good to Know:
The main waterfront festival is community-oriented and family-friendly and free to attend.

Seafood Under the Stars requires advance registration and is $60 without wine pairing or $80 with wine pairing. Individual festival activities may have separate fees or registration requirements.

Dates: Thursday, September 17 – Saturday, September 19, 2026
Main Event: Friday & Saturday, September 18–19
Location: The Soundside Event Site, 6800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC; additional activities take place throughout the Outer Banks.

Description:
The 6th Annual OBX Jeep Mutiny brings Jeep enthusiasts together for a weekend of coastal adventure, competitions, live entertainment and community fun. The event includes beach crawls, an Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge guided trail ride, Vendor Village, Blackbeard’s Run, off-road demonstrations, Show & Shine and sound competitions, live music, raffles and more.

The weekend begins Thursday evening with a pirate-themed kickoff party and costume contest at Jolly Roger Restaurant & Bar in Kill Devil Hills. The main event site at The Soundside opens at 10:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Saturday concludes with the Sunset Lighthouse-to-Lighthouse Toy Run & Ride beginning at Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Event Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 17: Kickoff Party, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18: Main event site, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; after-party 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19: Main event site, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Lighthouse-to-Lighthouse Toy Run begins at 5:00 p.m.

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.

Dates: September 18–27, 2026
Location: Theatre of Dare, 3848 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, NC

Description:
Theatre of Dare opens its 36th season with Happy Birthday, Wanda June, Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s darkly comedic and unconventional satire exploring war, heroism, masculinity and what happens when the past unexpectedly returns.

The story centers on famed hunter and adventurer Harold Ryan, who returns home after being presumed dead for eight years and expects to resume his former life—only to discover that his wife, family and the world around him have changed. Vonnegut’s trademark absurdity and dark humor mix with scenes from the afterlife and a sharp look at the conflict between violence and peace. The production is directed by Kim Plyler.

Performance Times:
Sept. 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26 – 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 – Special 1:00 p.m. matinee
Sept. 20 & 27 – 2:00 p.m. matinees

Good to Know:
Individual performance tickets are on sale through Theatre of Dare. Because of the play’s dark satire and adult themes, parents may want to review the production information when considering it for younger children.