Fall in the Outer Banks brings breezy festivals, local seafood feasts, and colorful sunsets, an amazing season of music, kites, craft beer, and cozy coastal fun.
As summer winds down and the crowds fade, the Outer Banks shifts gears for a new kind of magic. The air turns crisp, the sunsets glow richer, and locals and visitors alike gear up for a season packed with lively festivals, cozy gatherings, and can't-miss fall events all along the coast.
Here's a sneak peek at the fall fun in the OBX:
- Multihull Sailfest: High-speed sailing, ocean views, and friendly competition.
- OBX Pridefest: Three days of live music, art, and community celebration.
- Surfalorus: Surf films, beach culture, and laid-back local vibes.
- OBX Jeep Invasion: Scenic rides, live music, raffles, and off-road fun.
- Duck Jazz Festival: Free outdoor concerts with smooth seaside rhythms.
- OBX Seafood Festival: Fresh local catches, chef demos, and live music.
- Outer Banks Brewtag: Keg launches, craft beer, and laughter all day long.
- Bluegrass Island Festival: Four days of fiddles, banjos, and waterfront charm.
- Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile: A Thanksgiving-weekend beer-and-run tradition.
- Kites with Lights: Dazzling illuminated kites lighting up the Nags Head sky.
Dreaming of an OBX getaway? Village Realty has been matching beach lovers with the perfect vacation homes for over 25 years. We offer an extensive selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals tailored to meet every need and desire. From stunning oceanfront properties and cozy condos to pet-friendly and newly listed rentals, our diverse portfolio ensures you find the perfect home away from home.
Craving more insider tips? As experts in everything OBX, our destination blog is loaded with fishing tips, the best outdoor adventures, can't-miss foodie finds, and more.
In this blog post, I'll share an array of exciting events and gatherings waiting for you along the captivating coastline of the Outer Banks this fall.
1. MULTIHULL SAILFEST (September)
A welcoming mix of competition, community, and hands-on fun.
When fall breezes start sweeping across the Outer Banks, it's time for one of the area's most exciting maritime gatherings, the OBX Multihull Sailfest. For two lively days, the coast becomes a playground for sleek multihull sailboats that glide across the water with style and speed. It's a welcoming mix of competition, community, and hands-on fun where newcomers and seasoned sailors can connect and celebrate their love for life on the water.
Event Highlights
- Two-day sailing event featuring high-speed multihull races.
- Opportunities to meet local sailors and learn more about sailing culture.
- Educational sessions on multihull design and performance.
- Family-friendly environment with social gatherings and dockside camaraderie.
- Stunning ocean views and plenty of photo-worthy sailing action.
2. OBX PRIDEFEST (September)
A three-day festival celebrating love, inclusivity, and community.
Each September, the Outer Banks lights up with color, music, and joy for OBX Pridefest, a three-day festival celebrating love, inclusivity, and community. The event welcomes everyone to join in the fun, with live music, drag shows, art, and waterfront parties that keep the energy high all weekend long. It's a feel-good celebration that captures the warm, open-hearted spirit of the OBX.
The main Pride Festival usually takes place at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Downtown Manteo, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Event Highlights
- Three-day festival filled with concerts, drag performances, and art events.
- Free, family-friendly event featuring live bands, local food, and entertainment.
- Inclusive atmosphere welcoming all identities and allies.
- After-parties, meetups, and community events across the island.
3. SURFALORUS (September)
An event showcasing an amazing lineup of surf films.
Surf culture meets the big screen at the Surfalorus Film Festival, a three-day celebration of ocean life, creativity, and the thrill of the waves. Hosted in collaboration with the Cucalorus Film Foundation, this event showcases a lineup of surf films that capture everything from daring rides to the quiet poetry of sea life. Expect movie premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and plenty of coastal vibes that keep the spirit of surfing alive long after the credits roll.
Event Highlights
- Three days of surf-inspired films and ocean documentaries.
- Screenings of independent and international surf films.
- Hosted in venues across the OBX, including Jennette's Pier and local theaters.
- Meet filmmakers, surfers, and ocean advocates.
- Perfect mix of film, beach culture, and laid-back OBX energy.
4. OBX JEEP INVASION (September)
High-energy event where Jeep lovers come together for scenic rides, live music, and friendly competition.
Get ready to rev those engines at one of the most exciting automotive gatherings on the coast. The OBX Jeep Invasion is a high-energy event where Jeep lovers come together for scenic rides, live music, and friendly competition across the OBX, all with ocean views in the background. Expect raffles, food trucks, and plenty of off-road fun, all while supporting local charities.
Event Highlights
- Annual gathering for Jeep enthusiasts across the East Coast.
- Scenic group rides along Outer Banks roads and beaches.
- Live music and entertainment throughout the day.
- Food trucks serving local eats and drinks.
- Raffles, contests, and family-friendly activities.
- Proceeds support local nonprofit organizations.
5. DUCK JAZZ FESTIVAL (October)
A weekend-long music escape filled with soulful rhythms and laid-back fun.
October in Duck means smooth tunes and seaside vibes. The Duck Jazz Festival turns the Duck Town Park into a weekend-long music escape filled with soulful rhythms and laid-back fun. From classic jazz to experimental performances, the lineup keeps things fresh and engaging for all ages. Bring a blanket, grab a local bite, and let the music roll.
