Ah, fall. The Outer Banks is a terrific place to hang out anytime during the year, but fall is considered by many locals to be a special time of year. There are numerous things to do on the OBX during the laid-back fall months, and many reasons to relish each and every calendar day during the months of September, October and November.
The Atlantic Ocean typically reaches it’s peak temperature off the coast of North Carolina sometime in mid-August, and the water temperatures hover around the mid to low 70s for most of September and October. The air temperatures are quite pleasant too, with low humidity and sunny days where shorts and a t-shirt are all you need.
In addition to the favorable ocean water and air temperatures, the Outer Banks is home to a plethora of fantastic fall events, many of which are listed below.
Upcoming Fall Events on the Outer Banks
Outer Banks Triathlon
September 12, 2015
World-class athletes train all year to be able to compete in the Outer Banks Triathlon – a true test of ones mental and physical endurance. The race will start and finish next to Dare County Regional Airport and the NC Aquarium.
The swim portion is located at the Old Swimming Hole sound access next to the Airport. The bike will be an out-and-back race on Route 64, over the Manns Harbor Bridge.
The running portion of the race will be out-and-back courses through the Airport, through the Mother Vineyard neighborhood and along the bike path to Heritage Point subdivision.
Learn more at: www.outerbankstriathlon.com
Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition
September 12 – 13, 2015
The Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition is a regional kite competition bringing some of the nation’s best kite fliers to the OBX. Come out for 2 days of kite flying fun for the whole family. On Saturday, Kitty Hawk Kites and friends will host demos on the field and a FREE family fun fly day.
Enjoy massive display kites flying high, and participate in stunt and power kite lessons given by pros. Sunday is a day you won’t want to miss. Come watch some of the nation’s most talented kite fliers put on world-class displays of artistry with kite flying set to music, synchronized performances, and more.
More event info here: www.kittyhawk.com
Day at the Docks
September 17 – 20, 2015
An annual celebration of the rich maritime history of Hatteras Island and the many watermen who inhabit this coastal island. The Day at the Docks is three full days of fun and history! Enjoy seafood cooking demos, fishing boats and gear on display, fishing industry skill contests and competitions, live music, and games for kids.
Day at the Docks is one of the biggest annual events on Hatteras Island and if you even remotely enjoy seafood and appreciate the fisherman who are responsible for getting the fish or shellfish on your dinner plate, you’re sure to enjoy Day at the Docks held on September 17th through the 20th.
Events begin at 10 AM each morning of the event.
Learn more about Day at the Docks by visiting the event’s website: www.dayatthedocks.com
Outer Banks Kayak Fishing Tournament
September 19, 2015
Kitty Hawk Surf Co. is pleased to present their annual Outer Banks Kayak Fishing Tournament! The contest will be held on September 19, 2015, and will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust.
Registration is $40 and is available online. Payment will also be accepted at the MANDATORY Captain’s Meeting on Friday, September 18 at 6 PM at Kitty Hawk Surf Co. in Nags Head (MP 12.5).
Fishing is allowed anywhere within the following boundaries: Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk to the north; Hatteras Inlet to the south; Up to one (1) mile offshore to the east: as far west as the Currituck and Manns Harbor shorelines.
Additional info: www.khsurf.com
ESA Easterns Surfing Championships
September 20 – 26, 2015
Founded in 1967 by East Coast surfers to promote, preserve and protect the sport of surfing on the East Coast, the ESA is the largest amateur surfing organization in the world. With family-oriented programs that promote a healthy, active lifestyle.
The ESA’s activities are organized in a total of 24 districts, which extend along nearly 2,000 miles of coastline, stretching from Maine through the Gulf Coast of Florida and the Great Lakes.
Held at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, the event is the season’s “grand finale” where the best of the best surfers go head to head.
More info: www.surfesa.org/competition/easterns/
Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival
September 23 – 26, 2015
Roanoke Island’s Festival Park in Manteo will once again play host to the largest multi-day concert of the year in northeastern North Carolina. During this highly-popular yearly event, the historic downtown Manteo waterfront is filled with tunes from some of bluegrass music’s biggest touring acts.
Come experience some of the age-old genre with music from performers like Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs to name a few. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy the music from today’s biggest bluegrass chart toppers with performances by Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda Vincent.
