September has got to be the sweetest month of all on the Outer Banks. At least I think so, anyway. The weather is absolutely gorgeous right now – sunny and summery with a clarity in the air that makes it seem a little more like fall. And the ocean temperature is a balmy 73 to 79, depending on where you are on the barrier islands. If it’s in your means to get here, I’d say come on! The accommodations rates have dropped a little, it’s busy but not too crowded, and there are tons of fun events going on through the rest of the month.
Here's a rundown on a few upcoming events, but you’ll find a whole lot more, along with programs at local attractions and nightlife happenings, on our Events page.
Outer Banks Kite Festival
Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head
Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14
Kitty Hawk Kites will be flying giant kites of Jockey’s Ridge State Park on Friday and Saturday starting at 10 a.m. It’s free to walk up the dunes and watch the kites. Professional flyers will be flying the kites to music in synchronized performances and give lessons in stunt and power kite flying.
Dune Days
Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head
Saturday, September 14
The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge is celebrating Jockey’s Ridge State Park with hot dogs, snowcones and the shenanigans of Dueling Dinosaurs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At 1 p.m. there will be Sandcastle Building contest for individuals or teams. If you not building a castle, you can opt for a Dune Hike with a ranger at 1 p.m. Find more details here.
Day at the Docks
Hatteras village
Saturday, September 14
Started in 2003, Day at the Docks is Hatteras village’s most loved annual festival. Honoring the village’s commercial and charter fishing heritage, the main festival on Saturday runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes live music, children’s activities, the Blessing of the Fleet, fishing demos and dock chats, a 5K run, a Chowder Cookoff, the Seafood Throwdown, exhibits and vendors and more. Everything is held on or near the docks in Hatteras village. The Chowder Cookoff runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $10 to benefit Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation. The Fishy 5K Run begins at 8 a.m. Find all the info you need here.
OBX PrideFest
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
Saturday, September 14
OBX PrideFest is a free, family-friendly LGBTQ+ festival that’s part of a weeklong line up of events that’s been going on all week. The main festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features live bands, craft vendors, food vendors, face painting, games, entertainment and more. Everyone is welcome. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Find more information here.
The BBQ Showdown
Downtown Manteo
Sunday, September 15
Join Kiiind Cocktails for The BBQ Showdown with live music, food and cocktails from 2 to 5 p.m. One of the pitmasters will win the Best BBQ Crown, which will be voted on by the tasters. A raffle will be held to raise funds for local Uber driver Lisa Gum. Purchase tickets here.
ESA Surfing Championships
Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head
Sunday, September 15 through Saturday, September 21
The East Coast’s best surfers come together for a week of competition at Jennette’s Pier. It’s free to watch from the beach, or you can pay a very small fee to watch the action from the pier.
Surfalorus Film Festival
Jennette’s Pier
Monday, September 16 through Wednesday, September 18
Surfalorus is a film festival for surfers, nature lovers, filmmakers and fans of everything aquatic. It’s a three-day celebration of N.C. marine culture through film. From 4:30 to 9 p.m. each day, you can watch films and enjoy a social hour.
OBX Jeep Invasion
Soundside Event Site, Nags Head
Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22
Jeep lovers and spectators come together for a Jeep-centric weekend that benefits the Outer Banks SPCA, Virginia Tillett Center Community Toy Drive and Wounded Warriors in Action. There will be a Fun Run, Vendor Bingo, raffles, live bands, vendors, food trucks and much more. Click here for information.
Throwdown Surf Classic
Chickahauk Beach Access, Southern Shores
Saturday, September 21
The Outer Banks’ favorite family surf event features competition among many age groups plus auctions and raffles. An event of the Throwdown Youth Foundation, it benefits locals in need. In 2023 the event raised $54,000 for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Find out how to register for the event here.
Theatre of Dare’s Social Security
September 20 through 29
Theatre of Dare, Kitty Hawk
Theatre of Dare’s first production for 2024-25 is Social Security, a comedy about New York art dealers. Catch it on September 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and September 22 and 29 at 2 p.m. Buy tickets here.
Surfrider Foundation Beach Cleanup
Jockey’s Ridge State Park Sound Access, Nags Head
Sunday, September 22
Join Surfrider Foundation and Kitty Hawk Kites for an end-of-summer beach cleanup from 5 to 6 p.m. Volunteers should check in at the beach access to receive gloves and trash bags and then can clean the beach of their choosing. All participants are encouraged to use the Marine Debris Tracker app to log the trash they picked up.
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.
