Get your Labor Day off to a healthy start! Be the first to run through the newly refurbished Cape Hatteras Lighthouse grounds, surrounding park, and pathway, with stunning views of the scaffolded lighthouse as craftsmen work to complete its renovation. While the lighthouse is still undergoing renovation, this 5K will offer stunning views of the lighthouse, a tour of the surrounding newly designed park, and pathway. The first 200 registrants receive a commemorative shirt, eco-friendly reusable cup and an awesome finisher medal to celebrate your accomplishment.

Location:
Old Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access
Buxton, NC US 27920

Join Kitty Hawk Kites for the Labor Day Weekend Bash at Waves Village! This free event is open to the public and features live local music, delicious food trucks, free yoga, fliteboard demos, and special deals at Kitty Hawk Kites and Kiteboarding School.  A portion of all proceeds will support Hatteras Island Meals and Ocean Rescue. Don’t miss out on a fun-filled day with great vibes for a great cause! See the event website for an event schedule.

Children grades Kindergarten through 7th will enjoy the "Hooked on Books Club" in the Manteo Library Meeting Room. Join Ms. Tammy to receive a copy of the current Book Club book. There will be a Trivia Game about the book and prizes! Come Get Hooked on Books!

Join a staff member at Jockey's Ridge State Park Soundside Access for a paddle on the Roanoke Sound. Learn about the sound and estuary portions of Jockey's Ridge State Park. No kayak experience necessary. Children under the age of 13 must paddle with an adult 18 years or older. Registration required.

Come to the Currituck Maritime Museum for a 30 minute presentation on decoy forensics. Do you have questions about your decoys? Museum experts can assist in finding answers. Admission if free to both the Currituck Maritime Museum and presentation. However, seating is limited to first come, first serve availability with room for about 25 people. After the presentation, enjoy the museum exhibits and static displays. This program repeats weekly on Tuesdays from 10:30am - 11:00 am until Sept 10.

Come to the Currituck Maritime Museum for an hour long presentation as we journey back in time to explore the history of Corolla and Whalehead through vintage photos. Admission if free to both the Currituck Maritime Museum and presentation. However, seating is limited to first come, first serve availability with room for about 25 people. After the presentation, enjoy the museum exhibits and static displays. This program repeats weekly on Tuesdays from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm until Sept 10.

Lace up your running shoes and see the sights. Add the fun of a run and fitness to your vacation joining us for a Summer morning 5k run/walk through the Historic Village of Corolla Light. Enjoy the sights of the Northern Outer Banks. The WhaleHead Club, Corolla Light​ and the magnificent Currituck Beach Lighthouse are all along the course. Walk up and preregistration available.

Dates:
August 21
August 28
September 4
​September 11​

Cost: ADULT $39
ACTIVE DUTY/VETERAN MILITARY DISCOUNT $35
TEEN 13-17 $35
​CHILDREN 12 & UNDER $30

Come shop the Tri Villages Market, Highway 12, on the soundside and inside the conference center rain or Shine. The market takes place every Wednesday June 12 - September 25 from 9 am - 1 pm. Enjoy food and goods from local artisans.

The best show in town! Browse the amazing works of 24 local artisans in one great space. Three local charities are participating too – N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles), Beach Food Pantry and Coastal Humane Society. Plenty of free parking and free admission to this indoor show.

Toddlers ages 2-3 years old will enjoy Storytime with Ms. Tammy in the Manteo Library Meeting Room. It's never too early to get hooked on books! All August dates have been canceled. Story time will resume in September after Labor Day.

The best show in town! Browse the amazing works of 24 local artisans in one great space. Three local charities are participating too – N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles), Beach Food Pantry and Coastal Humane Society. Plenty of free parking and free admission to this indoor show.

Come to the Currituck Maritime Museum for a 30 minute presentation on Currituck Hunting Traditions at the Currituck Maritime Museum. This program is highly recommended for hunting enthusiasts. Admission if free to both the Currituck Maritime Museum and presentation. However, seating is limited to first come, first serve availability with room for about 25 people. After the presentation, enjoy the museum exhibits and static displays. This program repeats weekly on Thursdays from 10:30 am - 11:00 am until Sept 12.