More event info: www.bluegrassisland.com
OBX Brewtäg
October 24, 2015
What happens when you attach a keg to a flying machine and toss it off a 20-foot flight deck? You get the OBX Brewtäg on October 24, 2015. Founded on the basis of fun and flight, the Outer Banks Brewtäg strives to be an event chock full of education, recreation, culture, community, and wholehearted palate pleasin’ for the whole family.
We are hand-pickin’ some of the tastiest grub in the area. We’ve selected the finest brews that Eastern North Carolina has to offer. We’re jammin’ to tunes that are just loaded with the passion and soul that is the Outer Banks.
Oh…and we are watching some amazing teams launch their handcrafted, manmade, half-barrel-keg-driven flying machines from a flight deck leading them straight into aviation history —- right here —- right where flight began!
Additional info on the first ever OBX Brewtäg can be found here: www.obxbrewtag.com
Mustang Music Festival
October 9 – 10, 2015
The 5th Annual Mustang Music Festival is slated for October 9th through 10th in the town of Corolla, North Carolina. A festival that seems to grow experientially in size each year, Keller Williams and More Than a Little, Rusted Root and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band are among the musical artists at the top of the bill for this spectacular fall celebration.
Other acts appearing along the Outer Banks include The Nth Power, Ryan Montbleau Band, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, The Mike Dillon Band, Fruition, American Babies and others.
In addition to the musical performances, the Mustang Music Festival will also feature Kitty Hawk Kites presenting a KidZone, an Artisan Market featuring over 30 artisans and Craft Beer Village featuring regional breweries.
Learn more about the 2015 Mustang Music Festival here: www.mustangmusicfestival.com
Duck Jazz Festival
October 11, 2015
The 9th Duck Jazz Festival presented by PNC returns to Duck on Columbus Day weekend in 2015. On Sunday, October 11, 2015, enjoy the free, non-ticketed, day-long festival showcasing national, regional and local jazz musicians on two stages.
Gates open at 10:00 a.m. with live music starting at 11:00 a.m. Enjoy jazz-related events leading up to the main event with activities like a jazz-themed movie on the Green, live music and special activities taking place at local Duck businesses.
Learn more here: www.duckjazz.com
Outer Banks Seafood Festival
October 17, 2015
Outer Banks Seafood Festival is a fun and educational experience promoting, honoring and celebrating the area’s seafood heritage and community. The festival offers opportunities to meet watermen and see the tools of their trade, including boats, crab pots and pound nets. You’ll find cooking demonstrations, educational booths and, best of all, the chance to eat fresh, local seafood from more than a dozen restaurants.
Hundreds of vacationers and local North Carolina residents will attend this year’s event to enjoy fresh local seafood caught from the docks of Wanchese along with other coastal North Carolina towns. Restaurants from the remote Ocracoke Island to the northern portion of Corolla will be attending and serving up sampling of their very best dishes.
Apart from the food, there will be live music from locally based bands throughout the day as well as games for all ages. Representatives from Outer Banks Catch will be on-site answering your toughest questions about where and how to buy local seafood and support the area’s local fisherman.
Full event info: www.outerbanksseafoodfestival.org
Wings Over Water
October 20 – 25, 2015
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival is one of the premier wildlife festivals in the U.S. Over 100 birding, paddling, photography, art and natural history trips, tours and programs offer something to interest everyone.
Participants come from all over America and the world to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the amazing wildlife.
Wings Over Water takes place over a large 5 county northeastern North Carolina area which includes 6 National Wildlife Refuges- Alligator River, Pea Island, Pocosin Lakes, Mattamuskeet, Mackay Island and Currituck National Wildlife Refuges.
More event info: www.wingsoverwater.org
[…] and temperatures in the lower 80°’s in September and mid-70°’s in October. Easily the busiest time of year for events on the Outer Banks. So consider planning your trip around the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, OBX […]
[…] and temperatures in the lower 80°’s in September and mid-70°’s in October. Easily the busiest time of year for events on the Outer Banks, consider planning your trip around the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, OBX […]
[…] For more information about the Festival, visit outerbanksseafoodfestival.org. And if you’re looking for a rundown of other spectacular upcoming event this fall on the Outer Banks, be sure to check out this recent blog post. […]