School might be in session, but summer is still happening on the Outer Banks. People are on the beach and in the restaurants, and with Labor Day weekend here, it’s about to get more crowded. Labor Day weekend is notoriously busy on the Outer Banks. It’s no Fourth of July, but the place packs out, and nothing kills the weekend vibes more than navigating your way around the masses. Here are a few tips to keep your Labor Day ship on a course of smooth sailing.
Photo: The beach life lives on at Fishheads in Nags Head.
Stock Up: Running to the store for this and that all day is exhausting, especially when you have to stand in long lines every time. Make your rounds to the grocery store, seafood market, produce stand, ABC (liquor store) in one outing, and be sure to bring a cooler for items that need to stay cool until you get home. Don't forget the ice!
Timing is Everything: Doing your things at non-peak times is key. Grocery shop early in the morning or in the evening after dinner. To avoid a wait at restaurants, eat dinner with the early birds or go out for lunch instead of dinner. Rent Jet Skis and watersports gear early in the morning, go for that mid-day tee time, take the morning dolphin tour instead of the sunset tour … you get the idea. If you think it’s the ideal time, a lot of other people probably do too, so adjust if you can.
Ride Together: Parking is at a premium at restaurants and beach accesses on Labor Day weekend. Ride with a friend instead of meeting them there.
Save a Buck: Labor Day weekend is a time for sales. Local retailers are discounting everything from clothing to surfboards to beach gear. Take time this weekend to find deals on the things you need to round out this summer and can use in the next one. I’ll be restocking my beach chairs this weekend for sure.
Call the Uber: Never drink and drive. Not after just one or two, not on the boat, not in the golf cart, not in the daytime ... just call the Uber or even a local taxi – we still have those!
Swim Safely: Lifeguards are still on duty through Labor Day so swim near one if possible.
Coming Up this Weekend
We have some super-fun events over the Labor Day holiday. Don't miss these, and be sure to scroll through our Events for a ton more!
Photo: Vusic OBX Summer Music Series has two more shows this season!
Vusic OBX
August 29 & September 7
Vusic has only two more shows this summer season, and one is coming up on Thursday, August 29 – Sublime with Rome, G. Love with Special Sauce and Fortunate Youth. Tickets are still available. Coming up on September 7 is Jamey Johnson with special guest Whitey Morgan & the 78s. Go to vusicobx.com for info and tickets.
WRV Outer Banks Pro Surf Contest
August 29 to September 1
This annual surf contest takes place at Jennette’s Pier all weekend long. It’s free to sit on the beach and watch the competition and check out the vendor booths. For a small fee to walk on the pier, you can watch with a bird's-eye view.
Ocracoke Seafood Festival
Saturday, August 31
The Ocracoke Seafood Festival benefits the Ocracoke Health Center. There will be lots of seafood, live music, auctions and more. It starts at 4 p.m. and will be at the Berkley Barn. Find the details here.
Photo: Watch kite, foil and wing demos at the Kitty Hawk Kites Labor Day Weekend Bash.
Kitty Hawk Kites Labor Day Weekend Bash
Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2
Head to Waves Village in Waves for free yoga on the lawn, live music from six local bands, great food from Good Winds, sales at Kitty Hawk Kites stores, and gear and demos for kite, foil and wing. Check out the details here.
Labor Day Lighthouse 5K
Monday, September 2
Take a 5K run/walk through the newly designed Cape Hatteras Lighthouse grounds and new multiuse path. This well-organized event features great swag and medals and supports Hatteras Island Meals, the Buxton-Frisco Pathway Project and OBX Buddies. Register here.
Catch ‘Em Before They’re Gone
Some outdoor summer events are done (farewell, Dowdy Park Markets and The Lost Colony), but others are still stretching on into September and even October. Here are few you should try to catch before they are gone for the season.
Photo: Thanks to Outer Banks Health, free beach yoga is still happening at Jennette's Pier.
Free Yoga and Fitness!
A very awesome trend on the Outer Banks is to offer free yoga and fitness classes in local parks.
Yoga in Dowdy Park, Nags Head, Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. through October 22
Yoga on the Green, Duck, Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. through September 24
Dynamic Flow Fitness on the Green, Duck, Wednesdays through September 11
Namaste at the Beach – Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. through September 19
Yoga in Historic Corolla Park – Corolla, Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. through September 5
Outdoor Markets
Downtown Market on the Manteo Waterfront - Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September 14
Secotan Market in Wanchese – Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. through November 27
Avon Farmers Market, Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September 10
Tri Villages Market, Camp Hatteras Campground, Rodanthe, Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September 25
Wednesday Fun in Corolla
Corolla Cornhole Tournaments, Wednesdays through September 11 - Compete on the lawn at Historic Corolla Park. At the end of the season all the winners will be entered to win a drawing for a free beach vacation provided by Brindley Beach Vacations.
Corolla Cork & Craft, Wednesdays through September 11 - Wine, beer, music, craft vendors
Photo: Win the Corolla Cornhole Tournament and you might win a free Corolla vacation.
Ocrafolk Opry
Wednesdays through September 25
Head to Deepwater Theatre on Ocracoke at 8 p.m. to see four favorite local musicians and special guests.
Acoustic Sunset / Wine Down
Thursdays through September 26
Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg hosts these events with live music, food trucks, beer and, of course, their delicious wine! The times are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Photo: Acoustic Sunset Wine Downs at Sanctuary Vineyards are a great way to spend a summer evening.
Learn about all the events happening on the Outer Banks and all through September (summer's not over until September 21!) on our Events page.
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.
