September has a special feel on the Outer Banks. Around here, you’ll often hear it called “locals’ summer”—the beaches get a little quieter, the traffic eases up, and there’s finally a little more room to enjoy the place we’re lucky enough to call home. The weather is still beautiful, and September brings plenty of reasons to get out—from art and local markets to seafood, kites, racing and fishing. Here are a few events happening around the Outer Banks this month.
Manteo First Friday
September 4 | Manteo
First Friday is one of our favorite ways to spend an early fall evening in downtown Manteo. From 6–8 p.m., the waterfront comes alive with live music, art, food, drinks, shopping and the Manteo Stroll through local galleries, shops and restaurants.
Ocracoke Seafood Festival
September 5 | Ocracoke
If there’s ever a good excuse for a trip down to Ocracoke, fresh local seafood is a pretty convincing one. The 5th Annual Ocracoke Seafood Festival brings together great food, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, and that unmistakable Ocracoke atmosphere—all while supporting the Ocracoke Health Center and healthcare services on the island.
Soundside Labor Day Market
September 6 | Nags Head
The Soundside Labor Day Market runs from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Soundside Event Site and brings together local artists, makers and small businesses with everything from artwork and jewelry to food, home décor and other locally made finds. It’s an easy way to shop local while enjoying one of the prettiest market settings around.
Outer Banks Kite Festival
September 11-12 | Nags Head
Hosted by Kitty Hawk Kites, the two-day event features giant kites, stunt kite pilots and plenty of high-flying fun against one of the most iconic backdrops on the Outer Banks. Even if you don’t fly one yourself, it’s worth stopping by just to see the dunes filled with kites.
Outer Banks Triathlon
September 12 | Manteo
Athletes will swim, bike and run their way across Roanoke Island during the annual Outer Banks Triathlon. With Olympic, Sprint and Aquabike options, the weekend brings competitors of all levels together for one of the area’s biggest multisport events. Not racing? Spectators are welcome to come out and cheer them on.
5th Annual Billfish Tournament
September 12 | Nags Head
Boats head offshore from Oregon Inlet for a day of competition, but the bigger purpose is supporting the Clinic’s work providing medical, dental, mental health and medication services to people in our community who need them.
Save the Date: 4th Annual Cancer Shucks
October 23 | Pirate’s Cove Pavilion
We know October isn’t quite here yet, but this is one event we wanted to share early. Cancer Shucks is especially meaningful to our family, as we both lost our dads to cancer. Supporting local cancer patients and the programs that care for them right here on the Outer Banks is a cause very close to our hearts.
The 4th Annual Cancer Shucks will be held on Friday, October 23 at 5:30p.m. at Pirate’s Cove Pavilion, with seafood, beer and wine, and live music by the Blue Crab Boys, all benefiting OBX Cancer Cares and local cancer services. Sponsorship opportunities and raffle tickets are available now, with sponsorship levels beginning at $1,200. A limited number of individual event tickets will go on sale October 1 for $150.
The Shucks, Sizzle & Smoke raffle is also underway: tickets are $25 each or five for $100 for a package valued at approximately $3,500, including a propane griddle, firepit table and Adirondack chair set, YETI hard cooler and coastal seafood tools. The winner will be drawn October 23 and does not need to be present to win.
Please reach out to Sandy for more information and sponsorship opportunities.