Outer Banks Current Events

November 26

OBX Home Services Expo

Meet the vendors you need for your home or vacation rental property! Saturday, November 26 from 10 am to 6 pm at First Flight High School.

OBX_Home_Services_Expo

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November 4 - 29

Art, Automata and Christmas Clocks by Michael Davis

Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Michael Davis handcrafts three-dimensional fantasy scenes from illustration board. These compositions combining architectural detail, people and objects are ripe for imaginative journeys. He also handcrafts one-of-a-kind Christmas clocks and Automata. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com.

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November 8 - 13

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

Offering over 85 programs in themes ranging from paddling and wildlife photography to birding, natural history and more. (252) 216-9464 or wingsoverwater.org.

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November 12

Outer Banks Jewelry Expo

Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Local and regional designers showcase a wide variety of their jewelry and metal work in this expo. Demonstrations included. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com.

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November 13

Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon

The marathon starts in Kitty Hawk, the half marathon will begin in Nags Head, near the largest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and both cross the beautiful Washington-Baum Bridge and finish on Roanoke Island. obxmarathon.com.

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November 19

14th Annual Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo

Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A fishing tournament sponsored by the Manteo Rotary. (252) 473-6644 or rockfishrodeo.com.

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November 25

Black Friday Porch Sale

The Black Friday Porch Sale is the place to buy all your holiday presents! Select unique gifts with the message of preserving the heritage of the Outer Banks. The Whalehead Club's Copper Collection is discounted only once a year and this is it! Enjoy apple cider and home-baked treats while you shop. Plus you can be the first to see this holiday season's decorations in the Whalehead Club inspired by Mr. Knight's etchings from the 1920's.
Come away feeling festive not frazzled this Black Friday! Admission and Parking are free. 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, please visit Whalehead Club or call 252.453.9040.

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November 26

OBX Home Services Expo

Meet the vendors you need for your home or vacation rental property! Saturday, November 26 from 10 am to 6 pm at First Flight High School.

OBX_Home_Services_Expo

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December 3 - 22

Art and Spirit: Sacred Works by Sixty Artists

Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Local and regional artists present two-and three-dimensional work that tells the story of their personal sense of spirituality.(252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com.

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December 10

5th Annual Park Illumination Celebration & Holiday Tour

Gather on the north lawn to enjoy free hot chocolate and sing carols while the giant cedar tree in Currituck Heritage Park and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse are simultaneously illuminated. The Whalehead Club will open for holiday tours to show off the house museum festively decorated as in the 1920’s. Admission and Parking are free. 3 to 6 pm. For more information, please visit Whalehead Club or call 252.453.9040.

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December 17

108th Annual Celebration of the Wright Brothers First Flight

Wright Brothers National Memorial. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gather at the exact site at the exact time as the historic flight to remember, reflect and celebrate this milestone. The daylong anniversary tribute will be held at the site of Wright’s first flight. Visitors to the site experience a replica of the Wright Brothers’ 1903 encampment and majestic, 60-foot tall granite monument perched atop a 90-foot hill that serves a striking and lasting reminder of the important historical achievement that happened on this site a century ago. outerbanks.org.

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January 2012

14th Annual Outer Banks Wedding Weekend and Expo

Dates to be determined. First Flight High School. Meet, select and work with an amazing group of professionals dedicated to making your wedding a beautiful experience for you and all your guests. Over 120 vendors. outerbanksweddingassoc.org

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February 2012

Sweetheart 8K

9 a.m. outerbanksrunningclub.org.

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March 2012

OBX Taste of The Beach

Four days of food, drinks and fun. Presented by the Dare County Restaurant Association. This grand food festival will feature wine tastings, cooking classes, special menu presentations, celebrity guest chef appearances, brewery tours, tapas crawls and many more events with an exciting array of creative combinations and culinary delights. obxtasteofthebeach.com.

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March 2012

Kelly’s 4th Annual Running of the Leprechauns 8K

Nags Head. 9 a.m. Runners and walkers embark on a 8K/5 mile point to point course including road and trail (through part of the Nags Head Woods Conservancy) for a share of Kelly’s “pot of gold”, Green Glory and fun! Awards and post race celebration and hospitality is held immediately following the race at Kelly’s Tavern. kellysrestaurant.com.

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March 2012

Kelly’s 22nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Virginia Dare Trail/Beach Road, MP 11.5 - 10.5, Nags Head. 1 p.m. Rain or shine. The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in NC travels the greenest mile in the Tarheel state. Over 1,500 participants and approximately 10,000 spectators enjoy an afternoon filled with floats, live music, marching bands and creative marching/walking/motorized units. kellysrestaurant.com.

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Flying Pirate Half Marathon

Outer Banks Half Marathoners, here's your chance to see the first half of the Outer Banks Marathon course! obxmarathon.com.

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9th Annual Outer Banks Bike Week

Packed full with entertainment, great food, events and special attractions. Bike shows, poker runs, guided tours, party nights, tattoo and bikini contests, over 100 vendors, live music, outdoor concerts, pig pickin and more! outerbanksbikeweek.com.

