The end of the year is here! It’s a time for celebration, for honoring the past year and all its gifts and for welcoming the new one and all its hope and potential. There is more than one way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and that is definitely true on the Outer Banks. From late-night parties to intimate dinners to family-friendly festivities, everyone can find their style of fun here on the last night of the year.
Family Friendly
The Downtown Manteo Waterfront is the place to be on New Year’s Eve for all ages. However, due to the forecast for heavy rain this New Year's Eve, the Midnight Magic in Manteo event has been rescheduled to Sunday, January 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be food trucks, a fire pit with s'mores, lawn games and more, and the festivities will end with fireworks at 7 p.m. This event is free. Food trucks on site will be Street Eats Latin Fusion, Fork'et Me Not, Stag's Soulshine Kitchen, Kona Ice and Mr. Buddy's carnival sweets, and Friends of Elizabeth II will be selling adult beverages.
Funny
Sandtrap Tavern in Kitty Hawk is hosting a NYE Night of Laughs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Comedians Dan Brown and Sid Bridge will keep you in stitches while you enjoy dinner, a Champagne toast and a special surprise to take home. Tickets are available here.
Late-Night
Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café in Nags Head is throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash starting with a special dinner menu at 4:30 p.m. The fun continues with the Daniel Jordan Band from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There’s no cover charge and no reservation needed. Just show up ready for a good time.
Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills has been throwing a legendary Outer Banks New Year’s Eve Celebration for ages. Their event includes three DJs, a 1,000 balloon drop at midnight as well as a champagne toast. The fun starts at 10 p.m. and rolls until 2 a.m.
Jolly Roger in Kill Devil Hills starts off New Year’s Eve with breakfast, lunch and dinner specials and keeps the party going until 2 a.m. with food,drinks and music.
Quiet
Dine out, just the two of you. Many Outer Banks restaurants are offering special New Year’s Eve menus, including NC Coast in Duck, Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk, Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills, Bluewater Grill, 1587 and Avenue Grille and Goods in Manteo, and Cafe Pamlico in Buxton. Reservations are suggested.
Active
Tortugas’ Lie in Nags Head has been hosting a casual New Year’s Eve Beach Road 5K for the past 33 years! This year it will be held at 10 p.m. There is no registration – you just show up at the restaurant and run with your family and friends. The course is dark, so bring a headlamp or flashlight. Stick around after the run for a toast at the bar.
Relaxing
Ascension Studio OBX in Kill Devil Hills is offering two opportunities for easing your way into calm and centered New Year. Their New Year’s Eve Sound Ceremony with breathwork, vocal toning, intention setting, releasement and deep sound immersion with Luke Leuterio will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. and again from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. This offering costs only $33, and it’s a great way to start the New Year on a sober note. Register in advance. On New Year’s Day, Ascension is hosting a New Year Vision Board Workshop at 10 a.m. with local artist Jen Spore. Ages 12 and older are welcome, and the cost is $66.
For a list of all the fun things to do on the Outer Banks this New Year's Eve and beyond, go to our Daytime and Nightlife pages.
Happy 2023!
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.
