Holiday Events on the Outer Banks

Spending the holidays on the Outer Banks is a breathtaking experience, especially when the entire area comes alive with the mesmerizing display of Outer Banks Christmas lights. As the sun sets over the picturesque coastline, the twinkling lights adorn the charming beach houses and quaint shops, creating a festive ambiance that is nothing short of magical. Families and friends can be seen strolling along the shore, basking in the warm glow of the holiday spirit that permeates the air, while the scent of freshly baked treats from local bakeries lingers, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

For those seeking a more vibrant celebration, the Outer Banks Christmas and Holiday bars offer a delightful way to experience the local nightlife during the festive season. With themed drinks and merry bartenders, these tours take revelers on a journey through the lively bars and pubs adorned with festive decorations, allowing them to immerse themselves in the joyful merriment of the holidays. Laughter echoes through the streets as locals and visitors come together, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared cheer, making the Christmas bar tours a memorable highlight of the holiday experience on the Outer Banks.

As the year draws to a close, the Outer Banks bids farewell to the old and ushers in the new with a spectacular display of New Year`s Eve fireworks. Locals and tourists gather on the soft sandy beaches, their faces illuminated by the colorful bursts of light that paint the night sky in a breathtaking display of celebration. The rhythmic sound of crashing waves provides the perfect backdrop to the festive revelry, as people count down the seconds to the new year, filled with hope and excitement for the adventures that lie ahead. The Outer Banks New Year`s Eve fireworks serve as a dazzling conclusion to the holiday season, leaving visitors with cherished memories and a sense of joy that lingers long after the last spark has faded into the night.

Not visiting this year?
Many events and activities occur on an annual basis.

Corolla
Step back in time to the 1920`s decor and customs taking place during Mr. and Mrs. Edward Collings Knight, Jr.`s time in Corolla. The Whalehead mansion is beautifully decorated in the tradition of the times with greenery, Christmas trees, music, luscious food, fruit, candy, and nuts.

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Nags Head
The Dowdy Park Holiday Farmers Market is a fun and festive destination for folks of all tastes, thanks to an assortment of local goodies from the Outer Banks and beyond.

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Outer Banks
Embrace the holiday spirit with the Misfits Bar Crawl! From late November through New Year`s Day, enjoy festive drinks and themed parties at local bars across the Outer Banks. Dress up, make new friends, and celebrate the season in style!

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Outer Banks
Get ready to celebrate the season with The 12 Bars of Christmas! This holiday bar crawl features themed pop-up bars around the Outer Banks, each offering festive drinks and seasonal surprises. Gather your friends, wear your favorite holiday attire, and enjoy a month full of fun and cheer!

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Duck
Celebrate the season at Duck the Halls, a Christmas bar crawl in Duck, NC! Enjoy craft cocktails, tasty bites, and cozy coastal vibes. Take advantage of the free golf cart shuttles running every Friday and Saturday, December 6-21, from 5-8 PM to make your way to all the top spots this holiday season.

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December 6, 2024
Manteo
Kick off the Christmas season in downtown Manteo with a beloved tradition! The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting takes place on the first Friday in December at the historic courthouse, featuring holiday music from local children and plenty of hot chocolate to keep you warm.

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December 7, 2024
Manteo

Get your Outer Banks holiday off to a glittering start with this annual parade that is sure to delight visitors and locals alike. The Manteo Christmas Parade is a time-honored tradition that attracts both participants and spectators from all across the Outer Banks, and which is sure to entice anyone to get into the holiday spirit.

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December 7, 2024
Kill Devil Hills
Shop local this year at the Starvin` Artists` Party and Market hosted by Swells`a Brewing. The perfect opportunity to get OBX Christmas gifts for those you love and celebrate the holiday season. In addition to the local art and goods for sale, there will also be beer and wine.

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Manteo
Head to the Island Farm in Manteo where history, local culture, and the holiday spirit will combine for a fun and multiple-day event that showcases the holiday traditions of the earliest days on the Outer Banks.

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Manteo
Discover the beauty and heritage of Manteo while enjoying a dose of holiday spirit with the 15th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes, which is hosted by the Manteo Preservation Trust. During this seasonal tour, visitors will be treated to an inside look of some of this town`s most charming and historically relevant homes while sampling light refreshments and exploring the heart of Manteo.

