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.

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.

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.

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.