Scroll through the calendar to find fun Outer Banks events in every month of the year. The Outer Banks is known for authentic experiences and we celebrate all that is unique about the Outer Banks.
Visit during the off season to take advantage of some of the best events the OBX has to offer, from Family events, kite events, events celebrating our heritage, events celebrating the Outer Banks history, holiday events, music events, culinary events and much more!
Location: Elizabethan Gardens 1411 National Park Dr. Manteo, NC 27954
Starts: 10am
10am and 2pm. Discover butterflies up-close as they take their first flight! Our staff will educate about butterflies and what plants attract them to your garden. Total price is $16.00 plus admission for non-members ($16 for members), this includes general admission, program and butterfly. Tickets may be purchased online. There may be a limited number of tickets available for same-day purchases. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your release time as you will need to check-in and walk to the Butterfly Garden.
20th Annual Watermelon Festival
Location: 3933 S Croatan Hwy. Nags Head, NC 27959
Starts: 10am
Ends: 4pm
Celebrate summer with Kitty Hawk Kites and Food Lion by supporting the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition at the 20th Annual OBX Watermelon Festival on Thursday, August 6th from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head.
Enjoy this year’s activities (subject to change):
Event T-Shirt Tie Dye Station (provided by Food Lion)
Watermelon station
Watermelon-themed competitions
Seed Spitting Contest
Watermelon Bowling
Watermelon Eating Contest
Rubberband Challenge
Arts and Crafts
Watermelon Wind Socks
Face Painting (provided by The Lost Colony)
Rock Wall
Food Truck
Special offers in all Jockey’s Ridge Crossing shops
And much more!
OBX Watermelon Festival is free for guests to attend; however, the purchase of tickets is required to play and eat! Compete in classic competitions to win from a selection of awesome prizes.
Stop by and share in this summertime tradition. Bring the family for a day of summertime fun and help support the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition, a valuable community organization working to improve safety in the Outer Banks.
Greater Tuna - Theatre of Dare
Location: 3848 N. Croatan Hwy. Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Starts: 6pm
Ends: 9pm
Performances: June 24 & 25,
July 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 & 30
August 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 7:30 p.m.
​​​Individual show tickets go on sale June 3
The long-running off-Broadway hit features two actors creating the entire population of Tuna, Texas in a tour de farce of quick-change artistry, changing costumes and characterizations faster than a jack rabbit runs from a coyote.
Two actors, 20 characters, and a barrel of laughs, y’all.
Sunrise 5k/1 Mile Beach Race Series
Location: OBX Running Company 7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, milepost 16.5 on the Beach Road Nags Head, NC 27959
Starts: 8am
Join us for the 2026 annual running of The Outer Banks Sunrise 5k / 1 Mile Beach race series presented by The OBX Running Company and Village Realty
There is no pre race day early Packet Pick-up. Check in and Late Registration is available race morning: 6:50 - 7:45 AM on site at the Start/Finish line.
Sunrise 5K / 1 Mile 8 AM This is a family and walker friendly chip timed event.
Adult 5K/1 Mile $45
Active Duty Military/Veteran $40
Youth 17 & Under $40
This is a family fun event on the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks featuring the new expansive shores of Nags Head. Sunrise Appreciation post-race and crawl, features
breakfast refreshments, and, of course, the most beautiful sunrise on the East Coast. Finisher medal and Event Summer Series T-shirt to ALL participants.
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