Unique Outer Banks Festivals
The Outer Banks is home to some truly interesting people and from them spring diverse concepts for gatherings and festivals. Their unique perspectives are at the heart of our active arts community and many of the quirky shops and restaurants found within our communities.
Throughout the years, a number of festivals have sprung to life in celebration of our laid back and creative Outer Banks lifestyle. Many are well-known and attended, like the Mustang Music Festival, Outer Banks Taste of the Beach, OBX Seafood Festival and the Duck Jazz Festival. However, there are others that are not quite as popular but are definitely worth attending.
Shallowbag SHAG Beach Music Festival
Memorial Day, May 30, 2016 – Roanoke Island Festival Park
Shag music was popular in the 1950s and 60s, and for years this throwback festival has been recreating those days of innocence. This year look for lots of new ideas and energy, because Cory Hemilright, producer of the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival, is now overseeing the Shallowbag Shag. It’s hard to imagine a better location for live music than the Roanoke Island Festival Park. Featuring the Roanoke Sound waters as the stage backdrop, the setting is spectacular, and the location is ideal to enjoy a picnic lunch to the laid back sound of shag music.
OBX Brewfest
May 30 – June 5, 2016
Last year’s first ever OBX BrewFest was a blast! A single day affair, it was a classic example of too much beer and too little time. There were outstanding brews, and the music and food were great. Building on that success, Hype Promotions has upped the ante this year to create a week-long event. Hype is still putting together the schedule of events, but we understand there will be over 150 brews from across the nation, 25 non-alcoholic handcrafted sodas, beer-making workshops, cooking with beer demonstrations and much more!
BrewTag
October 22, 2016 – Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
For anyone who’s ever contemplated whether beer kegs can fly, BrewTag attempts to answer this mind boggling question! Sponsored by Kitty Hawk Kites, this event features local brews, live music and games. The highlight of the day is the launch of a homemade glider with a 1/8 keg attached from a 20 foot tower. Last year’s top flight was just shy of 21 feet, and creating an event around this attempt was met with resounding success! Because the event is organized by Kitty Hawk Kites, there is guaranteed fun for all age groups throughout the day.