You’re looking forward to a much-needed Spring Break this year. The year-round warmer climate of North Carolina and Cape Hatteras are just what you need to warm up from the winter blahs or squash the cabin fever. We look forward to spring as much as you do! In fact, we celebrate the coming of our even warmer weather and the road leading toward summer with several annual Cape Hatteras events and festivals. Make some of them a part of your spring vacation itinerary for a full experience of Outer Banks fun.
Rock the Cape
Celebrate spring and the coming of summer to the Cape with food, music, art, and fun on your spring vacation to Cape Hatteras. The 12th annual event is free and family friendly. It features events highlighting the visual and performing arts of Hatteras Island. Enjoy the art show, concerts, and gallery tour during the weekend of fun. Head to Kitty Hawk Kites’ Waves Village Watersports Resort at Milepost 40 in Rodanthe and let the good times roll. The event takes place June 6-7. Stop by on the 6th for a full afternoon of art, live music, and more. Stop by on the 7th and experience “Friday Arts on the Island” a “First Friday” tour of Hatteras Island art galleries.
Easter
If you’re here for an Easter getaway this spring, several churches, community centers, and other local groups host Easter egg hunts, parties, pictures with the Easter bunny, and more family-friendly fun. Churches also offer special Easter services, and area restaurants may be serving up the traditional Easter meal. Contact your church or restaurant of choice to find out just what’s happening and when, and whether or not restaurants require reservations for a meal. Easter is Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Taste of the Beach
The event takes place across all islands of the Outer Banks, including several establishments on Hatteras Island and Cape Hatteras. Take a “Tour of the British Isles” at the Lost Colony Tavern in Manteo or enjoy “Life is a La Playa” at Good Winds Restaurant in Rodanthe. The event takes place Friday, April 12, 2024 – Saturday, April 13, 2024. See the event website for a full list of events and restaurants.
British Cemetery Ceremony
Every year in May, representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Navy, British Royal Navy, and National Park Service gather. The event takes place in Buxton and honors the 63 foreign sailors who perished protecting the area’s coast. There is a concurrent ceremony in Ocracoke at the island’s own British cemetery. This year’s ceremony is May 10, 2024.
Dare County KidsFest
Hosted by the Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County, the festival celebrates all things “kids.” The 15th annual festival takes place 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. is bursting with everything kids love. A full schedule has yet to be released for the event that takes place on Friday, May 10, 2024.
Hatteras Village Offshore Open
Spring and summer bring a variety of festivals and competitions. This year, anglers will want to visit for a chance to discover the great fishing along the Hatteras Island coastline. The open is one of the most popular fishing tournaments of the year in the southern Outer Banks. The multi-day tournament attracts competitors from all along the East Coast, and further afield. This year’s event takes place Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Saturday, May 18, 2024.
The Lost Colony Opening Night
Head to the famed Waterside Theater in downtown Manteo this spring. The 2024 season of the Lost Colony, one of the country’s most acclaimed outdoor dramas, launches this spring. The Lost Colony is the longest-running outdoor drama in the U.S. and features a premier telling of the story of the first colonists to arrive in the “New World” from England. Opening night is Thursday, May 30, 2024. The show goes on from 7:45 – 10 p.m.
Dare Day Festival
It’s one of the longest-running festivals in Manteo! The full-day event is held along the downtown waterfront and boasts an array of activities and attractions. Each one celebrates local Manteo culture. Throughout the day you’ll experience a number of events for water and OBX lovers of all ages, like the Hogway Speedway Racing Pigs, “Anything that Floats but a Boat” Race, and the Raingutter Regatta. Check out the Kids Zone, as well as the annual competitions for best cake and pie in all of Dare County. The festival takes place 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Celebrate Spring in Cape Hatteras
As you plan your North Carolina and Cape Hatteras springtime adventure, make sure to sprinkle in your favorite events or festivals to the itinerary for your perfect and unique vacation experience. You’ll also want to make part of that planning booking a vacation rental with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging. We have accommodations as small as a one-bedroom suite for a cozy sweetheart getaway this spring, all the way up to a six-bedroom single-family home so you can enjoy your favorite spring activities and festivals with all your friends and family.