Event Highlights
- Two-day jazz festival held at Duck Town Park.
- Free outdoor performances featuring local and national artists.
- Variety of jazz styles, from traditional to modern fusion.
- Local restaurants and shops hosting jazz-themed specials.
- Relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with lawn seating.
- Perfect way to kick back and enjoy fall on the Outer Banks.
6. OBX SEAFOOD FESTIVAL (October)
Fresh-off-the-boat seafood, chef demos, and plenty of good vibes by the water.
The Outer Banks Seafood Festival is a local favorite that serves up everything you love about coastal living: great food, live music, and community spirit. The event celebrates the region's fishing heritage with fresh-off-the-boat seafood, chef demos, and plenty of good vibes by the water. It's a feast for your taste buds and your soul.
Event Highlights
- Lots of live music and entertainment.
- Showcases local chefs and seafood straight from OBX waters.
- Dishes like crab cakes, grilled fish, oysters, and chowder.
- Live cooking demos and tastings throughout the day.
- Beer, wine, and craft cocktails available from local vendors.
7. OUTER BANKS BREWTAG (October)
A festival turning flight and craft beer into a hilarious mix of creativity and competition.
Inspired by Red Bull's Flugtag, this festival turns flight and craft beer into a hilarious mix of creativity and competition. Held at Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, teams design contraptions to launch empty kegs as far as possible, while everyone cheers, laughs, and samples some of the best local brews around. It's high-flying fun, good food, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass.
Event Highlights
- Teams compete to see whose empty keg "flies" the farthest.
- Massive craft beer selection from regional breweries.
- Local food trucks and live music throughout the day.
- Family-friendly with kids' activities and great viewing areas.
8. BLUEGRASS ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL (October)
Four days of toe-tapping tunes, friendly faces, and laid-back OBX charm.
Bluegrass lovers, this one's for you! Every fall, Manteo's historic waterfront comes alive with four days of toe-tapping tunes at the Bluegrass Island Music Festival. The air fills with fiddles, banjos, and heartfelt harmonies as some of the genre's biggest names share the stage with rising stars. It's all about good music, friendly faces, and laid-back OBX charm.
Event Highlights
- Four full days of live performances from national and local Bluegrass artists.
- Jam sessions, workshops, and spontaneous sing-alongs on the lawn.
- Food vendors serving Southern favorites and local seafood.
- Intimate waterfront setting with easy access to Manteo's quaint shops and cafés.
9. TIPSY TURKEY BEER MILE (November)
Pre-Thanksgiving favorite blending running and craft beer in one hilarious, high-energy mile.
This pre-Thanksgiving favorite hosted by Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills blends running and craft beer in one hilarious, high-energy mile. Runners tackle four quarter-mile laps, each paired with a 10-ounce beer, all in the spirit of fun and friendly competition. The real reward comes afterward, when everyone gathers for laughs, live music, and a little post-race cheer.
Event Highlights
- A 1-mile race with four beer stops (21+ only)
- Relaxed, fun atmosphere with prizes and costumes encouraged.
- After-party with live music, food, and local brews.
- Great way to kick off Thanksgiving weekend OBX-style.
10. KITES WITH LIGHTS (November)
Massive illuminated kites dancing across the night sky.
The holidays take flight at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head during Kites with Lights, one of the most magical events of the season. As evening sets in, massive illuminated kites, some as large as 30 feet, dance across the night sky, glowing in brilliant colors above the dunes. The atmosphere is cozy and festive, complete with hot cocoa, twinkling lights, and a sense of childlike wonder.
Event Highlights
- Giant kites (19–30 feet) decorated with twinkling holiday lights.
- Family-friendly event with cocoa, cookies, and holiday music.
- Stunning views as the sun sets over the dunes and kites light up the sky.
- Free admission and a perfect way to kick off the holiday season.
Other Fall Highlights in the OBX
- Outer Banks Marathon (November): A scenic race along the soundside and through charming coastal towns.
- Island Farm Pumpkin Patch Saturdays (October): Hayrides, farm animals, and hands-on history for families.
- Dowdy Park Farmers Market (Fall Edition): Local produce, crafts, and live tunes in Nags Head.
- Outer Banks Halloween Parade (October): A playful, costume-filled community event in Manteo.
- Harvest Hayrides at The Elizabethan Gardens: Seasonal fun amid fall blooms and coastal gardens.
- Local Oyster Roasts: A true OBX tradition; fresh oysters, cold beer, and live music under the stars.
Experience the best of the Outer Banks
The secret to a great OBX getaway? Finding the perfect place to stay. With Village Realty OBX, you'll have your pick of vacation rentals that keep you close to the beach, the fun, and everything in between.
Our rentals range from oceanfront homes with stunning views to cozy cottages perfect for families or couples. Many properties include amenities like private pools, hot tubs, and fully equipped kitchens, ensuring your stay is as relaxing as it is adventurous.
Booking with Village Realty means you can focus on enjoying everything this North Carolina treasure has to offer while resting easy in a home tailored to your needs. Start your journey by choosing the perfect rental for your outdoor getaway today!