Local OBX Holiday Events 2022
The holidays will be here before you know it! Believe it or not, it’s that time of year again which can only mean one thing—it’s time to plan an awesome holiday vacation! And this year, there are plenty of amazing Outer Banks holiday events to celebrate the holiday season. The Outer Banks in December can’t be beat- from Christmas Markets to a stop on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour. With all this and more, you'll want to book your vacation rental on the Outer Banks for a holiday getaway to remember! While you’re visiting, be sure to check out our holiday gift guide to find the perfect presents for the OBX enthusiasts on your list!
Be sure to bookmark this page and check often for updates!
Final Stop in NC on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour
Date: Sunday, November 13th, 2022
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Fort Raleigh National History Site (1401 National Park Drive, Manteo)
About: This year, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is coming from the Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina and will be making 14 stops across North Carolina beginning on November 5th. The theme this year is "From the Mountains to the Sea," something that North Carolina has long been known for. In fact, many areas of the Outer Banks are stops on the MST (Mountains to Sea Trail), an 1175 hiking trek from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. A celebration of the tree, North Carolina, and the holiday season in America will be hosted at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 13th.
Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens
Date:
November 25, 26, 27*, 29, 30; December 1-4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-23, 27-30
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Elizabethan Gardens (1411 National Park Dr. Manteo, NC 27954)
About: The Annual Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens is the biggest light display on the Outer Banks! Kids and adults of all ages will love wandering through this enchanted winter wonderland of dazzling lights and holiday decorations. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for ages 6-17, and $8 for children 2 to 5. Infants under 2 get in free! Dogs can come, too, for $5. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. The final tickets of the night are sold at 8:15 PM and since this display is outside, it is subject to weather cancellations. Even if you’ve been in the past, this is a display that you should see year after year! Click here for more information.
*Virginia Dare Night
Sunday, November 27, 2022
The Elizabethan Gardens is pleased to host “Virginia Dare Night” for Dare County, Currituck County, and Ocracoke Island residents on Sunday, November 27, 2022. “Virginia Dare Night” will support the Roanoke Island Food Pantry. All locals are invited to attend the 13th season of WinterLights for donations of non-perishable food items on this night. This is an opportunity to attend WinterLights while aiding local families in need.
Annual Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: Friday, December 2, 2022
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Manteo Waterfront
About: Visit Manteo Waterfront for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting that takes place on the 1st Friday in December! This event is free and fun for the whole family. Enjoy beautiful lights, hot cocoa by the fire pit, and holiday music! You might even spot Santa! Click here for more information.
Annual Manteo Christmas Parade
Date: December 3, 2022
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Downtown Manteo
About: Join the Town of Manteo, North Carolina for the annual Christmas parade! Beginning at Manteo High School, the parade winds through the streets and ends at the old College of Albemarle site. Click here for more information.
12th Annual Duck Yuletide Celebration!
Date: December 3, 2022
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Duck Town Park
About: Stop in Duck Town Park on December 3th between 3-5 pm to watch the lighting of the crab pot tree! Santa will also be reading books to children from his workshop. If your kids have a letter for Santa, you can drop them off in the Town Hall lobby or email them to events@townofduck.com by December 1st! If you visit the town of Duck for your Christmas shopping, don't forget to stop by a special photo area under the gazebo at the Town Hall to help you get a special and unique holiday photo during your outing! Click here for more information.
First Flight Holiday Markets
Date: Nov. 19th, Dec. 6th, Dec. 17th, Dec. 20th
Time: 10AM TO 2PM (11/19 & 12/17); 4PM TO 8PM (12/6); 2PM TO 6PM (12/20)
Location: Aviation Park, 103 Veterans Dr, Kill Devil Hills
About: The First Flight Holiday markets will showcase local vendors, offering one-of-kind products and goodies where everything is homegrown, hand-baked, and homemade! Click here for more information.
Outer Banks Jingle Jog
5k/10k, Jingle Jog 1 Mile, and the Little Elf ¼ Mile presented by The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Date: December 10, 2022
Time: 8:00 AM -- 10:00 AM
Location: The MarketPlace Shopping Center, Southern Shores, NC 27949 (5543 N. Croatan Hwy, Mile Post 1 on the Bypass)
About: The OBX Running Company is hosting an oceanside run through the town of Southern Shores. There’s nothing like being out in the elements beside a beautiful winter beach to get you in the Outer Banks holiday spirit. You can choose to participate in the 10k Loop or Out & Back 5k. Your kids may even want to join in on the shivering strides through the Little Elf ¼ Mile or Jingle Jog 1 Mile. Pre-registration is required. There will be trophies for winning participants, event t-shirts and medals for all participants, photo opportunities with Santa, and refreshments.
