Outer Banks Holiday Bucket List: Things to Do at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years

Outer Banks Events to Check Off Your Holiday Bucket List

1. Visit the Elizabethan Gardens WinterLights in Manteo

Experience the magic of WinterLights at The Elizabethan Gardens, the #1 holiday light display on the Outer Banks. Stroll through sparkling gardens, enjoy music and local treats, and snap festive family photos on select nights, November 20–December 29, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 PM. Tickets are $22 for adults, $14 for ages 2–17, free for children under 2, and $6 for dogs. Tickets are sold online only, with final entry tickets available until around 8:15–8:30 PM. This outdoor event is subject to weather cancellations. Click here for tickets and the full schedule.

2. Honor First Flight on Wright Brothers Day

Stop by the Wright Brothers National Memorial on December 17, 2026, for the anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight! Enjoy events all day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM celebrating the "12 seconds that changed the world," and admission to the park is FREE on Wright Brothers Day. Be sure to arrive early for the morning ceremonies, usually held from 9-11 AM. The First Flight Society will also honor the annual Paul E. Garber Shrine inductees. Check here for more details.

3. Watch Kites with Lights at Jockey's Ridge

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without a visit to Jockey's Ridge State Park to fly a kite! Kites with Lights, sponsored by Seaside Vacations, takes place November 28, 2026, and offers a unique holiday lights experience on the OBX, with glowing kites flying against the winter sky. Come see huge kites decked out in lights for the season and watch the lighting of the Jockey's Ridge State Park Solar Christmas Tree—the highlight of the season and a guaranteed memory-maker for your family. Click here for more information.

4. Take a Candlelight Tour of the Whalehead Club

The Historic Whalehead Mansion hosts weekly candlelight Christmas tours every Friday and Saturday from November 27 through December 19, 2026, from 5:00–6:00 PM, capturing the embodiment of Corolla style and entertainment, circa 1920. The mansion is decorated much as it would have been when Mr. and Mrs. Collings Knight built and occupied Whalehead, and the tour includes a live performance on the original Steinway piano custom-designed for Mrs. Knight! Admission is $20 per person and reservations are required. Click here for more information.

5. See the Colington Harbour Holiday Boat Parade

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 helps pick the winner of the best-decorated boat! The 2026 date is still to be confirmed. Please check here for updates.

6. Join the Seaside Cares Annual Holiday Drive Trifecta

The holidays are about giving back, too! From October through early December 2026, participate in the Seaside Cares Annual Holiday Drive Trifecta, a local initiative supporting the OBX community out of our Kitty Hawk and Avon offices. Volunteer, donate, or spread cheer to make a difference this season.

7. Meet Santa at Hangin' With Santa, Sponsored by Seaside Vacations

We're proud to sponsor Hangin' With Santa on November 27–28, 2026—a family-friendly way to kick off the season with photos and visits with Santa himself. Click here for details and location.

Learn more about other Santa sightings in the Outer Banks.

8. Attend the Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting

Visit the Manteo Waterfront on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting! The 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.

9. Celebrate at the Duck Yuletide Celebration

Head to Duck Town Park on Friday, December 5, 2026 from 3:00–5:00 PM for the lighting of Duck's crab-pot Christmas tree!  Santa will be on hand reading stories from his workshop, and kids can drop off letters to Santa at Town Hall or email them to the Town of Duck by December 1st. Stop by the special photo area under the gazebo at Town Hall for a one-of-a-kind holiday picture. Click here for more information.

10. See the Manteo Christmas Parade

Join the Town of Manteo, North Carolina, for the annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM! Beginning at Manteo High School, the parade winds through the streets and ends at the old College of Albemarle site—expect floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa himself. Click here for more information.

11. See the Hatteras Village Christmas Parade

Down island, Hatteras Village keeps its own decades-long holiday tradition alive with the annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 2:00–5:00 PM at the Hatteras Community Center. Parade participants include local nonprofits, the US Coast Guard, and area businesses and fire departments—a great excuse for a Hatteras Island holiday getaway. Click here for more information.

12. Celebrate the New Year in Downtown Manteo

Manteo is the best place for a brilliant fireworks display on New Year's Eve in OBX! On December 31, 2026, the celebration begins at 6:00 PM with live music and activities for the whole family, plus a kid's countdown at 8 PM if you don't want to keep the little ones out late. In addition to fireworks and music, there will be games, activities, and vendors to keep you in the best spirits going into the New Year. Click here for more information.

13. Go Shopping at the Dowdy Park Holiday Farmers' Market

Locals rave about the incredible homemade goods and fresh produce from Dowdy Park's usual farmers' markets. The holiday markets held throughout November and December (2026 dates to be announced) offer that same local flavor with a festive spin—these are daily outings you don't want to miss! Click here for updates.

14. Run the Holiday Hustle 5K & Elf Dash in Kill Devil Hills

Join this festive, twilight 5K and Elf Dash, run in the spirit of Christmas! Run or walk from the decorated Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills and enjoy its illuminated beauty upon your return, with post-race snacks and holiday joy to spread around. This race typically takes place in mid-December — check here for the confirmed 2026 date, pricing, and registration. Parking is available at First Flight Elementary School, about .2 miles from the start.

