Updated for 2026!
Quick Answer
For Christmas week on the Outer Banks (Friday, Dec 25 – Monday, Dec 28, 2026), spend Christmas Day at your vacation rental with a sunrise on the beach. On Saturday, climb Jockey's Ridge, visit the NC Aquarium and Roanoke Island Festival Park, and see WinterLights at the Elizabethan Gardens. On Sunday, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial and hike Kitty Hawk Woods. On Monday, go beachcombing, try an escape room, and end the trip stargazing on the beach.
Here's our Christmas week itinerary for your December Outer Banks vacation!
What better way to celebrate the holidays than with an Outer Banks Christmas? Trade the hustle and bustle for quiet beaches, crisp ocean air, and cozy nights in with your family. We're booking RIGHT NOW for Christmas and New Year's, so be sure to look at our available rentals and book your holiday getaway.
This itinerary runs from Christmas Day through the following Monday: December 25–28, 2026. Arriving earlier in December? See our itineraries for the first, second, and third weekends in December, plus our guide to celebrating the holidays on the Outer Banks.
Good to know before you go
- Plan ahead for Christmas Day. Most attractions, shops, and many restaurants close on December 25, and some close on Christmas Eve, too. Stock your kitchen before you arrive with our OBX vacation grocery plan or a grocery delivery service.
- WinterLights is closed Dec 24–25 and reopens Saturday, Dec 26. Christmas-week dates are Dec 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 29, which is the final night of the season. Buy tickets online in advance; they're also sold at the door.
- Check holiday hours. Roanoke Island Festival Park is open Tuesday through Saturday this time of year, and attractions may adjust hours around the holiday. Call ahead the day after Christmas.
- Short days: The sun rises around 7:10 AM and sets around 4:55 PM Christmas week. Plan outdoor adventures for late morning and early afternoon.
Arriving early in Christmas week?
- Monday, Dec 21: The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. That night and the next, look up for the Ursid meteor shower.
- Dec 21–23: WinterLights is open from 6 to 9 PM each night before the Christmas Eve break.
- Wednesday, Dec 23: December's full Cold Moon is a supermoon, the biggest full moon of 2026, reaching full at 8:28 PM. Watch it rise over the ocean around sunset.
Friday, December 25: Merry Christmas!
Enjoy the day with your family, a beautiful sunrise at the beach, and a delicious meal together! The sun rises around 7:10 AM, so bundle up with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and watch it come up over the ocean. In the evening, look east for the moon. It's just past this year's Christmas-week supermoon, so it will still look full as it rises over the water in the early evening.
Enjoy the day with your family, a beautiful sunrise at the beach, and a delicious meal together!!
Saturday, December 26: Dunes, Sharks, and WinterLights
8:00 AM - Breakfast at Home or On the Go! Enjoy a quiet morning after Christmas with breakfast in your pajamas before a day of adventures. If you'd rather someone else cook, stop by Sam & Omie's in Nags Head for a hearty fisherman's breakfast, or try Fresh Fit Cafe for lighter fare.
10:00 AM - Morning at Jockey's Ridge! Jockey's Ridge State Park is home to the tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast, and it's wonderfully quiet the morning after Christmas. Climb the dunes, enjoy the views of the ocean and the sound, then cross the street to Jockey's Ridge Crossing for some post-holiday shopping. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the fresh air.
1:00 PM - Explore the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island! Cross the causeway to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Explore the coastal habitats and wetlands of the Outer Banks, see the sharks in the massive ocean tank, try the touch tank, and learn the story of the USS Monitor. Don't miss the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center, where kids can follow a sea turtle's journey through rehabilitation.
3:00 PM - Visit Roanoke Island Festival Park! Roanoke Island Festival Park is just a few minutes from the aquarium, and Saturday is your last chance to visit this weekend, since it's closed Sundays and Mondays in winter. Climb aboard the Elizabeth II to see what life was like on a 16th-century sailing ship, then explore the Settlement Site, American Indian Town, and the Roanoke Adventure Museum. The park closes at 5 PM, so call ahead to confirm holiday hours.
5:00 PM - Dinner in Manteo or Nags Head! Grab dinner before WinterLights. Try Mahi Mahi's Island Grill or Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar in Manteo, or head across the causeway to Miller's Waterfront Restaurant in Nags Head.
7:00 PM - WinterLights at the Elizabethan Gardens! WinterLights at the Elizabethan Gardens is the biggest light display on the Outer Banks. Stroll more than a million lights across the 10-acre gardens, grab a hot cocoa from the Gingerbread House, warm up by the open-air fire, and visit Santa, who's there from 6 to 8 PM every night. WinterLights runs from 6 to 9 PM, and tickets are $22 for adults (13 and older), $14 for ages 3–12, free for children 2 and under, and $6 for well-behaved dogs. Buy tickets online ahead of time; they're also sold at the door. The event is weather-dependent, and the Gardens sends notice of any cancellation by 2 PM. Even if you've been before, this is a display worth seeing year after year!
