As we get closer and closer to those warm summer months, there are two things that many of us are looking forward to: the July 4th celebrations and a summer beach trip. For some, those two events will coincide this year in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
This beautiful stretch of coastline is popular with tourists and is ready to go each year with lots of incredible events to keep you and your family entertained and give you a wonderful 4th of July vacation to remember.
With so many fun events and celebrations going on, it can be overwhelming to try and plan. You don’t want to miss or overlook anything, but you also can’t attend every event. Today, we’re going to help you narrow down a list of the best, most exciting events to put on your list for your 4th of July trip to the Outer Banks this year.
Different Areas
The Outer Banks is a large, vast area that covers miles and miles of beachfront and inland property. Vacationers who frequent the Outer Banks all have their favorite spots. If you’ve been before, you likely have an area that you prefer above all the others. These different areas are referred to as either towns or villages.
The Outer Banks is divided into Corolla, Waves, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras, Manteo, Wanchese, Rodanthe, Duck, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Nags Head, and Ocracoke. That’s a lot of area to cover if you’re hunting for 4th of July activities!
To help you keep it close to the area you’ve chosen to stay in, we’ve broken our list of activities down into those occurring in the northern Outer Banks (Duck through Nags Head), middle Outer Banks (Manteo and Wanchese, on Roanoke Island), and southern Outer Banks (Rodanthe through Ocracoke).
Also, don’t forget that this year, Independence Day, which falls on Sunday the fourth, is being observed on Monday the fifth.
Northern Outer Banks
At the northernmost point of the Outer Banks is Corolla, which offers the OBX Fireworks and Independence celebration yearly at Historic Corolla Park. The fireworks begin shortly after sundown, which is expected at around 8:25. However, don’t come late, because beforehand, there will be plenty of vendors, games, food, and summertime fun. The event opens to visitors at 5 pm.
The town of Duck, adjacent to Corolla, normally holds a large July 4th parade every year; however, this year’s parade has sadly been canceled. Still, visitors can enjoy the patriotic spirit of Duck by watching the proceedings of the local Window Display contest.
Local businesses will be participating in this lively competition from June 14th through July 12th. Visitors can enjoy all the creativity and vote for their favorite festive storefront via this link.
If you like to get active on July 4th, consider the annual Freedom 5K in Kill Devil Hills. The ninth annual iteration of this run will take place on Sunday, the fourth. If you’re interested, you should register early here, as space does fill up quickly.
Of course, there are fireworks displays to choose from all over the Outer Banks. Put this one at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills on your list as well. The town of Kill Devil Hills sponsors this show yearly, and you’re not likely to find this scenic pier and the fireworks over the water to disappoint! Head on over on Sunday, July 4th, around 8 pm.
Likewise, if you’re closer to Nags Head than to Kill Devil Hills, you can opt for the fireworks show at the Nags Head Fishing Pier. This annual Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular is also being held on the traditional date and is slated to start at 9:25 pm. In case of rain, the make-up date will be the fifth.
Middle Outer Banks
The middle portion of the Outer Banks consists of the towns on Roanoke Island, a historic area nestled between the Dare County mainland and the Outer Banks proper. The water area around this island is referred to as the sound.
However, the outer islands are accessible from this area, but there are still several great events going on to satisfy any visitors who’d like to stay close to the Roanoke Island area.
In the city of Manteo, you’ll be treated to a 4th of July celebration consisting of a fireworks show over the Manteo waterfront. The event is free and features live music, plenty of seating space, and access to explore the historic and festively decorated Manteo town area before the show.
If you want to catch the live music part of this event, make sure to head over to the nearby Roanoke Island Festival Park, which will be hosting local bands, including the 208th Army Band, as they play patriotic songs.
If you enjoy art and theater, then there’s no better time than Independence Day weekend to indulge in a historical play. Snag tickets for the July 5th live showing of the Lost Colony drama, set appropriately, overlooking the Roanoke Island sound. You’ll be transported back to the struggle of some of this country’s original settlers and be enthralled by their mystery.
Southern Outer Banks
While the northernmost areas of the Outer Banks are bustling with Independence Day activity, the southern areas are less frequented by tourists, making it the perfect spot to get away to if you’d like to plan a quiet and calm celebratory weekend.
However, if you’re in the area and still want to partake in some celebrations, be sure to swing by the Avon Fishing Pier in the town of Avon to catch the fireworks show beginning at 9 pm on Sunday.
If you’re looking for more than just a fireworks show, then the town of Ocracoke, at the southernmost tip of the Outer Banks, will be a key destination for you. Events will occur over the whole weekend, kicking off with a treasure hunt over the whole island on July 3rd and wrapping up with a Community Beach Bonfire Under the Stars on the night of the fourth.
There are all kinds of activities to attend in between, including live music and fireworks, lighthouse exploring, a roaring 20s-themed 4th of July Parade, and a sand sculpture contest.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going to be in the Outer Banks for July 4th this year, then you’re in luck! There are plenty of events spaced out throughout the whole area that are plenty to serve up lots of festive fun for the whole family for the whole weekend.