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Corolla Pedal-Foot-Paddle

Join us for a multi-athletic event beginning in Currituck Heritage Park. The “Pedal-Foot-Paddle” starts with a scenic cycle through Corolla followed by a run on the beach at low-tide, wrapping up with a kayak paddle on the Currituck Sound. For the more leisurely-minded enjoy the fun event, “Land and Light”- climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, then stroll through the park ending at the front porch of the historic Whalehead Club.
Contestants may participate individually or as a team.Saturday: 8 am to 1 pm. For more information, please visit Whalehead Club or call 252.453.9040.

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29th Annual Yuengling Nags Head Woods 5K Run

Not your typical walk down the beach, the dirt trails of the preserve weave through one of the best remaining examples comical forest and deciduous hardwoods. active.com.

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Fun Fly Festival

Watch and learn how to fly all kinds of kites sponsored by Flying Smiles Kites! Treat Mom and the whole family to a fun afternoon in the park capturing the imagination and harnessing the power of Mother Nature! Children enjoy making paper kites to keep or bring your own to play with. Admission and Parking are free. Sunday: 1 pm to 4 pm. For more information, please visit Whalehead Club or call 252.453.9040.

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40th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular

Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Jockey’s Ridge Crossing, Nags Head. This is the world’s oldest, continuous hang gliding competition. Hang gliding professionals from all over the world come to the Outer Banks to compete and have fun on Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Demonstrations, street dances and awards ceremonies are all features of this spectacular event. Families can enjoy a rock climbing wall, hang gliding simulator, kite making and face painting. A portion of the events proceeds will go to benefit Friends of Jockey’s Ridge, a non-profit organization which supports the development of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. (877) FLY-THIS, (252) 441-4124 or kittyhawkkites.com.

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75th Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony

Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. Lavish costumes, daring action, special effects, delightful comedy,music and dance.This is an absolute must-do event that can only be seen here on the Outer Banks. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green’s The Lost Colony recounts the events leading to the mysterious disappearance of the English colonists who settled right here over 400 years ago. The breathtaking beauty of open-air Waterside Theatre sets the stage for an unforgettable night. Monday - Saturday at 8 p.m. (No performances on Sundays or July 4, 29, 30; August 5, 6, 13). Children 11 and under are free on Monday and Friday and half price on Saturday with a full-price adult. Consider a pre-show Backstage Tour at 7 p.m. on performance nights, reservations required. For tickets and event info: 252-473-3414 or The Lost Colony.

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June 1 - 30

75th Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony

Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. Lavish costumes, daring action, special effects, delightful comedy,music and dance.This is an absolute must-do event that can only be seen here on the Outer Banks. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green’s The Lost Colony recounts the events leading to the mysterious disappearance of the English colonists who settled right here over 400 years ago. The breathtaking beauty of open-air Waterside Theatre sets the stage for an unforgettable night. For tickets and event info: 252-473-3414 or The Lost Colony.

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June 2012

29th Annual Rogallo Kite Festival

Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head. This two day festival will feature our signature kite flying on the dunes of Jockey's Ridge. Throughout the festival, exhibitions and demonstrations, including stunt and power kite lessons, are provided. (877) FLY-THIS, (252) 441-4124 or kittyhawkkites.com.

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June 2012

10th Annual “Under the Oaks” Arts Festival

Enjoy this annual outdoor art show on the waterfront grounds of Currituck Heritage Park. This festival features the unique talents of over 100 quality artists with a wide variety of media plus musical entertainment, local food
concessions, an art auction, and children's activities. Admission is free! $5 parking donation requested. Wednesday, June 22: 10 am to 6 pm; Thursday, June 23: 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, please visit Whalehead Club or call 252.453.9040.

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June 2012

OBX Pride Fest

Make your plans now to attend OBX Pridefest 2011, a 3-day celebration of family, friendship, music and laughter set against the charming weather-worn architecture of Old Nags Head. Join us on the festival grounds at the historic First Colony Inn for a whole day of outdoor concerts with over 20 entertainers and musicians including singer/songwriter Eric Himan, a sunset cruise, late-night fun with Britney Spears/Lady Gaga impersonator, Derrick Barry, who has appeared on NBC's America's Got Talent, Las Vegas puppeteer commedian, Jerry Halliday and his "Dangerous Dames", and Michael L. Walters presenting an intimate evening as Dame Edna! And don't worry, there will be plenty of time for the beach. There will be two huge beach parties! Our beaches have been in the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the country! The afternoon festival is a family event, so bring your children and join us in June to celebrate pride OBX style! obxpridefest.com.

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July 1 - 31

75th Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony

Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. Lavish costumes, daring action, special effects, delightful comedy,music and dance.This is an absolute must-do event that can only be seen here on the Outer Banks. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green’s The Lost Colony recounts the events leading to the mysterious disappearance of the English colonists who settled right here over 400 years ago. The breathtaking beauty of open-air Waterside Theatre sets the stage for an unforgettable night. Monday - Saturday at 8 p.m. (No performances on Sundays or July 4, 29, 30; August 5, 6, 13). Children 11 and under are free on Monday and Friday and half price on Saturday with a full-price adult. Consider a pre-show Backstage Tour at 7 p.m. on performance nights, reservations required. For tickets and event info: 252-473-3414 or The Lost Colony.

