Outer Banks Fall Has It All
Fall is an amazing time on the Outer Banks. The scorching heat of the summer has moderated just a bit, the ocean is still perfect for swimming all the way thought Columbus Day Weekend and everything is still open but not quite as busy as the summer.
Ask just about anyone who lives here about the best time to be on the Outer Banks and the answer will be fall.
With all those reasons to visit, it’s a given that autumn has become sort of a second season locally. It’s never going to be as busy as the summer—vacation schedules just don’t match up as well after August—but there is an ever-expanding list of things to do.
We know we missed some events, but we thought we would put together a list through November with our thoughts on some of our favorite events.
Day at the Docks
Hatteras Village
September 13-14
hatterasonmymind.com/HVCA/DayAtTheDocks/
After Hurricane Isabel devastated Hatteras Village n 2003, local fishermen and businesses felt something was needed to let the world know Hatteras was back. Day at the Docks was the answer and the event has grown to be a wonderful two-day event featuring great seafood and a marvelous feeling of community. The best excuse imaginable for a day trip to Hatteras.
ESA Easterns Surfing Championship
Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head
September 15-21
surfesa.org/competition/easterns
The Eastern Surfing Association may be the largest amateur surfing association in the world. With memberships from Maine to Florida, Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is the perfect meeting point to decide who are the best amateur East Coast surfers. Surfers from 8-80 compete.
Pridefest
Nags Head
September 21-23
A three-day celebration of the LGBTQ community that includes family-friendly events during the daytime and more adult-oriented entertainment in the evening.
Surfalorus Film Festival
Dare County Arts Council
Manteo
September 19-21
A three-day film festival featuring surf films from around the world. Everything from five-minute shorts to feature-length films are part of the lineup. Some films are shown outdoors. An art show at the Dare County Arts Council Gallery is included. Be sure to check this one out. There are always some hidden gems.
CrabDaddy Wine/Beer Festival
Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg
September 21
We love CrabDaddy. Held at Sanctuary Vineyards on the grounds of the Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg, the festival is all about fresh steamed crab, local beer, Sanctuary Vineyards wines in a beautiful outdoor setting. A very family-friendly event.
The Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival
The Lost Colony, Manteo
September 27-28
A seemingly infinite variety of wines to sample, local microbrews out in force, and a beautiful setting—it really doesn’t get much better than this. And Friday night is the Vintner’s dinner where select Outer Banks chefs combine forces to create a culinary masterpiece.
Halloween International Film Festival
R/C Theater, Kill Devil Hills
October 3 -5
filmfreeway.com/HalloweenFilmFestival
Three days of great independent films guaranteed to frighten even the hardiest. Many of these films deserve wider distribution, but without support from large studios, they are often overlooked.
Oink N’ Oyster Roast
Longboards Restaurant, Kitty Hawk
October 4-6
A fundraiser for the First Flight Rotary Club. Food and fun—about as good as it gets.
Outer Banks Parade of Homes
October 10-13
obhomebuilders.org
Outer Banks homebuilders are some of the best anywhere, and this four-day event highlights just how good they are. From Corolla to Manteo, 24 homes are listed this year, but there may be more added as the event gets closer.
Duck Jazz Festival
Town of Duck
October 12-13
townofduck.com/special-events/duck-jazz-festival/
The Duck Jazz Festival is sort of the granddaddy of the Outer Banks music festivals. The music is always amazing, the setting on the Duck Town Green absolutely beautiful. If there is one event to check out this fall on the Outer Banks, this may be it. Saturday night a lot of the musicians stop by local venues to jam. It’s pretty special.
Mustang Rock & Roast
Timbuck II Shopping Center, Corolla
October 19-20
www.mustangmusicfestival.com/mustangrockandroast/
Great music and lots of food the weekend after the Duck Jazz Festival, Mustang Rock & Roast features music and an oyster roast on Saturday, and music and a barbecue showdown on Sunday. Headliners are groups on the cusp of going national
Outer Banks Seafood Festival
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
October 19
Celebrating the culture and history of Outer Banks watermen—and women—the Outer Banks Seafood Festival is the best-attended of any Outer Banks festival. The big draw is the local restaurants that vie for top honors with dishes created from fresh-caught, local seafood. Live music, a very kid-friendly atmosphere, artists and crafters make this a perfect day to celebrate the Outer Banks.
The NC VIP Fishing Tournament
Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head
October 21 – 23
The VIP standing for Visually Impaired Persons and this tournament, hosted by local Lion’s Clubs, is the largest of its kind in the world. An absolutely wonderful feel-good event.
Brewtag
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
October 26
Answering the question, “Can beer fly?” that has plagued humanity since the Wright Brothers first took to the air, BrewTag delivers a resounding maybe. Homemade gliders launched from a tower vie for top honors. Beer, food and lots of things for kids to do.
Outer Banks Marathon
Kitty Hawk and Nags Head
November 8 – 10
obxse.com/outer-banks-marathon-race-info
A qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, this is the race that sparked what is a mini-boom in Outer Banks races. The course is a beautiful tour of the northern Outer Banks, beginning in Kitty Hawk on the Woods Road and ending at the Manteo waterfront. The Marathon is one of the multiple races held on Saturday and Sunday including a half marathon.
Big Curri-Shuck
Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg
November 30
The Big Curri-Shuck at Sanctuary Vineyards may be our favorite fall event. Buy your ticket and get all you can eat fresh steamed oysters and crab. A local pitmaster always contributes his expertise to some amazing Eastern North Carolina barbecue. Hayrides for kids and live music. A fantastic way to wrap up the Thanksgiving weekend.