Come to the Currituck Maritime Museum for a 30 minute, in-depth, presentation titled Mystery of Art and Architecture of Whalehead at the Currituck Maritime Museum. This program is highly recommended for art and architecture enthusiasts. Admission is free for both the Currituck Maritime Museum and presentation. However, seating is limited to first come, first serve availability with room for about 25 people. After the presentation, enjoy the museum exhibits and static displays. This program repeats weekly on Thursdays from 10:30 am - 11:00 am until Sept 12.

Sanctuary Vineyards specializes in family-friendly fun with year-round festivals centered on fresh local seafood, beer, and of course, wine. Every event offers the opportunity to sample the best that Currituck, NC, and The Outer Banks have to offer, plus live music, games, and more. 

Thursdays at The Cotton Gin in Corolla, 5:30-8:30 pm

Giant Jellies, by artist Carol Willett, are sculptures on display in Dare Arts Center. This display will be in the outdoor courtyard from September 6 through mid-November. 

There is something exquisite about the simplicity of jellies. Their color, shape and size are mesmerizing. This trio of Giant Jellies were created to spark curiosity about these magical creatures. The bells were sculpted over exercise balls, then drilled, sanded, painted and sealed. The colorful tentacles are made from deconstructed bath sponges and recycled beads. The reefs and their creatures are built out of expanding foam and wet sand, plus polymer clay and up-cycled plastic bottles. Electrical conduit, bicycle wheels and plywood make up the armatures.

Pea Island Bird Walk is a FREE event. Pea Island is ACTUALLY for the birds! This National Wildlife Refuge has close to 400 species of birds that live here or pass 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.

In September, Dare Arts Courtroom Gallery will feature photography by Theresa Scott. The Road Through “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:” A Veterans History Project is a documentary series that encapsulates the struggles of serving in the military before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was repealed. Scott draws on skills as a photographer and a Marine who served under DADT. She invited service members to collaborate on amplifying their voices. Through transcribed interviews and photography, Scott supports participants in unpacking their struggles under policies like DADT and the unique path toward healing. In this exhibit, Scott offers insight into the lives of LGBTQIA+ service members that served before and after the repel of DADT, and she reveals the impact of such discriminatory policies on families and communities today. 

This exhibit will be on display in the Courtroom Gallery from September 6-28, 2024.

In September, the Dare Arts Vault Gallery will feature Taylor Williams’ latest collection of oil paintings titled, Hideaway. Hideaway highlights the serene moments of coastal North Carolina and beyond. Taylor's use of soothing, low contrast colors accentuates feelings of tranquility. Her work goes beyond merely capturing the visual beauty of the coast, offering glimpses into the sense of sanctuary that these landscapes provide. It's not just about what you see, but about how you feel—a reminder that amidst the chaos of the world, there are places of quiet refuge waiting to be discovered.
Hideaway will be on display in the Vault Gallery September 6-28, 2024.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, September 6 from 6pm to 8pm, where visitors can meet Taylor and view her work.

First Friday is a fun-filled, family-oriented event held the first Friday of each month, in historic downtown Manteo. The sidewalks pulse with live music, magic, artisans, and much more. The Manteo Stroll featuring celebrations, specials, art openings, sales and more inside Manteo galleries, shops and restaurants also happens during First Friday.

Come enjoy Free Friday Night Movies at Dowdy Park. On Sept. 6th, the park will show the original 1996 movie Twister starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Bring your blankets, beach chairs, and empty popcorn containers. The park will serve FREE popcorn while supplies last!

Dare Arts is excited to screen the 1972  film “What’s Up, Doc?” in The Courtyard this Friday, September 6, from 8:30pm-10:00pm. “What’s Up, Doc?” is a screwball romantic comedy starring Barbara Streisand and the late Ryan O’Neal, and the movie debut of comic great Madeline Kahn.

This is a free, family-friendly event, and we will have free popcorn to give out. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the film!

Giant Jellies, by artist Carol Willett, are sculptures on display in Dare Arts Center. This display will be in the outdoor courtyard from September 6 through mid-November. 