Contact us today to book your accommodations and start planning a Cape Hatteras spring event-filled adventure to remember!
Take some time away with loved ones this Christmas to enjoy an escape featuring plenty of sand, sun, water, and loads of Christmas fun. North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and especially Cape Hatteras, have something for everyone to enjoy during a well-deserved Christmas respite. Relax and unwind indoors or out, with a myriad of year-round and Outer Banks Christmas events and activities to choose from.
Winter Lights at Elizabeth Gardens
Make a day trip to nearby Roanoke Island. Come see the gardens light up with plenty of festive, holiday cheer. Stroll through the garden’s paths, which are lit up by millions of twinkling holiday lights. Wander through the ten-acre property and all its displays. Warm yourself with the crackling open-air fire, or enjoy the live entertainment available on select nights. Finish up some of your holiday shopping with seasonal plants and holiday gifts in the Gift Shop and Nursery. The display is available on select nights November 17 – December 30, and is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is a weather-dependent event, and ticket holders will be contacted by 2 p.m. on the day of the ticket with cancellation details.
Christmas Dinner
You won’t have to miss out on a yummy traditional meal while you’re here. If you want to do the cooking and serving yourself, all of our vacation rentals boast fully-equipped kitchens, including all the basic utensils, cookware, and place settings you’ll need. While many shops and restaurants are closed for the season, there are a select few that stay open for our winter residents and guests. Gather everyone around the table for a private holiday meal. Some of the restaurants that remain open during the Christmas season will be hosting the meal on Christmas Eve, some on Christmas Day, and others will be offering catering services so you can pick up the meal and warm it up back home!
Christmas Services
The residents and guests of Cape Hatteras celebrate both the secular and religious aspects of the holiday. There are churches of various denominations holding holiday services. Check with your preferred place of worship regarding dates, times, and locations for services.
Escape Hatteras
You came for an island escape this Christmas. Take the “escape” a little further and attempt an escape room with loved ones. The activity has been growing in popularity, and you’ll want to add it to your Cape Hatteras Christmas itinerary. Located in Frisco, you can challenge yourself to stories like “The Crazy Keeper,” “The Spanish Flu,” and others. Each room is rated by difficulty and an ideal group is 2-6 participants. While they are open during the off-season, hours may vary. Please make advanced reservations online.
Avon Fishing Pier
Although the waters are a bit chilly for humans to swim in, the fish don’t mind. For the anglers of the group, there are a number of places and ways to drop a line and try their luck this Christmas. Choose to charter a boat, stick to shore, or head to the Avon Fishing Pier to see what’s biting. The pier is open 365 days a year, but hours may vary during the off-season. Stroll the pier that stretches 665 feet out into the Atlantic! That means anglers fishing off the end will no doubt snag some interesting catches not always found in locales closer to shore. When you arrive, be sure to admire the crooked bends and weathered wood of the pier, a testament to time and Mother Nature beating away at what is the only operating pier on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore today.
Shelling
While you might consider any beach activity a spring or summer activity, in Cape Hatteras, you’d be wrong. Beachcombing and shelling in the cape this time of year brings unique finds you may not see the rest of the year. Winter storms kick up more unique shells and wash them ashore. Just after one of these storms is a great time to come, as the pickings will be fresh. Another optimum time is the hours following low tide. Find gems like the scotch bonnet, North Carolina’s state shell, Eastern murex, and whelks – often mistaken for conch shells.
Buxton Village Books
Not only will you be able to admire the vintage building full of new books. That’s their motto: our building is vintage, but our books are new. If you’ve finished all your plane reading and want something new for a day in, stop by. The store offers a wide variety of books on many topics and in many genres. Discover a new favorite author in the stacks of indie author books, or learn more about Hatteras Island. Visit their website for their holiday catalog, as well as digital content including e-books and audiobooks.
