Events

October 1–31, 2026
Location: Participating locations throughout Manteo and Roanoke Island
Best Nights to Visit: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Prime Evening Hours: Approximately 6–8:30 p.m.

October gets spooky on Roanoke Island when Manteo transforms into Halloween Island: Rise of the Moondog.

The month-long charity celebration turns more than a dozen local establishments into individually themed Halloween bars and gathering spots. Guests can make their way around town collecting passport stamps while exploring a lineup of elaborate Halloween themes.

Among this year's themed stops are haunted houses, ghost ships, vampires, zombies, witches, a mad scientist laboratory, a Harry Potter-inspired stop and more.

Many participating businesses operate throughout the week, but Halloween Island organizers say Thursday through Saturday are the best nights to visit because all of the Halloween bars are open. The most active time is generally from about 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Opening Weekend

Thursday, October 1

Halloween Island officially begins for the month of October.
Participating bars and businesses begin their Halloween transformations.

Friday, October 2

Halloween Island coincides with Manteo's monthly First Friday celebration.
Downtown activity is concentrated during the evening.

Saturday, October 3

Halloween Island continues throughout Manteo.
Saturday is one of the primary nights when all participating Halloween bars are expected to be open.

Halloween Island continues through Halloween night, October 31.

Proceeds from the 2026 celebration support the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.

Dates: Thursday–Saturday, October 29–31, 2026 Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily Location: Visitor Center Community Room, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, 300 W. Carolista Drive, Nags Head Cost: FREE Get into the Halloween spirit with North Carolina’s haunted tales! Stop by the BOO-k Club Table to explore spooky stories for all ages. Read if you DARE!  The […]

Discover coastal-inspired artwork by local artists Tammy Goodrich, Liz McBain, and Brent Nultemeier. This group exhibition features oil paintings, acrylics, and mixed-media work celebrating the beauty of the Outer Banks.

The exhibition continues through November 4 during weekday Town Hall hours, excluding holidays. Town Hall is closed October 12.

Location: First-floor conference room, Duck Town Hall, 1200 Duck Road, Duck

Help create the display for The Night of 1587 Pumpkins during free pumpkin-carving sessions on October 28 and 29, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Your pumpkin will join the illuminated path, and you can take it home after the October 30 event. Guests may also bring their own carved pumpkins. The event is free with admission.

October 2–31, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, 6–8 p.m.
Location: Dare Arts Vault Gallery, 300 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
Admission: Free

Dare Arts opens its October Vault Gallery exhibition with OBX: A Dingbatter's Perspective, a mixed-media exhibition by Outer Banks artist Eric Riggs.

The month-long show combines two sides of Riggs' work: intricate, hand-manipulated printmaking and sculptural pieces inspired by his interest in African art.

Riggs creates his prints using his own equipment before cutting, layering, fusing, gluing and hand-working the pieces. He even constructs his own frames. His sculptures take a different path, incorporating found objects such as bottles, bells, natural materials and other unexpected elements.

Opening Night — Friday, October 2

6–8 p.m.

Opening reception in the Vault Gallery
Meet artist Eric Riggs
View the full exhibition
Reception coincides with Manteo's First Friday celebration
Free and open to the public
Exhibition Dates & Gallery Hours

October 2–31

Regular Dare Arts gallery hours:

Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed

October 1–31, 2026
Location: Participating locations throughout Manteo and Roanoke Island
Best Nights to Visit: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Prime Evening Hours: Approximately 6–8:30 p.m.

October gets spooky on Roanoke Island when Manteo transforms into Halloween Island: Rise of the Moondog.

The month-long charity celebration turns more than a dozen local establishments into individually themed Halloween bars and gathering spots. Guests can make their way around town collecting passport stamps while exploring a lineup of elaborate Halloween themes.

Among this year's themed stops are haunted houses, ghost ships, vampires, zombies, witches, a mad scientist laboratory, a Harry Potter-inspired stop and more.

Many participating businesses operate throughout the week, but Halloween Island organizers say Thursday through Saturday are the best nights to visit because all of the Halloween bars are open. The most active time is generally from about 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Opening Weekend

Thursday, October 1

Halloween Island officially begins for the month of October.
Participating bars and businesses begin their Halloween transformations.

