Posted by Outer Banks Blue

Halloween on the Outer Banks

Fall is such a fun time to be on the beach! The crowds are smaller, the vibe is cozier, and the decorations are spookier? Here is our list of ways to celebrate Halloween in OBX!

Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, and 26
9am to 3pm

Pumpkin patches are a great way to kick off fall! For the first four Saturdays in October, visit the Island Farm in Manteo, NC, to play historic games; eat food like popcorn, corn cakes, and apple cider; participate in candle making, wagon rides, doll crafting, and more! There are even free blacksmith shop giveaways!

With an admission price of $10 per person (and admission free for children ages 3 and under), why not take the entire family down to experience the historic farm? There will even be local artists and locally-grown produce on site to purchase, so you can get your early Christmas shopping AND dinner prep done, too!

Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, and 26
7pm to 11pm

Itching for some spooky fun? The Wicked Woods in East Lake, NC is open the first four Saturdays of October! This haunted attraction, less than an hour from Kitty Hawk's center, is sure to put shivers down your spine.

This attraction is free for children 7 and under, but make sure to bring cash with you, as cards are not accepted! You can expect to pay $20 per person, but it's sure to be a scary good time.

Saturday, October 5

Not ready to give up the waves just yet? Which Craft Surf Gathering is touted as "a celebration of surf culture, community, and giving back!"

Head on down to the beach in Nags Head on October 5 to enter the surf contest, participate in the raffles and surf board silent auction, view the art show, or enjoy the live music from bands like The Living Memories. All proceeds are set to benefit the Outer Banks Relief Fund.

Afterwards, head over to Swells'a Brewing for an after party! It's brewing up to be a wicked time.

Thursday, October 17 - October 31, 2024

The Halloween pop-up bars are here! From Spooky 12 (Lucky 12 Tavern), to Gloombays (Goombays Grille & Raw Bar), to the Shack of Shadows (Bonzer Shack), to Monster Kwans (Mama Kawn's Tiki Bar & Grill), enjoy spooktacular events all across the Northern Beaches!


With family friendly Halloween costume parties, live music, trunk or treat, brunch, and spine-tingling sips and frightfully good bites, stop by one of the gallies for good food and better spooks!

Thursday, October 24 - Saturday, October 26
10am to 4pm

In 1587, British colonists first arrived on Roanoke Island. Now, the Elizabethan Gardens offers you to help them try to light 1,587 jack-o-lanterns! Stop by the Gardens on Thursday or Friday to carve a free pumpkin (or bring your own to add!), then on Saturday the fun really begins.

After dropping off your remaining pumpkins at 5pm and getting some trick-or-treating in, contests will begin in earnest at 6:30pm, with the event wrapping up at 8pm - plenty of time to get your kids to bed at a reasonable time. With trick-or-treating; glow sticks, hot chocolate, apple cider and s’more packs for the bonfire for sale; contests; and more, there's plenty of activities for the whole family! You'll even get to take your pumpkin home on Saturday night.

Saturday, October 26
Starting 8am

Manteo, NC, loves Halloween, and their races are no exception. Swing by the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center on the Saturday before Halloween for the Dare to Scare 5K & Sweet Treat Fun Run! Enjoy the Coastal Studies Institute, fun photo opportunities, games, and music before the race begins.

Tickets start at $40, with awards going to the top three male & female 5K finishers. There's also, of course, a costume contest for both the 5K and fun run participants, with awards for best overall, top 5 for the 5K and top five for the fun run!

Not interested in getting up that early? Dare County also has a virtual 5K run that you can complete at any time prior to the official race start.

Packet pickup is on Friday, October 25, from 4pm to 6pm. Dare County will also be collecting toys for their toy drive at packet pickup and on race day, so if you would like to donate, please bring a new and unwrapped toy for a child ranging from years 0-16. They also accept monetary donations via cash or check if you would like to contribute beyond the proceeds collected from your race registration!

Sunday, October 27
2pm

One of a few events set to give you and your little ones some of that trick-or-treating fun, the Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes kicks off in Aviation Park inside Kill Devil Hills, NC, with candy provided by local nonprofit organizations and area businesses. There will be decorated vehicles and props for photo opportunities scattered around the park!

At 3pm, the parade will commence. There will even be a costume contest for ages 12 and under, ages 13 and up, and groups, with group photo ops available after the final judging.

This family-friendly parade is free to attend, and all comers - even those not in the parade - are encouraged to dress up in the spirit of the parade! The only rule is that there are no politically themed costumes allowed. Make sure to register online in mid-October, or register on the day of.

Parking is available at the nearby First Flight schools. This event will take place, rain or shine!

Sunday, October 27
Starting 5pm

One final trick-or-treating event to mention is Ships and Sweets in Nags Head! The Oregon Inlet Fishing Center offers fun games, live music and refreshments to all the ghouls who dare to brave the dark waters for a spooky awesome time.

Plan Your Perfect Halloween Getaway with Outer Banks Blue

As you plan your Halloween getaway, consider staying in a comfortable Outer Banks vacation rental to fully experience all the region has to offer. With Outer Banks Blue Realty, you'll find the perfect home-away-from-home to make your trip even more memorable. Don't miss out on the chance to explore the beauty and excitement of the Outer Banks this Halloween season!

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