Spend Christmas with Us in Cape Hatteras
While planning all the fun activities and adventures for your Cape Hatteras Christmas retreat, make sure that booking comfortable and stylish accommodations are a top priority. You’ll secure those accommodations when you book a vacation rental with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging. We have accommodations as small as one bedroom for a sweetheart or solo Christmastime adventure, all the way up to a six-bedroom home so you and all your loved ones can enjoy an island Christmas.
Contact us today!
You’re looking forward to a much-needed summer break this year. The year-round warmer climate of North Carolina and Cape Hatteras is just what you need to kick back and relax, and the summer months turn up the heat and fun. We look forward to summer as much as you do. If you like celebrations mixed into your days, the area hosts many annual Cape Hatteras events and festivals you can make a part of your trip’s itinerary.
Avon Farmers Market
The market takes place during the summer season. Open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. throughout July and August, you’ll find unique local arts and crafts, homemade goodies, and fresh fruits and vegetables to add to your summer cookout menu.
4th of July
Celebrate American independence. The patriotic celebration lights up the sky with a bang on the evening of July 4th in Avon. The events at the Avon Pier and Avon Beach Klub make up a collection of events, some of which correspond to radio shows on the island’s local radio station, Radio Hatteras FM 101.5 and 99.9. The night ends with a bang over the waters of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches, with official events running 9-9:45 p.m.
Zero to Hero Kiteboarding Camp
Keep the kids learning during summer break by learning a fun new skill that’s nothing like school and textbooks. Make one of the camps a part of your Cape Hatteras summer getaway. With weekly camps throughout July and August, it’s easy to coordinate your trip to include one. The Kids Zero to Hero Kiteboarding Camp takes beginners from basics to self-sufficient kiteboarders in just a few days. If you can’t make the camp part of your plans, the sponsor – Real Watersports, offers kiteboarding lessons regularly.
Mirlo Rescue Anniversary
Conducted over 100 years ago on August 16, 1918, at the Chicamacomio Coast Guard Station in Rodanthe, it’s considered one of the most dramatic operations in U.S. Coast Guard history. The British tanker Mirlo was transporting a full load of gasoline from New Orleans to Norfolk when it struck a German mine off of Wimble Shoals. A series of explosions caused the captain and crew to flee in lifeboats while the ship sank and the water blazed with fire. The Chicamacomio station’s captain and crew of surfmen managed to save all 42 of the survivors. The Chicamacomio station was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1954 and has since been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Day at the Docks
Since fall doesn’t officially begin until September 23, the event is still part of the summer season. The event celebrates the history and culture of Hatteras Island’s working watermen. Taking place in the heart of Hatteras Village along the waterfront, the festivities include fresh seafood, good eats, live demonstrations of working commercial fishing boats, live music, kids’ activities, and much more. The event runs on September 15 and 16.
HICF Chowder Cookoff
On the heels of the Day at the Docks festival and all its delicious food, stick around for some of the island’s best chowder. Taste the best of area restaurants, caterers, and other local organizations’ best clam chowder. Claim your ticket to be a judge and wander vendor to vendor, sampling all the chowders. The public votes for their favorite chowder and all proceeds from the event benefit the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation (HIFC).
July Fishing Tournaments
The waters of the Atlantic off the shores of Cape Hatteras are prime fishing territory in the summer. You can go solo and cast a line in hopes of your next big fish story or take part in one of the area’s many summer fishing tournaments. End your July and celebrate the 20th annual Carolina Boat Builders Tournament in Manteo July 26-29. Register the evening of July 26th, or online before the tournament. The tournament is open to all boats.
August & September Fishing Tournaments
With summer in full swing, so are fishing tournaments. Manteo continues to host and has lined up the Alice Kelly Ladies Billfish Tournament on August 11-13, the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament on August 12-18, and the annual Youth Fishing Tournament on August 12. Many events offer online registration, as well as on-site registration.
Celebrate Summer in Cape Hatteras
As you plan your North Carolina and Cape Hatteras summertime adventure, make sure to add your favorite events or festivals to the itinerary for your perfect vacation experience unique to you and your loved ones. Make part of that planning by booking a vacation rental with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging. We have accommodations as small as a one-bedroom suite for a cozy sweetheart getaway all the way up to a six-bedroom single-family home so you can enjoy your favorite events with all your friends and family.
