Destinations › The Outer Banks
5 upcoming events in the Outer Banks on our checked calendar, next up: TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon weekend (Outer Banks Sporting Events) (Nov 6); Dowdy Park Tree Lighting (Nov 28); Dowdy Park Candy Cane Hunt (Dec 16).
This list is rebuilt from our North Carolina events dataset (calendar last re-checked Oct 21, 2026). Every date and price was read on the organizer’s own page; “See event page” means the organizer does not publish one. Plans change, so check the organizer’s page before you drive.
Outer Banks This Weekend (Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026)
No one-off events on our the Outer Banks calendar this weekend. See everything on this weekend in North Carolina.
Upcoming Outer Banks Events
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon weekend (Outer Banks Sporting Events) | Nov 6-8 | Outer Banks · Coast | See event page |
| Dowdy Park Tree Lighting | Sat, Nov 28 (5:00-7:00 PM; Santa arrives 5:30 PM) | Nags Head · Coast | Free (town says its events are free) |
| Dowdy Park Candy Cane Hunt | Wed, Dec 16 (5:00 PM) | Nags Head · Coast | Free (town says its events are free) |
Running for Weeks in The Outer Banks
Not checked for each date: these run for weeks, and some open only on certain days or nights.
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 | Manteo · Coast | See event page |
| Dowdy Park Holiday Markets | Nov 14-Dec 12 (Saturdays Nov 14, Nov 28, Dec 12, 9 AM-12 PM) | Nags Head · Coast | Free (town says its events are free and family-friendly) |
Outer Banks Events by Month
- October 2026 1 in the Outer Banks
- November 2026 3 in the Outer Banks
- December 2026 1 in the Outer Banks
More nearby: Coast NC Events: Oct 2026 to Mar 2027.
State Parks in Dare County
| Park | Where | Day Use |
|---|---|---|
| Jockey's Ridge State Park Official page | Nags Head, Dare County · Coast | Free day use |
More State Parks in The Same Region
Same region as the Outer Banks (Coast), not the same county: check the drive before you plan a day.
| Park | Where | Day Use |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Beach State Park Official page | Carolina Beach, New Hanover County · Coast | Free day use |
| Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Official page | Kure Beach, New Hanover County · Coast | Free day use |
| Fort Macon State Park Official page | Atlantic Beach, Carteret County · Coast | Free day use |
| Hammocks Beach State Park Official page | Swansboro, Onslow County · Coast | Free day use |
State park facts come from our state park dataset (last checked Oct 27, 2026), read on each park’s own ncparks.gov page. Plans and rules change, so check the organizer or park page before you drive.
Keep Planning
- All state park guides
- Topic guides: things to do in North Carolina
- All destinations
- Dog-Friendly State Parks
- Free Things to Do
- Holiday Lights and Christmas Events
More Destinations
Map of Outer Banks Places
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in the Outer Banks?
The lists above are built from our checked events dataset for the town or towns named, followed by the state parks in the same county and region. We name only what we have read on an official page.
Does this list every attraction?
No. It lists events we have checked and state parks we hold data for. Museums, gardens and landmarks will appear here once we have read their official pages; until then we do not guess.
How do I see what is on this weekend?
The weekend table above updates daily, and our statewide weekend page covers every region. The Coast hub lists the whole region.
Sources
- Each event links to the organizer’s own page, where its date, hours and price were read; all rows are in the North Carolina events dataset with a checked date on every row.
- Park facts (hours, day-use cost, pet rule) were read on each park’s own ncparks.gov page; all rows are in the North Carolina state parks dataset.
How we check: editorial standards, verification log, corrections.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Things to Do in The Outer Banks”, itsnorthcarolina.com/destinations/outer-banks/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.