For pricing and registration, see the OBX Running Company's website.
Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tour
Date: Fridays and Saturdays, November 25 – December 17, 2022
Time: 5:00 PM -- 6:00 PM
Location: 1100 Club Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
About: The Historic Whalehead Mansion will host a candlelight Christmas tour, with the embodiment of Corolla style and entertainment, circa 1920. The mansion will be decorated similar to what one would have experienced had they celebrated Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Collings Knight, when they built and occupied Whalehead. The tour will feature a new room exhibit and will include a live performance on the original Steinway piano in the home -- custom-designed for Mrs. Knight! Click here for more information. Admission is $20.00 per person and reservations are required.
7th Annual Christmas Craft Village
Date: Friday, November 25, 2022
Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park
About: The Annual Christmas Craft Village at Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park is a wonderful place to get a headstart on that holiday shopping while enjoying music, drinks, and the spirit of the season to get you in the mood for the holidays. Enjoy arts and crafts, fine arts, handmade cosmetics, baked goods, and other exciting gift ideas from local creators to buy for yourself or for your family back home! Everyone will love the special gift you brought back from the Outer Banks. Click here for more information.
2nd Annual Corolla Christmas Village
Date: November 25, 2022 - December 24, 2022
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Historic Corolla Village
About: Enjoy a self-guided tour through Historic Corolla Village as you can enjoy live music, storytime with Santa, and the brilliant sites and sounds of Historic Corolla bathed in Christmas lights and a delicate holiday glow.
Hatteras Village Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, December 10, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM -- 5:00 PM
Location: Hatteras Community Center, 57689 NC Highway 12, Hatteras, NC
About: The Hatteras Village Christmas Parade is a decades-long tradition that will press forward this year to continue spreading holiday cheer! Parade participants include nonprofit organizations, the US Coast Guard, and local businesses and fire departments. Click here for more information.
Celebration of Wright Brothers' First Flight
Date: Saturday, December 17th, 2022
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location:1000 N Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
About: This celebration honors the birthplace and founding fathers of modern aviation. It’s a day-long event that will feature tons of activities for all ages. This is an annual celebration of local history, global history, local culture, and Christmas all rolled into one! Click here for more information.
Dowdy Park Holiday Farmer's Market
Date: Nov. 12, Nov. 26, Dec. 1, and Dec. 10, 2022
Time: 9AM TO 12PM (11/12, 11/26, & 12/10) & 4PM TO 7PM (12/1)
Location: Dowdy Park, 3005 S. Croatan Hwy, Nags Head
About: Locals rave about the incredible homemade goods and fresh produce from Dowdy Park's usual farmer's markets. The holiday markets are an exceptional treat that will offer similar goods but with a wonderful holiday spin -- making them that much more special. These are some daily outings you don't want to miss! Click here for more information.
Colington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade
Date: December 10th, 2022
Time: 4:45 PM
Location: Colington Harbour Association
About: For a fun Christmas tradition, come out to Colington Harbour for the Holiday Boat Parade! The Colington Yacht Club hosts this annual parade of brightly decorated and festive boats as they circle the harbor for your viewing pleasure! At the dock, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and a unique Christmas show on the water! Your applause will help pick the winner of the best-decorated boat! This date is tentative. Please check here for updates.
Manteo New Year's Eve Celebration
Date: December 31, 2022
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Manteo
About: Manteo is the best place for a brilliant fireworks display on New Year's Eve! The celebration begins at 6 PM with tons of fun activities and Iive music for the entire family. If you don't want to keep the kids out late, you won't have to -- they have a kid's countdown at 8 PM! In addition to fireworks and music, there will also be plenty of kids' games, activities, and vendors to keep you in the best spirits going into 2023. Click here for more information.
Outer Banks Brewing Station's NYE Party
Date: December 31, 2022
Time: TBD
Location: Outer Banks Brewing Station; 600 S Croatan Hwy, Milepost 8 1/2, Kill Devil Hills
About: Ask anyone around the OBX and they'll tell you one of the best NYE throwdowns is always at Outer Banks Brewing Station. It's a yearly event of delicious food, incredible live music performances, and, of course, one of the best housemade craft beer selections in town. The theme for this year has not been released yet, but since last year was a Great Gatsby party, we're sure they have something just as clever and fun up their sleeves to ring in 2023! Be sure to check their website for updates.
As you can see, the Outer Banks isn't just a top choice for summer vacations -- there's plenty to do and see here around the holidays as well! See the lights at Elizabethan gardens, check out the Colington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade, or just take advantage of our beautiful beaches without the summer crowds. Browse our available rentals here and make this holiday season an unforgettable one celebrated at an unforgettable location!