Contact us today to book your accommodations and start planning a Cape Hatteras summer event-filled adventure to remember!
The year-round warmer climate of the North Carolina and the Outer Banks area is just what you need to warm up from the winter blahs and celebrate spring and the Easter holiday. Pack your bags and point your compass to Cape Hatteras, where you’ll find plenty of things to do and see during an Easter getaway. Your Easter in North Carolina getaway is waiting!
Easter Dinner
Take a vacation from everything and let someone else cook your Easter feast. There are various restaurants in the area that will be serving up the traditional Easter meal. If you have a favorite locale, contact them to find out the details like date, time, and the need for reservations.
Easter Services
Celebrate the solemn meaning of Easter and attend Easter services. The churches scattered across Cape Hatteras are organizing special services to celebrate the day. Contact your choice of place of worship and inquire about dates, times, and locations, as the increased attendance usually encourages churches to offer multiple services in multiple locations.
Beaches
An island escape means time on the beach, no matter when you come. The warming weather and waters of spring mean you can spend a little extra time out in the sun on your beach days. Lay out in the sun and sunbathe, get your exercise, or brave the waters for a swim, snorkeling, or SCUBA adventure.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
If you’ve expanded your Easter break to include the third Friday of April, make a stop at the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. If you miss opening day, the majestic black and white structure that protects one of the most hazardous sections of the whole Atlantic Coast is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. from that day and throughout the season. Tickets are available in-person on a first-come/first-served basis, but you’ll want to be sure you can negotiate the 248-stair iron spiral staircase leading to the top and the best view.
Hatteras Island Ocean Center
The center is part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, stretching across Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke Islands, Down East, and the Pamlico Sound. It’s a great place for nature lovers of all ages and is within walking distance of central Hatteras Village. Go on a kayak nature tour, go on “Turtle Patrol” where you’ll learn about the area’s sea turtles and see active nests, or learn about birding in the barrier islands.
Avon Fishing Pier
Anglers who have made the Easter trip to Cape Hatteras can still drop a line. The Avon Fishing Pier is open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. It stretches 665 feet out into the Atlantic, so fishing off the end is bound to net you some interesting catches you won’t find closer to shore. The crooked bends are a testament to time and Mother Nature beating away at what is today the only operating pier on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Beach Horseback Riding
Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or it’s your first time on a horse, make the beautiful backdrop of the beach and Atlantic Ocean waves your first trail ride. Call or email to make reservations, and be prepared to provide ages, height, and weight of riders so they can pair you with the horse most appropriate to your needs.
Hatteras Weather Bureau Station
The historic wood-frame building was built in 1901 and provided data on conditions in the Atlantic Ocean from a fixed location farther into the ocean environment than any other on the Atlantic Coast. The building was in active operation from 1902-1946. It then became living quarters for Weather Bureau personnel. It has also been used as a research station by universities in North Carolina investigating concerning marine invertebrates.
Water Activities
In addition to the many beach activities that attracted you, there are other fun water sports to get you out on the water. Paddle your way through calmer waters on a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe. Up the adrenaline and the speed and take off on a jet ski. Launch whatever craft you wish nearby. Riders out for a calm paddle will want to check out the pristine marshes and wildlife sanctuary.
Surf Lessons
The crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean are the perfect place to learn a new skill. Certified instructors will take you from land classes to catching your first wave in no time. Choose traditional surfing or windsurfing – or both. Then once you’re comfortable with your skills, rent some gear and strike out on your own.
Celebrate Easter in North Carolina
You may be overwhelmed by the number of fun things to do there are on Cape Hatteras this Easter. One thing that’s not overwhelming is booking a vacation rental with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging. We have accommodations as small as a one-bedroom suite for a sweetheart Easter getaway all the way up to a six-bedroom single-family so you can enjoy the holiday with all your friends and family.
Contact us today!