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July 4

Killer Dunes 2 Miler

8:30 a.m. Jockey's Ridge in Nags Head. outerbanksrunningclub.org.

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August 1 - 23

75th Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony

Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. Lavish costumes, daring action, special effects, delightful comedy,music and dance.This is an absolute must-do event that can only be seen here on the Outer Banks. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green’s The Lost Colony recounts the events leading to the mysterious disappearance of the English colonists who settled right here over 400 years ago. The breathtaking beauty of open-air Waterside Theatre sets the stage for an unforgettable night. Monday - Saturday at 8 p.m. (No performances on Sundays or July 4, 29, 30; August 5, 6, 13). Children 11 and under are free on Monday and Friday and half price on Saturday with a full-price adult. Consider a pre-show Backstage Tour at 7 p.m. on performance nights, reservations required. For tickets and event info: 252-473-3414 or The Lost Colony.

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August 18

Virginia Dare Faire

Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. Celebrate Virginia Dare’s 424th birthday at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island. Attend a full day of free activities for the family that include make and take crafts; games; entertainment; activities; free cake and ice cream. Reserve your seats early for the evening performance of The Lost Colony that cameos infant actors as baby Virginia—ticket charges apply. For tickets: 252-473-3414 or The Lost Colony.

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August 18

The Lost Colony Virginia Dare Anniversary Performance

Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. See a special performance of The Lost Colony that features infant actors in the role of baby Virginia at 8 p.m. This traditional anniversary performance is held on the birthday of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. Tickets and event info: 252-473-3414 or The Lost Colony.

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August 2012

11th Annual OBX Sandbar 5K

Set on the wide flat sands in front of the historic ‘Old Station’ public bath house in Kitty Hawk. outerbanksrelieffoundation.com.

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September 2012

Outer Banks Triathlon

Don't miss out on a great weekend of fun on the Outer Banks! September is one of the best times of year to visit our area...the kids are in school, the temps have dropped a bit and the housecleaned of summertime vacationing has eased up. Event features half, olympic and sprint distance races through a unique coastal setting. obxmarathon.com.

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September 2012

ESA EASTERNS Surfing Championships

Hatteras. The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) is the largest amateur surfing organization in the world. The ESA EASTERNS are the season’s “grand finale” where the best of the best from each national and international district go head to head to declare the overall champions for the year in each division. Spectators can watch the event at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse location. The ESA EASTERNS has over 40 years of history in Cape Hatteras and has launched many professional surfing careers. Come see the next round of future world champions! surfesa.org.

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October 2012

6th Annual Duck Jazz Festival

Duck Town Park. 11 a.m. Rain or shine. Attendees are welcome to bring chairs, coolers, blankets and pets. The festival is free. duckjazz.com.

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October 2012

Trick or Treat Under the Sea

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ghosts and strange aquatic creatures will greet children as they enjoy this "spooktacular" event. Hosting the event is Count Sharkula who always scares up lots of ghoulish fun. Crazy costume contests, creepy crafts, spine-tingling scream contests and yummy munchies are just a few of the things to howl about. Tickets are limited. Ticket sales begin October 1 and will be sole at the Aquarium. All children must be accompanied by an adult. (800) 832-3474, (252) 473-3494 or ncaquariums.com.

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November 2012

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

Offering over 85 programs in themes ranging from paddling and wildlife photography to birding, natural history and more. (252) 216-9464 or wingsoverwater.org.

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November 2012

Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon

The marathon starts in Kitty Hawk, the half marathon will begin in Nags Head, near the largest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and both cross the beautiful Washington-Baum Bridge and finish on Roanoke Island. obxmarathon.com.

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November 2012

15th Annual Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo

Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A fishing tournament sponsored by the Manteo Rotary. (252) 473-6644 or rockfishrodeo.com.

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December 2012

6th Annual Park Illumination Celebration & Holiday Tour

Gather on the north lawn to enjoy free hot chocolate and sing carols while the giant cedar tree in Currituck Heritage Park and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse are simultaneously illuminated. The Whalehead Club will open for holiday tours to show off the house museum festively decorated as in the 1920’s. Admission and Parking are free. 3 to 6 pm. For more information, please visit Whalehead Club or call 252.453.9040.

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December 17

109th Annual Celebration of the Wright Brothers First Flight

Wright Brothers National Memorial. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gather at the exact site at the exact time as the historic flight to remember, reflect and celebrate this milestone. The daylong anniversary tribute will be held at the site of Wright’s first flight. Visitors to the site experience a replica of the Wright Brothers’ 1903 encampment and majestic, 60-foot tall granite monument perched atop a 90-foot hill that serves a striking and lasting reminder of the important historical achievement that happened on this site a century ago. outerbanks.org.

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