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Duck
Celebrate the start of the holiday season with us! Check the website for updates on the event.

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Nags Head
Featuring photos with Santa Claus, an appearance (or two) from the Grinch, a live camp fire to keep your hands and toes warm, Christmas tunes to sing along to, food trucks AND 50+ of our favorite Outer Banks local makers and artisans, we will truly have a little something for everybody. Get all of your holiday shopping done in one place and share a little holiday spirit!

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Kill Devil Hills
Kick off your holiday shopping at the First Flight Holiday Markets! Located in Aviation Park, this festive market features nearly 50 local vendors showcasing everything from handmade crafts to delicious baked goods. Enjoy the lively atmosphere with food trucks and live music. It`s a great place to find unique gifts while supporting our local community!

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Hatteras
Join in the fun of one of the most festive celebrations on Hatteras Island with this annual Christmas parade that has become a decades-long tradition for locals and holiday visitors alike. The Hatteras Island Christmas Parade combines local businesses, fire departments, the US Coast Guard, and non-profit organizations in a joyful and small-town parade that will inspire anyone to get into the holiday spirit.

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December 31, 2024
Manteo
Get your Outer Banks holiday off to a glittering start with this annual parade that is sure to delight visitors and locals alike. The Manteo Christmas Parade is a time-honored tradition that attracts both participants and spectators from all across the Outer Banks, and which is sure to entice anyone to get into the holiday spirit.

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December 31, 2024
Kill Devil Hills
Meet all your friends at the Brewing Station for a night you won`t forget. There will be the biggest and best balloon drop on the OBX with a champagne toast to go along with it. DJ Styles will be mixing it up on the turntables. They will be accepting reservations (beginning Dec. 1) for NYE dinner with a special menu in addition to their regular menu.

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Celebrate the holiday season Outer Banks style with three festive bar crawls featuring over 35 local restaurants and bars! The 12 Bars of Christmas, the Misfits Bars of Christmas Crawl, and Duck the Halls bring the magic of the season to life with cheerful decorations, seasonal menus, and festive drinks. It`s the ultimate way to embrace the holiday spirit, enjoy exciting events, and create lasting memories with friends. Here`s the full list of participating holiday bars on the Outer Banks for 2024. Be sure to check directly with each bar or restaurant for event details and hours. If you`re looking for a place to stay, check out our blog, Cooking Up Memories: 10 Kitchens You`ll Love for the Holidays, to find the perfect vacation home!

Trio Restaurant & Market

Duck

• Red Sky
• NC Coast Grill & Bar
• Aqua Restaurant & Spa
• Bangkok
• Duck Pizza
• The Village Table & Tavern
• The Bluepoint
• Sweet T`s Coffee, Beer & Wine
• Vine & Board
• The Roadside Cafe

Kitty Hawk

• Art`s Place Bar & Grille
• Tap That OBX
• Trio Restaurant & Market
• The Pony & The Boat

Kill Devil Hills

• McCallister`s Corner (Two Roads Tavern)
• Holly Jolly Christmas (The Jolly Roger)
• Goombrrrs (Goombays Grille & Raw Bar)
• Christmas Vacation Station (Outer Banks Brewing Station)
• Jack Frost`s Cheer & Burger Joint (Jack Brown`s Beer & Burger Joint)
• The Broken Candy Cane (The Bonzer Shack)
• Mama Klaus (Mama Kwans Tiki Bar & Grill)
• The Saltbox Cafe
• Swells`a Brewing
• Noosa Scoops
• Noosa Beach Grille
• The Blue Crab Tavern
• Chili Peppers Coastal Grill
• Kill Devil Grill

Nags Head

• Jingle 12 Tavern (Lucky 12 Tavern)
• `Ol Cedar Brown`s (Basnight`s Lone Cedar Cafe)
• South of KDG Kitchen + Bar
• Sam & Omie`s Restaurant
• Red Drum Grill & Taphouse

Manteo

• North Pole Yacht Club (Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar)
• Deck the Hulls (Outer Banks Distilling)
• Poor Rudolph`s (Poor Richards Sandwich Shop)
• Lost Colony Brewery