There’s something magical about music in the crisp fall air, especially when it’s paired with salty breezes, luscious lawns, a cold drink and your favorite people. Live music and fall weather go hand in hand — and the Outer Banks delivers in a big way.
This October, get ready for two incredible music festivals, both set in our most walkable, charming towns: Duck and Manteo. Park the car, bring your beach chairs and let the rhythms carry you through the best long weekends of the season.
These are not the only places to find live music this fall, but they are definitely the most concentrated lineups you'll find all season.
Duck Jazz Festival
October 9 to 12
Main Event: Sunday, October 12
Location: Duck Town Park Amphitheater
Information: duckjazz.com
Free admission!
Now in its 16th year, the Duck Jazz Festival returns with a bang – or should we say, a groove. This year’s theme, Duck Grooves: The Sound of Jazz, highlights jazz’s rich, ever-evolving spirit and how it mirrors the Outer Banks' own unique, eclectic vibe.
This festival is more than music – it’s a community celebration. You’ll also find family-friendly events, educational lectures, side events in venues around town and a sunset movie on the green. Best of all, it’s free and completely walkable. Just get to the main event early because seating is first-come, first-served. Duck’s quaint village layout means you can stroll from your rental or parking spot to the stage to dinner with zero hassle.
Photo: Duck Town Green packs out for the Duck Jazz Festival. Get there early to grab a great seat.
The Music
Saturday, October 11
4 p.m. Adam Hawley with vocalist Kat Hawley
Smooth jazz and Billboard hits to start the weekend off right.
Sunday, October 12
Main Stage
11 a.m. Shayna Steele – powerhouse vocals
1:10 p.m. Gerald Veasley – OBX favorite and former festival co-host
3:25 p.m. Brass Queens – all-female brass band bringing the heat
5:25 p.m. Tito Puente Jr. – salsa, energy and legacy all in one
Amphitheater Stage
12:10 p.m. First Flight High School Honors Jazz Band
2:20 p.m. David Esleck Trio featuring Jordan Garrett
4:30 p.m. The Hot Lanes with Bobby Jasinski – a 16-piece big band!
Pre-Festival Events
Thursday, October 9
6 p.m. Lecture: "Voices and Virtuosos: The History of Women in Jazz" with Dr. Kelsey Klotz
Friday, October 10
9 a.m. Kids’ Jazz Story Time & Rhythm Play at Paul F. Keller Meeting Hall
Friday, October 10
Sunset - Movie on the Green Sing, presented by Carolina Designs Realty
Photo: Three days of bluegrass music on a 22-acre island in Downtown Manteo – come for one day or all three.
Bluegrass Island Music Festival
October 16 to 18
Location: Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
Information and tickets: bluegrassisland.com
Bluegrass Island Music Festival rolls into town the very next week. This legendary festival brings bluegrass fans from across the globe to Manteo's Roanoke Island Festival Park on a stunning 22-acre island with an amphitheater overlooking Shallowbag Bay. Manteo is the perfect host town – full of inns, shops, bars and restaurants all within walking distance.
Bluegrass Island Lineup
Thursday, October 16
12:30 p.m. Amanda Cook Band
2:15 p.m. Authentic Unlimited
4 p.m. Lonesome River Band
6 p.m. Malpass Brothers
8 p.m. Rhonda Vincent
Friday October 17
12:30 p.m. Unspoken Tradition
2:15 p.m. Frank Solivan
4 p.m. Wood Box Heroes
6 p.m. Pam Tillis
8 p.m. The Steeldrivers
Saturday October 18
12:30 p.m. Jacob Jolliff Band
2:15 p.m. Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
4 p.m. Dan Tyminksi Band
6 p.m. Steep Canyon Rangers
8 p.m. Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
10 p.m. Jam at the Pioneer Theater with the Jacob Jolliff Band
Photo: Crabdaddy Seafood & Wine Fest is a celebration of the fall blue crab harvest at Sanctuary Vineyards.
More Fall Festivals on the Outer Banks
As if that’s not enough, there is plenty more happening around the Banks this fall. Here are more upcoming fall festivals, many of which will feature live music.
Halloween Island - October 3 to 31, Downtown Manteo
Autumn Ale Faire – October 4 at The Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo
Crabdaddy Seafood & Wine Fest – October 4 at Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg
Oink N Oyster Roast – October 11 at Jolly Roger Restaurant, Kill Devil Hills
Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Festival – October 11, Ocracoke
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival – October 14–19, various locations
Outer Banks Seafood Festival – October 18 at Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Cancer Shucks Oyster Feast & Low Country Boil – October 24, Pirate’s Cove, Manteo
Outer Banks Brewtag – October 25 at Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree – October 31, Ocracoke
Roanoke Island Oyster Shellabration & BBQ – November 2, Wanchese
Big Currishuck AYCE Oyster Festival – November 29, Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg
Don’t Miss a Beat
Whether you're grooving to jazz in Duck or boogeying to bluegrass in Manteo, fall is the perfect time to visit the Outer Banks. Fewer crowds, cooler weather, less expensive accommodations, walkable towns and unforgettable music — what’s not to love? Stay up to date on all the Outer Banks fall happenings in our Daytime and Nightlife listings.
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.