Sunday, December 27: First Flight and Kitty Hawk Woods
9:00 AM - Breakfast at Home or the Jolly Roger! Enjoy a slow breakfast with your family in your vacation rental. Bake the leftover cinnamon rolls, finish the Christmas cookies, and play with the new gifts. If you'd rather go out, The Jolly Roger in Kill Devil Hills is a long-time local favorite for breakfast. Give them a call to confirm holiday hours.
10:30 AM - Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial! Celebrate the "12 seconds that changed the world" at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Orville and Wilbur made the first powered flight here on December 17, 1903, just ten days before Christmas. Walk the first-flight markers, explore the exhibits, and climb Big Kill Devil Hill to the monument for sweeping views of the Outer Banks.
12:30 PM - Lunch in Kitty Hawk! Head north to Kitty Hawk for lunch. The Black Pelican is a classic, with everything from pizza to seafood. If burgers are your thing, check out Art's Place, a local favorite, or enjoy a sit-down meal at Vilai's Thai Kitchen. There's a little bit of something for everyone in Kitty Hawk.
2:00 PM - Hike Kitty Hawk Woods! Walk off lunch in Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve, a quiet maritime forest of tall pines, hardwoods, and freshwater marsh tucked behind the beach. The trails are sheltered from the December wind, making it a peaceful place to spend the afternoon. Keep an eye out for deer, woodpeckers, and wintering waterfowl.
6:00 PM - Dinner at a 12 Bars of Christmas Pop-Up! The holidays aren't over yet! The 12 Bars of Christmas pop-ups run through New Year's Eve, with local restaurants transformed into Christmas-themed spots with festive décor, menus, and specialty drinks. Each stop supports a local nonprofit. Check the website for this year's lineup and holiday-week hours.
Monday, December 28: Beachcombing, Puzzles, and Stargazing
8:00 AM - Breakfast in Your Vacation Rental! Savor a peaceful breakfast before a final day of Outer Banks adventures. Brew some coffee, warm up leftover treats, or pick up bagels from Barrier Island Bagels for a delicious start to the day.
10:00 AM - Morning at the Beach! Bundle up and head to a public beach access for a morning of beachcombing. Winter storms and quiet beaches make the off-season one of the best times to find shells and sea glass, so check our guide for tips.
12:00 PM - Lunch in Kill Devil Hills! Stop for a casual lunch at a local favorite. Country Deli serves big sandwiches perfect for hungry families, and Mama Kwan's is always a fun option with OBX-inspired favorites.
1:30 PM - Find Your Way Out at OB-Xscape Rooms! Spend the afternoon indoors with some family fun at OB-Xscape Rooms in Southern Shores. Pick a themed room and see who can crack the clues the fastest. It's a great way to put those post-Christmas puzzle skills to work!
5:00 PM - Farewell Dinner! End your trip with a memorable meal. In Manteo, try Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar. For a soundfront view in Nags Head, Miller's Waterfront Restaurant is the perfect farewell spot. Missed WinterLights on Saturday? It's open again tonight and tomorrow, Dec 29, for the final night of the season.
7:00 PM - Stargazing on the Beach! Step out onto your deck or head to a nearby beach access to take in the winter stars. The moon doesn't rise until later in the evening, so early evening is a great time to spot bright winter constellations like Orion and the Pleiades. Check out our Outer Banks Stargazing Guide for more tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's open on the Outer Banks on Christmas Day?
Most attractions, shops, and many restaurants on the Outer Banks are closed on December 25, including WinterLights at the Elizabethan Gardens. Plan to stock up on groceries before Christmas and call restaurants ahead to check holiday hours.
Is WinterLights open Christmas week 2026?
Yes, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. WinterLights is open Dec 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 29, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM. December 29 is the final night of the season.
How much are WinterLights tickets in 2026?
WinterLights tickets are $22 for adults (13 and older), $14 for ages 3–12, free for children 2 and under, and $6 for well-behaved dogs. Tickets are sold online and at the door, and buying online in advance is recommended.
When is the full moon in December 2026?
December's full Cold Moon reaches full at 8:28 PM Eastern on Wednesday, December 23, 2026. It's a supermoon and the biggest full moon of the year, and it will still look nearly full over the ocean on Christmas night.
What is there to do on the Outer Banks the week after Christmas?
The week after Christmas is a great time to see WinterLights through Dec 29, visit the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island and the Wright Brothers National Memorial, climb Jockey's Ridge, go beachcombing, and enjoy the 12 Bars of Christmas pop-ups through New Year's Eve.
What is the weather like on the Outer Banks at Christmas?
Expect cool, breezy days with highs typically in the 50s and chilly nights. Pack layers, a warm jacket, and a hat, especially for evening events and sunrise on the beach.
Still Looking for the Perfect Gift? It's Not Too Late!
There are a lot of great, local gift ideas on this list that will help bring the Outer Banks home for holidays with the people you love. But sometimes, it just doesn’t get any better than an actual trip to the Outer Banks! So why not give them something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and book an exciting, luxurious Outer Banks vacation for your family? We even offer physical gift certificates that we will print out and mail to you (for no additional cost) so that you can have something to put under the tree and enjoy the thrill of seeing their happy faces on Christmas morning. Check out our available rentals and pick out the ultimate Outer Banks vacation rental for you and your family.
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