Around this time every year – early March right around Daylight Saving Time – it feels like somebody flips a switch, and all of a sudden the Outer Banks is back on. After a long, quiet winter with empty beaches and early bedtimes, here come the spring breakers, reopening businesses, later sunsets and a ton of events that draw the Outer Bankers out of hibernation.
The fun kicks off this weekend with dozens of OBX Taste of the Beach food and drink events plus the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and all its accompanying after parties. I’m highlighting a few events for you here, and you can find all the rest on our Daytime and Nightlife events pages.
At the end of the blog, I give you a heads-up about upcoming ticketed events that will require some planning. Get them on your calendar and get your tickets now!
Taste of the Beach
March 13 to 15
Outer Banks Taste of the Beach returns March 13 to 15, which just so happens to coincide with the ever-popular Outer Banks St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Nags Head.
Presented by Outer Banks Restaurant Association, Taste of the Beach serves up a full slate of food-and-drink experiences. It’s all about eating well, having fun and supporting the people who keep the Outer Banks delicious year-round. From tapas crawls and prix fixe dinners to themed supper clubs, wine pairings and playful pop-culture dinners, the 2026 Taste of the Beach lineup proves that our local restaurants are thinking outside the box. Tickets are still available for some events, such as the Outer Banks Brewing Station’s Midnight at the Masquerade Murder Dinner, where professional actors, a tasting menu and an interactive storyline combine for a truly unforgettable night. Browse the very organized website to see which events catch your eye and have tickets left.
If you're in town for the parade, you might be interested in the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, jazz brunches, Derby-themed luncheons and authentic Irish dining experiences. Kick off your pre-parade festivities at Outer Banks Brewing Station's Jazz Brunch Pre-Parade Party. From pirate-inspired pairings at Jolly Roger’s Shamrocks and Scallywags, where guests follow the shamrocks to six tasting stations featuring Irish dishes and grog (with live music kicking off at 8 p.m.), to Lost Colony Tavern’s four-course St. Paddy’s Tour of Ireland showcasing authentic dishes as they’re enjoyed across the Emerald Isle, and Red Drum Grill & Taphouse’s weekend celebration filled with hearty Irish fare and festive drink specials, there are plenty of flavorful ways to raise a glass to St. Patrick’s Day across the Outer Banks.
Browse events and get tickets here.
Running of the Leprechauns
March 14
Start your Saturday at 8 a.m. with Outer Banks Sporting Events’ Running of the Leprechauns 5K and 10K and enjoy an authentic Irish after party with stew, beer and music. Participants receive a medal and a shirt. The starting and finishing line is on Satterfield Landing Drive in Nags Head. Day-of registration starts at 7 a.m. Register or volunteer here.
Winter Market at Dowdy Park
March 14
After your run and morning beer, swing by Dowdy Park in Nags Head to pick up local food items like bread, cheese, juice, jams, meats and more. The winter market (food only; art returns for the summer markets) runs from 9 a.m. to noon, and there’s plenty of space for the kids to run around on the lawn and playground.
St. Patricks’ Day Parade
March 15
The Kelly’s 35th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade kicks off on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Nags Head. The 2026 parade will officially serve as the kickoff event for Dare County’s A250 celebrations, honoring America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. The A250 initiative marks the historic milestone of 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Parade participants have been strongly encouraged to incorporate patriotic and historical elements into their floats and performances. Judges will award prizes of Best Overall, Best Float, Best Unit, and Best Band/Music Group following the parade.
The parade features more than 100 entrants and attracts more than 10,000 spectators, making it one of the largest St. Patrick’s celebrations in eastern North Carolina. It takes place rain or shine along the traditional one-mile route in Nags Head from Bladen Street (Milepost 11.5) north to Driftwood Street on the Beach Road (Virginia Dare Trail).
After parties are being held all through town: Red Drum Grille & Taphouse, Tortuga’s Lie, Jack Browns Beer & Burger Joint, Outer Banks Brewing Station and more. See our listings here.