You’re looking forward to a much-needed spring escape this year. The year-round warmer climate of North Carolina and Cape Hatteras are just what you need to warm up from the winter blahs or a bit of cabin fever. We look forward to spring as much as you do. In fact, we celebrate the coming of our even warmer weather and the road leading toward summer with several annual Cape Hatteras events and festivals.
Taste of the Beach
The event takes place mostly on the Northern Beaches and Roanoke Island, but Hatteras Island also takes the opportunity to showcase its flavors as well. The “Classic Outer Banks 4×4” is part of the weekend event and takes place for visitors to Cape Hatteras at Dirty Dick’s Crab House in Avon. The 4X4 event is named for its four food courses and four beverage selections (4×4) that are part of the attempt. Those who try to negotiate the large meal will want to budget about two hours. Tickets are $110 with alcoholic beverages or $80 without. Gratuity is NOT included in the cost. Register to try it yourself at the Taste of the Beach event website. The event takes place the whole weekend of the festival, March 24-26, so you can pick when you’ll participate and start making your plans.
Easter
If you’re here for an Easter getaway this spring, several churches, community centers, and other local groups host Easter egg hunts, parties, pictures with the Easter bunny, and more family-friendly fun. Churches also offer special Easter services, and area restaurants may be serving up the traditional Easter meal. Contact your church or restaurant of choice to find out just what’s happening and when, and whether or not restaurants require reservations for a meal.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
If the third Friday of April is part of your spring 2023 plans in Cape Hatteras, make a stop at the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. If you miss opening day, don’t worry, majestic black and white structure that protects one of the most hazardous sections of the whole Atlantic Coast is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in-person on a first come/first served basis, but you’ll want to be sure you can negotiate the 248-stair iron spiral staircase for the best view.
Kiteboarding Kick-Off Weekend
Kitty Hawk Kiteboarding starts the season off on the right foot with a weekend full of demos, tech talks, and of course, kiting to get you in the mood for the summer sport. The weekend is packed with daily around the Waves Village Watersports Resort in Rodanthe. The two-day celebration takes place May 26-28, with varying hours each day. The mostly free admission event does have some paid clinics and talks for a small fee.
Shorebreak 5K and Tide Pool Fun Run
The event typically takes place in Avon over Memorial Day weekend and celebrates spring as well as a good cause. The one-mile fun run and 5K benefits the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund and the OBX GO FAR (Go Out for a Run) and winds through Kinakeet Shores, on boardwalks and beach walkways, and you’ll even compromise sand dunes!
Rock the Cape
Celebrate spring and the coming of summer to the Cape with food, music, art, and fun on your spring vacation to Cape Hatteras. The 11th annual event is free and family-friendly, featuring events highlighting the visual and performing arts of Hatteras Island. Festivities start June 1 at Kitty Hawk Kites’ Waves Village Watersports Center in Rodanthe.
Dare Days Festival
While no dates have been selected yet, the festival typically takes place in late May or early June and celebrates everything Dare County has to offer. The family-friendly event features activities like live music, games, kids’ crafts, bounce houses, and more. There are several food vendors and other booths that gather everyone at Roanoke Island Festival Park for the three-day party.
Fishing Tournaments
The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association (NCBBA) hosts several fishing tournaments throughout the spring and all the way through the fall, inviting anglers from all over to search for their next big fish story. Many of the tournaments take place on Cape Hatteras, while there are others on Ocracoke Island and along other Outer Banks piers, so avid anglers can make a fishing trip out of their spring 2023 vacation. See the NCBBA website for a complete schedule and how to enter each tournament.
Celebrate Spring with These Cape Hatteras Events
As you plan your North Carolina and Cape Hatteras springtime adventure, make sure to add your favorite events or festivals to the itinerary for your perfect and unique vacation experience. Make part of that planning by booking a vacation rental with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging. We have accommodations as small as a one-bedroom suite for a cozy sweetheart getaway all the way up to a six-bedroom single-family home so you can enjoy your favorite festivals with all your friends and family.
Contact us today to book your accommodations and start planning a Cape Hatteras spring event-filled adventure to remember!