Outdoor Winter Beach Adventures

15. Look for Sea Glass After a Storm

Like most places around the world, winter on the OBX sometimes brings rain or a winter thunderstorm—which is a bonus when you're looking to do some beachcombing and gather up some sea glass on your vacation! There are few things more magical than walking along the shore after a storm and seeing what the ocean left behind. Check out our guide on "How to Find Sea Glass on the Outer Banks" and make some magical memories on Christmas morning as you search for pieces that will look beautiful in a jar, as part of an art piece, or simply sitting on your desk back home—keeping the OBX vibes all year long!

16. Hunt for Ghost Crabs on the Beach

This is a fun one—especially if you want to stay up late trying to catch a glimpse of Santa, or need something to do while waiting for midnight on New Year's Eve! Ghost crabs are tiny crabs that hop in and out of the sand looking for food. Ghost crabbing is the art of searching for these little guys with a flashlight and snapping a photo before they scurry back into hiding. For tips, tricks, and more, take a look at our guide here.

17. Stargaze Under the Clear Coastal Night Sky

The Outer Banks is known around the world for its lack of light pollution, making it ideal for catching meteor showers, shooting stars, and constellations against an unfathomable stretch of night sky. Winter is also perfect for stargazing in our hemisphere, meaning your next holiday getaway is a dream for it! Whether you're looking for something to do after Thanksgiving dinner or want to relax as a family after lighting the menorah, stepping onto the beach—or even the deck of your OBX vacation rental—is the perfect end to an amazing day. Here are some of the best spots, methods, and reasons why stargazing is an OBX holiday must!

Outer Banks Traditions to Try Indoors

18. Watch a Locally Filmed Classic

Skip the standard holiday movie and cue up Nights in Rodanthe or Peanut Butter Falcon in your vacation rental's theater room or living area. Spot familiar Hatteras Island landmarks on screen while relaxing after a day of exploring the coast. Learn about the films and TV shows filmed on the Outer Banks.

19. Bake or Buy Christmas Cookies & Treats

Utilize your rental’s fully equipped kitchen to bake your family's favorite recipes, or let the locals do the work. Pick up famous Apple Uglies from Orange Blossom Bakery in Buxton or fresh holiday pastries from Front Porch Cafe to enjoy on your oceanfront deck. Bonus points if you share them with neighbors or friends—the OBX community loves a sweet surprise. Browse our recommendations for OBX bakeries that you should visit!

20. Wrap Presents with the Family

Make gift-giving extra special by wrapping presents together as a family. Add a local Outer Banks flair with unique wrapping paper, tags, and bows from local OBX shops like Kitty Hawk Kites or Gray's. It's a simple, cozy activity that adds warmth to your holiday vacation. Check out our Outer Banks Gift Giving Guide for ideas.

21. Grab a Local OBX Hot Chocolate

Instead of making instant cocoa at home, take the family on a hot chocolate run to local favorites like Morning View Coffee House in Nags Head or Ashley’s Espresso Parlour in Kill Devil Hills. Check out some Outer Banks local coffee shops for delicious hot chocolate the whole family will enjoy.

22. Read (and Gift!) Your Favorite Outer Banks Book

Did you know that on Christmas Eve in Iceland, citizens celebrate a charming tradition called Jólabókaflóður, during which they give each other a new book and a cozy pair of pajamas to enjoy that evening? Why not adopt this tradition with a little local OBX flair? Pick a book (or books!) set in the Outer Banks and pair it with warm pajamas or a cozy sweatshirt from Gray's or Kitty Hawk Kites. Check out our list of Outer Banks Books, and pick up your fun read for Christmas Eve from one of our local Bookstores on the Outer Banks—many will even ship your book to you, so there's no reason not to shop local!

23. Listen to Christmas Music

Whether you’re decorating, baking, or cozying up by the fire, holiday tunes add cheer to your Outer Banks getaway. So turn on your favorite Christmas playlist, or check local OBX stations like Beach 104 (104.1 FM) and Radio Hatteras (99.9 and 101.5 FM) for holiday programming!

24. Enjoy Family Time at Your OBX Rental

The heart of the holidays is quality time together. Gather around your vacation rental’s dining table for board games, work together on a coastal-themed puzzle, or share your favorite memories from the day’s Outer Banks adventures. With the ocean as your backdrop, even a quiet evening indoors can become a holiday tradition your family looks forward to year after year.

FAQs About Outer Banks Holidays

Outer Banks Holiday Bucketlist

Book Your Outer Banks Holiday Bucket List Vacation Today

Plan your yearly tradition and secure your vacation rental to enjoy the Outer Banks holiday season. Every town offers a unique experience, from quiet retreats to festive community events. Our rentals provide the perfect home base for checking off every item on your trip.

Browse our available properties to find the right fit for your group. Our Guest Services Team is available at (866) 884-0267 to answer questions and help you set up your stay. We offer a layaway plan to make the booking process straightforward. Call us today to start planning your winter getaway.

Download a Printable of the Outer Banks Holiday Bucket List Here

Give us a call today! Be sure to provide accurate information and make any necessary payments. 

About the Author:  Lauren is an Outer Banks local, mom, history professor, and travel enthusiast. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with her nose in a book or cuddling with her cats.