Outdoor Markets on the Outer Banks, Summer 2026

Whether you’re procuring necessities or browsing for gifts, souvenirs and other fun stuff, the Outer Banks has a shop, store, boutique, outfitter, grocer, market, bakery or bottle shop to fulfill your every want and need. To see all the hundreds of Outer Banks stores, which you can sort by town or type of shopping, click here.

But sometimes it’s just fun to wander through an open-air market in a one-stop shopping situation. It’s a delight to spend an hour or two or three in the fresh air and sunshine exploring locally made goods and getting to know the makers, producers, artists, crafters, growers, bakers, juicers and entrepreneurs behind them.

If an outdoor market is your kind of thing, you’re in luck on the Outer Banks. Each summer week there are nine markets from Kitty Hawk to Avon, so you should be able to make at least one of them.

Don’t forget to bring your own reusable bags, bring cash if possible (though all vendors take cards or electronic payments, of course) and be prepared to spend hours wandering around amongst all this local goodness.

Brew & Arts Market

Mondays in July

5 to 8:30 p.m. 

Outer Banks Brewing Station, 600 S. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills

Every Monday in July, Outer Banks Brewing Station invites a variety of vendors to set up shop. This means you can sip a tasty beer or beverage, shop for locally made products, listen to live music in the yard and eat dinner all in one location.

Discover treasures along the paved multi-use trail at First Flight Farmers Market in Kill Devil Hills on Tuesday mornings.

TUESDAY

First Flight Farmers Market

Tuesdays through August 4

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Aviation Park, 103 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills

Put on your walking shoes and get ready for the Town of Kill Devil Hills’ large market with around 50 vendors every week. Vendors are set up along the multiuse trail, so shoppers get the experience of walking the pathway and discovering vendors along the way. You’ll find lots of food items, like fresh-grown vegetables and fruits, eggs, meats, baked goods and more. You’ll also find dozens of artists and crafters selling photography, artwork, candles, bath and body items, jewelry, woodworks and more. Overflow parking is available at First Flight High School. A skate park, dog park, fitness trail, playground and restrooms also are available on site. 

Avon Farmers Market

Tuesdays through September 8

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

41156 N.C. Highway 12, next to Hatteras Realty

A Hatteras Island staple since 2010, Avon Farmers Market is a summer tradition for locals and visitors. A wide variety of food producers and growers, makers, artists and crafters set up on the lawn next to Hatteras Realty office. All items are made by the seller. You’ll find flowers, food, honey, sweets, bread, coffee, arts, crafts and goodies of all sorts. Avon Farmers Market has a lot of vendors, so make sure you have plenty of time to explore them all.

Take a break from shopping to blow giant bubbles at Soundside Summer Market in Nags Head on Wednesdays.

WEDNESDAY

Soundside Summer Market

Wednesdays through August 26

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Soundside Event Site, 6800 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

Soundside Market, held at Soundside Event Site along the Roanoke Sound in Nags Head, is a family-friendly event featuring food producers, artists and makers all circled up and selling their goods. There’s always a food truck serving breakfast and lunch, and in the circle center there are games like giant Connect Four and giant bubble makers. Plenty of parking is available on-site. There is not much shade at this location, so wear sunscreen and a hat. Restaurants, recreation and shopping are also close to the site. Be sure to take a walk on the new boardwalk that opened at Soundside Event Site this year.

Tri Villages Market at Camp Hatteras

Wednesdays through October 14

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Camp Hatteras Campground, 24798 N.C. Highway 12, Waves

Held on the soundside at Camp Hatteras Campground, Tri Villages Market serves Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo locals and visitors rain or shine. Vendors set up on the lawn, on the conference center porch or inside the conference center, and in case of inclement weather, the whole market moves indoors to the conference center. You’ll find goods from more than 50 artists, makers, growers and producers, including produce, honey, cheese and more. There is a lot of variety among the vendors, and they have plenty of parking for cars, bikes and golf carts on site. The site is right along the multiuse path, so walking or biking is a convenient way to get there.

Dowdy Park Farmers Market in Nags Head offers a family-friendly atmosphere with its weekly market on Thursdays plus a huge playground for the kids to enjoy before or after shopping.

THURSDAY

Dowdy Park Farmers Markets

Thursdays through August 20

NOTE: Due to weather, the July 23 Dowdy Park Market has been moved to Monday, July 27

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Look for holiday market dates

Dowdy Park, 3005 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head

With more than 50 vendors, it can take a while to make the rounds among the locally grown produce, all-natural meats, cheeses, juices, baked goods, pottery, art, crafts, soaps and other goodies at this market. If you’re just coming for food, all the food vendors are lined up in one area, which can make things quicker. While you shop you can let the kids play on the playground equipment, exercise trail and big open grassy field. Parking is available at Nags Head Elementary School next to the park, but this market is very popular so walk or bike up if you can.  

FRIDAY

First Friday Vendor Market

August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4

5 to 9 p.m.

Pioneer Theater Garden, 113 Budleigh Street, Manteo

During the monthly First Friday events in Downtown Manteo, the Pioneer Theatre hosts an open-air market under its tents. Look for local numerous treats and artisan and craft vendors as well food trucks, music and beer and wine.

Secotan Market is a popular local gathering spot on Saturday mornings in Wanchese.

SATURDAY

Secotan Market

Saturdays through September 26, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

2868 N.C. Highway 345, Wanchese

This might be a small market, but its vendors pack a punch. It’s a producer-only, all-local market with locally and regionally grown produce, all-natural meats and eggs, bread and baked goods, ferments, honey, salsa, jams and more. Food is the focus, and you could stock up on a week’s worth of groceries here. Every market also features one or two artists or makers as well. The ride down to Wanchese is about 15 minutes from Nags Head and is a beautiful drive with not too much traffic. After the market, check out Wanchese and its four places to eat lunch. From October through Thanksgiving, the hours change to 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and in the winter Secotan Market is held on the first and third Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Downtown Market on the Manteo Waterfront

Saturdays through September 19

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

George Washington Creef Park, 104 Fernando Street, Manteo

Downtown Market enjoys a beautiful, partially shaded setting overlooking Shallowbag Bay in Manteo. The local community comes out to shop among numerous vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, pottery, plants, artwork, paintings, skin-care products and so much more. Downtown Manteo offers plentiful parking for cars or bikes, and you can even arrive by boat. The downtown area has options for breakfast or lunch and lots of other shops to explore after you've made your rounds at the market.  

Photo: Corolla Cork & Craft is a one-day vendor market and wine festival at Historic Corolla Park.

Summer Bonus!

Corolla Cork & Craft

Wednesday, August 5

12 to 7 p.m.

Whalehead, 1100 Club Road, Corolla

For more information about these events and more, check our Daytime events listings. And be sure to check our Nightlife pages for a rundown of the fun things to do after sunset on the Outer Banks.