There is something exquisite about the simplicity of jellies. Their color, shape and size are mesmerizing. This trio of Giant Jellies were created to spark curiosity about these magical creatures. The bells were sculpted over exercise balls, then drilled, sanded, painted and sealed. The colorful tentacles are made from deconstructed bath sponges and recycled beads. The reefs and their creatures are built out of expanding foam and wet sand, plus polymer clay and up-cycled plastic bottles. Electrical conduit, bicycle wheels and plywood make up the armatures.

The 18th Annual Currituck Wildlife Festival is a two-day show that features some of the region’s most talented and well-known wildlife artists. Vendors at this years’ event will include decoy carvers, sculptors, painters, photographers and more. The show will be held at the Currituck County High School in Barco, North Carolina from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (Sept 7) and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday (Sept 8). Proceeds from this event benefit local community members and organizations. Admission is $5 for the weekend.

Join wildlife guides for a trip around the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge and learn about the plants and animals. Bring your binoculars and camera! Drinking water and insect repellent are also recommended. The program will not occur when there is lightning, heavy wind, heavy rain, or impassable road conditions. Dress for the weather!

The Alligator River Tram Tour is $10 per adult. Children 12 and under free with one or more paying adults. Reservation required, as tram seating is limited.

Meet at Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot, Hwy 64 and Milltail Road, app. 6 miles west of Manns Harbor. Call 252-216-9464 for reservations.

In September, Dare Arts Courtroom Gallery will feature photography by Theresa Scott. The Road Through “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:” A Veterans History Project is a documentary series that encapsulates the struggles of serving in the military before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was repealed. Scott draws on skills as a photographer and a Marine who served under DADT. She invited service members to collaborate on amplifying their voices. Through transcribed interviews and photography, Scott supports participants in unpacking their struggles under policies like DADT and the unique path toward healing. In this exhibit, Scott offers insight into the lives of LGBTQIA+ service members that served before and after the repel of DADT, and she reveals the impact of such discriminatory policies on families and communities today. 

This exhibit will be on display in the Courtroom Gallery from September 6-28, 2024.

Don't miss the 5th Annual Soggy Doggy Pool Party, Saturday, September 7th from 10am-1pm at the Outer Banks YMCA in Nags Head! $10 per dog cash or check at the gate. Proof of rabies vaccination is required. All proceeds benefit the Coastal Humane Society Emergency Fund which provides families in need in Dare and Lower Currituck Counties with financial assistance in caring for their pets!

In September, the Dare Arts Vault Gallery will feature Taylor Williams’ latest collection of oil paintings titled, Hideaway. Hideaway highlights the serene moments of coastal North Carolina and beyond. Taylor's use of soothing, low contrast colors accentuates feelings of tranquility. Her work goes beyond merely capturing the visual beauty of the coast, offering glimpses into the sense of sanctuary that these landscapes provide. It's not just about what you see, but about how you feel—a reminder that amidst the chaos of the world, there are places of quiet refuge waiting to be discovered.

Hideaway will be on display in the Vault Gallery September 6-28, 2024.

Giant Jellies, by artist Carol Willett, are sculptures on display in Dare Arts Center. This display will be in the outdoor courtyard from September 6 through mid-November. 

There is something exquisite about the simplicity of jellies. Their color, shape and size are mesmerizing. This trio of Giant Jellies were created to spark curiosity about these magical creatures. The bells were sculpted over exercise balls, then drilled, sanded, painted and sealed. The colorful tentacles are made from deconstructed bath sponges and recycled beads. The reefs and their creatures are built out of expanding foam and wet sand, plus polymer clay and up-cycled plastic bottles. Electrical conduit, bicycle wheels and plywood make up the armatures.

The 18th Annual Currituck Wildlife Festival is a two-day show that features some of the region’s most talented and well-known wildlife artists. Vendors at this years’ event will include decoy carvers, sculptors, painters, photographers and more. The show will be held at the Currituck County High School in Barco, North Carolina from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (Sept 7) and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday (Sept 8). Proceeds from this event benefit local community members and organizations. Admission is $5 for the weekend.