At the annual Artrageous Art Extravaganza, everyone can enjoy a little hands-on creativity with lots of interactive displays, live demos, and fun artistic activities for the young and the young at heart. This full day affair which combines art, music, and the friendly spirit of the Outer Banks, is an annual tradition that began in 1989, and which has become a favorite event for visitors of all ages.

Head to the heart of Nags Head for this special and wholly unique event that celebrates the lifelong collection of one of the Outer Banks’ most legendary beachcombers. Nellie Myrtle spent decades combing the beaches close to her Outer Banks home, and amassed a stunning collection of shells, artifacts, and other treasures that are truly one of a kind. During this event, beachcombers are free to admire her treasures to celebrate her 100^th birthday.

The 45^th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Show is landing on the Outer Banks, and visitors are welcome to take flight on a new adventure and join in the fun. Renowned as the longest running hang gliding competition in the world, the Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Show is a multiple day event that combines a wealth of activities for professional hang gliders and spectators alike. The incredible air show is the cornerstone of the event, and visitors can head to the sky high dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park to check out the action. Throughout the day, an incredible display of colorful gliders will fly overhead, and lots of fun will be had at ground level as well thanks to a host of activities for competitors and everyday sightseers alike.

Now celebrating its second year, this family friendly event is a collection of music, sports, and OBX fun, and features a full roster of activities and entertainment to keep everyone in the party smiling. Special events within the Dare2Care OBX Shred Fest line-up include multiple bands and musicians throughout the day, live demos performed by professional skateboarders and BMX riders, a special appearance by roller derby women, appearances by Special Olympics athletes, and much, much more. In addition, this year’s festivities will have a host of games for patrons of all ages, food, and local art vendors for unique and one-of-a-kind OBX treasures. The event is being headlined by the world famous band the Southern Culture on the Skids, and additional performances will occur throughout the day by local and regional favorites including Manday Huge, Ruth Wyand & The Tribe of One, Fixture, Kepone Cowboys, Grace and the Dudes, Side Project & Dare2Care OBX Shredders. 

Start your Outer Banks vacation with a burst of energy and a little sunshine on the sand with this family-friendly racing event that highlights the best views on the beach. The Sunrise 5k & Little Crab Crawl takes place along the oceanfront shores of Nags Head, and is a great way for walkers, joggers and runners to enjoy a little friendly competition and comradery with fellow active visitors and locals while taking in a scenic OBX sunrise over the Atlantic.

Kick off your summer vacation in style by popping by one of the most entertaining events of the season which also benefits a fantastic cause – the 3rd Annual Soundside FunFair. This multi-day event creates a good old fashioned carnival atmosphere along the waterfront in Nags Head with a wealth of activities and attractions that are sure to leave everyone smiling.

The Rogallo Kite Festival is a free and family-orientated event that features two days of kite flying to honor Francis Rogallo, NASA scientist and inventor of the flexible wing. His initial inventions started the sport of hang gliding, and his designs have carried over into the stunt kites, power kites and hang gliders that are flown today. To celebrate this innovator, visitors will be treated to a full day of kite-flying fun in one of the best destinations on the East Coast for high flyers, Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

Kick off your summer vacation in style by popping by one of the most entertaining events of the season which also benefits a fantastic cause – the 3rd Annual Soundside FunFair. This multi-day event creates a good old fashioned carnival atmosphere along the waterfront in Nags Head with a wealth of activities and attractions that are sure to leave everyone smiling.

Share a love of fishing with the youngest members in your vacationing party with this special fishing tournament that’s designed with youth anglers in mind. The Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Tournament is an annual fishing tournament that takes place on the famous Jennette’s Pier, and which is open to all anglers ages 16 and under. The age groups for competitors are 4-9 years old and 10-16 years old, and trophies as well as rod and reel combos are awarded to the largest fish caught by a girl and boy angler for the day. Participants in the “catch and release” tournament can enjoy a full morning of fishing before going to a celebratory and awards lunch close to the pier.