Friday, October 2

Halloween Island coincides with Manteo's monthly First Friday celebration.
Downtown activity is concentrated during the evening.

Saturday, October 3

Halloween Island continues throughout Manteo.
Saturday is one of the primary nights when all participating Halloween bars are expected to be open.

Halloween Island continues through Halloween night, October 31.

Proceeds from the 2026 celebration support the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.

Dates: Thursday–Saturday, October 29–31, 2026 Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily Location: Visitor Center Community Room, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, 300 W. Carolista Drive, Nags Head Cost: FREE Get into the Halloween spirit with North Carolina’s haunted tales! Stop by the BOO-k Club Table to explore spooky stories for all ages. Read if you DARE!  The […]

Discover coastal-inspired artwork by local artists Tammy Goodrich, Liz McBain, and Brent Nultemeier. This group exhibition features oil paintings, acrylics, and mixed-media work celebrating the beauty of the Outer Banks.

The exhibition continues through November 4 during weekday Town Hall hours, excluding holidays. Town Hall is closed October 12.

Location: First-floor conference room, Duck Town Hall, 1200 Duck Road, Duck

October 2–31, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, 6–8 p.m.
Location: Dare Arts Vault Gallery, 300 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
Admission: Free

Dare Arts opens its October Vault Gallery exhibition with OBX: A Dingbatter's Perspective, a mixed-media exhibition by Outer Banks artist Eric Riggs.

The month-long show combines two sides of Riggs' work: intricate, hand-manipulated printmaking and sculptural pieces inspired by his interest in African art.

Riggs creates his prints using his own equipment before cutting, layering, fusing, gluing and hand-working the pieces. He even constructs his own frames. His sculptures take a different path, incorporating found objects such as bottles, bells, natural materials and other unexpected elements.

Opening Night — Friday, October 2

6–8 p.m.

Opening reception in the Vault Gallery
Meet artist Eric Riggs
View the full exhibition
Reception coincides with Manteo's First Friday celebration
Free and open to the public
Exhibition Dates & Gallery Hours

October 2–31

Regular Dare Arts gallery hours:

Tuesday–Friday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed

Discover Ocracoke’s pirate past during two days of family-friendly living history. Enjoy a pirate encampment, artisan vendors, music, demonstrations and historical reenactments. Saturday highlights include the pirate parade at 10 a.m. and Blackbeard’s Last Stand at 1:15 p.m. Pirate costumes are encouraged!

Friday, October 30

11 a.m.–noon: Kevin Duffus previews the weekend on WOVV 90.1 FM.

Noon: Kevin Duffus book signing at Books to Be Red.

2–5 p.m.: Brigands Bazaar vendor fair at the Berkley Barn grounds.

7 p.m.: Berkley Barn opens, followed by music from the Motley Tones.

7–9 p.m.: Pirate campfire gathering with songs at the Cannon Crew camp. Bring your own seating.

7:30 p.m.: Free screening of the original Frankenstein at Berkley Barn.

Saturday, October 31

9 a.m.: Cannon blast opens the Brigands Bazaar and Colonial Village, featuring living-history demonstrations.

10 a.m.: Pirate parade from Ride the Wind Surf Shop to the encampment.

10:30 a.m.: Strolling music by the Motley Tones.

11 a.m.: Blackbeard’s ship lays siege to Ocracoke in a waterfront reenactment.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Kevin Duffus discusses the Battle of Ocracoke at Berkley Barn.

12:30–1 p.m.: Small firearms demonstration at the Leviathan encampment.

1:15 p.m.: Blackbeard’s Last Stand reenactment at the National Park Service docks.

2–2:30 p.m.: Sword Circle performance at Berkley Barn.

2:30–3:15 p.m.: Motley Tones performance at Berkley Barn.

3:30–4:30 p.m.: Blackbeard trivia with Kevin Duffus at Berkley Barn.

4:45 p.m.: Blackbeard Pirate and Royal Navy Memorial Service on the Berkley Barn porch.

5:45 p.m.: Final cannon blast closes daytime festivities.

Location: Berkley Manor/Barn grounds and additional locations throughout Ocracoke Village.
Cost: Free festival admission; vendor purchases are additional.

Check current road conditions and ferry schedules when planning your visit.