December is a busy month on the Outer Banks, and the calendar is packed with holiday-themed events. From longstanding traditions like the Manteo Christmas Parade – now it its 50th year! – to new events like the Christmas Island pop-up bars, these events will definitely get you in the holiday spirit – even when the weather outside is not very frightful.
Photo: Meet St. Nicholas at Island Farm's Christmas on the North End on December 1, 2 and 3.
Find more information about these events and to learn about even more things do to in our Daytime and Nightlife sections.
December 1-30
WinterLights
It's become an Outer Banks tradition to stroll around The Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island when it's decked out in millions of twinkling lights. Tickets are sold online only for timed entry. This is held nightly except Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m. Dogs are welcome but they are charged an entry fee.
Christmas in Corolla Village
With Historic Corolla Village decorated in lights and the shops open late, it's definitely worth a trip up to the Outer Banks' northernmost village every Friday and Saturday night in December. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m.
Photo: Twinkly light displays are a longtime tradition at The Elizabethan Gardens and a new one in Corolla Village.
December 1-3
Christmas on the North End
Head to Island Farm on Roanoke Island to see how island residents of the 1850s celebrated. This all-ages event is held Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. There is an admission fee.
December 2
Town of Manteo Tree Lighting and First Friday
If you want a hefty dose of small-town charm, head on over to Manteo's tree lighting ceremony. Held on the waterfront across from the historic courthouse, there's music, hot chocolate and more. The tree lighting is at 6 p.m., but absolutely get there early to find a parking space and enjoy the fun before the lighthing. It's also First Friday in Downtown Manteo so expect live bands, sales in the local shops, an art exhibit opening at Dare County Arts Council and stuff for the kids to do. Again: Get there early.
December 2-4
Festival Latino de Ocracoke
The festival kicks off on Friday with daytime performances at Ocracoke School and then performances at Ocracoke Community Center from 7 to 9 p.m. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., there is music, entertainment, traditional food, games and more. On Sunday there's a basketball tournament at Ocracoke School from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 2-11
The Man Who Came to Dinner - Theatre of Dare
Theatre of Dare in Kitty Hawk is performing a holiday-themed show the first two weekends in December. On Fridays and Satudays the show runs from 7:30 to 10. On Sundays it's from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
December 3
50th Manteo Christmas Parade
Manteo has a day full of holiday activities every first Saturday in December, starting with the best little Christmas parade ever. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Manteo High School, travels down Wingina Street and continues through downtown to Fernando Street.
Winter Wonderland
After the parade, head over the Manteo Elementary School to entertain the kids with games, Santa, raffles, baked goods and more. There are also craft vendors. This runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Photo: Manteo Preservation Trust's Holiday Tour of Homes offers a peek inside local homes on December 3.
Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour of Homes
Don't leave Manteo just yet! You must stick around for the Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour of Homes. It's a self-guided tour starting at Outer Banks Distilling at 510 Budleigh Street. Tickets are $10, and the tour runs from 1 to 6 p.m.
Christmas Concert
At the end of that busy day in Manteo, the fun keeps going. U.S. Fleet Forces Band will perform a free Christmas concert at Roanoke Island Festival Park's indoor theatre from 7 to 8 p.m.
Duck Yuletide Celebration
Up in the Town of Duck, the holiday kick-off begins at 3 p.m. with live music, a scavenger hunt, Santa and treats. The tree lighting is held after dusk.
December 3 and 4
A Christmas Carol
Manteo High School's Stage Left Productions is performing A Christmas Carol on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
December 4
Lunch To Go Fundraiser for OBX Room in the Inn
Support the Outer Banks homeless community and enjoy lunch catered by Kelly's Catering. $25 meals of fried chicken or shrimp and grits with the famous sweet potato biscuits can be picked up at 1004 9th Avenue in Kill Devil Hills. Order tickets here.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
The Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series presents Elizabeth City State University Choir's production of Amahl and the Night Visitors at St. Andrew's By the Sea Episcopal Church in Nags Head. The show begins at 4 p.m.
December 6
Wassail Party
Ocracoke Preservation Society holds this annual wassail party to light its tree and get the community in the holiday spirit. There's cookies and wassail to drink, and they hold a quilt raffle in person and on Facebook live. It starts at 4:30 p.m.
