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 things to do on the Outer Banks to celebrate the holiday season. From Christmas Markets to parades, you'll want to book your vacation rental on the Outer Banks for a holiday getaway to remember!
Be sure to bookmark this page and check often for updates!
Local OBX Holiday Events 2023
First Annual Seaside Cares Holiday Drive Trifecta
Dates: November 6 - December 20, 2023
Location: Seaside Vacations Offices - Kitty Hawk & Avon
About: As the holiday season approaches, there's no better time to spread the spirit of giving and make a meaningful impact on our local community. At Seaside Vacations, we believe in the power of coming together to support those in need. That's why we're excited to announce our First Annual Seaside Cares Holiday Drive Trifecta supporting our Seaside Cares initiatives in the local community. We will be participating in three (3) local donation drive initiatives to support those in need! Learn more here.
Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens
Dates:
November 17, 18, 19*, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30
December 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 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 $18 for adults, $14 for ages 6-17, and $8 for children 2 to 5. Infants under 2 get in free! Dogs can come, too, for $6. 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 19, 2023
The Elizabethan Gardens is pleased to host “Virginia Dare Night” for Dare County, Currituck County, and Ocracoke Island residents on Sunday, November 19, 2023. All locals are invited to attend the 14th 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 1, 2023
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 2, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Downtown Manteo
About: JJoin 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.
13th Annual Duck Yuletide Celebration!
Date: December 2, 2023
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.
All Saints Episcopal 18th Annual Holly Days Bazaar & Arts Festival
Date: November 18 & 19, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shores
About: Each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, All Saints’ presents a beautiful Christmas bazaar inside the church buildings. Arts, crafts, jewelry, and food are showcased by local and non-local vendors. Holly Days is a favorite event in the community and is brought to life entirely by volunteers from the church.
First Flight Holiday Markets
Date: Nov. 18th, Dec. 12th, Dec. 16th
Time: Nov. 18th & Dec. 16th - 10AM to 2PM; Dec. 12th - 4PM to 7PM
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.
Whalehead's Candlelight Christmas Tour
Date: Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 24, 2023 to Dec. 16, 2023
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.
8th Annual Christmas Craft Village
Date: Friday, November 24, 2023
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 24, 2023 - December 20, 2023
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 9, 2023
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.
Shuck Hatteras II
Date: December 15 & 16, 2023
Time: Varies
Location: Cape Hatteras KOA Resort, 25099 NC Hwy. 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968
About: Shuck Hatteras is an annual two day Shellebration of Heritage, Community, Oysters, & Music. Friday, December 15 commences the weekend with a “Shuck-Off” welcoming party featuring local live music and local Kinnakeet Oyster Co. oysters. Saturday features an array of Oystivities as well as live music and local art vendors which is all FREE TO THE PUBLIC beginning at 12 NOON. The Oyster Cook-off Challenge begins at 1:00 pm & will be judged by participating event patrons. The ALL-YOU-CAN EAT Oyster Roast will take place at 4 pm (ticket required). There will also be games and activities for the kids. Live Music & the Roast will conclude at 11 pm.
Celebration of Wright Brothers' First Flight
Date: Saturday, December 17th, 2023
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. 11, Nov. 25, Nov. 30, and Dec. 9, 2023
Time: 9AM TO 12PM (11/11, 11/25, & 12/9) & 4PM TO 7PM (11/30)
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 9th, 2023
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.
Oyster and Pig Roast at Two Roads Tavern/McCallister's Corner
Date: McCallister's Corner Oyster & Pig Roast (Featuring Hot Sauce Band)
Time: Sunday, December 31, 2023, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Two Roads Tavern, 3105 N. Croatan Hwy., Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
About: Bring your family and join us from 1:00-4:00 PM for a New Years Eve Oyster & Pig Roast featuring local band Hot Sauce. Come by for our last day as “McCallister's Corner” and enjoy Home Alone inspired cocktails.
Manteo New Year's Eve Celebration
Date: December 31, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Manteo
About: Celebrate New Year's Eve family-style on the waterfront in downtown Manteo on Sunday, December 31, 2023!
Live music, kid's zone with great games and activities, fabulous fun giveaways, and a colorful fireworks display will bring cheer to the new year. Joining us this year is the Riggsbee Road Band, an all-female country and new-grass band out of Raleigh, NC. This female powerhouse covers all types of tunes, including pop, country, and classic tunes!
This free, safe event will be great for the whole family and one you won't want to miss!
Stay tuned for more details to come!
Click here for more information.
Outer Banks Brewing Station's NYE Party
Date: December 31, 2023
Time: 10:30PM
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 2024! 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!
