New Year's Eve on the Outer Banks

Staff Pick: Meet Me in Manteo New Year's Eve Celebration

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WHAT: Meet Me in Manteo New Year's Eve Celebration
WHEN: Thursday, December 31, 2026, 6 PM to midnight (fireworks at 8 PM)
WHERE: Downtown Manteo waterfront
COST: Free

The Town of Manteo's waterfront party is the Outer Banks' signature New Year's Eve event, and it's built for families. Expect live music, a kids' zone with games and activities, giveaways, local food from downtown restaurants and food trucks, and a fireworks show over Shallowbag Bay.

Local tip: the fireworks go off at 8 PM, not midnight, so little ones can catch the show and still make bedtime. The celebration keeps going until midnight for everyone ready to count down to 2027. In past years, the town has offered free parking at College of The Albemarle and Manteo Elementary School with golf cart shuttles into downtown, so check the town's event page closer to the date for this year's parking and road closure details.

Get event updates from the Town of Manteo

Bar-Hop the 12 Bars of Christmas Before They Close for the Year

WHAT: The 12 Bars of Christmas holiday pop-up bars
WHEN: Black Friday through New Year's Eve
WHERE: Participating bars and restaurants in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo

Christmas may be over, but the Outer Banks' favorite holiday tradition stays merry through December 31st. Each participating spot transforms into its own themed winter wonderland with festive decor, holiday menus, and specialty drinks. Grab a passport and see how many you can visit before midnight. Last season's lineup included:

• Goombays Grille & Raw Bar as "Goombrrrs"
• Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill as "Mama Klaus's"
• Lucky 12 Tavern as "Jingle 12 Tavern"
• Bonzer Shack as "The Broken Candy Cane"
• Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop as "Poor Rudolph's"
• Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar as "North Pole Yacht Club"
• Outer Banks Distilling as "Deck the Hulls"
• Outer Banks Brewing Station as "Christmas Vacation Station"
• Jolly Roger Restaurant as "Holly Jolly Christmas"
• Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint KDH as "Jack Frost's"
• Two Roads Tavern as "McCallister's Corner"
• Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe as "'Ol Cedar Brown's"

Join the NYE Bash at Outer Banks Brewing Station

WHAT: New Year's Eve Party at Outer Banks Brewing Station
WHEN: Thursday, December 31, 2026, starting at 10:30 PM
WHERE: 600 S. Croatan Hwy., Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
AGES: 21+

The country's first wind-powered brewpub throws one of the liveliest parties on the beach every December 31st. Last year's bash brought a DJ spinning all night, a balloon drop, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Watch the Brewing Station's website and social pages for this year's lineup, and plan on great music, good vibes, and a packed dance floor as the clock runs down on 2026.

Find Some Good Luck for the New Year at the Jolly Roger

WHAT: New Year's Eve at the Jolly Roger
WHEN: Thursday, December 31, 2026, 4 PM to 2 AM
WHERE: The Jolly Roger, 1836 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Celebrate the way the locals do. The Jolly Roger traditionally serves dinner until midnight with the bar open until 2 AM, plus free champagne and party favors at midnight, karaoke, dancing, and no cover or minimum. After the countdown, don't miss the free good-luck spread of kielbasa, black-eyed peas, and sauerkraut, and save room for one of their homemade desserts.

Make Lost Colony Tavern Your Manteo NYE Headquarters

WHAT: New Year's Eve Party at Lost Colony Tavern
WHEN: Thursday, December 31, 2026, 11 AM to midnight
WHERE: 208 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo, NC 27954

Right in the middle of the waterfront festivities, Lost Colony Tavern makes an easy home base for the whole night. Last year's lineup included cocktails and draft beer in the pub, beer and wine to go from the Hop Shop, and a "Sidewalk Sippers" station with hot drinks like hot chocolate and mulled gløgg for strolling Manteo's Social District. After the 8 PM fireworks, stick around for a DJ, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight as you welcome 2027.