Whether you want your New Year’s Eve to be family-friendly, cozy and romantic or an all-night party, there is a celebration for you on the Outer Banks. The last day of the year holds great potential for fun. Here’s a rundown of what’s going on.
Photo: The Town of Manteo presents a full-on fireworks display on New Year's Eve at 8 p.m.
Meet Me in Manteo for New Year’s
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Downtown at this free, family-friendly event with live music, a kids’ zone with games and activities, fabulous fun giveaways and a colorful fireworks display illuminating Manteo’s beautiful waterfront. The fun starts at 6 p.m. with DJ Mixin’ Mike, food trucks and kids’ games and activities. After an early fireworks show at 8 p.m., the fun will continue with the popular ‘80s band The Deloreans until midnight. Everything is happening outside on the street, so dress warmly and prepare for fun!
To warm up you can pop into Manteo bars and restaurants like Poor Richard’s, NouVines, Old Tom’s Beer Wine and Provisions, The Lost Colony Brewery, Ortega’z, The Pioneer Theater’s beer garden (where a temporary carousel is set up and hot chocolate is being served through January 3), 1587 Restaurant and Lounge, Outer Banks Distilling and Firetender.
If you make it to Manteo, be sure to take the kids by the carousel in the garden at The Pioneer Theater.
Dining Out
If a nice dinner out is your preferred New Year’s Eve speed, any Outer Banks restaurant will welcome you, but keep in mind that it’s a hugely popular night in local restaurants. Make reservations (where possible) now. NC Coast Grill & Bar and Red Sky Casual Dining in Duck, Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar and TRiO Restaurant and Market in Kitty Hawk, The Saltbox and Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills, Blue Moon Beach Grill, South of KDG and The Captain’s Table in Nags Head and The Froggy Dog in Avon are a few places that will be serving a nice dinner and where you might be able to get a reservation if you call early. Find more details on our Nightlife page. For a full list of Outer Banks restaurants, click here.
Bars & Nightlife
For fun in the local bars, the Misfit Bars of Christmas and 12 Bars of Christmas holiday popup bars are running through December 31. Besides super-festive décor and special food and drink menus, many of the bars are hosting special New Year’s Eve events.
Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills has been hosting its New Year’s Eve part for more than 25 years, and it’s always a great time. This year Funkamongus is playing from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. plus there will be a midnight balloon drop and Champagne toast at midnight.
Jolly Roger in Kill Devil Hills is hosting a Masquerade Ball with DJ Styles and DJ Blacking at streaming the Times Square Ball Drop. They’re inviting everyone to dress to impress and will be offering a Magic Mirror Photo Booth and a Champagne toast at midnight.
In Ocracoke, the legendary Ray McAllister Band is playing at Ocracoke Oyster Company starting at 9 p.m. and running through the New Year’s Eve midnight countdown.
Enjoy your last days of 2024! All of us at Outer Banks This Week wish you a Happy New Year!
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.