Take advantage of an opportunity to enjoy two of the things coastal North Carolina is known for - fantastic beaches and barbecue – with this racing event that combines a wealth of OBX activities in a single and fun-filled evening. The Sunset 5k & Carolina Pig Pickin is held at the stunning Jennette’s Pier in the heart of Nags Head, and is a fun and lightly competitive race that cruises by the beaches and soundside regions where the sunset is at its natural best. Walkers, joggers, and runners are all welcome to attend, and to enjoy the scene while engaging on a fast-paced tour of the central Outer Banks.

Grab a paddleboard and get ready for one of the hottest races along the Outer Banks with this seasonal SUP competition that allows local and visiting watersports fans to let their talents shine. The OBX SUP Competition is an engaging and wholly fun event that features a scenic course in the heart of the Outer Banks, as well as plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with fellow SUP enthusiasts.

Visitors who want to enjoy an active morning exploring the beach scene by the famed Jennette’s Pier while engaging in a little family-friendly competition will want to sign up for this annual summertime event that’s becoming a favorite race of the warm weather season. The Nags Head Beach 5k Race, which is sponsored by Village Realty, is a fun run through the sand that takes joggers, walkers and runners on a cool course through the heart of scenic Nags Head.

Head to the heart of Nags head for this special 4^th of July fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean that will leave all beach-goers breathless. The Town Of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular will be held on the evening of Independence Day, and is sure to be a show-stopping aspect of any Outer Banks vacation.

Spectators and active watersports fans alike are welcome to head out to the beach near Jennette’s Pier to catch a spectacular on-the-water show by some of the best skimboarders on the East Coast.

Celebrate summer with Kitty Hawk Kites and support the Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition at the annual OBX Watermelon Festival. This beloved local celebration that’s held at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head features a wealth of activities for visitors of all ages, and is the perfect way to toast the peak of the summer season on the Outer Banks.

Surfing For Autism is an Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness event that uses the beauty of the Outer Banks to provide children with an amazing experience and an opportunity to ride the waves.

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for nearly 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for nearly 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

Get ready for a pirate invasion on the Outer Banks, courtesy of the two-day OBX Pirate Festival. This festival that will be held next to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in the central Outer Banks town of Nags Head promises plenty of swashbuckling good times and activities, and will be a memorable event for young and old salty visitors alike.

Younger surfers who want to enjoy a little competition while meeting and greeting with fellow surfing enthusiasts from all across the region will want to sign up for this event which puts the talents of young surfers in the spotlight. The Rip Curl Grom Search Surf Contest is a special surfing competition that’s designed for kids 17 years old and under, and which features multiple categories for girls and boys who want to compete along the waves of the Outer Banks.

Visitors and locals alike will love scoping out the incredible feats performed at the annual Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition – one of the most anticipated sporting events of the fall. The Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition is a regional kite competition that brings some of the nation’s best kite fliers right to the Outer Banks’ backyard, and visitors can watch all the action from the amazing natural venue of Jockey’s Ridge State Park.

Put your angling and paddling skills to the test with this unique Outer Banks fishing tournament that puts the rapidly growing sport of kayaking fishing in the spotlight.

Enjoy a rare opportunity to see the best surfers on the East Coast go head to head at this “grand finale” event that is renowned as one of the best surfing competitions on the Eastern Seaboard.

Enjoy a rare opportunity to see the best surfers on the East Coast go head to head at this “grand finale” event that is renowned as one of the best surfing competitions on the Eastern Seaboard.

Head to the cool and relaxed Outer Banks in late September to join in the fun of one of the region’s most distinctive and popular area festivals. Pridefest is a three-day gay pride festival that is full of activities, food, music, and ample beach time, and which is open to all LGBTQ folks and their supporters and friends.

The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is rapidly becoming one of the highlights of the fall season, with plenty of fresh seafood, storytelling, and activities to keep everyone fully entertained. This all-day event takes place at the waterfront Event Site in Nags Head, and is a family-friendly outing that will make anyone fall in love with this staple of the Outer Banks’ culinary cuisine.

Get a head start on the holiday season with this post-Thanksgiving event that offers a world of fun for visitors of all ages. Held at the flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store in Nags Head, this two-day event features amazing shopping, activities, demos and displays, and - of course - a visit by old St. Nick himself to allow kids to get a jump start on their Christmas lists.