2 Concerts in Downtown Manteo
March 15
Dan Kelly Anthem Tour at The Pioneer Theater
Dan Kelly of Fortunate Youth will perform his first-ever solo show right here in Manteo! It’s a storytelling style show with special guests Cas Haley, Kevin Kinsella, John Landry and Ike Kanakanui performing acoustic reggae music in an acoustically perfect venue – The Pioneer Theater in Downtown Manteo. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. (doors open 5 p.m.). Tickets range from $36.79 to $69.83. Get tickets here.
Bluegrass Island Nights: Scythian
As part of the Bluegrass Island Nights concert series, Celtic rock/Americana band Scythian will perform at the indoor theater at Roanoke Island Festival Park. With only 250 seats, it makes for an intimate experience. The show starts at 7 p.m. Beer, wine, and refreshments available for purchase. Get your tickets here.
Make Plans, Get Tickets
Theatre of Dare Presents True West
March 20 to 28
Theatre of Dare, the Outer Banks premiere community theater group, will perform Sam Shepard’s True West in March. The darkly comic drama revolves around the volatile relationship between two brothers, Lee and Austin, as they navigate their contrasting lifestyles and aspirations while staying in their mother's house. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee's trashy Western tale. Theatre of Dare shows typically sell out, so get your tickets now. Show dates are March 20, 21, 22, 26, 27 and 28, at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Purchase tickets here.
2026 Gala for Well-Being: Stayin’ Alive With ThriveObx!
March 28
Outer Banks Health’s 2026 Gala for Well-Being is a 70s-themed event to raise funds for the ThriveOBX initiative. Held at Duck Woods Country Club, it will feature food and beverages, music and dancing and an evening of celebrating well-being in our community. Tickets cost $300 per person (formal attire preferred), with limited availability. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at $100 each for a chance to win an eight-night stay in Athens, Crete and Santorini, Greece. Proceeds directly support the well-being fund. Limited Late-Night Tickets grant access from 9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. and are available for $100 each. Find information and tickets here.
Eastertide in the Gardens
April 4
The popular Easter event at The Elizabethan Gardens is sure to sell out. In the spring beauty at the Gardens, children and families follow a map along the paths to gather eggs at designated “egg stations” and enjoy crafts, contests, games and vendors on the Great Lawn. Tickets are available online. The fun starts at 10 a.m., and the Easter bunny arrives at 10:30 a.m. There’s also a hat and bonnet contest at noon and egg races at 12:30 p.m. Find tickets here.
Bluegrass Island Nights
March 28, April 28, May 9
Three more Bluegrass Island Nights shows are coming up at the 250-seat indoor theater at Roanoke Island Festival Park this spring. After Scythian on March 15, look Appalachian Road Show on March 28, The Brothers Comatose on April 28 and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper on May 9. Tickets cost $55. Find tickets here.
Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival
April 19
Tickets are selling fast for the 8th Annual Lost Colony Wine & Culinary Festival. Presented by TowneBank, the Grand Tasting takes place at The Waterside Theatre along Roanoke Sound. Admission includes wine tasting, samples of 75+ selections, craft beers, bubbles, local fare by 12 restaurants, a silent auction, regional artists and live music. The Beer Garden showcases local Outer Banks breweries. All proceeds benefit The Lost Colony production. VIP Access allows entry one hour early. Times are 2 to 5 p.m., and tickets range from $50 to $110. Purchase tickets here.
Live From OBX
June & July
The Outer Banks’ favorite summer concert series is just getting started with its lineup of summer shows. On the list so far:
- June 12 Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
- June 13 Kool & The Gang
- June 21 The String Cheese Incident
- July 9 Umphrey’s McGee and Moe.
More shows will be added to the calendar so keep checking livefromobx.com. In the meantime, it’s time to get these shows on your summer calendar and your tickets on your phone. Held on the huge amphitheater lawn at Roanoke Island Festival Park, with Roanoke Sound as the backdrop, these shows offer the quintessential summer live music experience. Purchase tickets here. Volunteers are needed.
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.
