Season's Greetings! Holiday Events in the Outer Banks for You and Your Family

November 20 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
November 21 | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shores

Get an early start on holiday shopping at the Holly Days Bazaar & Arts Festival. Browse work from more than 30 artisans, visit the bake sale and raffle, and enjoy the café and hot dog stand. Proceeds support local community outreach.

November 22, November 29, and December 13
November 22: 1 p.m.–sunset; other dates: noon–4 p.m.
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head

Browse gifts from local artisans and makers with the sound as your backdrop. The November 22 gathering includes a special tree-lighting celebration, while the remaining markets offer relaxed afternoons of shopping and supporting Outer Banks small businesses.

November 27 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park, Corolla | Free

Shop for artwork, crafts, handmade cosmetics, baked goods, and other gifts on the grounds of Whalehead. Food vendors and the historic park setting make this a festive stop during Thanksgiving weekend.

November 28 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Comfort Inn South, Nags Head

Celebrate Small Business Saturday at the 14th Annual Outer Banks Entrepreneurs Holiday Bazaar. More than 50 artists, crafters, and small businesses come together for a day of gift shopping, festive music, and door prizes.

November 14, November 28, and December 12 | 9 a.m.–noon
Dowdy Park, Nags Head

Explore seasonal favorites and locally made gifts from approximately 50 vendors. Make a morning of browsing the booths, supporting local makers, and finding something special for the people on your holiday list.

November 17 | 4–7 p.m.
December 5 | Noon–4 p.m.
December 18 | 3–7 p.m.
Aviation Park, Kill Devil Hills

Find everything from woodworking and photography to jewelry, candles, and sweet treats at the First Flight Holiday Markets. With around 50 or more local vendors, there are plenty of opportunities to discover a gift with an Outer Banks connection.

November 22 | Tree lighting at 5:15 p.m.
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head

Stay after an afternoon of shopping to watch the Christmas tree light up beside the sound. The special market runs from 1 p.m. until sunset, making it easy to enjoy both events in one visit.

November 28 | 5–7 p.m.
Dowdy Park, Nags Head

Gather for a community sing-along, hot cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa, who is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening together as the park’s Christmas tree lights up for the season.

December 4 | 6 p.m.
Downtown Manteo | Free

Head downtown for music, hot chocolate, and the lighting of Manteo’s Christmas tree near the historic courthouse. This community celebration is a festive way to begin a holiday weekend on Roanoke Island.

December 5 | 3–5 p.m.
Duck Town Park | Free

Enjoy holiday music, family activities, treats, and Santa’s arrival during the Duck Yuletide Celebration. The lighting of the Crab Pot Tree gives this Christmas gathering a distinctly coastal touch.

November 27th - December 31st | Dates and hours vary by location
Participating Outer Banks restaurants and bars

The 12 Bars of Christmas brings together a dozen holiday pop-ups, each with its own Christmas personality. From Jingle 12 Tavern to Christmas Vacation Station, familiar local spots transform with festive decorations and playful seasonal themes. Choose a few stops for an afternoon outing or spread your visits throughout your stay, checking each location’s schedule before heading out.

November 20th - December 31st | Dates and hours vary by location
Participating Outer Banks restaurants and bars

The Misfits Bars of Christmas Crawl brings holiday cheer to 16 local restaurants and bars with over-the-top decorations, special menus, and signature seasonal drinks. Explore the different locations while supporting a celebration benefiting the Outer Banks Relief Foundation, Community Care Clinic of Dare, and Outer Banks SPCA. Check the official calendar for special events and individual restaurant hours as you plan your stops.

Select evenings, November 20–December 29 | 6–9 p.m.
The Elizabethan Gardens, Roanoke Island | Admission required

Walk through illuminated garden paths, enjoy holiday decorations, and stop for cocoa during WinterLights. Designated evenings also feature live entertainment, adding music to the seasonal displays.

Scheduled evenings are November 20, 21, 25, 27, and 28; December 2–5, 9–12, 16–19, 21–23, and 26–29. Advance tickets are recommended.

November 27–28 | 4–8 p.m.
Historic Corolla Village | Free

Stroll beneath holiday lights while browsing local artists, enjoying food and music, and taking part in family activities. Santa visits, festive photo spots, and opportunities to shop make this a full evening of Christmas fun.

Listed Fridays and Saturdays, November 27–December 19 | 5–6:30 p.m.
Whalehead, Corolla | Reservations required

Explore Christmas décor and traditions inspired by the 1920s inside the historic Whalehead mansion. Music and seasonal details bring a different era of holiday celebrations to life.

The tourism page currently marks its listed tours sold out; contact Whalehead directly to confirm availability.

November 27 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
November 28 | 1–4 p.m.
Kitty Hawk Kites at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing, Nags Head | Free

Bring the kids to share their wish lists and take a picture with Santa. This Thanksgiving-weekend outing pairs easily with shopping at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing or Saturday’s Kites with Lights.

November 28 | 4–7 p.m.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head | Free

Watch large illuminated kites brighten the evening above the dunes. The event also includes the lighting of the park’s solar Christmas tree at 5 p.m., with warm beverages available across the street at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing.

December 4–5 | 2–7 p.m.
Island Farm, Roanoke Island | Admission required

Discover how Roanoke Island families celebrated Christmas in the mid-1800s. Costumed interpreters, candlelit surroundings, traditional crafts, and seasonal treats offer a hands-on look at holidays from another time.

December 5 | 10:30 a.m.
Downtown Manteo | Free

Watch floats, marching bands, and Santa make their way through town during the annual Manteo Christmas Parade. Arrive early to find parking and settle into a viewing spot before the festivities begin.

December 5 | 1–6 p.m.
Check-in: 108 Budleigh Street, Manteo | Tickets required

Explore a selection of decorated homes during the Manteo Preservation Trust’s Holiday Tour. The afternoon celebrates local architecture and history while offering plenty of inspiration for your own Christmas decorating.

December 16 | 5 p.m.
Dowdy Park, Nags Head

Bring a flashlight and let the kids search for hidden candy canes as evening settles over the park. Two simultaneous hunts divide participants by age group so younger and older children can join the fun.

December 31 | Begins at 6 p.m.
Downtown Manteo waterfront | Free

Welcome 2027 with a family-friendly waterfront celebration featuring live music, a kids’ zone, giveaways, and fireworks. Make time for dinner downtown before joining the festivities, and check the event page for the final evening schedule.

December 31 | Party details to be announced
Jolly Roger Restaurant, Kill Devil Hills

Include Jolly Roger in your New Year’s Eve plans for a night out in Kill Devil Hills. Check directly with the restaurant for the 2026 party schedule, entertainment, and any admission or reservation requirements.

December 31, 2026 | 10:30 p.m.–2 a.m. January 1, 2027
Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kill Devil Hills | Tickets required | Ages 21+

Dance into 2027 with a local DJ at Outer Banks Brewing Station’s New Year’s Eve party. Celebrate the countdown with a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight, then keep the festivities going into the first hours of the new year.