December 9-11
Elf The Musical Jr.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School Drama Club presents this holiday play on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets cost $10.
December 10
Holiday Movie Event
RC Theaters in Kill Devil Hills is offering free showings of Polar Express, Elf, A Christmas Story or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at 10 a.m. Bring a donation for Toys for Tots.
Corolla Wild Horse Fund Holiday Open House at the Farm
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., mingle with the rescued Banker horses at CWHF's Betsy Dowdy Equine Center in Grandy. You can also watch a documentary about the horses and shop for holiday gifts. Entry fee is $10 per car.
Photo: Looking for a unique gift? These limited-edition Michael Middleton Ceramics ornaments are made with native Currituck clay and infused with strands of Raymond’s hair. Raymond is the wild Banker pony seen here. Order online to benefit Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
Shop and Shuck
Shop the stores of the Waterfront Shops and stop along the way to enjoy an oyster roast and live music. This is a fundraiser for Outer Banks Relief Foundation. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hatteras Village Christmas Parade
Hatteras' Christmas parade is always a fun event. Floats and decorated golf carts are welcome to participate. It starts at 2 p.m.
Hope for the Holidays
Pea Island Cookhouse Museum is hosting this event in their museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour the museum and enjoy music, cookies and cocoa. Bring food to donate for the Manteo Police Food Drive.
Mustang Music Outreach Program Rockin' Christmas Concert
MMOP is the Outer Banks' music program for kids. Local musicians offer lessons in guitar, vocals, drums and more. They'll show off their skills from 4 to 7 p.m. at Roanoke Island Festival Park's indoor theater. It's free but donations are most welcome.
Christmas Island VIP Tour w/ OBX Party Bus
Four local restaurants have set up holiday pop-up bars. There's Lucky 12's Jingle 12, Mama Kwan's Mama Klaus's, Goombay's Goombrrrs and Bonzer Shack's Broken Candy Cane. This tour will hit all four between 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $40 and will go fast.
December 15
Dowdy Park Candy Cane Hunt
Bring the kids to Dowdy Park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to hunt for candy canes. Kids will be separated into two age groups for the hunts.
December 15-17
A Christmas Story Reading
Theatre of Dare will perform a reading of the always popular A Christmas Story at Dare Arts in Manteo on three occasions: Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. The show is family friendly. Seating is limited but tickets are required.
December 16-17
Shuck Hatteras Oyster Festival
Cape Hatteras/Outer Banks KOA Resort in Waves is hosting a two-day celebration of oysters. Friday night features music and Cousins Oysters from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday brings a Merry Muse Market with an array of vendors, an oyster cookoff, an oyster roast, barbecue and a ton of live music.
December 17
118th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' First Flight
It's free to visit Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills on the anniversary of the day that the brothers first flew in 1903. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day is packed full with speakers, flyovers, inductions in the First Flight Society and so much more.
20th Candy Bomber Candy Drop
Come to Dare County Regional Airport to experience a slice of history. This tradition hearkens back to WWII, when Col. Gail Halvorsen began candy drops for the hungry children of Berlin. The drops begin at 12:30 p.m. This is a free event, but donations for next year's event are needed. See an article about the history of the Candy Bomber here.
Photo: The Candy Bomber returns to Manteo on December 18.
December 31
Midnight Magic in Manteo
Downtown Manteo is the place to be on New Year's Eve! Live music, a kids' zone and fireworks make it a great way to ring out the old and ring in the new in a safe, family-friendly environment.
Shop Ops
Still got some shopping to do? Don't miss these markets and open houses.
Dowdy Park Holiday Market December 1, 4 to 7 p.m. and December 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
First Flight Holiday Markets December 6 from 4 to 8 p.m., December 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and December 20 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Holiday Open House at Sam & Winston December 2, 5 to 8 p.m.
Open House at Water Street Studio, December 2, 6 to 8 pm
Starvin’ Artists Christmas Party, Swells'a Brewing, December 3, 1 to 6 p.m.
TRiO Holiday Market, December 3, 3 to 5 p.m.
Christmas Open House at the Christmas Shop, December 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Merry Muse Market at Mulligan's, December 3 from 11 am to 3 pm.
Merry Muse Market at Shuck Hatteras Festival, Cape Hatteras / Outer Banks KOA, December 17, 1 to 6 p.m.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
