The Best Spring Events on the Outer Banks, NC

Are you visiting the Outer Banks this spring?

If so, you’re in luck! There is so much going on during the spring here on the Outer Banks. Our area tends to be very beach-focused during the summer, so most of our local events and happenings take place during the mild, quiet months leading up to our busy tourist season. If you are able to break away sometime before June, you will find plenty to do here (and some awesome deals on vacation rentals).

Here are a few upcoming events. Plan your trip around your favorites!

OUTER BANKS EVENTS | Spring 2019

? Running of the Leprechauns 5k & 10k

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: 8:00 am
Place: Start & Finish at Satterfield Landing & Lark Ave. In Nags Head – OBX Soccer Complex
Cost: $38 / $40 (Register here)
Website: Click here.
The Running of the Leprechauns runs through the beautiful Nags Head Woods Preserve. Enjoy an Irish-themed after party and the “Get Lucky” Costume Contest! The after-party at OBSE will have Irish Stew, Sweet Potato Biscuits & Beer. Come for the Run and stay for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday!

? Annual Outer Banks Beer Mile

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Place: The Outer Banks Brewing Station: 600 S. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Cost: $33 for 21 and over only. Walk-ups welcome. Register here.
Website: Click here.
This is a one-mile beer run for men and women age 21 and over. Join the Brewing Station crew for a Leprechaun themed beer mile, backyard party, chip timing and T-shirt included. Prizes to the fastest male and female overall. There will be prizes for the best St. Patrick’s Day costume. Late registration and check-in from 1-1:45 pm.

? St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Date: Sunday, March 17, 2019
Time: 1:00 pm
Place: 2316 South Croatan Highway, Nags Head, NC 27959
Cost: Free!
Website: Click here.
The Parade starts at 1 pm at MP 11.5, at the intersection of Bladen St. and Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Road) and continues north to Driftwood St. Wear your green and be festive!

? Taste of the Beach (Food & Wine Festival)

Date: Thursday, March 28th ~ Sunday, March 31st, 2019.
Time: There are over 50 events over the four days at over 25 different venues. Click here for schedule.
Place: Various locations on the Outer Banks!
Cost: Varies, depending on what events you attend.
Website: Click here.
This fun food festival event features: wine tastings, cooking classes, special multi-course menu presentations, brewery tours, tapas crawls, cook-offs and more. There really is something for everyone! It’s four days of foodie heaven and lots of fun activities on the Outer Banks.

? Fly Into Spring & Easter Eggstravaganza

Date: April 19 & April 20, 2019
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Place: Jockey’s Ridge State Park | Jockey’s Ridge Crossing
Cost: Free!
Website: Click here.
Celebrate National Kite Month and the start of Spring with Kitty Hawk Kites! Experience the sights of their massive 30-to-100-foot kites flying high over Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Across the street from the dunes outside Kitty Hawk Kites, take your picture with the Easter Bunny, and let your kids join in the fun during their annual Jockey’s Ridge Crossing Easter Egg Hunt!

? Outer Banks Bike Week

Date: April 20 – 28, 2019
Time: All week
Place: Home base will be Outer Banks Harley Davidson, Harbinger, NC
Cost: N/A
Website: Click here.
The 17th Annual Bike Week will feature guided tours, live music, vendors, contests and much more. The Outer Banks is an amazing spot to enjoy your bike with like-minded friends. Read more details here.

? Kidsfest

Date: Friday, May 3, 2019
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Place: Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo
Cost: Free
Website: Click here…. then find the event.
The perfect event for kids under five years old, especially if you are a local and the big kids are at school! Little ones can enjoy face painting, bubbles, ice cream and snowballs, arts and crafts, music, large vehicles, and much more!

? Kentucky Derby Party & Live Auction

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: 3:00 – 8:00
Place: The Elizabethan Gardens | 1411 National Park Drive Manteo, NC 27954
Cost: $125 / person (buy tickets here)
Website: Click here.
Expect a traditional southern affair with mint juleps, live and silent auctions, sumptuous derby pie, a hat contests and an assortment of live music, games and entertainment as you enjoy the beautiful gardens and anticipate the big race to be broadcast live.

? ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championship

Date: May 3 – 5, 2019
Time: TBD
Place: Jennette’s Pier (in Nags Head)
Cost: Free to observe…just bring a beach chair or towel.
Website: Click here.
Open to the public! Known as a qualifier for the big USA Surfing’s Prime events and USA Surfing Championships that are held in the summertime, this event attracts talented surfers from all across the region and well beyond to the heart of the Outer Banks for a truly spectacular competition. (source)

? OBX Rod & Custom Festival

Date: May 3 – 4, 2019
Time: Subscribe to their email for more details and schedule
Place: All along the Outer Banks.
Cost: Varies
Website: Click here.
Car enthusiasts will enjoy this two-day festival which features cruise-ins, Static Displays, Special Events, Food & Family Fun – all on the beautiful background of the Outer Banks. Find more great information here.

? Artrageous Art Extravaganza

Date: Saturday, May 11 2019
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Place: Dowdy Park in Nags Head
Cost: Free
Website: Click here.
Artrageous is a free, family-friendly, fun event featuring kids art activities, live music, and more entertainment. Artrageous will also feature local artisans selling their creative goods and a variety of local restaurants selling the perfect lunch items and delicious sweet treats.

? Hang Gliding Spectacular

Date: May 16 – 19, 2019
Time: Events will be scheduled all week. Check their Facebook page for updates.
Place: Kitty Hawk Kites Hang Gliding School, Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Cost: Free
Website: Click here.
Join professional hang gliders, fans, and families at Jockey’s Ridge State Park for this Outer Banks tradition. This event is the longest running hang gliding competition in the world!The Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Show will run from May 16th through May 20th with competitions each day. The Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Show is FREE TO THE PUBLIC FOR VIEWING with fun activities all day long.

? Woofstock

Date: Saturday,May 18, 2019
Time: 10:00 – 4:00
Place: Elizabethan Gardens, 1411 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954
Cost: Standard Garden Admission Prices Apply. Dogs are free with a paying adult. (Tickets will be limited to 700 tickets/day)
Website: Click here.
For the love of dogs! WOOFstock is a family event for two legs and four, in fact canines enter free with each paid admission! All dogs must be on a leash. Watering station for dogs will be provided. WOOFstock also features local fur-loving exhibitors and activities for your entire family with contests (and first place prizes) for dogs. Music, pet-health and happiness related exhibitors and concessions available for both dogs and humans. Funds from this event will support The Elizabethan Gardens and Outer Banks SPCA (OBSPCA).

Currituck Beach Lighthouse | Great Escapes OBX

In addition to the events we have listed above, spring is the perfect time to enjoy some of the other tried-and-true Outer Banks activities like seeing the wild horses, climbing a lighthouse, or scanning the beaches for seashells.

Great Escapes OBX Vacation Rentals are the perfect launching point for any of these adventures (and more). We would love to help you plan your spring vacation and who knows, we might even run into you watching the surfers and hang gliders from the beach, or playing with our dogs at Woofstock!